He gave a low, raspy chuckle. “I suspected as much.”
When they reached the lodge steps, he put a hand on her arm. She turned to face him. He dropped his hands, stuck his thumbs in his pockets casually.
“Life flies by alarmingly fast, my dear. You don’t always get a second chance to seize what makes you happy.”
Presley pursed her lips, a lump forming in her throat. “No. But sometimes those feelings of happiness aren’t reciprocated.” She’d learned that well enough.
His brows lowered. He made a “tsk” sound. “You don’t believe that.”
She hadn’t known her grandparents but if she had, and had beenclose to her grandfather on either side, she imagined he’d give a look like this one. A don’t-try-that-on-me look.
“It’s not always practical. Or manageable.”
He patted her arm. “You’d be surprised how things can work out if you want them badly enough.”
Balloons of hope and want surged in her chest. But she couldn’t put herself in that position again. When she went home, there’d be no Emmett, but she’d have her job, her promotion, her apartment.Empty apartment. Possible promotion.
She might not be sorry she and Emmett were over, but misreading their relationship had left a mark that hadn’t healed yet. She couldn’t do the same with Beckett. They’d said a week. He hadn’t asked for more, and neither had she. The memory of this trip would be magic she’d sprinkle over her life when she needed it most.
Her gaze dropped. “Wanting isn’t always enough.”
Ollie came flying out the door at that moment. She nearly skidded to a stop on the porch when she saw Presley and Mr. Dayton.
“Hi. Mom and me made a cake to say goodbye to Mel and Richard. We’re going to have it for lunch! Instead of boring sandwiches or something. The other guests get the sandwiches.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Mr. Dayton said, clapping his hands together.
“We gotta wait for Uncle Beck but Mom said to come see if you needed anything, Presley.”
“Who could need more than a dose of your smile?”
That smile grew. She bounced like an animated woodland creature. “Me. I need cake.”
Presley and Mr. Dayton laughed, following her inside, listening to her steady stream of chatter. The lodge was quiet, other than Ollie, when they entered, and Presley looked around, memorizing it. Her arrival felt so long ago.You’re not gone yet. Stop.
When Ollie’s hand slipped into hers, she didn’t know what to say so she just squeezed it.
“We’re eating in the library.”
“There’s a library?” Mr. Dayton asked, following their mini-hostess.
Ollie looked back quickly, making her hair whip around. “That’s what I call it. There’s lots of shelves and books. I play games and watch TV in there.”
To the left of the front desk was a small hallway that Presley hadn’t been down. They passed a powder room on the left, and on the right was a large rectangular archway. Two pocket doors blocked the room from view.
Ollie pushed against the left one, sliding it open, then the right. The room in front of them was something between a sunroom, a tearoom, and, like Ollie called it, a library. There was a round table by the wall of windows. The blinds were drawn, likely to keep out the rising heat and glare.
On the right wall was a television and surround sound system with a couch facing toward it. The left wall housed the shelving, and it was magnificent. Like something out of the Beast’s private study.
Presley took a step in, almost reverently. This room was tranquil and inviting, and more importantly, she suspected it was only used for family.
Ollie went running in, bouncing onto the couch.
“Ollie. We don’t jump on couches,” Jill said, coming in at the exact right moment.Must be a mom thing; they see and know all.Though her own mother hadn’t. Her own mother had sent a text asking if she was on a reality show of some sort because she didn’t understand why she’d subject herself to the conditions she was “vacationing” in.
“Sorry,” Ollie mumbled.
“Presley. How are you? I feel like it’s been nothing but chaos since you got back. I’m sorry about that.”
