Rose Harbor in Bloom (36 page)

“That’s perfectly understandable, isn’t it?”

“Of course. Unfortunately, there are precious few newborns who come through the system.”

“How old is the child they’re adopting?”

“Three. He’s the sweetest little boy you’re likely to meet.”

“What convinced them to adopt a three-year-old?” I asked, as I handed Michelle a steaming mug of coffee. I motioned toward the sugar bowl and she shook her head.

“I take it black, thanks.” She sipped the coffee and then answered my question. “I told her about the boy and convinced her to take him as a foster child.”

“The family fell in love with him?”

“I knew they would. This precious little boy is getting a family, and this husband and wife are seeing their dream of being parents become a reality. No wonder I love my job.” Her eyes fairly sparkled. “I have a little girl in mind for them, too, but that’s several months down the road.”

Michelle was a little devil. Her smile was as big as any I’ve seen.

I decided the best way to learn about her and Josh was to ask her outright. Otherwise, I might never hear what was happening in his life.

“Tell me,” I said, hoping to sound casual and nonchalant. “When was the last time you heard from Josh?”

I’d assumed her smile couldn’t get any bigger, but it did. Her eyes brightened, and she quickly looked down at her coffee. “If you must know, we talk every day.”

“Every day?” This was an interesting piece of news.

“He’s involved in a huge construction project in North Dakota. It’s demanding and exhausting, but he finds time for us to connect no matter what is happening on the site.”

As I recalled, Josh was a project manager. When he’d come to the inn he’d just finished overseeing the construction of a strip mall, although for the life of me I couldn’t remember in what state. I was sure he’d told me at one point or another.

“I’m glad to hear the two of you are staying in touch.”

Michelle glanced up and met my gaze. “He recently asked me to marry him.”

“Michelle, that’s wonderful.” I noticed right away that she hadn’t said she’d accepted his proposal. “And what did you say?”

“I love Josh and I want to be his wife, but Cedar Cove is my home. I love living here. I have a job that’s meaningful, and I don’t want to give that up.”

“Couldn’t Josh move here?”

“He offered to do that, but his job takes him all over the country. He enjoys what he does and he’s good at it, really good.”

“Does this mean the two of you are deadlocked?”

Michelle shrugged. “You know that saying: Where there’s a will there’s a way?”

“I know it well.”

“Josh and I have been negotiating back and forth. I think some union leaders could learn tricks from him. When he wants something, he makes it impossible to say no.”

“And he wants you?”

Michelle blushed and nodded. “He talked to his company and got the CEO to agree to give him work somewhere in western Washington. That means he’ll be working primarily in the Seattle/Tacoma area. He gets first choice on those projects, and if there isn’t a job site, then he’ll take the ones that would require him staying away only two or three nights in a row.”

“Did that satisfy you?”

“It did.”

“So when’s the wedding?”

“August, after this current project is finished, but then he’s starting another one as soon as we’re back from our honeymoon.”

“A job close to home?”

“Very close. It’s in Cedar Cove.”

I frowned. I wasn’t aware of any big construction project about
to take place in the area. Surely the Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses would have been in the loop.

“It’s a little ironic, really. Josh’s stepfather put his house on the market with instructions that the funds be given to charity.”

I’d heard that and felt bad for Josh, thinking as Richard’s only surviving relative he should have inherited the house. Apparently not.

“Josh bought the house when it went on the market.”

“His stepfather’s house?”

“Yes. It’s right next to my parents’ home. He’s going to do a major remodeling project on it, add a couple of bedrooms, and completely renovate the kitchen. Basically, it’s going to be a brand-new house.”

This was great news. “That’s wonderful.”

“We want to start a family, and Mom and Dad travel a lot and need someone close who can look after the house. It will be ideal for us all. Mom and Dad will give us our space and we’ll be able to help them when they need it.”

I could see that Josh had found the family he had always wanted with Michelle.

“I hope you’ll make sure I get a wedding invitation.”

“Not to worry; your name is already on the list.”

“Give Josh my best when you speak with him later.”

“I will.” Michelle took one last sip of her coffee, stood, and set her mug in the sink. “Sorry to run off like this …”

“No problem. You’ve got important work to do.” I followed her to the front door, and Rover did, too. The two of us stood in the doorway and watched Michelle leave. It’d been a good visit.

So Josh would be moving back to Cedar Cove. That was welcome news, and I was pleased for Michelle. We’d gotten to know each other a bit. I liked her and wished to know her better. She was a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t willing to settle for second best. I admired that about her.

As she left I was reminded anew of the dream I’d had the first night I took over the inn, when Paul had come to me. He’d assured me this inn would be a healing place, for me and for others. I had seen the evidence of that twice over in the last couple of days. First with the wedding invitation from Abby Kincaid and now with Josh, finding love and a family.

I returned to the kitchen and had set the coffee mugs in the dishwasher when the phone rang.

“Rose Harbor Inn.”

“This is Ms. Eleanor Reynolds. I’m inquiring about a room.” Her voice was clipped and a bit stern. She asked about space for a weekend in late August and about the availability of a room for a few extra days if necessary after that specific weekend.

“As it happens, I have those days free,” I assured her.

“Good. I’d like to place a reservation for that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I might stay on to Monday … and Tuesday. I just don’t know yet.”

“Certainly. Is it for a special occasion?”

“Yes. Well, we’ll see if it is or not.” She didn’t elaborate.

I didn’t inquire further. If she didn’t want to volunteer the information, then I wasn’t about to pry. Business had picked up considerably, with bookings for nearly every day starting in June. The cove was a popular boating area, and the farmers’ market drew a crowd on the weekends. Weddings were big business, too, and if all went well my rose garden and gazebo would be completed by the end of summer.

“I have you down,” I told her, repeating the August dates.

Rover barked, and I realized I had neglected to fill his water dish.

“You have animals?” She sounded quite prissy, as if she wasn’t accustomed to being around animals.

“A dog,” I told her. “I hope that isn’t a problem.” I knew some
people were allergic. It was a risk I took bringing Rover into my business.

“I’m a cat person myself. I haven’t been around dogs that much … I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Not to worry. Rover’s friendly.”

“I’m sure he must be.” Her tone defied her words.

I could see that my poor Rover had his work cut out for him, if he intended on winning Ms. Reynolds over.

Although I hadn’t owned the inn long, I’d gotten quite good at making assumptions about guests when they booked their rooms. It surprised me how often I was right or nearly so. Time would tell with Ms. Eleanor Reynolds.

“I’ll look forward to your visit, Ms. Reynolds.”

“As I will to meeting you.” After a brief farewell, she ended the call.

Prim and proper, a cat woman … Hmm, I was left to wonder. Possibly a librarian in her late forties or early fifties. In town for a special occasion? It certainly left me to ponder her story.

For whatever reason my eyes fell to the reservation book and on the two latest entries. Eleanor Reynolds and a young couple: Maggie and Roy Porter. Maggie had called a few days earlier to book a room for the same weekend as Eleanor. She sounded so young, as if she was barely out of her teens. She’d been talkative, telling me this was a getaway weekend she’d planned for her and her husband without the kids.

I would give anything to have issues to work out with Paul. Anything.

I continued about my morning, doing my best to follow my husband’s advice and get on with life. I kept my cell phone in my pocket, and it thrummed, indicating I had a text. I reached for it and saw that the message was from Mark. Well, well, this was something new. Half the time he didn’t even know where his cell
phone was. Technology annoyed him. It appeared not having his cell phone with him when the table collapsed on his leg had taught him a lesson.

He wrote:
I’m bored.

My fingers flew across the small keyboard.
Read a book.

Very funny.

It isn’t a joke. You need to stay off that leg.

Easy for you to say.

I grinned.
Do you want me to bring you lunch?

What ya got?

Hey, this isn’t a catering service. You take what you get and don’t complain.

I don’t have much choice, do I?

No choice whatsoever. I’ll be by around noon. Count your blessings and show some gratitude.

Yes, ma’am.

Despite the news I had gotten earlier in the day, I glanced down at my phone and smiled.

I filled Rover’s water dish and then made Mark lunch. Together Rover and I would personally deliver it to the prickly handyman who had become our friend.

D
EBBIE
M
ACOMBER
, the author of
Starting Now
,
The Inn at Rose Harbor
,
Angels at the Table
,
A Turn in the Road
,
1105 Yakima Street
,
Hannah’s List
, and
Twenty Wishes
, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Seven of her novels have hit #1 on the
New York Times
bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the
New York Times
,
USA Today
, and
Publishers Weekly
lists. In 2009 and 2010,
Mrs. Miracle
and
Call Me Mrs. Miracle
were Hallmark Channel’s top-watched movies for the year. Debbie Macomber has more than 160 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

www.debbiemacomber.com

Read on for a sneak peek at
the new novel from #1
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author

DEBBIE MACOMBER

F
illed with all the comforts and joys of Christmastime,
Starry Night
is a delightful novel of finding love and happiness in the most surprising places.

www.DebbieMacomber.com
Find Debbie on Facebook

A Ballantine Books hardcover and eBook
Also available in audio editions

Carrie Slayton’s feet were killing her. She’d spent the last ninety minutes standing in two-inch heels at a charity art auction in a swanky studio in downtown Chicago. She couldn’t understand how shoes that matched her black dress so beautifully could be this painful. Vanity, thy name is fashion.

“My name is spelled with two
l
’s,” the middle-aged woman, dripping in diamonds, reminded her.