The Proposal at Siesta Key (11 page)

B
everly figured she'd put off the conversation she needed to have with Eric long enough.

After she'd introduced him to Tricia, he'd moved his things into one of the two empty rooms. Then, as if they'd been living together for weeks, he'd found her and politely informed her that he had some errands in Sarasota to run, and that he'd be back later.

That had been hours ago.

In the meantime, she'd fretted about all the possible reasons for his return. She'd served tea. She'd chatted briefly with Penny after she'd brought Michael home. She'd helped Michael make his way back up the stairs and made sure that he'd gotten in and out of the shower without any problems.

After that, she'd said good night to Tricia, who had announced that she was heading upstairs to read and write letters.

But now that he'd returned from his errands, it was time to find out what he wanted to do with the inn. Just as she needed to finally come to terms with the fact that although her aunt Patty had indicated that she'd wanted Beverly to continue running
the inn after her death, she'd never actually owned it in the first place. In fact, up until a few months ago, it had been owned by Patty's husband—who'd willed it to Eric.

Yes, it would be better to know Eric's intentions about the Orange Blossom Inn. Did he want to take things over right away? Did he want her to move out immediately?

She had no earthly idea, but it was beyond time to find out.

Eric must have thought the same thing, too, because when Beverly returned to the kitchen she saw that he'd poured himself a cup of decaf coffee, sat down at her kitchen table like he owned it—which he
didn't
, well, at least not yet—and proceeded to watch her put out the dishes for the morning breakfast rush.

While she checked the sugar bowls, refilled the pretty glass containers with homemade granola, and measured out coffee, he asked questions here and there. None of his questions were all that taxing. None were intrusive. He mainly seemed to be making conversation and whiling away the time until she was ready to sit with him.

Only when there was absolutely nothing else to distract her, did she finally pour herself a cup and sit down across from him.

“What have you decided to do?”

“I'm going to move to Sarasota,” he said.

“I see.” Well, now she knew.

But honestly, that was all she appreciated. Even though she'd spent many nights imagining this conversation, coaching herself about what to say and how to say it, his news hit her hard. Surely if he was moving to Sarasota, that meant that she would need to move out of the inn. She was really disappointed. So much so, she couldn't think of a single thing to say.

He stood up and poured the remainder of his coffee down the sink. “Did the lawyers call you?”

“Oh, they called,” she said. “And they told me that you were correct, that the Orange Blossom Inn was yours.”

He grimaced in a funny way as he sat down again. “Listen, this is awkward for both of us. I bet you feel like I'm taking over your life.”

“No. I know you didn't ask for this surprising inheritance. And I don't blame you for wanting the inn.” After all, she'd been thrilled when she'd thought her aunt Patty had given it to her.

“I'm glad you feel that way,” he said slowly. “But still, I wish this conversation could be easier.”

“It is what it is,
jah
?”

“Jah.”
He smiled, letting her know that he wasn't being snarky. Instead, he was clearly feeling as awkward about things as she was.

She smiled, hoping to soften her next words. “So, when do you plan to move here permanently?”

“Not for a bit. I'm going to stay here for a couple of weeks, then go to PA and put my place on the market. I'll return after my home sells.”

“Ah.” He'd already put a lot of thought into this. She'd known he would. Why hadn't she made plans, too? “So you'd like me out as soon as possible.”

His eyes widened. “No,” he said quickly. “No, not at all.” He looked at her chidingly. “Beverly, I'm not going to kick you out. I can't believe you thought I would.”

“It's not kicking me out if it's your inn and not mine.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Actually, um, I don't. It doesn't take two of us to run an inn, Eric.” Before he gave her another glare, she continued. “And please don't think that I'm upset with you. Because I'm not. Anymore.” Oh, why was she telling him everything on her
mind? It was as if she'd just swallowed a pint of truth serum. Eric did
not
need to know everything she was thinking.

He rubbed a hand across his mouth, as if he was attempting to hide a smile, which didn't make sense. Then, at last, he spoke. “Beverly, I'm really glad you're not mad at me. Anymore. But, uh, what I've been trying to say is that I'm going to get an apartment or a condo or something in Sarasota.” He shrugged. “I might rent or lease a place. There are a lot of vacation properties available.”

“You aren't going to move in here?”

“No. At the moment, I don't intend to move in here.”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “I'm not ready. And honestly, after the excitement of inheriting a place in sunny Sarasota wore off, I started thinking about how running an inn would change my life. I don't know if I'm ready to put myself at everyone's mercy twenty-four-seven.”

“It's not like that. Most people are not much trouble,” she blurted, then wondered yet again why she couldn't just keep her mouth shut.

“It's close to that,” Eric said. “Listen, I should have called you. I should have told you what I found out from the lawyers as soon as I knew. And I should have told you my decision as soon as I made up my mind. I'm sorry. It was unfair of me to leave you hanging like this.”

She agreed. He should have done those things. But at the moment, she was glad he was telling her face-to-face. She didn't think she would be feeling the same way if she'd been sitting alone and merely listening to his voice over the telephone. “What's done is done.”

“Is it? Is it, really?”

He was speaking cryptically again. “Eric, I just want to know where I stand and what you want me to do.”

“I want you to keep your same job. But in addition, I want to help you as much as I can when I'm here.”

“With what?” She couldn't really see him making beds or blueberry muffins.

“First, I want to make sure our work relationship is taken care of. I've asked the lawyer to visit with us in a day or two so we can draw up a contract.”

“Contract?”

“Salary, days off. Benefits. She is also going to take care of all the accounting.”

“So I'll only have to worry about the guests.”

“Yes. Then, after we get that settled, I want to talk to you about improvements. This is a pretty inn, but it looks like some of the rooms and such could use a little TLC. I thought I could handle that part.”

Beverly's hands started shaking. Her financial worries would be eased, but she'd still be able to do her job. She wasn't even going to have to move. As far as most people would be concerned, nothing would change. She was going to be okay.

It was so incredible, so much better than her worst fears, her eyes watered.

“Are you crying?” He got to his feet, true panic in his voice. “Please don't start crying on me, Bev. I'm no good at tears.”

Now, there was a story. He sounded so adorable, she grinned at him through her tears. “Seeing a woman cry distresses you that much?”

“Absolutely. I hate when Amy cries.”

Amy? “Who's Amy?”

“My girlfriend.”

“Ah.” Her throat felt tight as she fought to hold back an unwelcome wave of jealousy. He had every right to a girlfriend. For that matter, how in the world had she imagined that he wouldn't have someone special? He was handsome, self-assured, and rather kind.

And funny, too.

Who wouldn't want a man like him?

Hoping she didn't sound too fake, she said brightly, “I, um, didn't know you had a girlfriend.”

“We've been off and on for a couple of years.” Looking satisfied, he said, “Currently, we are back on.”

“That's good.” Frustrated with herself, she shook her head. “I mean, that's great, Eric. I'm happy for you.”

Now she felt like crying for a whole different set of reasons, reasons that didn't bear thinking about. Turning away from him, she walked across the room and pulled a tissue from the box and dabbed her eyes. Took a deep breath. When she faced him again, she had almost completely regained her composure.

“Everything sounds good, Eric. You know what? The inn is fairly quiet right now. Why don't you simply walk around a bit and inspect some things? Then later I can answer any questions.”

A line formed between his brows. “Did I upset you again?”

“Not at all. Knowing I'll get to stay here made me happy. Actually, I might be the happiest woman in Pinecraft.”

As his gaze drifted over her face, his expression grew thoughtful. For a moment, it looked like he was going to say something, but instead, he smiled. “Good. That's real good. Great.”

Before she could comment on that, he turned away.

P
ENNY TOOK THE LONG
way home from the Orange Blossom Inn. She didn't know why, exactly. She was in no hurry
to face her parents, but other than them, she had no one else to see.

But what a day it had been! All day she'd felt deliciously decadent, going off to the beach with Michael Knoxx. Of course, her adventure had brought forth a myriad of feelings, too. She'd had moments of giddiness and depression. She'd been hopeful and scared to death. Worried and sleepy and so blissfully content, she wasn't even sure there was a way to describe it.

Now, her nose was surely sunburned, her dress was full of sand, her feet were sore, and she was tired. But also so happy.

It had been a
wonderful-gut
day. The best.

Still, she knew that the moment she walked into her house it was all going to take a turn for the worse. Her parents were going to be angry and worried. Sullen and obstinate. They were going to want answers and she was afraid that she wouldn't have any for them.

She was so lost in her thoughts, she hardly heard Violet Kaufmann call out to her. When she turned, she saw Violet, her brother, Zack, and his fiancée, Leona, all sitting on the front steps of the Kaufmann house.

“Hi,” she said awkwardly. “I'm sorry, I wasn't paying any attention.”

“That's okay,” Violet said with a smile. “We were just wondering if you'd gone to the beach today.”

“I did.” Glad for a reason to delay the inevitable, she walked closer. “It was
wunderbaar
.”

Leona smiled. “I bet. Zack and I might go sometime this weekend.”

“Who did you go with?” Violet asked.

“Um, one of the guests at the inn.”

Violet's eyebrows rose. “Really? You went with a stranger?”

“Not really. He's staying there for a month, and one of my duties is to look out for him.”

Violet frowned. “That sounds awkward. Is he old?”

“
Nee
. He's um, about my age. One year older.”

Zack grinned. “So it was like a date.”

Though she tried hard to hide it, Zack's playful words made her feel even more awkward than she usually did. She was starting to wish she hadn't taken the long way home. “Not that at all. I mean, a man like him wouldn't date me.”

“Why not?” Leona asked. “Is he English?”

“Mennonite.”

“I'm dating a Mennonite man,” Violet said, as if she had all the answers to Penny's problems. “My parents weren't exactly thrilled about me seeing him, but they came around.”

“It's not that.”

“Then what is it?” Violet asked.

“You don't have to tell us if you'd rather not,” Leona said quickly. “Or is it that he's not nice?”

This game of twenty questions was making Penny's head spin. Realizing that someone might have seen them together anyway, she said, “I was with Michael Knoxx.”

All three of them looked stunned. “You mean
the
Michael Knoxx?” Violet practically whispered. “Of the Knoxx Family?”

“
Jah
. He's staying at the inn. We've become friends.”

“Why's he staying here in Pinecraft?”

“I'm afraid I can't say. That's his story, not mine.” She braced herself, ready for them to argue, but instead of pushing her, Leona and Violet merely nodded.

Zack, on the other hand, just looked at her as if she'd said something amusing. “Why would you think he wouldn't be interested in courting you, Penny?”

She blinked at him. Was he teasing her? “You know.”

He shook his head. “You're pretty. And though no one really knows you well, it's obvious you're kind.”

“Zack's right,” Leona said. “Why, I'm sure any man would thank his lucky stars to spend time with you.”

“Um, I had better go. My parents are surely upset with me for being gone all day.” Taking a chance, she confided, “Putting it off isn't going to make it any easier.”

Violet got to her feet. “Penny, didn't they get mad at you and not let you eat supper on Monday?”

“Kind of. I mean, they, um, decided to go out for pizza and didn't bring me anything to eat. That's when I stopped by your house.” As soon as she said the words, she wished she could take them back. Not because they weren't true, but because they revealed too much about how things had been. “I'll be all right tonight.”

“How about I go with you?” Violet offered.

She felt like she'd already shared too much about how uncomfortable her home life had become. The last thing she needed was for Violet to actually witness her parents giving her the silent treatment. “
Danke
, but—”