Page 102 of Unexpected Entanglement

"We are repurposing Kieran's team," Chris pointed out the farmer's big role.

"Yeah, I guess." The blue-haired chef nodded with a grin. “I’m just glad I can help my girl. But I’m worried about what’s next for Rowan, y’know. I have to go back to Portland.”

“Would you consider staying on and helping Rowan establish Bright Head as a destination resort with great dining?” Chris asked.

“I’d love to.” She shrugged. “But as of now, I have to go back to Clover. Making the Bright Head vision happen would take serious money and experience. Not that I doubt Ro’s capabilities, but she’ll need all the help she can get.”

“She needs people. She can’t run this place on her own,” Chris noted. “But Rae is on board now. She can bring the people in. If you stay, that’ll be another attraction for vacationers to come. I know great small luxury inns that attract diners from all over the world. Why not Bright Head?”

“For one, it’s on a small island,” Alex said.

“It’s all about the experience. If we create a compelling enough experience for guests, they will come. I have a resort in a desert, Alex. It takes effort to get there, but they come because I ensure their trip is worthwhile.”

“We?” Alex looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Are you staying?”

Chris gazed back at Alex, feeling perplexed.

“She needs someone like you to help her take this place to where she wants it to go,” Alex said. “You two work well together. If I didn’t know better, I would think you were partners for real and had been doing this for years.”

Chris had noticed that himself. But a thing about partnership was both sides needed to want it.

“I can help, of course. If Rowan asks me to,” he said.

But that’s it. She didn’t ask you.

In fact, Rowan had never broached the subject of staying in touch after this week. Instead, Chris had felt her pulling away from him. To be honest, it shouldn’t bother him. They were, in fact, not really engaged. Perhaps he’d taken this pretend relationship too seriously. She had been clear from the first time they’d slept together that it couldn’t go anywhere. And he’d agreed.

I need to remember that.

thirty-three

Rowan walked Meredith and Sam back to the main house after the meeting with the wedding team at the barn. She was incredibly relieved about her cousin’s reaction to everything. Meredith was delighted with the decor even if it was still half-finished. She had only asked for an additional floral headpiece for her flower girl. Sam was happy if Meredith was happy. Though Meredith was her cousin, Rowan had expected any bride to be more demanding than she was.

“You took everything from Nana’s old wedding picture and brought it to the twenty-first century,” Meredith said. “I was afraid it’d look too old-fashioned and dowdy, but I think it’ll look classically chic.”

“I wish all brides would be as easy as you, Mer.” Rowan laughed.

“Believe me, she wasn’t as easygoing as you might think,” Sam said with a smirk.

“I was worried at first because I couldn’t be here and could only plan things with you through video calls,” Meredith admitted. “But now that I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I can breathe easy.”

“Good. I’m happy to hear that,” Rowan said.

“I’m glad you’ve hired people to help you,” Meredith added. “I really thought you’d rough it all on your own.”

“Are you kidding? I could never pull off a wedding by myself.”

“Not just the wedding. I meant the inn. I see that you’ve hired a manager. I think that’s a brilliant move,” Meredith said.

Sam nodded, agreeing. “Running an inn this size would take all of your day—life, really. Hiring a manager is smart.”

Rowan frowned at Meredith and Sam.What manager?

“What is his name again?” Meredith pondered a second.

“Chris,” Sam supplied.

“Right. Chris is wonderful. My mother and Nana are already halfway in love with him. Mom texted me how he’d taken care of them and helped them settle at the cottage. And, I quote, ‘He’s so handsome.’” Meredith laughed.

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