Page 21 of The Cold Ride

“I know. I’ve got butter biscuits baking in the oven as well, and plenty of them. Have you packed your backpack?”

“Yep. And I remembered my math homework too.”

“Good. Breakfast should be ready if you want to help me get the biscuits and honey butter on the table.”

“Sure, Mom.”

We headed into the kitchen. I donned oven mitts. But there was a firm knock on the door. They were prompt, if nothing else. “Would you go let them in, baby? I’ve got to get everything out of the oven.”

“Okay, Mom. I’ve got it.” She skipped out of the room.

I’d been blessed with the best daughter in the world, and I knew it.

Breakfast wound up being a lively affair. And I was right. They loved the casserole and biscuits so much they each had second helpings. Then I left them at the table while I ushered Amelia outside to wait for the bus, making sure she had her backpack and lunch before sending her off to school on the big yellow bus.

When I headed back inside, James was in the lobby by the window. He’d been watching us. “And? Did you give it some thought?”

It was one of the many things that kept me up last night. But I saw through his anger and resolve to the aching hunger to be her dad. And guilt slammed into me again. There would be no future with him because what I’d done was unforgivable. I knew why I’d done it. But that didn’t justify the hurt I’d caused him.

Which was why I wanted to make it as easy as possible for him. I wouldn’t begrudge him any time he wanted to spend with her. “I think you and I can hash out what works for us both. We can type it up to formalize it. Make two copies, and then we take it before a notary to sign. That way we have everything spelled out, so there’s no mystery or second-guessing.”

His shoulders relaxed, and he nodded. “Good enough.”

I opened my mouth to tell him I wouldn’t fight him on his time with Amelia. That I would work with him, and we could figure out a schedule. And if he wanted her to visit him on base during the summer, I could fly down with her, and he could bring her back. We’d work it out. I knew with his job that I would need to be flexible.

But the stomp of boots as the others joined us in the lobby interrupted what I was going to say. Our discussion was best done without other ears present.

“Why don’t you tell us what work needs to be done, and we can figure out where to get started.” Wyatt nodded toward the walls.

“Yeah. What do you need the most help with?” Aiden asked.

“After the insurance adjuster finished his inspection, I had a contractor give me an estimate. While his price was more than I could afford, he left me with an estimate that included a list of the work he recommended. And that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve taken it a bit at a time while Amelia’s in school. But this is the list of things that still need to be done.” I pulled out the binder with all my plans for the remodel. It even had my paint swatches and the color of the Pergo wood floors I wanted to install.

“Game room? Library? Playroom? What are these for?” James asked with a furrowed brow.

“Since we’re starting over from scratch in the basement, I figured I would divide it. Use half of it for storage. But then use the other half to make the inn a bit more family friendly. Be able to advertise that it’s great for family reunions and the like.” They were all silent, reviewing the list and my plans. And I wanted their approval. Not that I needed it, but it would be nice to have someone tell me I wasn’t crazy.

“Clever. It’s a good angle,” Wyatt stated. James simply stared with an unreadable gaze.

I hated that he hid his thoughts from me. I hate that he hated me. When I could never hate him or fault him for his feelings. And I wanted to get on my knees and beg him to forgive me. But I didn’t have a right to ask.

The guys discussed the best starting points while I stood in turmoil, trying to listen to what they were saying. It was Wyatt who finally said, “I think we should take a look at the basement first before we map out any strategies.”

“That’s as good a place as any. Follow me, gentlemen.” As a group, we headed into the basement.

This had been the worst hit. There were still shelves and furniture to get up the stairs and toss away. I’d been thinking about hiring some movers just to have them carry this stuff up the stairs and toss it in the dumpster outside in the driveway.

“All this stuff needs to go?” Wyatt nodded toward the furniture.

“Yeah, there was five feet of water in here. I carried up what I could handle. Amelia even helped me with a few items. But this stuff was too heavy for me to carry by myself. And it all needs to go.”

“We can handle this stuff easily. We can get the bigger pieces out first, then break the shelves down. Between the four of us, we should be able to get all this stuff out today,” Lucas said with a shrug, like it’d be a piece of cake. And for them, it likely wouldn’t be difficult.

“How long will you have the dumpster?” James asked, contemplating the room.

It was a lot, and I knew it. This area had been storage for most everything from extra sheets and bedding to rollaway beds and fold-up event tables and chairs. Once the remodel was complete, I would have to purchase all new. And that’s another reason I want to do the remodel myself. I earmarked part of the insurance money to replenish all of this stuff. “As long as I need it. I’ve already had them change it out once. But there should be plenty of room for all this stuff.”

“We’ve got this. You can go back to what you were doing yesterday. Is there anything down here you want to keep?” Wyatt asked.

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