Page 90 of The Guest Cottage

“What are you working on?”

Cort opened his eyes to see Marlow at his table, a cautious smile on her face as she set a glass of water and a cup of coffee before him.

He turned over his notebook so she couldn’t read it. “Joann told you about the meeting.” A statement, not a question.

Tucking the tray under her arm and frowning at him, she said, “Apparently, everyone knows. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I’m handling it.” The look on her face almost made him laugh. She’d been all geared up to be mad, and he’d deflated her anger.

Suspicion brought her brows together. “You’re handling it how?”

Now there was the issue. If he told her, he could just imagine how she’d react. She wouldn’t like it—that much he knew for sure. Marlow was the type of person who wanted to handle things on her own. But if they were going to be a couple—and they were, as soon as she was ready—then she’d have to get used to his help.

Just as he’d have to get used to her crying every now and then.For him.

That still felt like a kick to the heart. Terrible and wonderful, both.

She’d gone through her own traumas dry-eyed and focused.

But for him, his strong, beautiful, take-on-the-world Marlow had broken down in tears. It humbled him as nothing else could.

“Cort,” she warned.

“You’ve inspired me,” he replied honestly, knowing it was true. From the day he’d met her, she’d been inspiring . . . well, everyone. Him most of all, though. “The way you got on with your life despite everything.” Things that would have emotionally crippled a person without her iron resolve. “You knew what you wanted, and you went after it full force.”

In a mere whisper, she asked, “What do you want?”

“Peace in my own life. Happiness.”Love. That meant having her—here, or anywhere else. “Instead of continuing to kick myself for not doing enough—”

“That’s not true,” she interjected desperately, quickly taking the seat next to him. “You did everything you could and—”

He touched a finger to her lips. When Marlow decided to defend someone, it took her a little while to wind down. “I think I’ve lost enough. I’m going to start celebrating the life I have and the people who matter to me.”You most of all.

Her dark gaze searched his. “Will you tell me what, and who, that is?”

Soon—when she couldn’t thwart his plans. “You have a customer waiting.”

Her frown returned. “I have another half hour to work. Will you still be here when I’m done?”

It was one of the few days when she was scheduled to get off at eight, instead of eleven. He planned to make the most of it. “Can I convince you to come to my house for a late dinner? I have steaks to grill.”

“I’m famished, so I’d love that.” She leveled a stern look at him. “And then we can discuss some things.”

He loved her stern, serious moods. Not in the least threatened, he gave her a crooked smile. “I’ll be waiting.”

Watching Marlow hustle off to work was a distinct pleasure. She moved with purpose and grace, accomplishing so much without looking rushed.

He’d just gotten back to his task when Herman plopped down in the seat across from him. “What’s the plan?”

Pretending confusion, Cort cocked one eyebrow. “Plan?” Of course he had one, and Herman would be part of it. Fortunately, he was already playing his role.

“Don’t give me that.” Not bothering to hide his irritation, Herman thumped a hand onto the table. “There’s no way you’ll let Marlow be run off.”

“She wouldn’t go far anyway,” Cort stated quietly. “She’s looking at property in Lankton.”

“Lankton!” An imminent implosion was evident in his gaze. “No! It’d be too far for her to drive here every day to work.”

“It wouldn’t be ideal, but knowing Marlow, she’d manage. The property is nice, though. I checked it out for her yesterday.” As if he didn’t have bigger things on his mind, Cort explained, “She wanted to know if it’d be possible to take out a few interior walls. Good news, it is. Pretty sure she’ll put in an offer.”

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