Page 61 of The Inn Dilemma

Tootsie and Titan’s claws click-clack against the stone as they circle in front of the fire and lay down, resting their heads on their paws.

Nova stares at my dogs with a soft smile on her lips. “You trained those two incredibly well.” She turns to face me.

“They were good dogs when I got them.”

“Always so humble.” She motions to the house. “Want something to drink? I made iced tea, too strong. Just the way we like it.”

We. I like that word for us.Us. I like that one too. Shaking my head free of those thoughts, I answer, “That’d be great. Thanks.”

Nova goes back into the house for a few moments, and I open the door for her to come back out. She has a tray of iced tea and a stack of DVDs. She places the tray on the table. We sit next to each other on the love seat and “Cheers” our drinks before each taking a sip. She wasn’t exaggerating; she did make this batch strong.

“I don’t know if I’ll be sleeping tonight,” I joke.

She curls her legs beneath her. “It’ll wear off in an hour or so. Want to watch one of the classics?” She picks up a remote, a projector screen rising from the top of the fireplace.

I can’t help but smile. “Like old times.”

She places her glass on the table and shuffles through the stack of DVDs.

“It’s crazy to think our kids will have no idea what these are.” She immediately straightens, then turns to face me. Motioning between us, she says, “Not our kids, meaning yours and mine. But our future kids withwhoever we end up marrying or whatever.” Her face is redder than I’ve ever seen it.

“I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.”

“It’s not that I wouldn’t want—” She pulls both of her lips between her teeth.

She goes as still as a statue, one hand clenched in a fist, the other holding the DVD. I scoot down the couch so I’m directly in front of her and brush a strand of hair off her forehead, trailing my finger down her cheek. Her skin is even softer than I’d imagined. I can see the rapid thud of her pulse in her neck. Her pupils dilate.

“I think you just answered my question.”

“What question?” Nova asks, sounding breathless.

I run the pad of my thumb over her full bottom lip. “How you feel about me.”

Gently gripping her chin between my thumb and forefinger, I tip her face up and lean forward. Her lips are just a breath away when my phone rings loudly in my pocket.

We jump apart like our sparks just caught fire, and I rush to answer the call. There’s a look of disappointment on Nova’s face. At least, I think it’s disappointment.

“Aunt Birdie,” I answer.

“Where are you?” she asks. “I was just at your cabin, but all the lights are off and neither Titan or Tootsie barked when I knocked.”

I scratch the back of my neck. “I’m at Nova’s.”

“Oh?” She sounds ridiculously pleased. “And what are you doing there?”

“Just hanging out.” Before she can pump me for information I’m not ready to share, I ask, “What’s up?”

“Put me on speakerphone; it’s perfect you’re with Nova. I want her to hear it too!” I do as she asks. “I justcouldn’t wait until morning to share it with you!” Aunt Birdie exclaims in her joyful way.

“We got the approval from the historical society to make those minor changes. They overruled Gladys! Can you believe it? That woman who’s been nothing but a thorn in my side finally got a taste of her own medicine. I just saw the email.”

“That’s wonderful!” Nova’s face lights up. “So when do we start?”

“Tomorrow, if you’re up for it.”

Nova nods. “I’ve been up for it since you told me your ideas. I’ll probably move a little slower than before, but I can’t stand being stuck at home all day another day.”

“You take the time you need! I just can’t wait to see what you do with my mess of thoughts.”

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