Page 74 of The Inn Dilemma

“Thanks.”

I motion with my head toward the stump. “Mind if I take an axe to that?”

“Be my guest. Would you mind if I grade papers while you do that?”

I chuckle. “Not at all. It’s your house.”

After taking off my leather coat, I help myself to his axe in the splitting log and get to chopping.

As each pass sinks deeper into the stump, a smidgeon of tension leaves my shoulders. Several minutes pass, and I can feel the sweat on my back growing with each swing. I turn around to check on the pups and find them lying on the deck, warming themselves with the last bit of the sinking sun.

I take another swing, and a large chunk breaks free, giving me a huge wave of satisfaction. Another fewminutes pass before another chunk breaks free. I pick up the wood and toss it to the kindling pile a few feet away.

By the time the sun has nearly finished its descent, I’ve reduced the stump by half. I sink the axe back into the splitting log where I found it and wipe my brow with the back of my arm.

The outdoor lights turn on, and Des comes out to stand on the deck.

“Feeling any better?” he asks.

“I’m not sure.”

"Do you want to talk about it?”

I run my hands through my hair and grimace when I feel the sweat-soaked strands. “Not really. It’s just something I need to pray about, I think.”

“Prayer is never a bad idea.”

Nodding my agreement, I say, “Thanks for this.”

He laughs. “I should be thanking you for helping me.” Des holds up his hands. “I really need to get caught up on these algebra tests.”

I quirk a smile at that. “Fair enough. Call me anytime you need anything.”

“Will do,” he agrees.

“All right, I’m going to get the pups home.” I motion to the dogs, now fast asleep.

Des bids me goodbye after the pups and I are situated on my bike.

With that, I fix my attention on getting back to the Storybook Inn at the end of town and pray all the way for the right words and God’s guidance.

As much as I want to make Nova mine, and as sure as I feel about us, I know God has the final say, and I won’t push against His will for us.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nova

It’s only been forty-eight hours–not that I’m counting–since our kiss, but not seeing Holt has me completely twisted up in knots. I haven’t had the guts to text or call him.

Between that and the father-daughter bonding lunch and dinner, most of my day was tied up with him with the exception of my time working on the mural. After a lifetime of having a poor relationship with him, I want to soak in every moment I can with Dad.

The second my head hit the pillow last night, I was out. My dreams were filled with Holt, and by five a.m., I couldn’t take any more. So I was up before the sun and decided to face the inevitable—going back to the inn and potentially having the talk with Holt. Yesterday he was again MIA, but I heard bikes through town just before sunset. I figured he needed more time to process too.

Each stroke of the brush brings me closer to completing one of the most stunning scenes I’ve ever seen. But it only partially distracts me from playing that night on repeat.

I thought that kiss at Brokedown Tavern meant something, but I apparently dreamed up the whole idea that he wanted me for more than just a kiss. Apparently, Reese saw more than what was there too.

It’s just hard to accept that those emotions etched on his face were somehow a figment of my imagination, or worse…faked for the sake of the ruse.

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