Page 81 of The Inn Dilemma

Nova reaches up and runs the soft pad of her pointerfinger down my scar. “I could say the same.” She rises to her tiptoes and kisses the spot on my chin where my scar ends.

Her arms go around my neck, and I wrap mine around her waist. “What are you up to today?” she asks.

“Just wrapped up Roxy’s gift from Axel a few minutes ago.”

“How did that go?”

“We finished. And he looked more excited than a kid on Christmas morning,” I answer.

“He’s a good kid.”

“He is,” I agree. “But he’s one of the lucky ones. He has a family that loves him and wants what’s best for him. Just like I did. There are so many boys without that influence.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Well, it’s a good thing Holt Graves is opening up a program to help those unfortunate boys.”

I don’t fight my smile. Everything has been coming together flawlessly for my program, Mount Restoration. As promised, Christian has made a very generous donation to make this a reality. He’s also agreed to talk business with any of the guys who show interest on the topic. Cai offered assistance in teaching fire safety and first aid, as did other guys from the Denver fire station. Thor is teaching self-defense. And Des is going to teach guitar and help out where he can during the week.Juggling their schedules may prove difficult, but I don’t doubt we’ll be able to work it out.

“It’s more like it’s a good thing that God has put this plan on my heart and is giving me the means and help I need to make it happen.”

“Always so humble,” Nova mutters before pressing akiss to my lips. “Can we go to the cabin? I want to see your progress.”

“Of course.”

We make our way to my cabin hand in hand and grab the dogs before making the trek deeper into the woods. The pensive silence is a comfort as we walk.

She gasps as the cabin comes into view. “You’ve gotten so much done.”

“Thanks to your dad and brother, I have an entire team working to get it done.” Gratefulness fills my chest at their generosity.

“That’s amazing.” She leans her head against my shoulder as we stare at my dream becoming tangible.

Everything is nearing completion. The main structure of the house is already built, thanks to a solid contractor and his hardworking crew. All the rooms are ready for paint and then flooring. Nova has been helping with the design and worked closely with the contractor on the layout. Like everything else she does, she’s given her all in helping turn my vision into a reality.

If everything continues going according to plan, we should be ready to officially open in two weeks. At that point, I will have a seven-bedroom, four-bathroom cabin ready.

I stare down at Nova who shares her beautiful smile with me.

Unable to help myself, I lean forward and nuzzle my nose against hers. Never in my life have I been so physically affectionate, obnoxiously so, but never in my life have I loved someone so deeply and completely.

We make our way back to the Storybook Inn. I still have a few private moments with Nova before the bigsurprise, so I make use of that time by exploring her lips some more while we sit on the bench outside my cabin.

“Goodness, you two are so sweet,” Chantelle says.

Nova yips and jumps off of me. When she turns to Chantelle, she holds her hand over her heart. “You almost scared me to death!”

Chantelle giggles. “Sorry! I just love romance, and seeing the last guy of our group find his happily ever after makes me giddy.”

My ears heat. I cross my arms over my chest and do my best to sound gruff. “Did you come to spy on us so you could write us into your next book?”

“No, silly. I came here to cash in on that promise you made me.” She points at me, her other hand on her hip.

I scratch the back of my neck. “What promise?”

Nova looks between the two of us and turns on me, narrowing her chocolate-brown eyes. “What promise?”

Chantelle steps beside her. “Holt was supposed to ask if you’d make some of my future covers.”

Nova puts her hand up in defense. “I’m not a graphic designer.”

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