Page 6 of His North Star
He blindsided me when he broke off our engagement. The words he used to end our connection had cut so deep, I placed a hand over my heart to make sure it was still there. It mocked me with its slow, staggered thump. And even though I was getting over him and finding my confidence after the battering it took, I was in no rush to find a guy.
“I’ll pass on a fling,” I said. “Should we get the tables moved now?”
“I suppose so.” She harrumphed and pointed a finger at me. “But this conversation isn’t over.”
Yeah, it was. She had the best of intentions, and yet, I couldn’t get on board with jumping wholeheartedly into another relationship. Why couldn’t she or Ty understand that?
In the large dining room, we picked up condiment baskets, vases, and tablecloths, placing them in the storage room across the hall. Tonight, the wood-planked room would be set up for a game night. Three nights a week, Mom hosted events for our bed-and-breakfast guests. When Grandma had managed the property, she discovered simple gatherings like game night, s’mores and more, and line dancing brought our guests together, building a place they would come stay summer after summer because they felt like they were with family.
“Are you sure you can’t make it tonight?” Mom asked as we scooted three tables together, forming one long row.
I never liked being in big groups like Mom did. “Positive.” I nodded once. “Hopefully next week I can come.” Or not. I’d find another reason to be absent. This evening’s excuse was legitimate. Twice a month, I volunteered at the Whitefish Community Center. Tonight we were planning an astronomy night.
“Another date?” Mom asked, a hopeful smile on her face.
Because that was the only possibility? “Far from it.” Unless men between the ages of sixty and ninety counted as dates.
“Why won’t you tell me what you’re doing? You used to talk to me all the time about everything.”
“I need some privacy in my life,” I muttered.
Heaven knew Mom and Ty had my love life wide open for their dissection. Was it too much to ask that I didn’t share my every waking minute as well?
“You mean living on the property and working together is too much for you?” She sarcastically held a hand over her heart as if I’d offended her.
“Ha-ha.”
Before Mom could respond, a customer poked her head in the door. Mom left to tend to what she needed while I finished setting up the room. As I pulled the last board game down from the cupboard, the door creaked open. I looked over my shoulder and grinned. “Did you think coming in person would make me change my mind about camping?” I spun around to face him.
Ty strode across the room toward me. He exuded confidence in his navy suit and brown leather shoes. If anyone else were here, their eyes would be glued to him as mine were. As soon as I turned thirteen, my appreciation for his looks grew until high school, when I knew I was in love with him. I hid my feelings for him because we’d never been single at the same time, and Ty only loved me like a sister.
If only he’d choose me.
I tucked those feelings back into the turret I’d locked them in. I had to refortify that fortress way too often.
A low chuckle rumbled in his throat.
My smile widened. Dang, he looked fine.
“Nope.” He stuffed his hands in his front pockets. “I’m fully committed to paying up as you planned.”
“You got a reservation at Lake Mary Lodge, didn’t you?”
He smiled conspiratorially and nodded. “I scoured their website for the next availability. I was lucky to find a Tuesday night open in late August.”
“That’s too bad,” I teased. “I was looking forward to hearing your complaints. I had quite the payback planned.”
He snapped his fingers with a sweep of his hand. “You’ll have to save it for another time. There was only one room open, though, so we’ll have to share.”
I groaned. “Only if there are two beds and you wear a nose strip.”
Ty snored like a lion in a fight. He had sleep apnea but refused to get a machine. If we’d camped, I would’ve suffered too. But at least we’d be in our own tents and I could’ve spaced mine as far from his as possible.
And what about Lys? Sure, she was aware of our long,platonicfriendship, but would that bug her if we shared a room?
“Those strips don’t do anything,” he complained with a wrinkled brow.
“How do you know?”
