Page 75 of The Unknown Colton
But just like the bank that granted them the loan, she had faith in their business plan and in their future. There was nothing the two of them couldn’t do together, especially after they’d individually survived what could have been fatal falls.
Troy turned his head and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply, passionately. He pulled back a bit, panting for breath, and whispered, “I love you, too, partner.” He lowered his head and kissed her again.
“Get a room!” a deep voice scoffed.
Laughing, Lakin stepped back from Troy and turned to find her brother Mitch standing behind them. “We already have a few ready for guests,” she said. They were counting on the money from those for the loan payments and the renovations necessary to get more rooms ready. “We’ll have twenty-four in total.”
“It looks great, guys,” Mitch praised them.
Pride suffused Lakin again. Her brothers were all so successful that praise from one of them meant a lot to her. “Thanks.” She pulled away from Troy to hug him.
“You have more to thank me for than a compliment,” Mitch said. He turned to Troy. “Your former employer settled the suit.”
Troy released a shaky breath. “Really?”
Mitch nodded. “For even more than we were asking.”
Troy’s green eyes widened with surprise. “Really?” he repeated.
“And they didn’t just give you a settlement,” Mitch said. “Your mom will get one, too.”
Troy’s long body shook slightly, and tears glistened in his green eyes. “Oh my God, that’s great. Thank you.” He hugged her brother.
Mitch patted his back. “More important, they’re going to up their safety protocols. The suggestions you made are already being put into practice.”
Troy trembled again. “That’s good.”
But Lakin saw the sadness cross his handsome face, and she knew what he was thinking. It was too late for his dad, even for himself, to not suffer an injury. “That will help others,” Lakin said. “That’s so good, Troy.”
He smiled at her and nodded. “Yeah, it is. Hopefully nobody else will lose someone they love.”
Not on the oil rigs. But Lakin was still worried that with a serial killer on the loose, more lives would be lost. Eli and Kansas were working hard to find that person, though. And she had faith in her family, just as she had faith in her and Troy’s future. Even more so now.
“Come on, take a look at the place,” Lakin urged Mitch.
As they were showing him around inside, someone knocked on the front door and opened it.
“Hello there? Are you open for business yet?” Eric Seller called out.
Troy tensed.
“Remember that Eli and Kansas ruled him out,” Lakin whispered to her fiancé. She turned to greet the man. “We have a few suites ready.”
The man glanced at her hand and pointed at the ring. Then he clasped Troy’s shoulder. “Good job,” he said. “Congratulations on the hotel and the engagement.”
Troy must have heard the sincerity that Lakin heard because he relaxed and grinned at Eric. “Thank you.”
“You two inspired me to look up my old high school sweetheart,” he said. “I spent all the years since graduation kicking myself for not trying long distance when we went away for college. I reached out to her and found out that she’s never married, either. We’ve been talking online and on the phone and have been looking for a place to meet in person. I’d like to book a couple of your suites for that meeting.”
“Congratulations to you,” Lakin said. “I’m so happy that you reached out to her.”
He nodded. “Like I said, you two inspired me. I think that’s why I was so invested in you getting engaged.”
“We’ll be getting married soon, too,” Troy said. “Just want to get our hotel ready so guests will have a place to stay.”
“Brilliant,” Eric said. “I think you’ll do well here. If you need any investors, let me know.”
Troy and Mitch exchanged a grin, and Troy replied, “No, we’re going to be just fine.”
