Page 80 of Coming Home to You
An hour later, both of us are up and dressed.I need to go into work today, even though Beck continues to protest.
Since returning home, I’ve spent a small amount of time at the inn; working only half days or going in for a couple of hours.But I am the owner and I’ve always taken an active role in what happens during the day-to-day operations.I need to get back into my everyday routine eventually.
I knew my staff was amazing, but it never occurred to me how much they truly care about me, and the inn, until everything happened with Jason.Each one of my employees not only taking on jobs that weren’t in their job descriptions, but also learning how to do things that only I knew how to do.
Marco, my head chef, taught himself how to do payroll and Abby, my nighttime desk assistant, learned how to do bank deposits to help alleviate some the stress for the morning crew.The list is endless and I immediately gave raises to each one of them, not only for their support but also for their loyalty to me and the inn; trustworthiness being more important than anything when running a small business.
“I gotta go, baby,” I tell him as he pouts and pulls me into his arms.“I’ll be back in a few hours and I’ll bring you that steak sandwich on garlic bread that you love, okay?”
“Fine,” Beck says, conceding, but still stomping his feet like a spoiled child.“It’s boring here without you,” he whines, as Bella sidles up next to him and his hand drops down to pet her.She’s been up his ass ever since he came back injured.It’s really quite adorable.
“I know, you tell me that every day, but you have Bella to keep you company.”I kiss him quickly and wiggle out of his grasp.“Why don’t you go see what Finn’s up to?”I suggest and he shrugs his shoulder.“Or, I think Ryan’s still in town.Swing by Erin’s place and see what’s going on with him.”
“No,” he says with a disgusted look on his face.“I think we both know what’s going on with Ryan.”
“Good point,” I answer, making my way to the front door.“You can either sit around here all day moping or you can find something to do.”This time my words are firm and he laughs at me.
“Fine, bossy girl,” he says, before catching up to me at the front door and pulling me in for one last kiss.“Have a good day.”
“I will and I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I still haven’t gotten a new car and as I hop up into Beck’s truck, the seat familiar and the smell comforting, I’m not sure I want to.Maybe I can convince him to get a new car instead of me.
I pull around to the back of the inn and take a look around.After everything that happened I have a newfound appreciation for all the things in my life, the inn definitely being one of them.
When I walk in the first thing I see is Erin sitting in that horrible chair and it makes me smile.I never thought there would come a time that I would love that chair, but right now I do.
“Hey, girly,” she says, smiling at me.“You wanna get some breakfast?And don’t tell me you’re busy because I’ve been here since six getting all your work done.”
“Erin,” I say, my head cocked to the side, tears welling up in my eyes.“I love you.”
“I love you too and you know that’s true because there’s no one else I’d get up at five in the morning for during the summer but you.”
“I thought Ryan was in town?”I ask as she slings her arm around my shoulders and we walk towards the restaurant.
“He is, but I wore his ass out.He’s sleeping, like the lazy sack of shit he is.”She smirks at me and her smile conveys that she doesn’t believe a word she says.And there’s something in her eyes too, something that screams she loves this boy.
We sit down and order as Erin and I chat about everything but the situation with Jason.We’ve talked about it many times, but there comes a point when continually reliving it becomes too much.Erin recognizes that and does everything she can to keep my mind off it and help me with my recovery.
But today, I feel like I need to share my news with her and I’m sure to most people it sounds miniscule, possibly even stupid, but to me it’s a huge step in the right direction.
“I didn’t have a nightmare last night.Slept straight through,” I say and Erin’s face lights up.
“Oh my god, Kelsey that’s so fucking great.How do you feel?”she asks, still beaming.
“Like I could take on the world,” I tell her and she laughs.
Smiling and laughing with her, my laughter turns to tears and before I know it, I’m sobbing over my mimosa.
But they’re the best kind of tears.
“Oh, sweets,” Erin says, sliding her hand across the table to cover mine.Her eyes are filled with tears and I can’t help the words that spill from my mouth.
“Erin,” I attempt, but it comes out all slushy.“Thank you so much for being so supportive.You are the most amazing friend anyone could ask for and I love you so much.”
“Oh, Kelsey,” she says, choking back the tears.“I wish I could understand what you just said because I’m sure it was wonderful.”
