Page 44 of Here With You

He sighed. “You don’t need my help. You’ve proven that you’ve got it all figured out, and I’ve got a lot to learn. My presence is more of a hindrance than a help.”

Before she could respond, he walked out the door. Each step he took made his heart ache. When he entered The Kessler boathouse, he found his brother sitting in a boat drinking a beer.

“Is this how you plan to earn your keep? If so, you might as well pack up and leave.” He turned around and walked out. He went straight to the front desk. “Margot, you’re in charge. I want you to act like a respectable resort owner. When I get back, everything better still be standing.”

“I’m in charge?” Her jaw dropped. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

He shrugged. “You couldn’t do any worse than I have. I incited a mob of birds to attack a guest. I’d say I’m 0 for 1 today.” He pivoted and marched toward the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Out.”

“Emmaline won’t like that,” she said.

“I don’t care.” He had no idea where Ollie had gone off to after the boathouse, so he whistled and waited. A minute later, his dog trotted forward carrying a sandal that looked very much like the one Emmaline was wearing yesterday. “You can keep that one, buddy.” There had to be payback for bad behavior. People said karma always came back to bite them. Well, Emmaline’s bite would come in the form of a missing shoe.

Occasionally, he’d judged harshly and acted hastily. Everyone had faults, even Ollie, who had a left foot fetish. His dad and brother were meaner than rabid badgers, and his mother was the caboose on a short line of asshole engines. She went where everyone took her. Emmaline was a lot like his mom. Only she’d rather derail the train than slow down long enough to talk to the engineer. All she had to do was take him aside and explain, and he would have suggested the Blackthornes eat inside as well. But no, she would prove a point at the expense of others.

“Let’s go, buddy. I think it’s time you met Cricket.”

Ollie dropped the sandal and woofed. His tail wagged so quickly that the poor dog had difficulty staying on his feet.

When Miles opened the door to his truck, Ollie jumped inside. When he was behind the steering wheel, he had a perfect view of Emmaline, and she didn’t look remorseful for her behavior. She looked pissed because of his.

He put his truck into reverse and pulled out. He had a stop to make on his way. Something about the way Mrs. Blackthorne said that having a paramedic on staff wasn’t something a traveler would find at most properties made him think she was more than a family vacationer. If she weren’t the critic, then the box of chocolates he planned to pick up at Sweet on You would be a nice gesture. If she was, he hoped it would sweeten her disposition toward both resorts since he’d give them to her from The Kessler and Brown.

He pulled into the parking spot in front of the candy shop and told Ollie to stay. His dog might be able to Houdini himself out of houses, but Miles didn’t think he’d be able to get out of a locked vehicle. Before he stepped out, he made sure the windows were down, so Ollie had air.

When he entered the shop, he was greeted by a beautiful brunette. “Welcome to Sweet on You. How can I sweeten your day?”

The display case was full, which meant she was either obsessive about keeping things stocked or the day was slow. And knowing what Cormac told him made him think the latter. He considered Mrs. Blackthorne, and if she’d appreciate the chocolates, then other guests would too.

“I’m Miles, Cormac’s uncle.”

She cocked her head to the side. “I’m sorry, I don’t know who that is.”

“He’s a younger, better-looking version of me. He comes in here all the time buying candy for his grandma.” He didn’t know if that’s the story Cormac told, but it seemed logical.

“Oh, yeah. Nice guy.”

“He really is. You should have pie at Cricket’s with him someday. I think you’d both enjoy it.”

She smiled. “I’ve got a daughter.”

“That’s okay because he’s never been known to eat children.”

She laughed. “I wasn’t implying that. Usually, I pick her up when I get off, and we go home.”

“That’s fine too. All I’m saying is sometimes what you’re looking for is right under your nose.”

“Who says I’m looking for something?”

“We’re all looking for something.” He was looking for the old Emmaline, and though her kisses and lovemaking felt the same, his Emmaline had grown into a woman. She’d had thirty years of hurt and heartbreak to mold her into who she is now. Perhaps he was too hard on her.

“You came in here looking for something. What can I get you?”

He counted the rooms between the two resorts and added a few extras just in case he messed up the tally. When he asked her for dozens of boxes of candies, she lit up like she’d won the lottery, and in a way, she had. He would have never been able to place an order that large without the win. Pay it forward was always his way.

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