Page 87 of Dandelion Sighs

We were in my kitchen, where I wasn’t in danger of swerving off the road when she dropped a bomb on me.

“So Maria resigned, and that was the last straw?” I handed her a cold beer and dug out the plate of marinating chicken breasts.

Her eyes misted over, and if I didn’t have a handful of raw poultry, I’d reach for her. But she’d shrink in on herself and withdraw. She was doing that more and more. Could I put a stop to it? I had the means, but I had destroyed that road.

I could repair. We still had time. Barely.

“Yes,” she said hoarsely. “The last heavy straw.”

“Come out with me to the deck.”

A little outdoor air would lighten the mood. She followed me out to the shaded porch and let out a contented sigh. After I had the chicken over the flames, I downed half of my own beer.

I asked the question that had been on my mind since she made the announcement. “What will you do when you sell?”

She rubbed a hand up and down the arm that held her beer. “I don’t know. I should be used to ditching it all and having nothing.” Her laughter was full of irony and bitterness.

I set my can down and crossed to her. With my hands on her shoulders, I met her gaze. “Hey, let’s talk about this. You don’t have to make a sudden decision.”

She blinked back the tears collecting in her eyes. “It’s not sudden. It’s been coming since Mom died. Maybe even before then.”

At least she didn’t blame herself for the entire downfall of the resort.

“Give yourself time.” Talk to me. Talk to someone. She’d taken her independence and isolated herself.

“And miss the chance? Miss any leverage I have?” She shook her head. “They’re going to offer Linda enough that she can’t help but sell and then they’ll know I’m in a tight spot. If I approach them first, maybe they’ll be more generous.” She tossed her hands up, and some beer sloshed out of the can. “Who knows? If your aunt doesn’t sell, then I’m still at square one. Then what?”

I needed more time. It wasn’t too late. Those thoughts knocked around in my head. “If Linda doesn’t deal with them, maybe she’ll deal with you.”

She laughed and hiccuped, her eyes glittering. “I thought I could swing it financially, but I was just hopelessly naive. I should’ve researched any state or federal aid or grants. I didn’t do it when I was messing around with you, and I can’t do it when I’m staffing the front desk nearly full time and cleaning rooms once Landon goes back to school.” Her laugh was punchy. “All I need is for Paola to quit and then I’ll be a total one-woman show.”

“You have me.”

“You’re starting your own business.”

I winced. I had said that. Did I tell her I was lying? Or did I admit to myself that I couldn’t afford to work for the pittance I got from Sheridan forever? I had to think about my future, too, and if I wanted Sheridan in it, resort or not, I needed a solid wage and benefits. I very much wanted Sheridan in my life. Now and forever.

I was in love with the woman.

My heart thumped between my ears. I loved her. I’d never felt like this, and I’d never gotten out of my own way for anyone else. I would do it for Sheridan, but my options weren’t one or the other. “It’ll take me a while to build clients. I can do both for a while.”

“I can’t ask you to do that,” she whispered.

“Good thing I said that’s what I’d do.”

Her shoulders drooped as much as her lower lip. “No. I’m going to sell. Then I might actually be able to afford a roof over my head.”

“Sheridan.”

“What will you call me?” Her smile was wan. “Boss won’t fit.”

“Does that mean you’re going to stick around, no matter what?” We didn’t need the resort to bring us together, and we shouldn’t need it to stay together.

She sighed and sadness emanated from her. “Yeah. It’ll be hard to face everyone in town. I’ll be the girl who lost Bishop’s Landing. The one who couldn’t run it like her parents.”

“Your parents had each other and no life outside of the resort.” I guessed that last part, but it made sense. Her mom hadn’t gotten anyone to replace all the work her dad had done, and that was when the tide began to turn and flood everything.

“I’m tired, Jasper.” She lifted her hands and let them fall, slapping her thighs. “I’m tired and hungry, and I just want tonight to forget everything. Can you help me forget my problems?”