“And you know what? That’s okay, too. You don’t have to make any decisions. Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy your life now.”
Her mom patted her hand. “And I am. I really am enjoying my life now.”
Heather slid off the stool. “And I’m happy for you. But I gotta run. Oh, and next time tell me when you have a date-not-date.”
She headed out the door. Things were looking up for both of them. Blake’s school problems were over. Jesse was making progress on legally becoming Blake’s guardian, and she had another date scheduled with Jesse this week. She’d echo her mother’s words. She was enjoying her life now, too. It was funny how sometimes when disastrous things happened—like her father divorcing her mother and leaving her penniless, or Jesse finding out about Blake—those disasters could sometimes turn into blessings.
Austin sat at the kitchen table at the owner’s cottage of the freshly named Blue Heron Cottages.
Rob leaned back in his chair, enjoying his sister’s enthusiasm as she told the story.Andextremely thankful she’d come up with a name on her own.
“You see. I couldn’t think of a new name for the place. I really didn’t want to keep Murphy’s Resort. So last night I walked to the edge of the water, thinking.” Violet’s eyes sparkled with triumph. “And this beautiful blue heron came walking up to me. She just stood there, staring for a bit. I chatted with her for a while.” Violet grinned. “Then she gave me one last look and slowly swooped off into the sky, into the sunset. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. And then I knew I’d found my name for this place.”
“Sounds like a fine name to me. Let me check on domains so we can get one that we can use.” Austin clicked on his computer keys, searching.
They agreed on a domain name and bought it. Then Austin asked questions to get an idea of what Violet wanted for the website and showed her a few sites he thought were well done as well as the reservation system he thought she should use. They also discussed which social media accounts he would set up for Blue Heron Cottages. By the time he left, it felt like all their technical problems were solved.
Violet came back from walking Austin to the door. “The guy is a wiz, isn’t he? He knows so much techie stuff.”
“Seems to. You happy with everything?”
“More than happy. And that reservation software isn’t too expensive. That’s good. And he gave me the friends and family discount for his work. Just because you’re friends with Evelyn, I guess.”
“Or because the whole town is excited that you’re reopening Blue Heron Cottages and the tired old Murphy Resort will be a distant memory.”
“It’s really happening, isn’t it?” Her eyes glistened with excitement.
And seeing her so happy made him happy, too. In spite of all his doubts, this really might have been the best decision his sister had ever made. There was something to be said about being happy with your choices in life.
He got up from the table. “I’m headed to the nursery to pick out some plantings for the courtyard. That’s still on my to-do list, and I would love to check it off. Want to come along and help?”
“I sure do. I don’t trust you. You keep calling the coral cottage orange. What do you know about what looks good?” She sent him a teasing grin.
“Come on, then. Let’s go. Seems like your brother has a lot of work to do this afternoon.”
“As much as I’d love to help you dig holes for the plants and all, I’m afraid I can’t.” She patted her broken arm and grinned.
As if she would have been digging holes even if her arm wasn’t broken. He rolled his eyes at her but really didn’t mind the work. Maybe an afternoon of hard work would help break through his writer’s block. Maybe.
Chapter 24
Heather spent a wonderful evening having dinner alone with Jesse at his cottage. Aperfectevening. They moved outside after dinner to enjoy the gentle breeze.
“We should probably quit kissing before Blake gets home and catches us necking again.” Jesse grinned as he pulled back, his eyes teasing.
“We probably should.”
“Maybe just one more.” He leaned over and kissed her again, and she grasped his shoulders to steady herself. A Jesse Brown kiss could make a grown woman go weak in the knees.
He pulled back again and took her hands in his, his eyes locking with hers, drawing her like a magnet. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”
“Okay.” She settled back on the glider but missed his lips on hers.
“I know we’ve only beenofficiallydating for a little while. But you’ve been my best friend since we were kids. You still are. I love you, Heather Parker. I can’t imagine my life without you. You make things… right. I wondered if— I mean—” He swallowed. “You probably think I’m crazy but—”
She held her breath, barely able to think or concentrate. What was he trying to say?
“I know the timing is crazy. Right in the middle of me getting legal custody of Blake and everything… But…”
