“Ellie, we’ve barely taken a step forward.” A crestfallen look swept over his face, but he quickly recovered. “But if you need space, need time, I can do that.”
“Thank you. I think that’s best.”
He shook his head slowly. “But one thing is certain. I’m not giving up this time. I’m not walking away. I’ll change your mind and show you we’re meant to be.” He reached out and took her hand. “Because we are, Ellie. We are. We are meant to be together. I can be patient until you realize that too.”
He let go of her hand and walked down the stairs, giving her a brief wave as he headed down the street. Away from her…
But she’d made the right decision, hadn’t she? This was just all too much. Too fast. Too… different.
“Winston, let’s go in.”
He looked up at her with a reproachful glance before stepping away from her and heading inside. Even Winston was questioning her decisions now.
Chapter14
Darlene bustled around the kitchen, preparing breakfast for her guests. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air. As she flipped the pancakes, Felicity entered the room, an expectant smile on her face.
“Good morning, Gran,” Felicity chirped, reaching for a mug from the cupboard. “How was your date last night?”
She felt her cheeks flush as she turned to face her granddaughter. “It wasn’t a date. Mark and I just went to the theater as friends.”
Felicity’s grin widened as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “Whatever you say, Gran,” she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
She shook her head, focusing on the pancakes to avoid Felicity’s knowing gaze. She couldn’t deny the connection she felt with Mark, but the thought of pursuing something more than friendship made her heart race with both excitement and… fear.
Felicity’s expression turned serious as she leaned against the counter. “Gran, I have some bad news. Two more reservations have canceled.”
Her heart sank. The B&B had been struggling lately, and she feared the new Seaside Inn was drawing away their guests. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain a positive outlook.
“I think it might be because of the new inn,” Felicity continued, confirming Darlene’s suspicions. “But don’t worry, Gran. I have an idea.”
Darlene raised an eyebrow, curious to hear her granddaughter’s suggestion.
“Why don’t we fix things up around the B&B?” Felicity proposed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “We could give the rooms a fresh coat of paint, update the decor, and maybe even add some new amenities. It might help us attract more guests.”
She forced a smile, appreciating her granddaughter’s enthusiasm, but she knew the truth behind the B&B’s financial situation. The cancellations and dwindling reservations had taken a toll on their income, and the thought of investing in renovations made her stomach clench with worry.
“That’s a lovely idea, dear,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “But I think the B&B is just fine the way it is. We’ve always prided ourselves on our cozy, homey atmosphere.”
Felicity’s brow creased, and Darlene could see the concern in her granddaughter’s eyes. “But Gran, if we don’t do something to compete with the new inn, we might lose even more guests.”
She reached out and patted Felicity’s hand, hoping to reassure her. “Don’t you worry about that, sweetheart. We’ve weathered tough times before, and we’ll get through this too.”
Felicity didn’t seem entirely convinced, but she nodded, trusting her grandmother’s judgment. “If you say so, Gran.”
Darlene turned back to the stove, flipping the last pancake onto a plate. She didn’t want to burden Felicity with the financial struggles of the B&B. Her granddaughter had already sacrificed so much to help her run the place, and Darlene couldn’t bear the thought of causing her more stress. Besides, Felicity had her own life to live. She had her new romance with Brent. She didn’t need to get bogged down in the B&B’s day-to-day struggles.
As she set the food out on the warming trays in the dining room, her mind wandered to the mounting bills and the dwindling savings account. She’d always managed to keep the B&B afloat, but with the new competition in town, she feared for the future of her beloved business. And what if Clint’s high-rise got approved at the end of the boardwalk? What would that do to the B&B’s reservations?
The sound of footsteps on the stairs pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up to see Mark entering the dining room, a warm smile on his face. “Good morning, Darlene. Something smells delicious.”
She returned his smile, feeling a flutter in her chest at the sight of him. “Morning. I hope you’re hungry. We’ve got pancakes, bacon, and fresh fruit this morning.”
As Mark took a seat at one of the tables, Felicity walked past, shooting Darlene a knowing look. “Gran, I’m off to meet up with Brent if you don’t need me anymore.”
“I’ve got it, hon. You go and have a good time.”
“We’re working on some new research. It’s fascinating the things that Brent can dig up.”
