Mar-
I have a personal aversion to pumpkins flying through the air. Any other ideas? I'm ecstatic there seems to be a low number of dukes available.
It was the middle of the night for him, and I should let him sleep.
I will let you sleep. Let’s message tomorrow when you are up. I need to explore this castle. But I needed to apologize first. You may know I have a tendency to push relationships away. I think it’s because I’m scared of getting hurt. Plus, I’m still figuring out how to love myself. I think it’s important to start that journey too.
Is it worth the risk of pain to love?
-Marissa
I took a deep breath. I hoped this would end better than last time. Although the reason it went bad last time was largely due to me running.
The reply was quick.
Marissa,
I’m putting all I have into hoping it is.
I closed my email and opened my contacts and clicked on Scott’s number.
Marissa: Goodnight Scott. Thanks for London.
Scott: Good night, Mar, I miss you.
Oh, my goodness, I loved this man, and I was going to make sure he knew it in front of everyone. Thinking of our first night together and the auction gave me an idea. This time, I would bet on Scott with all I had. I knew my little town would help me win him back. I needed to get back to Hillsdale.
I started a group text with Rose, Nan, Carol, and Faith.
Marissa: Alright girls, looks like I have a man to win, and I need your help. I was thinking of an auction to raise funds for a youth program at the B&B. Maybe Carol could add a certain lawyer contestant to the auction so I can bid on him.
Marissa: Also, a side question for Carol. Are you open to a business partner? I don’t have money, but I have energy and passion for days. Also, if I’m lucky, I’m hoping a certain lawyer might join me.
Chapter Thirty-Five
SCOTT
I finishedthe last coat of paint in the upstairs third bedroom. Nothing like an anxious mind to keep a guy on task. The three weeks were up, and Marissa still wasn’t back in Hillsdale. She sounded like she wanted to give us another try, but was I reading way too much into it? When would she be coming back?
“Scott, you need to take a break.” Carol picked up my paint pan and started to the sink.
“Staying still drives me crazy. I spend the whole time worrying about Marissa and what she’s doing and if she was safe. And more importantly, if she will give me a chance once she gets home.”
Carol sighed. “Yes, well, let’s not die of exhaustion while we are waiting for her.”
I chuckled and rinsed out my roller and set it on a rack to dry.
“No use borrowing tomorrow’s worries.” Carol set the paintbrush on the rag and made sure the lid on the paint was sealed tight.
At least I knew Marissa would come home for Nan’s wedding, if not before. That was in five months. I knew I couldn’t wait that long. I wouldn’t let her go without a fight, that much I was sure of, even to a duke. I looked out at the snow-shoveled path to the barn. Faith and Rose were walking towards it, their arms full of boxes.
“Is something going on?”
Carol nodded her head to the stairs. “Yeah, it’s a fundraiser for the community event center. I could use your help on it. Let’s go chat.”
We went downstairs and settled in the kitchen in our usual two chairs. Carol’s shoulders drooped and she let out a long sigh. She was so tired. I hoped I didn’t do the wrong thing for her by not going through with the Raymond & Johnson Law deal.
“I was thinking we might try to raise enough to add an after-school program. But all of that comes with extra costs.”
