If he stayed at the inn, God would meet his needs. It might not be the prestigious career of working for VJR. He’d not make near the same money, but he’d be contributing to the community, one where practically everyone knew his name. He’d be the one to make a place of rest and refuge for those in need. He’d touch hearts in a way he could never do managing a corporate resort.
Without even thinking, he began composing a letter to Jim.
…regret to inform you…official resignation. Jordan…as my replacement…knows as much as I do.
He, Ben Carter, was coming home. All the way home. To Hearts Bend Inn.
“Ta-da!”
Ben jerked at the sound of Ray’s voice. If he didn’t know better, he’d believe the man was reading his mind.
“Ray? What’s up?”
The gardener appeared from between a second bank of shelves with a big smile and the old wrought iron and wood bench.
17
The moment Cami had left Dad’s town house the other night, she’d known her life had changed. She felt lighter, brighter. And the urge to paint and create was stronger than ever.
Ben had been on her mind. A lot. She’d start to text him, then chicken out every time. She had to somehow transfer her confidence in closing a property deal to her love life. To her love for Ben.
While she’d gained so much healing after Dad had asked her forgiveness, she still couldn’t see a way to reach out to Ben.
Besides, weren’t they headed on very different paths? Why start something they couldn't finish? She’d decided to at least tell him the environmental study was a standard Akron deal and the company had no intention of destroying the inn.
She’d removed his contract from the project board with a bit of sadness and tried to move forward. There were plenty of things to distract her between Vicki’s wedding and the move to Indy.
Then Dad had called her into his office with the most surprising offer.
“I was thinking you could stay here, become the director of operations with a plan to make vice president in two years. What do you think? I’ll send Geoffrey to Indianapolis. I spoke with Astrid, and she still wants to go. She’s apparently met someone there.”
“What? That rat, she never said.”
Dad grabbed her hand. “I want you here with me and your sister and your new niece or nephew.”
“Niece.”
“I’ll miss you too much if I send you to Indy. Even when I first assigned you, I almost regretted it, but?—”
“Yes, Dad, yes. I’ll stay. I never wanted to move. I don’t even have a place to live up there. Everything kept falling through. I want to be here for Annalise, the baby, and you.” She squeezed his hand. “But if we’re really being honest, I don’t want to be director or vice president. I love buying and selling, I love working for you. But, Dad, I want time to breathe, relax, paint. I want to bring back the part of me that was Mama. I was so busy trying for your approval, I left her behind.”
Dad had held her so tight she’d thought he’d never let go. And that was fine with her.
So, she wasn’t moving after all. She’d heard Annalise’s scream all the way across town when they’d called to tell her. Even though she was busy with the wedding, she’d shared in Cami’s excitement in the change of events.
However, the good news had dumped her into the deep end, requiring her to bring Geoffrey up to speed on everything and find a new Nashville place to live. If she’d had any doubts about her decision, they’d ended the moment Marta called—one hour after Cami had put her on the hunt for a new place.
You’re not going to believe it, but I found the most charming and perfect bungalow not five minutes from your sister.
Cami had signed the lease that afternoon and called the movers to haul her stuff back to Nashville. They were willing to store her belongings for a few weeks. The place needed work, but the owner had said she could do what she wanted as long as it didn’t involve any demo.
Once she’d settled in and handed the reins of Indy to Geoff, she could no longer avoid the obvious. She had to talk to Ben. He’d be leaving on Wednesday, if not sooner. What if he’d already left?
A quick text to her sister told her he was still in town. In fact, he was staying through the wedding.
“Really? Doesn’t he need to be in Sydney?”
“Apparently, he’s extended his stay. He found a new buyer for the inn.”
