“I need some air,” she said.
Outside, the cold was sharp and clean. She walked to the edge of the property, where the land sloped down toward the harbor. Ben appeared beside her, a tentative smile on his face.
“Family meeting not going well?”
“That obvious?”
“You look like you're planning an escape route.”
She almost smiled. “Any suggestions?”
“Well, the harbor's frozen, so can't steal a boat. Roads are clear though. Could make a run for Canada.”
“Tempting.”
They stood together, looking out at the view. The harbor was mostly frozen, ice extending from the shore like white fingers reaching for the boats moored farther out.
“My family wanted me to sell my grandfather's business,” Ben said suddenly. “After he died. Said it wasn't profitable enough, that I should take a corporate job, be sensible.”
“But you didn't.”
“No. Because some things are worth more than profit.” He turned to look at her. “But Katie, accepting help isn't the same as giving up.”
“Isn't it?”
“No. It's just admitting you're human.”
Before she could respond, her phone rang. Brian from the bank.
“Kate, I'm sorry to call on Sunday, but there's been a development. The board met in emergency session. They're accelerating the timeline.”
Her stomach dropped. “What does that mean?”
“You have two weeks. I'm so sorry. I tried to stall them, but with the missed payments...”
“Two weeks.”
“Unless you can show proof of new funding. Then they might reconsider.”
“Thanks, Brian.” Kate hung up and stood there, phone in her hand, the world tilting around her. Two weeks. The inn would be gone in two weeks.
“Kate?” Ben's voice seemed to come from far away. “What's wrong?”
“The bank. They're calling the loan. Two weeks.”
She heard the words come out of her mouth but couldn't quite connect them to reality. Two weeks to save everything or lose it all.
“Come on,” Ben said, taking her arm gently. “Let's get you inside.”
Her siblings were still in the kitchen, their conversation stopping when they saw her face.
“The bank's calling the loan,” she said. “Two weeks.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Then everyone talked at once, Tom pulling out his phone to call lawyer friends, James asking about legal options, Dani saying this proved they needed Lillian's help.
Kate sank into a chair and let their voices wash over her.
Two weeks to save the inn. Two weeks to save Pop's home. Two weeks to decide if pride was worth more than survival.
