Paulson entered the lodge and greeted Nate as the door swung shut.
“What’s he doing here?” Miles asked.
Avery ran her teeth over her lower lip as if she knew something. “Didn’t he call you? He promised to call you.”
“Why would he call me?”
“Carter Hotels was the other party interested in the corporate retreat, but they decided to pass,” she said. “He said he’d call and let you know, so you could lower your offer.”
Miles wondered if Paulson’s change of heart was a trap. Maybe Paulson still wanted the retreat and had counted on Avery telling Miles in hopes he’d lower his offer, allowing Carter Hotels to buy the property without competition. That would be pretty slimy, even for Paulson. Carter Hotels could outbid anyone. Miles needed to be careful. He rarely called in favors, but maybe he should ask some local friends to dig around and find out. Jeanette heard a lot of gossip at the diner.
“Paulson wants to open a small fishing lodge near a river.” Avery’s green eyes widened. “What if he tries to buy Montressa? We should go in.”
“Sweetheart, Nate can handle it and it’s not our decision to make,” Miles said, trying to sound reassuring. “He knows about Paulson. And he’d never sell Montressa.”
Avery leaned her head onto his shoulder, sending an ease through him. An ease she didn’t seem to feel. She picked at a hangnail and jiggled a leg.
“He promised to call you,” she said.
There was nothing they could do about whatever motivated Paulson not to call, and Miles didn’t want to get into it. She needed a distraction. He said the first thing that came to his mind.
“They’re putting in the backsplash today. All the guys on the crew love the milk bottle caps.”
The leg kept jiggling.
“I can’t wait to see it,” she said. “Which reminds me. Will you show me how to make your mom’s macaroni and cheese?”
“Ayuh.” He brushed a thumb along her hairline. His mother would have loved hearing her ask how to make her prized recipe.
They waited silently for a minute, half hidden under the giant pine, drinking in the balsam breeze.
“Speaking of dinner,” she said. “You need something other than a kitchen table made of sawhorses and plywood. You also need a couch, a rug, and bedroom furniture.”
“Maybe I should make a list.” He winked.
“Well, I’m never gonna tell someone not to make a list.” She giggled and the bouncing leg slowed to a stop.
Shopping for furniture wasn’t a special outing, but Portland had furniture stores and romantic date potential. They could shop and have lunch at the same lobster shack where the spark had ignited that summer. Afterward, they’d drive up the coast and stay in the nicest suite at a waterfront boutique hotel. It felt like a natural progression and not too much, too fast.
“Decorating is overwhelming. But you’re so good at it.” He cleared his throat. “Will you help me find furniture? We could—”
The front door to the lodge opened, and Paulson and Nate stood under the portico with Sam. Everyone shook hands.
“That didn’t take long,” Avery whispered as she gripped Miles’s thigh again.
“Thank you both,” Paulson said. “I’m excited to help with your new bar. I have some other ideas too, for later.”
“We’ll gladly pay you for your time,” Nate said.
“Unnecessary.” Paulson studied the lodge. “This is a special place.I admire what you and your father have here.”
Miles was certain Paulson wanted something. He’d catch up with Nate on the boat.
“Wait,” said Nate. “I’m having a bachelor party canoe trip on the Kennebec River the last week of July. It’s me, Miles, Hayes Preston, and some of my friends from high school and college. Join us.”
Miles’s chest sank. While it was Nate’s party, Miles wished he’d had some input. People in large groups jockeyed for position. Paulson made everything about himself. He’d be loud and insufferable.
Avery must have sensed his frustration because she swatted his knee and whispered, “Be kind.”
