* * *
Forty minutes later,Peter walked into The Lakeside Inn with Katie. “Would you like a hot drink?”
“No, thanks. If I have any more caffeine or chocolate I won’t sleep.” She stopped in the entryway and held his hands. “Thank you for meeting us at the clinic. It meant a lot to have you there.”
“I couldn’t do much, but I’m glad you’re happy I was there.”
Katie’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ll always be happy that you care.”
Peter had to stop himself from wrapping her in his arms. In six weeks, she was moving to Los Angeles and there was a high chance he wouldn’t see her again. But even knowing their time together was limited, he couldn’t stop loving her.
He kissed her forehead. “You’re exhausted. Come with me.” With his hand still holding hers, he led her through to the private living room. “Sit down and tell me what’s wrong.”
Taking a deep breath, she wiped her eyes and looked at the rocking chairs opposite them. “Finding Diana and Adele made me realize how fragile life is. Everything Diana has ever done, all the things she wants to do, could have been wiped out in an instant if Charlie hadn’t found her. It made me think about my life and what’s important.”
Peter wrapped his arm around Katie’s shoulders and pulled her close. While they were in the clinic, she hadn’t said much, but he felt the turmoil building inside of her. She needed time to talk about what had happened and how she was feeling without the weight of her family’s anxiety overwhelming her.
“Did I tell you that Grandma used to spend a lot of time in this room?”
Peter shook his head. “No, but I can see why. It’s an amazing space.” In the daylight, with its floor to ceiling windows placed around a semi-circular wall, the view of the lake and mountains would be spectacular.
“When they were alive, my grandparents would sit in front of the windows and watch the sunrise from their rocking chairs. Without fail, Granddad always told Grandma how much he loved her. After he died, the roses he’d planted were her connection to him. She would sit in her chair with a vase of roses on a table beside her, watching the world wake up. She missed him, but she said it made her happy knowing he was waiting for her. I’m grateful I was part of their lives.”
“It sounds like they had a happy marriage.”
Katie lifted her head off his shoulder and smiled. “They had their moments. Grandma was the sweetest person, but she had a fiery temper. Granddad liked telling her what to do, which didn’t go down too well. But, despite their differences, they loved each other. I want the same kind of connection with the person I love, the ability to be myself regardless of what that is.”
He pushed a stray lock of hair over her ear and smiled when the curl bounced back to where it used to be. “I want that, too. I think most people do. Do you want to know something? You’re one of the few women I’ve met who don’t want anything from me. Apart from when you asked Zac to make sure I wore an elf costume to the Santa parade.”
A blush heated her pale cheeks. “How did you find out?”
“Willow told me.”
A sparkle returned to Katie’s eyes. “You have to admit that you looked cuteandyou enjoyed handing out the candy.”
“I’m not sure about the cute part, but I liked giving people the candy. That’s not all I enjoyed. After the parade, we went back to the church for hot drinks and a slice of Shelley’s apple pie. That’s when I realized how special you are and how much I care about you.”
Katie’s eyes filled with tears. “We hadn’t known each other for very long, but I felt the same way. What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll think of something.”
Katie yawned. “I’m sorry. My brain feels like mush. Everything must be catching up with me.”
Peter kissed her cheek. “It’s time I went home, anyway. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be fine. Penny’s next door and Barbara’s staying at the inn tonight.”
He was still worried about leaving her here, even with her sister keeping her company. “Do you have many guests?”
“Ten, but they’re no bother. All I have to do is prepare breakfast for them tomorrow and do some housework.” She sent him a tired smile. “I’ll be okay. After a good night’s sleep, everyone will feel better.”
As they were walking toward the front door, Katie sighed. “I don’t want to lose what we have, Peter.”
“Neither do I. Whatever happens, I want you to know that I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
After wrapping her in a hug, he opened the front door and walked outside. Katie wasn’t the only person who felt like tonight had changed her life forever. When Theo called to tell him what had happened, he’d panicked and imagined the worst. It wasn’t until he saw Katie and heard that everyone was okay, that he’d calmed down.
