Chapter 11
Anticipation hummed through Richard’s tall frame as eleven o’clock approached. He’d hoped that his round of weightlifting in the small gym that morning would work off some of his anxiety, but to no avail. If he wasn’t reliving the incredible kisses he’d shared with Ava, Richard was worrying about whether anyone had somehow caught word that the two were together in her room until late last night.
But here he was, his meeting with Betty all but through, and there’d been no mention of it.Good. Of course, he’d worried that in the times his mind would drift back to the incredible feeling of Ava’s lips on his that Betty had somehow psychically known what caused his distraction. Some type of mother’s intuition sort of thing. The woman was quite motherly toward him after all.
“I feel that I need to share something with you,” Betty said to him. She’d been halfway out of the office when she’d stopped short and stepped back inside. Her voice sounded hesitant too, as if she wasn’t certain she wanted to bring the topic up.
A sharp prick of fear sank like an achy dart in his chest. Immediately, he recalled the video cameras in the hallways. Maybe she wouldn’t have to be psychic to know about their rendezvous after all. Richard had assumed that, since he hadn’t passed anyone on his way to the foyer, he hadn’t been spotted.
But had Betty seen him coming out of Ava’s room. Or had security spotted him and told her about it?
“Go ahead.” He hoped the quiet tone of his voice would indicate that she should use the same approach. Ava would be there any minute.
Betty stepped in closer, taking his cue as she responded quietly as well. “It’s two things, actually. First, I wanted to tell you that I’m finally going to build my little dream cottage on the far end of the wooded property Milt left me.”
“Oh, that’s great news,” he said, wishing he could feel more at ease. But she’d said there was more she needed to say.
“That means that I won’t really need the big old home I’m staying in anymore—not that I ever did need all that space. But I don’t really want to sell it to an outsider either. I was wondering if maybe y’all could use it somehow, maybe for purposes relating to the inn, since it borders the property.”
Richard nodded as he considered. “I’m sure that we could. Thank you, I’ll be thinking about that.”
“Good,” the sweet woman said. “And lastly…” She looked over her shoulder and into the hallway before turning back to him.
Another prick of fear came on, this one spreading throughout his chest as he pulled in a shallow breath.
“I, um…”
Man, she looked so hesitant to say it that Richard was tempted to pipe up and put her out of her misery.
“I know that y’all are in hiding,” she said.
Whoa.That was the last thing he’d expected her to say.
“I’m not going to say anything to anyone, of course. But I’m certain it would make your life and mine a whole lot easier if y’all knew that I know so you don’t have to go tiptoeing around me anymore.”
Richard exhaled a shaky breath. He’d need a minute to digest all of this. His limbs were still coiled up from the fear of what she might share when she’d brought up something he believed they had a very good grip on.
“How? How did you find out?”
“A few ways,” she said. “I’ve got great intuition, don’t get me wrong. But being as close to your family as I’ve been, overhearing conversations like yours and Andie’s by the old shed, watching the way Trenton was able to get past whatever secrets she’d been keeping from him. It just makes sense.”
Yes, he supposed it did. “You don’t think anyone else knows though, do you?”
Betty shook her head. “Oh, no no, darlin’, not at all. And I’ve come to love you all like family since you’ve been here. Your secret is safe behind these ruby red lips of mine, I can tell you that much.”
Richard grinned, relaxing just a bit at the news. “Have you told Trenton and Andie that you know?”
She nodded. “Just last night. I had the two of them over for dinner. Andie talked about renting a room from me for now since we have a growing need for cabin rentals this time of year. I thought that was a great idea. So I’m going to have a roommate now. I couldn’t be happier about it.”
A lightbulb flicked on in his head. “Betty,” he nearly shouted. “You have four bedrooms in that house, right?”
“Five if you include the attic,” she answered.
“Could Ava rent a room from you too?”
Betty’s blue eyes widened. “Why, that’s a great idea,” she said. “I mean, if that’s something she’d like to do.”
Relief raced through him as he considered how great it would be if Ava accepted. She’d be close, safe, and she wouldn’t feel like a burden for occupying one of the suites.
