There was something tucked back in there. A wad of trash. Or fabric. Frowning, he reached in and pulled it out. It was cheesecloth, he thought, though why anyone would stuff it back there, he couldn’t imagine. Dust and grit floated down as he unfolded the material.
Then he noticed its weight. Its bulk. There was something solid inside. His heart jittered. His clumsy fingers reached the end of the fabric, and his breath caught at the prize nestled inside.
Hanging from a delicate gold chain was a stunning blue jewel. He stared at the necklace for a full minute.
The blue diamond.
The gem was still dazzling, having been covered and protected from the elements. Dorothy Livingston had indeed hidden her precious necklace in a safe spot. No one had found it in all these years—even those who’d been looking for it. It had been resting here all along, untouched.
A smile broke loose, and he leaped to his feet. He couldn’t wait to tell—
Mia.
His smile fell. She was in bed, fast asleep. And she was angry with him—not that he could blame her.
He stared down at the exquisite piece of jewelry, suddenly remembering its value. He was no expert, but it had to be a carat or two. How ironic that the disaster that had fallen on the inn tonight had also exposed the very thing that could save it.
The money would be more than enough to tide them over until they could house guests again. They could even offer a full-fledged restaurant, like Molly wanted, and raise their salaries past minimum wage level. Best of all, he wouldn’t have to worry about losing his parents’ legacy. They’d already been on an upward trajectory all summer, with his marketing and the publicity, courtesy of Mia’s presence.
Mia.
He looked through the doorway to the hall that led to the room where she was bedded down. He remembered everything she’d divulged to him today. Remembered the longing on her face, the loneliness, as she talked about her family. Her father. She’d come here searching for her roots.
Then his eyes fell to the necklace, taking in its design. The style reflected a bygone era. It was old. It was an heirloom.
Mia’s heirloom.
forty-two
Mia woke as a ray of light broke through the slit in the drapes. She closed her eyes against the brightness, last night rushing back. It had taken forever to get to sleep, and a soul-deep weariness lingered even now.
But it wasn’t really lack of sleep causing her body to feel weighted to the bed. No, she’d suffered worse nights.
It was Levi’s sudden rejection.
Even now, in the hope of a new morning, she was devastated. Her eyes felt swollen from the quiet tears she’d cried. She wanted to leave, go home, even if it meant facing the public scrutiny and scandal she’d left behind. That would be easy compared to being near the man who’d ravaged her heart.
She should never have let herself get involved with Levi. What had she been thinking? She lived in California, and he lived in the wilds of North Carolina. It was never going to work. Had always been destined for failure. And yet she’d gone and made herself vulnerable. She’d gone and fallen in love with him.
The breakup with Wes seemed like child’s play in comparison. And it was her own darn fault. She’d allowed herself to open up to Levi in a way she never had with Wes. She’d taken the risk, allowed him to know her—the real her.
And he’d dumped her. As if their relationship was disposable. As ifshewere disposable. And once again, for the umpteenth time, she felt unwanted and unworthy. As if she weren’t enough. As if she were undeserving of love.
Oh, she understood why she felt this way. After all, if her own father, her flesh and blood, could abandon her, who would ever stay? But that head knowledge didn’t quite translate to her heart. The heavy feeling inside weighted her lungs, making her breaths cumbersome.
She needed to get out of here.
On the other twin bed Molly still slept. Grace snored lightly from a pallet on the floor.
Mia grabbed her phone and began checking flights. A last-minute flight on a holiday weekend was expensive, but she couldn’t stay here another day. She selected a flight for the evening and purchased the ticket.
The bed squeaked quietly as she left it. She went into the bathroom, dressed, and gargled with mouthwash. There was no water for a shower, so she swept her hair back into a ponytail and slid on a ball cap.
She began packing up her things. Levi, Molly, and Grace had insisted that Dorothy’s journal rightfully belonged to her, so she tucked it into her carry-on bag. She’d reread it when she got home. It gave her a little comfort to know she’d always have a little piece of her grandparents.
She was just zipping her bag when Molly began stirring. Just as well. Mia wanted to say good-bye.
“Where you going?” Molly asked, her voice scratchy.
