Dad relaxed, then grinned at Jasper.
Mom shifted, pulling out a folder from her purse. Then she unfolded the top flap, pulling out a stack of crisp, white papers. She smiled as she slid them across the table. “We’ve had these drawn up for a while, but with the shooting, we wanted to give you time.”
Wait. This was it? Already? I’d planned for this to get awkward and uncomfortable. Not to just . . . get a hotel.
“Read through the document,” Dad said. “Let us know if you have any questions. Our lawyer drafted it up, similar to how we transferred the ranch to Griffin. But if you want to hire your own attorney to review it, that will be fine. If you’re good with everything, we’ve already signed it. You just need to sign it too.”
I turned to Jasper.
He was smiling.
“You knew.”
“Yeah.”
Mom and Dad slid out of the booth. “We’ll leave you two alone to talk.”
“What about lunch?” I asked.
Mom took Dad’s hand. “We’ll go bug Knox in the kitchen.”
“We’re proud of you,” Dad said before they walked away.
“Did that just happen?” I whispered to Jasper.
“Yeah, angel.”
“I didn’t expect it today.” I looked at the papers. I skimmed the top sheet with a fingertip. Maybe part of me hadn’t expected it at all. “What if I fail?”
“You won’t.” His confidence was unwavering.
“What if I do?”
His hand cupped my cheek, forcing my gaze to his. “Do you think I’d let you fail?”
“No.” I leaned into his touch.
From the moment we’d started this adventure, standing beside that fountain, he’d been by my side. The ups and downs. The good and bad.
Husband and wife.
“I own a hotel.”
He chuckled. “You own a hotel.”
“Oh my God, I own a hotel. My hotel.”
Jasper tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Dream come true?”
Only because he was here. “And then some.”
EPILOGUE
ELOISE
One month later . . .
“I’m staging an intervention.”
“Huh?” Lyla asked from across the counter at Eden Coffee.
“I’m kicking you out.”
She blinked.
“Of here. Right now. You have to leave.”
Lyla studied my face, then looked to Jasper at my side. “Is she drunk?”
“I’m staying out of this. Good luck, Lyla.” He bent to kiss my hair, then walked to a table against the wall, taking a seat.
Jasper didn’t approve of this idea I’d concocted at breakfast. Mostly because it was supposed to be our day off, and instead of being at the coffee shop, he wanted to spend it celebrating.
But he’d let me drag him downtown anyway. Probably because he knew that I was still coming to terms with everything that had happened last night.
After missing my period, I’d taken a pregnancy test after dinner. He’d almost cried when I’d handed him that positive stick. Or maybe I’d just imagined the sheen of tears in his eyes. I couldn’t exactly be sure. I’d been a hot mess, bouncing between panicked hysterics and joyous laughter, crying enough for us both.
I was still utterly freaked. Neither Jasper nor I had planned on this, and my birth control’s epic failure had instantly changed our plans. The idea of motherhood—when I’d just taken over the hotel, when Jasper and I had finally settled into our marriage—was terrifying. Exciting.
My emotions were volleying between happy and scared like a ping-pong ball, so instead of dealing with my fears, I was here, harassing Lyla instead.
“You’ve worked one hundred days in a row,” I told her. “Yes, I counted. You haven’t taken a day off since that Sunday in April when you went to Missoula to get your hair cut.”
She scoffed. “I’ve taken other days off since then.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Oh, really? When?”
She thought about it for a moment, then huffed. “What are you, the work police? Who are you to talk, anyway? You’re always at the hotel. Go away. I’m busy.”
“Nope.” I planted my hands on my hips. “One afternoon. That’s all I’m asking for. You leave here for one afternoon and do something non work related.”
“Why?”
I gave her a sad smile. “Because I’m worried about you. I don’t want you to burn yourself out.”
“I won’t.”
“But you might.” I clasped my hands together. “Please? Just take the rest of the day off so I can stop worrying.”
“I can’t just leave, Eloise.”
“Why not?” I waved to Crystal, Lyla’s barista, as she came out of the kitchen carrying a fresh tray of scones. “Crystal is here. Jasper and I will hang out and help close.”
Now that the summer rush was behind us, Wednesdays were slow in downtown Quincy. If there was ever a day for Lyla to cut out early, it was now.
“Go home,” I said. “Relax.”
“I can’t go home,” Lyla said. “If I do, I’ll think of everything that needs to get done and I’ll come right back.”
Not all that long ago, when I’d lived in my rental a couple blocks away, I’d been the same way with the hotel. It had taken Jasper to solve that problem. Every night, I looked forward to going home. And while there were always things on my mind, it was easier to ignore them, to save them for the next day. Another in the endless string of perks that came with a sexy husband who kept my mind occupied.
“You could go to a movie,” I suggested.
“I don’t feel like popcorn. Last time I was there I ate too much and it gave me a stomachache.”
“Then don’t get popcorn.”
“Then what’s the fun in going to a movie?”
The movie. I rolled my eyes. “You’re exhausting. Go for a hike then. You love hiking, and I know you hardly went this summer. It’s a beautiful day. Get some fresh air. Disconnect. Do anything. Just leave this building until tomorrow morning.”
“Why?” she whined. “I like it here. Let me stay. I’ll make you something yummy. Chocolate croissants?”
“Tempting. But no.” I shook my head. “This job is becoming your personality.”
She scrunched up her nose. “Harsh.”
“You came into the hotel on Monday and asked if you could get me anything else. In my building. You serve and wait on people every day. Just . . . for one afternoon, do something for you.”
Lyla groaned. “You’re not going to leave me alone until I agree, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Fine. I’ll go for a hike or whatever.”
“Yay. Thank you.” I clasped my hands in front of me to keep from clapping. “Maybe you’ll meet your dream guy while you’re out hiking.”
“I’m starting to think my dream guy doesn’t exist.” She untied her apron. “You’ll call me if something goes wrong.”
“Yes.”
“There’s plenty of food in the kitchen, but if for any reason cooking is required—”
I held up my hand. “I promise not to go anywhere near an oven. That’s why I brought Jasper. Or I’ll ask Crystal.”