Broken Hero

Gavin shakes his head. “If only you’d taken me up on my offer. At least I would have paid you. Morris is only with you for convenience, honey.”

“You’re wrong.”

“Am I, though? Think about it.”

I shake off his hand and take off towards the bakery. His words, their laughs-it all rings in my head.

I fight the urge to run. My tears threaten to spill, but I choke them back. I’m channeling the neutral expression I’ve seen Oliver wear so many times. The thought of him brings a new, fresh round of despair. Oliver. What Gavin said… what he implied… Easy access. They made us sound so crude.

I wouldn’t let my husband go to her!

That’s what Oliver had implied, too, before he apologized-with me and his staff. All my old fears come rushing back. I can’t handle a repeat of Dallas, with the old rumors chasing me. If people here knew why I’d officially been fired, if they knew the story that creep spread…

My hand shakes as I open the door to the bakery. As soon as I’ve closed the door behind me, my tears finally overflow.

Everything is collapsing around me. Only this morning, I’d been happier than I could ever remember being. Now I wonder if I’d been deluding myself this entire time. Claremont would never be big enough for me to fit in. How could my work possibly be seen as professional now? I’d screwed things up.

I throw myself on the bed. I find that it smells exactly like Oliver and our lovemaking. If anything, it makes me cry even harder.

“Where do I sign?”

The delivery guy hands me a clipboard. “Right here, Mr. Morris.”

“Thanks for coming out so quickly,” I say and sign my initials on the dotted line.

“Well, it’s a pleasure doing business with you. I’ve heard a lot about this place.”

“You have?”He shuts the doors to his truck. “Yes. My mother and sister came up here a couple of years ago and loved the riding trails. Beautiful place.”

“Thanks, Dave. Take care.”

“You too.”He drives off, leaving me with a massive, nearly unsolvable mess of wood and insulation on the ranch’s parking lot. It’s a good thing Lucy won’t be around this weekend, because I’m going to build her a sauna.

I’ll surprise her with it on Sunday afternoon.

I grab the first large package and toss it onto the golf cart. The little vehicle had been Sarah’s suggestion. She thought it would make our cleaning and maintenance staff look more professional when they went from cabin to cabin. But it’s a godsend, truthfully, when you have to navigate the gravel pathways around the ranch.

The sun is high in the sky and I tug off my flannel. It’s a warm day, and there’s a lot of work to do to get it in place, but I feel better than I have in a long time. Logan joins me as we methodically transform the spare room in the spa.

Austin watches us as we work, flopped down on all fours nearby. Nora and Lizzie played fetch with him earlier, and the fellow is completely exhausted.

“I know how he feels,” Logan grumbles and reaches for the hammer. “This is a much bigger job than you let on.”

“Hey, don’t complain. I’m paying you double for this.”

He snorts. “Does that mean you’ll buy me two beers instead of one?”

I hand him another box of nails. “We’re getting somewhere. All the wood paneling is done.”

“Yeah, yeah, just the electrics left, is that what you’re saying?”

“It’s the most important part.”

“Charmer.”

We work past sunset, tossing beers back and exchanging banter. The last thing we do is fit the spotlights into the wood paneled ceiling. Lucy hasn’t texted me all day, which I’m grateful for. Coming up with a lame excuse is not something I’m good at.

Logan and I step back and inspect our work. It’s late and my back is aching, but I’m not tired. If anything, I can’t wait to see Lucy’s reaction.

“This looks great, man.”

I nod. “Just the electric stove left. We’ll do that tomorrow, though.”

“What time is she coming?”

“I haven’t let her know a time yet, so I’ll play it by ear. And you’re crashing here tonight, brother.”

Logan grins. “Will I finally get to experience the famed Morris Ranch hospitality?”

“Yes. My couch.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He pretends to wince. “Ouch. I hope I’ll at least get a mint on the pillow.”

“I wouldn’t count on that if I were you.”

“I have a Yelp account, you know.”

I shake my head at him, grinning as I shut the spa behind us. “No, you don’t.”

“But I could get one.”

“Idiot.”

We get up early the next day to finish the installation. Lucy still hasn’t called or texted me, and while it’s a relief, it’s also a bit odd. I’ll give her a call as soon as we’re finished… invite her up for lunch or dinner. Maybe we’ll even go riding before I show her the changes to the spa.

The day we’ve been apart feels like forever. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d come to rely on her company, on her smiles and her laughter. Lucy is the most incredible person I’ve ever met. She’s strong and she’s vulnerable, and by far the most beautiful soul I’ve ever encountered.

I hang up the new sign outside while Logan installs the electric sauna stove. Lucy’s face will be priceless-I can’t wait to see her smile.

“Do you need some help in there?”

Logan shakes his head, lying on his back with a screwdriver in his hand. “Nah, I’m good.”

“Alright.”

“Although, if you’re insisting… I wouldn’t mind another beer. ”

I snort. “Right. I’ll be back.”