Page 36 of Pick Yourself Up (Heroes to the Core #3)
Lock 'Em Up
A mber knew she hadn’t done things exactly in order, but she didn’t care. She was learning to follow her heart instead of her plans, and her life had never been better.
Living on an apple farm in Vermont hadn’t been part of her childhood dreams, but it should have been.
Her brother, Knox, had seen the vision almost from the first moment they’d received letters from a lawyer stating the five of them had inherited an orchard from a man they’d never known.
She looked around the Apple-y Ever After room. Had their great-uncle Jay ever envisioned this? Had he hoped his brother’s grandchildren would take over the farm? Love it and live on it?
He must have because he’d left it to them.
Her heart ached for him and Fox. Why had the brothers grown apart? Why hadn’t they fixed it?
She understood how easy it was to fall into a rut. She’d stayed working with hotels, not even admitting to herself that her dream was more about an inn-sized building. A place where she could get to know the guests and treat them as individuals, not shadows passing through her days in a blur.
With the No Phailed Apple Inn, she’d get to run the business like a home away from home. A place where she felt safe and happy. A feeling she wanted to extend to her guests.
The Apple-y Ever After room was now complete. Well, aside from a mattress, linens, and towels. And guests.
But that would happen next year. Snow was due to start falling the following day and she would have the rest of the winter to plan for the future.
A future which would include not only this inn but the man she loved.
She could hear Fox’s voice in her head. You figured it out, Amber. Always knew you would.
He’d used that phrase so often during her childhood. Whether it was about how to sew a straight line or solve a complex chemistry problem. He’d always believed she would find the solution. Find a way to make things work.
“You’d like it here, Fox. Thanks for stepping in and keeping us safe and happy, for giving us a loving home. You were the best grandfather, and I miss you.”
She could feel him here. In a place he’d never been.
Smiling at her own whimsy, Amber pulled out her phone when it beeped with a notification from Jolie. I’m coming in. I picked up packages for you at Phail General.
Excitement rippled through her, and she bounced down the steps, Boomer loping at her side. “Do you think he’ll like them?”
Boomer woofed in response, making her smile. She thought so, too.
Jolie waved from the door where she reset the security system. After everything that had happened, everyone always ensured the system was engaged.
Jolie carried over the two boxes. “I’m nosy. What did you order? Is it for the No Phailed Apples Inn?”
The name had caught on, and Amber liked the way it sounded. While it was longer than most names, it fit the quirky nature of the area. The additional link to the nearby town would be a bonus on both sides for advertising and tourism.
Now that she had the name, she could decide on the style of sign she wanted as well as the letterhead, website, business cards, advertising. All the fun stuff.
Which brought her back to the boxes. After checking the label, she replied to her sister. “This one is. Want to see?”
Jolie laughed. “Of course I want to see, but now I’m curious about the other box. It’s not for the Inn?”
Amber shook her head but didn’t answer. Instead, she led the way to the nearest table and opened the first box.
After peeling back the paper, she pulled out the first engraved plaque. Her eyes filled with happy tears. “It’s perfect.”
Jolie took another one and grinned. “These are for the rooms. They’re amazing.”
They were. The soft gold finish had been distressed and would work perfectly with the green she’d chosen for the walls.
She traced her fingers over the delicate font with fancy swirls, but still easy to read.
Apple-y Ever After.
Pie Shop.
Duckington Palace.
The Apiary.
Toy Box. Which would be all about the machines.
Harvest Time.
Blossom Time.
Inn Cider.
Eight rooms. Potential for eight sets of guests.
Jolie hugged her with one arm while they set the plaques on the table. “They’re perfect, Amber. Does it feel real yet?”
She laughed. “This certainly helps. Am I nuts, Joles?”
Her sister laughed. “Not even close. The No Phailed Apples Inn is going to be a hit. You’ve created something amazing here. I know you’re still a few months away from opening, but it’s going to be incredible.”
She hugged her sister. “I hope so.”
Jolie squeezed her back. “I know so. You know we’re all here to help you, right?”
She nodded. “I do. And I won’t hesitate to ask for help or tell you when I’m scared. Not anymore.”
Jolie grinned. “Good. Okay, I’m going to take the compost buckets out to Thea. I’ll see you later.”
When Jolie walked out, Gray walked in with a grin. He reset the security and walked over to kiss Amber. “Hi there.”
“Hi.”
His gaze moved to the table where she’d set the door plaques. He smiled and tugged her hand to bring her over with him. “These are amazing. They’re exactly what you were envisioning.”
“They are. I’m thrilled with them.”
“That’s awesome. What’s in the other box?”
She took a deep breath. “It’s for you. I haven’t seen inside yet, but I’m hoping you’ll like them.”
“For me?”
Amber nodded, suddenly nervous. Had she overstepped? Boomer nuzzled her hand, making her realize she hadn’t locked down her nerves enough.
Gray also picked up on it. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Go ahead and open it. If I’ve overstepped, it’s okay to say so. I won’t mind.”
His brow furrowed, and he leaned down to kiss her. “You couldn’t overstep, Amber.”
She shrugged, unsure.
He pulled out a pocketknife and sliced open the large box. Inside were two other boxes. He set them both on the table. “Which one first?”
“I don’t know.”
He laughed and leaned in to kiss her. Then he rested his head on her forehead. “You seem super nervous. Do you want me to leave them alone?”
She blew out a breath. “I’m being ridiculous. Open this one first.”
He squeezed her hand and followed instructions. With gentle hands, he pulled out the wind chimes. She’d found one in burnished silver that matched the style of the B&B and fit in with the outdoors.
It was light and delicate, with the chimes attached to a harp played by an angel, with another angel resting her hand on the harpist’s shoulder.
Gray sucked in a breath and held it up to the light. He tapped a chime to send it into the others. A soft melody filled the room. As delicate as the angel herself.
She pointed to the other box. “They go together.”
He hadn’t said a word, and she wondered what he thought as he handed her the chimes and opened the other box.
Gray slid out the circular sign. It was made of the same delicate silver. Angel wings decorated the edges, along with flowers and butterflies. Angel’s Garden was written in the center, in the same font as her room plaques.
Gray’s fingers traced the letters, then the decorations along the edge. His eyes filled with tears, and he turned to tug Amber into a hug. He buried his head on her shoulder and she felt him draw in shuddering breaths. Boomer leaned into their legs.
She set down the chimes and wrapped both her arms around him. He did the same without lifting his head.
Then his arms banded her to him, and he drew in more breaths. “They’re amazing. Perfect. Just like you.”
Relief surged through her. “I didn’t want to overstep.”
His chuckle was soft and shaky. “You didn’t. You stepped exactly right. Angelina would love it. She’d love that you knew her so well without having met her.”
“From what you’ve told me, she was delicate but full of strength. Full of joy. That’s what I was hoping these would show.”
Finally, he lifted his head and brushed the hair back from her face. His damp eyes held so much emotion. “My mamma and Angelina are beaming with approval right now.”
She smiled. “I wish I’d known them.”
He kissed her forehead. “You might never have met them, but you’ve proven you know them. Thank you. This is the most amazing present.”
“I’m so glad.”
“I love you, Amber.” Without giving her a moment to respond, he swooped her into his arms. “I think I need to show you how much.”
She laughed as he headed to the owner’s suite and its big, comfy bed.
It turned out to be a very good show.
A few weeks later…
Gray surveyed the snow blanketing his gardens. He’d experienced snow before, so it wasn’t a complete shock to the system, but the thought of living in it for the next few months was both disconcerting and exciting.
People were constantly telling him there was nothing like a Vermont winter. He figured that was right, but he also knew he wouldn’t be running scared.
Certainly not without Amber. With her as an anchor, he knew he’d live happily anywhere on earth she wanted to be.
For the next few months, there wasn’t much for him to do for the gardens except plan. He had the overall plan and a lot of his ideas ready to go. Now, he’d have time to lock down the details, knowing the soil would be healthy in the spring and ready to produce a garden full of blooms and more.
A complete sensory space with the added bonus of fresh herbs and vegetables. Berries and mushrooms, too.
If Amber hired a cook before then, he’d let them have some input on the final choices in the kitchen garden. Although he figured his mamma’s teachings would have him making good choices there. Especially if they could find an Italian cook.
His buddy Babs loved to cook. Seth might not be Italian, but he’d be a great fit. Too bad he’d stuck it out in the army for another tour. Probably had another year left unless he re-upped again.
Gray scuffed his boots in the white stuff. The locals told him it would maybe stick around for the season. It was barely November. But it made his inner child light up.