Page 157 of Pretend You Love Me

“Okay, that’s not a technical number, but...”

“No,” he cuts me off. “I don’t live in Alaska anymore.”

My mouth drops open. “What?”

“I’m moving.”

I shake my head. “But the cabin...the restaurant...you can’t just leave it all.”

“I already did.”

I’m still shaking my head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask me to do anything.”

“I don’t want you to give up everything for me,” I say quietly.

“I’m not.” He leans back and sighs heavily. “I never planned to move back. I left Alaska because I wanted to get away. I felt suffocated there - mainly by my father, but I was happy to leave. I only came back because Mom needed me, and I stayed because I was stuck.”

“What about the restaurant?”I ask.

“I’m turning it over to Hawk.”

My eyes widen. “Is that what you want?”

“Yes. I wasn’t even taking any money from it. He didn’t know this until yesterday, but I’d been giving him all the profits anyway. I just did it out of guilt and maybe a bit of stubbornness. He doesn’t need me. It practically runs itself. We have a great staff.”

My mouth is still hanging open a bit.

“And the cabin?”

“It’s a great summer vacation home.”

“Doesn’t Hawk want it?”

He shakes his head. “No, he said he’d prefer it be a vacation spot. We’ll rent it out for a part of the year, and we can go visit during the summers.”

I bite my lower lip.

“I’m here,” he says. “I’m moving here. I’m here for you.”

I study his face.“What about Blue?”

His body slumps just a little. “That was the hardest part. Blue was my mom’s dog. He was born on that property. I can’t take him away. He’s an old dog.”

“It’s his home.”

“Exactly. He can run free, swim in the lake, chase raccoons.”

“What’s going to happen to him?”

One side of Kip’s mouth twitches upward. “McKenzie is moving into the cabin. Her on again off again husband is off again. She needed a place to stay. Hawk and I agreed to let her have the cabin for free if she’ll help out a little managing the property.”

“And Blue stays with the cabin.”

“Exactly. It’s perfect. She already knows him and loves him. She’s lonely too. They’ll be good for each other.”

“I’m sorry you’re having to leave him behind,” I say.