Page 36 of #Resort Love (Lakeview Harbor #1)

Chapter Twelve

“This is a little creepy.”

“Creepy?”

“Yup. Definitely creepy.”

Walker was leading Harlow up the steps to the lodge after dark. “We could make a fire and sit around it telling ghost stories. Now that would be creepy. Walking up a dimly lit path to an abandoned hotel? I’m not seeing that as creepy.”

He firmly had her hand in his and there were solar lights illuminating their way, so he wasn’t sure what she was freaking out about.

They had taken a very sexy shower and made love before they dealt with their dinner, which went cold.

The oven in Walker’s cabin was old and didn’t seem like it was very reliable, so they opted to come up to the lodge and use the kitchen there.

As soon as they started walking up there, though, Harlow had mentioned how creepy it looked.

“Why don’t you leave at least a few lights on?” she asked. “I mean…it just makes sense!”

“Harlow, no one was supposed to be up here, so there was no reason to leave any lights on,” he told her, trying to sound comforting. “Just another minute and we’ll be inside and everything will be fine.”

She made a non-committal sound, but just like he promised, they were soon inside and he was flipping every light switch he could find.

“Better?” he asked when he hit one last switch. It was so bright in the room that it took a moment for his eyes to adjust.

“Much,” she said with a smile. “Have you guys done any more work in here?”

“Not yet. Jayce inspected all the electrical stuff—that’s sort of his thing. He’s an electrical engineer. Anyway, he inspected it and he suggested that we replace everything.”

“Oh, wow. That’s got to be a lot, huh?”

He nodded, leading them into the kitchen and turning on one of the ovens.

“We were expecting it. My guess is all the electrical and plumbing should be replaced. We’re probably going to demo all the bathrooms too and start fresh.

Literally. All new sinks, showers, and toilets.

And we need to find an interior designer.

We want the entire resort to have a cohesive look, and I could probably do the work and pick stuff out, but I’d rather have a professional do it. ”

“You really should. That’s very important. You want the rooms to be inviting without breaking the bank. Have you interviewed any designers?”

“Not yet. It’s just one more thing to add to my ever-growing to-do list.”

“I might be able to help you with that. You know, if you’re interested.”

Walker put their pizza box down on the stainless-steel island and faced her. “You know a designer?”

She nodded. “Actually, I know three. I met them at various home shows—like the big ones at convention centers—and have worked with all of them. I can’t say with great certainty that they’ve ever done a job of this scope, but at least it’s a starting point, right?”

He walked over and kissed her soundly. “You are amazing.”

Blushing, she thanked him.

“If you don’t mind sharing their contact information, I would appreciate it,” he commented as he walked across the kitchen to find a cooking sheet to put their pizza on. “And speaking of contact info, any luck on the property search?”

“Oh, um…it’s taking a bit more work than I thought it would. I finally had to get on the phone with the county clerk’s office, and now I have a list of names and only a handful of phone numbers. I plan on making calls tomorrow.”

Walker looked at her over his shoulder and winked. “Like I said, amazing.”

And he meant it. He knew how their relationship started—after their sexy romp in his hotel room—and amazing wasn’t anywhere near what he would have called her.

His grandmother’s words and warnings were on his mind a lot lately.

While he could understand why she felt that way, that wasn’t the vibe he was getting from Harlow.

But if it was true, maybe that would work to his advantage as she tried to find him property for his glamping site.

It was crazy how excited he was about the possibilities.

He was willing to concede that maybe his vision for the resort wasn’t completely right.

He hated it, but he could be the bigger person and own up to it.

That didn’t mean he didn’t still want to implement some of his ideas, maybe a little separate from the original resort complex.

“Can I help you with anything?” she asked, coming over and just standing next to him.

“I think we have some wine somewhere, or even some beer in the fridge, if you would prefer.” He placed the pizza on the cooking sheet. “Are you good with eating up here or is it still too creepy?” he teased.

Laughing, Harlow walked away and pulled open the refrigerator door. “Ha, ha. You’re hysterical. And I’m fine with eating up here like we did the other night with everyone. It was walking up here in the dark that was creepy, wise guy.”

“Do we want to eat out on the deck or in here?”

“In here. It’s a little chilly out tonight.

” Grabbing a couple of bottles of beer, she placed them on the island.

“I’m kind of excited just thinking about the work that’s going to be done in here.

This is the space I was always more familiar with.

All those empty rooms make me sad.” She sighed.

“I imagine there is so much to think about. It’s not just bathroom fixtures; it’s flooring, carpeting, window treatments, furniture…

and then it’s not just the guest rooms, but all the common areas!

” Pausing, she shook her head. “You definitely have your work cut out for you.”

Like he needed the reminder.

“Honestly, the biggest thing this week was bringing in the big machinery to get the land cleared and cleaned up, especially around the cabins so we can do repairs and paint and everything else that needs to be done. I’ve been here for almost an entire month and I don’t feel like we’ve even scratched the surface. ”

She hopped up on the island. “Well, it may not feel that way, but you have. There was a lot of mental work—planning, inspecting, working on budgets, interviewing potential contractors—that had to come first. Those things don’t show when you stand outside and look around, but they’re probably the most important part of the entire project. ”

The oven timer beeped and he slid the pizza in before walking over and stepping between her legs. “You’re very wise, Ms. St. James,” he murmured against her lips before kissing her. “I love the way your mind works.”

“Thank you,” she preened. “I’ve been working in real estate for a very long time. Even before I got my license, I was working in the office, learning everything I could. I can handle selling anything from a trailer to a mansion or…” Pausing, she laughed softly. “A resort.”

Yeah.

That.

“I know you could have and you would have done right by everyone,” he said gruffly.

“But if you did, then we wouldn’t have met.

” As soon as the words were out, he realized how ridiculous that sounded.

After all, they were just casually dating; her commission on selling the resort would have given her financial security for a very long time.

Reaching up, Harlow cupped his jaw. “And that would have been a shame,” she said softly. “Because I have really enjoyed getting to know you. My life was pretty boring before you rolled into town.”

Her words were serious and he knew she wasn’t making fun or making light of what he said.

“If anyone would have told me I was going to meet such a vibrant woman my first night here, and that she would challenge me, excite me, and just make everything here better, I never would have believed them.” Placing his hand over hers, holding it close against his cheek, he added, “We may not have had a conventional beginning, Harlow, but that doesn’t matter.

I like where we are. A lot. You’re the bright spot in my days. ”

Her smile softened. “It’s the same for me. I like that we have some similar life experiences here in Harbortown, and yet you’re not a hometown boy. Your world fascinates me. I wish my life until now wasn’t such a train wreck.”

He hated that for her too. It was still hard to believe anyone had lived through what she had and still faced the world with a smile.

“That’s all behind you,” he told her, keeping his tone soft. “I see only good things in your future.”

“Oh, yeah? Do you have a crystal ball that I haven’t seen yet?” she teased, and he had to stop himself from making a ridiculously obvious and crass comeback.

“Nope. I just think only good things are going to happen for you. You’ve overcome so much, you work hard, you help others…” He shrugged. “I think the universe owes you.”

That made her laugh. “That I have to agree with.”

She leaned in and kissed him, and when she pulled back, Walker could tell she had something to say, but he didn’t want to push. He could wait her out.

The oven timer beeped again and he turned to get their pizza out.

Harlow grabbed some plates and their beers and walked out to their dining area.

It took a few minutes for them to get everything they needed before they were finally sitting.

He served her first before taking a couple of slices for himself.

“Ooh, that’s perfect,” she said after taking a bite. “Very yummy.”

“The kitchen is the one area that was somewhat updated. The appliances, anyway. I guess those were the most important to them.”

“It makes sense. When you’re feeding the masses, you need to make sure everything’s working properly. Plus, the Board of Health has a lot to say about it. If they ever failed an inspection, they would have no choice but to comply or they’d be shut down.”