Page 31

CHAPTER THIRTY

Declan

The B&B phone rang just as I was coming in from the garden, my knees still dusted with dirt. I’d spent an hour weeding and watering, then gone over to check out the progress on the greenhouse.

Gray had brought in a couple of extra guys to help build it while Cash and I worked on some of the easier repairs at the main house. They hadn’t yet started installing glass, but the wood framing had gone up, giving it a tangible shape.

My stomach flipped with excitement. Aunt Millie would be so thrilled to see her vision becoming reality. And it was all thanks to Cash pushing me to dream a little.

Just like he had a week ago, when we’d gone on our date at The Drunken Worm and he’d told me I didn’t have to get a financial analyst job. That I could pursue anything I wanted now.

It was such a big, nebulous idea, but as I circled the greenhouse…maybe I could see it a little more. A life working in the garden instead of a stuffy office, growing and selling produce instead of analyzing data. I was good with numbers, but I didn’t love them.

Once I sold the B&B, I’d get a payout. But would it be enough to walk away from a more practical job for good?

By the time I got to the host’s desk at the edge of the great room, Cash had already picked up the phone.

“Treehouse B&B. This is Cash, your booking extraordinaire. How can I help you?”

While he spoke, he tapped at the laptop keys, navigating to the booking software. He’d picked up so many calls and entertained so many guests over breakfast in the past few weeks that he could run this place without breaking a sweat.

I could just see it now…Cash charming every guest that booked in, the reviews on the B&B shifting from “owner is unfriendly and grumpy” to “owner is wonderful and sweet and hot!” The Treehouse would probably become one of the best spots to stay in Swallow Cove—not because it was the only option, as it had been for so long, but because guests would finally get the friendly, intimate experience I could never provide.

“Third week of September, let me check…” Cash covered the mouthpiece on the phone. “Should I book that far out?”

“Go ahead. We don’t know how long it’ll be on the market. We’ll get the buyer to honor existing bookings.”

He nodded and resumed the call. “Okay, you’re in luck. I’ve got you down for our Cottonwood Room. It’s got a gorgeous view of the lush gardens and trees, but also the lake, which let’s be honest, that’s why you’re visiting, right? Can’t miss that.” He chuckled as they replied, keeping up the friendly banter as he finished the booking.

But his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

In the three days since Cash walked away from his parents, we’d settled into a routine that fit as comfortably as my favorite cardigan on cold winter days.

In the mornings, he helped me with breakfast service before heading off to a coffee date with Poppy, then to work at the resort. On his off days, he continued to help with repairs, mostly focusing on the smaller updates needed at the main house while Gray oversaw the greenhouse construction.

In the evenings, we made dinner—or occasionally picked something up—along with Katelyn. She seemed relieved to be back here. When I’d told her to stay as long as she wanted, she’d hugged me tight and told me I was the best. Cash, though? He’d smiled tightly and promised to look for a place of their own.

I didn’t want him in a place of his own.

I headed for my quarters to shower off the dirt and sweat while Cash wrapped up the phone call. I trusted that he’d get the coffee started while I did. When I returned, I’d make breakfast, and we’d both fall into the routine of another day.

Cash took off soon after, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek before he did. The B&B kept me fairly busy. I had two rooms to turn over, with hours of laundry, vacuuming, and dusting. When I wasn’t working on those, I was paying bills, which were steadily stacking up with all the extra renovations.

It was late that night before we were alone and could really talk.

I cuddled up to him in bed, my chest tight. Because I was so dang happy, but he was obviously hurting, and I didn’t know how to help. “What can I do?” I murmured. “How can I make you happy?”

“Well, there’s one thing that always makes me happy.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

I didn’t take it seriously. It was Cash’s way to mask his pain. To brush away concern, to widen his smile, and up his antics.

“Fine,” I said to call his bluff. “If a blow job will make you feel better…”

I tugged the blankets down, but he grabbed my wrist. “Wait. No. I didn’t mean that.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Want to try actually talking to me, then?”

He closed his eyes, face tightening with emotion. “I think I fucked up.”

“What do you mean?”

His throat worked. “I was so quick to walk away, but… I’ve been looking through rental listings, and there’s not much I can afford. And now I’ve got to get a place big enough for Kat, too. I could maybe buy a trailer like Sawyer did, but I’ve got no savings. Not after helping my mom pay the bills every month. Hell, I don’t even have a boat or a car I could sell. I’ve got nothing. ”

“Hey, that’s not true.” I put a hand on his arm. “You’ve got me.”

He opened eyes glassy with unshed tears. “We can’t go on like this forever, though.”

My heart stuttered. “What do you mean? We’re together. I don’t want that to end.” I pulled away. “Do you?”

“No.” He sat up quickly, grasping my hand and squeezing. “That’s not what I mean. The B&B is going on the market. You’re gonna sell. I don’t know where you plan to live after, or if there will be space for me and Kat, and?—”

“Of course there will be. Wherever I end up, I want you with me. You and Kat. You’re a package deal, and I’m perfectly happy with that.”

His brow furrowed. “Declan, it’s asking too much of you. I’m the one who took responsibility for Kat, not you. I’m the one who has to take care of her.”

“Can’t we all just take care of each other?”

He blinked. “But you’re dating me, not my sister.”

“I love you,” I said. “And you love Kat. Which means I love Kat too. It’s simple, Cash. I thought you were the one who understood relationships.”

He gave a startled chuckle. “Uh, maybe I mostly understood sex. The relationship part is new for me too.”

“What do you think of it?”

He smiled at me, and this smile did reach his eyes. It jolted my heart and started flutters in my gut. “Right now, it’s looking pretty good.”

He cupped my face, and I leaned in to kiss him, warmth flooding me. “I love you too, by the way,” he murmured against my lips.

“Good.” I slid my fingers through his silky hair while I kissed him once more. “Because I don’t want you to go anywhere.”

Cash drew back. “I’ll help pay expenses. And if I don’t have enough to cover it, I’ll get more work. I won’t take advantage. I promise.”

“Sweetheart, you already practically run this place for me. Do you really think I’m worried about it?”

“I don’t do that much,” he said. “I just help pick up the slack here and there.”

“Well, it may not seem like a lot, but it makes my life a lot easier and I appreciate it.”

He ducked his head, looking almost shy. “Glad I can help.”

I put a finger under his chin, tilting his face up so I could look him in the eye. “So we’re clear on this, right? I’m asking you to live with me.”

He wet his lips. “Would you ask if my living situation wasn’t so unstable?”

“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “I might have waited longer. I wouldn’t have wanted to rush you. But I got used to having you in my bed. Got used to sharing dinner and waking up with you beside me. I don’t think I can go back to living separately, Cash. I don’t want to.” I paused, heart pounding. “What about you? Would you agree to live with me if things were better at home?”

“Oh, hell yeah.” He grinned. “As long as Kat was safe and happy, you couldn’t pry me out of your bed.”

I laughed, relief sweeping in. “Okay, then. We’re on the same page.”

“I guess we are.” Cash faltered, and I could tell there was still something bothering him. “But I’m leaving my mom high and dry.”

My heart ached for him. “It’s not easy to cut ties.”

“I help her with the house payments, and now she’s just on her own? Like oops, sorry, guess you’ll just lose your house.” He scrubbed his hands down his face. “I’m a terrible son.”

“No, you’re not,” I said sharply. “You’re protecting yourself and your sister.”

“Why do I feel so shitty then?”

I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tight. “Because you love her. It’s not an easy thing you’re doing, but easy isn’t always right.”

“My mom shouldn’t have to pay the price for my dad’s behavior.”

“Maybe not,” I said. “But she made a choice. And now you’re making one too. And in the end, maybe your choice will help her figure out she needs a change, too.”

Cash slumped against me, tension leaking away. But I wasn’t so sure he was relaxed as much as exhausted. Emotional turmoil took a toll.

“I wish it wasn’t so damn hard,” he mumbled. “I wish I wasn’t the one making these choices.”

“I know, love.” I pressed a kiss to his temple. “It’ll get easier. You just have to get through it. There’s a light on the other side. I promise.”

He settled back onto the pillow, and I held him and whispered reassuring words, unsure of how much they helped. But as long as I kept saying them, kept holding him close, at least I was doing something to ease his pain.

“I couldn’t do this without you,” he murmured sleepily, patting my arm, which was still wrapped around his middle. “I’m so happy to be here.”

Cash could have done it without me. He had a whole group of friends who were supportive as hell. But I was glad he didn’t have to. I wanted to be the man he counted on, the one who comforted and reassured him.

I squeezed him, heart full. “Don’t ever leave.”

“Okay,” he whispered.

Just as I was about to drift off, my phone chirped. I checked it, fearing it might be the camera alert at The Roost, though there’d been no more signs of trespassers.

I rolled over and picked up my phone while Cash’s soft snores drifted across the room. It wasn’t the camera alert. Just a text.

Nate:

Hey, man, sorry for over-reacting the other day. Let me know if you change your mind. Ball’s in your court, however long it takes.

A second text followed the first.

We can talk about the remote job, too. If you’re still interested in working with me.

Huh. It wasn’t like Nate to apologize. He’d definitely gone too far when we spoke last. He’d seriously made me doubt our friendship. Maybe he’d just been in bulldog mode, though. Nate was a closer, and he closed hard . It probably hurt his ego that he couldn’t bring this deal home.

Still, there was something about his one-eighty that rubbed me wrong. Maybe it was just that I had more people in my life now, people I trusted, people I loved. I couldn’t imagine Cash—or hell, even Hudson or Skylar—pressuring me the way Nate had.

Taking the job offer with him would solve a lot of problems, though. I’d just told Cash he could count on me. Could I really afford to go chasing dandelion dreams instead of a reliable paycheck?

I hesitated a moment, then answered.

I appreciate the apology. I’ll think about the job. But the development deal is still a no-go.

Nate responded instantly.

For now. But you’ll change your mind. I’m sure of it.