Page 37 of The Inn Dilemma (Give a Bookish Girl a Biker)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Holt

“ T his looks awesome!” Axel’s enthusiasm brings a smile to my face.

We’ve been working on Roxy’s gift when our free time matches up.

It’s been a slow process since that has been a rare occurrence, partly because of my selfishness and desire to spend as much time with Nova as I can.

Even though I’ve known her a majority of my life, I learn something new about her each day. I can’t get enough of her.

“I kind of don’t want to wait until her birthday to give it to her.” Axel’s announcement brings me back to the task before us.

“You worked hard on it. Give it to her whenever you want.”

Axel nods. “I will.”

He sweeps up the sawdust and wood chips while I put all the tools back in place. After he leaves, I lift the tarp hiding the project I’ve been working on for Nova since she came home. It’s a small part of a very large offering, and I’m equal parts excited and terrified to give it to her.

Things with her have been absolutely incredible.

Better than I ever imagined. But there’s a tiny part of me that questions if this is all too good to be true.

My prayers are focused on asking God for me to follow His will above my own, but that’s what I think I fear the most. As much as I believe that I am walking the path God has for me, I wonder if it will all change in the future. Just like it did with the SEALs.

“Knock, knock, knock.” Nova’s voice drifts to where I stand at the back of the shed, and I quickly drop the cloth to hide my hard work from her sight.

“Hey, you,” I say, making my way to her before wrapping her in my arms and kissing her breathless.

Her face is flushed and her eyes are out of focus when I pull back. I keep her firmly in my arms.

Once she appears to get her bearings, she says, “Well, a girl could get used to that greeting.”

She’s wearing a jacket over her cleaning T-shirt with a stretched-out neck opening.

In her apparent haste to see me, both her jacket and T-shirt hang off her shoulder.

Unable to stop myself, I lean down and place a kiss on the exposed skin.

This girl looks good in everything. From her Audrey Hepburn classy outfits to her painting clothes to her bumming around the house comfort wear, she always looks amazing.

“Hmm,” I hum from deep in my chest. “And a man could get used to looking at this stunner every day.”

She looks away shyly. I love that my compliments hit their mark and aren’t something she ignores or rolls her eyes at like she does with other people.

Nova reaches up and runs the soft pad of her pointer finger down my scar. “I could say the same.” She rises to her tiptoes and kisses the spot on my chin where my scar ends.

Her arms go around my neck, and I wrap mine around her waist. “What are you up to today?” she asks.

“Just wrapped up Roxy’s gift from Axel a few minutes ago.”

“How did that go?”

“We finished. And he looked more excited than a kid on Christmas morning,” I answer.

“He’s a good kid.”

“He is,” I agree. “But he’s one of the lucky ones. He has a family that loves him and wants what’s best for him. Just like I did. There are so many boys without that influence.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Well, it’s a good thing Holt Graves is opening up a program to help those unfortunate boys.”

I don’t fight my smile. Everything has been coming together flawlessly for my program, Mount Restoration.

As promised, Christian has made a very generous donation to make this a reality.

He’s also agreed to talk business with any of the guys who show interest on the topic.

Cai offered assistance in teaching fire safety and first aid, as did other guys from the Denver fire station.

Thor is teaching self-defense. And Des is going to teach guitar and help out where he can during the week.

Juggling their schedules may prove difficult, but I don’t doubt we’ll be able to work it out.

“It’s more like it’s a good thing that God has put this plan on my heart and is giving me the means and help I need to make it happen.”

“Always so humble,” Nova mutters before pressing a kiss to my lips. “Can we go to the cabin? I want to see your progress.”

“Of course.”

We make our way to my cabin hand in hand and grab the dogs before making the trek deeper into the woods. The pensive silence is a comfort as we walk.

She gasps as the cabin comes into view. “You’ve gotten so much done.”

“Thanks to your dad and brother, I have an entire team working to get it done.” Gratefulness fills my chest at their generosity.

“That’s amazing.” She leans her head against my shoulder as we stare at my dream becoming tangible.

Everything is nearing completion. The main structure of the house is already built, thanks to a solid contractor and his hardworking crew.

All the rooms are ready for paint and then flooring.

Nova has been helping with the design and worked closely with the contractor on the layout.

Like everything else she does, she’s given her all in helping turn my vision into a reality.

If everything continues going according to plan, we should be ready to officially open in two weeks. At that point, I will have a seven-bedroom, four-bathroom cabin ready.

I stare down at Nova who shares her beautiful smile with me.

Unable to help myself, I lean forward and nuzzle my nose against hers. Never in my life have I been so physically affectionate, obnoxiously so, but never in my life have I loved someone so deeply and completely.

We make our way back to the Storybook Inn. I still have a few private moments with Nova before the big surprise, so I make use of that time by exploring her lips some more while we sit on the bench outside my cabin.

“Goodness, you two are so sweet,” Chantelle says.

Nova yips and jumps off of me. When she turns to Chantelle, she holds her hand over her heart. “You almost scared me to death!”

Chantelle giggles. “Sorry! I just love romance, and seeing the last guy of our group find his happily ever after makes me giddy.”

My ears heat. I cross my arms over my chest and do my best to sound gruff. “Did you come to spy on us so you could write us into your next book?”

“No, silly. I came here to cash in on that promise you made me.” She points at me, her other hand on her hip.

I scratch the back of my neck. “What promise?”

Nova looks between the two of us and turns on me, narrowing her chocolate-brown eyes. “What promise?”

Chantelle steps beside her. “Holt was supposed to ask if you’d make some of my future covers.”

Nova puts her hand up in defense. “I’m not a graphic designer.”

Chantelle steps back from Nova, giving her a little space. “I don’t need a graphic designer; I need an artist with a vision.”

Nova looks from Chantelle to me. “I’m mostly a painter.”

“She can draw too,” I interject. “She’s a phenomenal artist all around.”

Nova’s cheeks flush.

Chantelle clasps her hands in front of her and bounces on her toes. “So? What do you say? Want to give it a shot? ”

Nova purses her lips to the side, and I can see she’s fighting back a smile. “I’ll try. But no promises.”

Cheers erupt from outside, followed by a round of “Happy Birthday” coming from the other side of the trees.

Nova’s gaze snaps to mine and she settles her hands on her hips. “Holt Graves! What did you do?”

Without answering, I wrap my arm around her and guide her to the surprise party Aunt Birdie and I planned with the help of Nova’s parents.

We’re greeted by countless friends and family members as we make our way to the white tent.

My phone dings with a text and I check it.

Leaning down, I whisper in Nova’s ear, “I have one more surprise for you, SuperNova.”

She looks up at me with adoration shining in her eyes. “How much more can you do for me?”

I scratch the back of my neck, nervous about the huge gift I’ve been working on for weeks now. But her smile dissolves any of the uncertainty.

Cupping her cheek, I say, “There’s no limit to what I’d do for you, my SuperNova.” I lean down and press a soft kiss to her lips.

After I pull back, she blinks up at me and rests her hand on her chest.

“Let’s go; your surprise is waiting in the parking lot.”

She tilts her head in confusion and narrows her eyes.

With that, I grab her hand and tug her in the right direction.

“Elise?!” Nova screeches as a petite woman comes into view.

Elise runs to her and wraps her in a tight embrace. Tears stream down Nova’s face when she pulls back to look at her French friend.

“What are you doing here?” Nova asks, wiping her cheeks.

Elise says in a thick accent, “Coming to celebrate my friend’s birthday, of course.” She tilts her head to the side and gives Nova a playful glare. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” She points an accusing finger at her. “You promised to stay in touch.”

Nova hangs her head. “I know, but…”

“But nothing.” Elise wraps her arms around Nova and pulls her into another hug. “You are my friend. No time or distance will ever change that.”

They hold each other for a long time before a man who I assume is Elise’s husband, Bernard, comes out of the house and greets Nova with a quick hug.

Aunt Birdie practically skips to usand greets Elise as if they’re lifelong friends and aren’t officially meeting for the first time. “Oh, it’s so nice to meet you in person! Did you get your things in your room already?” Aunt Birdie directs the question to Bernard.

He nods in confirmation.

“So this is why you wouldn’t let me see the guest book!” Nova accuses Aunt Birdie.

Aunt Birdie doesn’t look one bit ashamed. “Guilty!”

“Well, this surprise was totally worth it!” Nova squeezes Elise again. “Thank you so much for making the trip.”

“My pleasure.” Elise rocks back on her heels looking incredibly excited. “I know I should wait, but I can’t! ”

Elise digs through the purse hanging on her shoulder and pulls out an envelope before handing it to Nova.

“What’s this?” Nova asks, her expression confused.

“Open it,” Elise demands.

Nova slides a finger beneath the flap and slides it across the fold. She pulls out what looks to be a check and gasps. When she looks up, her eyes are wide and blinking rapidly. “You owe me nothing. This is crazy. Way more money than someone should get for a birthday!”

“It’s not money for your birthday. It’s money for your paintings.”

Nova covers her mouth with her free hand. “What do you mean?”

Irritation flashes in Elise’s eyes. “I caught Beau trying to sell them but swooped in before he could close the deal and told the buyers the truth. If they bought those paintings from Beau the artist wouldn’t see a dime of profit.

” Then Elise giggles. “You should have seen Beau’s face when the buyer backed out.

Well anyway, they came back in the next day to talk to me and bought the paintings with that check written to you. ”

Nova clutches the check to her chest. “I can’t believe this. People actually paid for my artwork.”

“Of course they did. Your paintings are incredible.”

Tears stream down Nova’s cheeks and she throws her arms around her friend. “Thank you,” she mutters over and over.

“My pleasure,” Elise replies.

Everyone’s gone except Nova, me, Elise, and her husband. We’re sitting around the fire, talking and unwinding from the big day.

“Did you have a good birthday?” Elise asks Nova from across the fire.

Nova looks to me. “It’s been an amazing birthday.” She turns back to Elise. “Having you here has been the cherry on top!”

“I’m so glad.” Elise hovers her hands in front of the fire, warming them as the night grows cooler.

We fall into a comfortable silence. Nova snuggles deeper into my side and leans her head against my shoulder, tightening the flannel blanket around her shoulders. A few minutes pass like this before she starts nodding off.

I whisper down into her ear, “All right, birthday girl, I think it’s time to get you home.”

She pulls back and looks at me with her adorable pout, and I brush a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’ll take you on my bike.”

Nova sits up quickly, an obvious pep back in her energy.

“Okay!”

She goes around and hugs everyone goodbye, promising Elise that she’ll meet her at the inn for breakfast tomorrow morning.

We take our time walking hand in hand to my bike.

I want to draw out this night for as long as possible, since I can no longer pop over to her cabin if I see her light on.

Sure, I could show up at her house like I did before, but with the temperatures dropping, hanging out outside will become more frigid as each day passes.

I help Nova into her helmet and get on my bike, taking her hand as she swings her leg over. She rests her head against my back as she wraps her arms around my waist, and I smile.

One mile separates the Storybook Inn from Nova’s house, but I make that one mile stretch out as long as possible. Before I know it, I’m pulling into her drive, and even after parking, Nova doesn’t release her hold on me.

“Am I gonna have to carry you in, SuperNova?”

“No,” she mutters before swinging her leg over and getting off.

I follow suit. Once I set both of our helmets on my bike, I take her face in my hands.

“I hope you had a good birthday.”

She wraps her arms around me, hugging me tight. Nova tips her head back and rises to her toes to give me a kiss.

“This was the best birthday I’ve ever had.” Her arms go around my neck, and she plays with the hair at the base of my neck, sending goosebumps down my spine. She places a kiss at the base of my throat, and I tighten my hold on her. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome, baby. I can’t wait to spend the rest of them with you.”

“And I can’t wait to spoil you on your birthday.” She pulls back and playfully pokes me in the chest.

I take her hand and place a kiss on the pad of the finger she just poked me with, then drop my forehead against hers.

“I love you, Holt Graves. Thank you for loving me back.”

“You’re easy to love, Nova Price. Now go get some sleep.”