Page 39 of The Inn Dilemma (Give a Bookish Girl a Biker)
Chapter Thirty
Holt, Next fall
I ’ve never felt more proud of anything in all my life as I stare at the home I’ve been working on over the last few months.
The once crumbling house that sat abandoned for years has been restored and is now the base of my newly-built log cabin.
There was a bit of a hiccup at the end of construction, but I now realize the timing was perfect.
I couldn’t have done it without Aunt Birdie’s encouragement, Christian’s generous donations, and Nova’s natural eye for design.
The rustic structure stands tall and proud, flanked by two massive ponderosa pines on either side.
A covered wraparound porch holds several benches and rocking chairs where we can sit outside and sip sweet tea or coffee.
There’s a section around back with an open roof where I have a firepit surrounded by benches that Axel helped me make.
A strong yet soft hand slides down my arm.
Nova stares up at me, that smile I’ve always loved lighting up her face.
I can’t help but bend down to place a kiss to her lips.
Titan and Tootsie both bark, making sure I know they are also present.
Nova knew this would be one of my last mornings at this house alone and gave me a little more time than usual to come out and bring the pups before setting up for the grand opening party.
“This is absolutely…spectacular,” she whispers, then nuzzles into my side.
There’s a chill in the early morning air that reminds us that winter is right around the corner. I’m grateful for Tootsie’s warmth as she leans against my leg. Titan sits dutifully on the other side of Nova, his new favorite human.
“Thank you for helping me make this dream a reality.”
Nova motions with her free hand toward the cabin. “I didn’t do this. This was all you.”
Tootsie and Titan trot off to take their places on their doggy beds on the porch.
I pull Nova into a full hugand bend down to bury my face in her hair, breathing in her calming scent and soaking in the feel of her in my arms. I place a gentle kiss on her neck, and her girly giggle brings a smile to my lips.
When I lean back, I make sure to keep my arms firmly around her. “This was a community effort. But you, my SuperNova, were the one who took my ideas and transformed them into this reality.” I love the way her cheeks turn pink.
“It’s been my pleasure. I’ve loved every second of this process.
” She turns to face the massive cabin once more.
“Even on the hard days, I knew this day would be worth it.” A smile is on her lips as her eyes scan the building.
She paces a few steps away, taking in each of the areas around us where the boys will learn different life skills: a garage to show them how to change oil, a tire, and other basic car mechanics; a firepit and wood pile where they’ll learn how to split wood and build a fire.
As well as other areas designed to teach other life skills. “You are going to change lives here.”
“ We are going to change lives here. You’ve already transformed mine.”
A shy smile curves her lips. “I have?”
I bridge the gap between us and wrap my arms around her once more. “You know you have.”
“And you’ve changed mine. This last year has been incredible.”
Just before I can touch my lips to hers, Tootsie jumps up and barks, Titan quickly copying. They wait until the quads and side-by-sides are parked before darting over to the ATVs and greeting our friends.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Thor asks, helping Clover from the back of his quad.
Nova tucks her head against my chest, hiding what I know to be completely red cheeks.
“Drats,” I whisper, then place a kiss on top of her head. “I guess our moment of privacy is gone.”
She tilts her head back and laughs. It’s not a soft giggle; it’s a full-blown guffaw. She stumbles back and bends over, resting her hands on her knees as she tries to gather her composure.
Roxy gets out from the driver’s side of the side-by-side and I’m wondering why she drove until I see the baby girl Christian is wearing in a baby carrier on his chest. The couple looks from me to Nova with curious expressions.
Caius, Tallulah, Des, Maya, Thor, and Clover all stop what they’re doing to stare at the spectacle that is Nova Price.
It’s as if she doesn’t even notice them. “Did you just say drats?” She puts the word in air quotes.
“I did.” I scratch the back of my head, feeling my ears heat.
Nova takes a step back and rests her hands on her slender hips. “When did you start using such foul language, Mr. Graves?”
I lean down and rest my forehead against hers. “Since my friends just interrupted a moment I was sharing with my girl.”
She shivers. “Your girl. I like that.” Her eyes drop to my lips. “A lot.”
I hum low in my throat and wrap my arms back around her as if we’re alone once more. “Me too.” Then I kiss her.
Christian clears his throat, and when I look over his sister’s head to meet his narrowed gaze, he looks less intimidating than normal as he wears a pink carrier and sways back and forth. I can tell he’s only giving us a hard time for his own entertainment.
“If you two wouldn’t mind, I think it would be good if we got everything set up.”
Nova jumps out of my hold. “Sure thing, Boss Man.”
Then, out of nowhere, she rises to her tiptoes and kisses her brother’s cheek. Chris looks as shocked as I feel, then he narrows his eyes at his sister.
“When did she get so affectionate?” Chris asks, I assume rhetorically.
Thor comes up from behind him, clasping his shoulder. “I have a guess.” He wiggles his eyebrows and looks at me.
“No.” Chris holds up his hand. “Just…no. ”
Thor and I laugh together as Christian stalks off to help Cai with the white canopy.
Not long after my crew is there, Aunt Birdie, Van, and Emma park their side-by-side. They have a trailer on the back with the final things we need for the party. Axel shows up on his dirt bike just in time to help them unload.
The next few hours are spent setting up tents, tables, and chairs, cooking, baking, and prepping the grill for hamburgers and hot dogs. It’s a whirlwind of activity before the intercom system notifies me that the first guests have arrived.
It’s Van’s job to taxi them back here from the inn. He has another secret job he works on in between bringing guests back.Each time I see him sneak out of the surprise behind the house, the excitement builds.
Once the party is in full swing, I take my place on the porch, tapping the microphone to get everyone’s attention. Everyone turns toward the stage, and I smile down at all of them.
“Thank you all for coming today. This has been a humbling experience, to say the least. God has shown me time and time again that He has orchestrated this, and all I need to do is walk on the path He’s set before me.
” I turn my attention to Aunt Birdie. “Thankfully, He also sent me a guide who has helped keep me on the straight and narrow.” She beams up at me.
“But Mount Restoration has been a labor of love and selflessness from my family and friends.” I motion to the white screen behind me and use the remote to click on to the slideshow Nova made.
“As you can see, where I am currently standing was nothing but a crumbling four walls this time last year.” I move through the next several slides slowly.
“Then, as the months passed, the walls were made firm and strong enough to hold the cabin you see here today.” I motion behind me.
“That is my goal for each kid who comes to my door. When kids don’t get the care and love they need, they suffer.
Not just emotionally, but physically and spiritually.
Here, they will grow into men who contribute good into society.
They’ll learn how to do basic mechanics, build a fire, survive in the wilderness, cook, clean, shave, tie a tie, and whatever else they need.
My goal with this program is to mold boys into men who don’t just survive, but thrive.
This is a faith-based system because only God can fully restore what the world breaks.
My Uncle Walter taught me that, and I really don’t know where or who I’d be without my relationship with Jesus.
” I swallow the growing emotion in my throat.
“Not everyone has an aunt and uncle like I did. My hope and prayer is that this will be my uncle’s legacy.
That I and the other men working with me can be to these boys what my uncle was to me. ”
The small crowd breaks out into applause, and I praise God that He has given me this group of people—my community, my family, my tribe of people with hearts for service.
Over the next few hours, I receive more monetary donations than I know what to do with, and I thank God for His hand in all of this. As the party winds down and each guest says goodbye, the nervousness of what’s coming next pulses through me.
Van is the last one to leave after taking each guest back out through the forest to their cars parked at the inn. He claps me on the shoulder and says, “It’s ready” low enough that Nova can’t hear him.
Thankfully, she’s too occupied playing tug of war with Tootsie to notice the strings of lights turn on.
Van hugs her goodbye and waves to us both. “Night, guys.”
“Good night. Thanks for all your help today!” Nova says.
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I confirm.
Van tips his hat and hops on the side-by-side, leaving Nova and me alone.
She spins in a semi-circle until her eyes land on the strings of lights illuminating the gravel path behind the house.
“I didn’t know you put these lights up.”
“You want to see where they take us?”
There’s a curiosity in her expression. “You know I do.”