Chapter 20

Micki sighed as she stared down at her phone, the screen dark and silent. She had sent Patrick a few texts over the past several days, just checking in, but he hadn"t responded. Was he okay? Had he purposefully stopped responding? Pain and disappointment tugged at her heart, even as she knew it was probably for the best. Their time together had been magical, but it was always destined to be temporary. Patrick had his own life back in New York, a life that didn"t include her. And her life was here. As much as she wished it could be different, she had to accept that.

Micki shook her head and turned her attention back to the task at hand, implementing her plan to save her family"s struggling resort. She'd already executed a new marketing strategy and it was starting to work. Inquiries about family reunions were coming in. And one organization had already booked a four-day retreat next summer. Opening her calendar on her computer, Micki began to mark down the dates. As she secured the bookings, a surge of pride and start of relief washed over her. This could be the answer her family had been searching for to bring in much-needed revenue and keep the resort afloat.

Yet, even as she celebrated this small victory, Micki couldn"t shake the weight of the immediate future. The bookings so far were for next year. They'd have to survive until then. For a moment she thought about her parents words, telling her she didn't need to take on the responsibility. Admittedly, there were moments when it felt like too much. She'd never felt like her life at the lake was causing her to miss out until Patrick. But even if she could leave the lake, Patrick wouldn't be waiting for her in New York. They had a fling, not a love affair. She rubbed the spot over her heart where it hurt to think of him.

She left her office just as her mother was bringing refreshments out on the deck. She'd heard day visitors out on the lake but hadn't yet seen them. Her day had been filled with trips to town for supplies, paying bills and counting their pennies, and aggressively marketing the resort.

She grabbed a pitcher of lemonade from the kitchen to help her mother. Stepping out on the deck, she saw Sydney, Lexie and Chelsea chattering away.

"You know, I love my kids, but kid-free days…I could use a few more of these," Lexie said.

"I remember feeling the same," my mother replied, carrying the platter of almond cookies to each woman to take a few.

"Really?" Micki asked. "We were great kids."

Her mother smirked. "Sometimes great pains."

"We should plan a kids-free mom trip," Lexie said.

"Oh, that would be fun." Chelsea took a cookie from the platter.

Sydney rose from her chair to pour a glass of lemonade. "We should go to New York. We can see a show and shop."

"You can teach us how to be real corporate wives," Lexie laughed.

"You don't feel real?" That seemed like an odd statement to Micki.

"I can't speak for Chels here, but even now, sometimes I feel like I'm looked at as a country bumpkin when I'm in New York with Drake."

"We're like freak shows," Chelsea added.

Sydney waved their comment away. "You're not. That's just snobby elites who are jealous you took two of the most eligible men in New York."

Micki wondered if she'd feel out of place in New York. It was another example of how she and Patrick weren't compatible.

"Let's go this weekend," Lexie stated. "The closer we get to August, the more my schedule is filled. Does that work for you."

"Works for me," Chelsea said.

"Me too." Sydney glanced at Micki. "You should come with us."

"Me?" What would she do in New York?

"Yeah. It will be fun." Sydney nodded in encouragement.

Micki shook her head. "The resort keeps me pretty busy, and I"d hate to leave my family and Tate for too long."

"Aw, come on. You work so hard, you deserve a little break. Plus, we"d love to have you with us." Lexie popped the last bit of cookie into her mouth.

The idea of seeing Patrick filtered into her mind. But that wasn't on the agenda. And if Lexie felt like a country bumpkin in New York, what would Micki feel like? "I appreciate the offer, really, but I can't. There"s too much going on at the resort, and Tate needs me."

Sydney studied her for a moment, a knowing look in her eyes. "Micki, we all know how much you do for this place. But you can"t pour from an empty cup, you know? A little time away might be just what you need."

Micki opened her mouth to protest, but Chelsea cut in, "She"s right, you know. We"ve all seen how hard you work, and we want to give something back. Let us take you to the city for a weekend. It"ll be fun!"

"You should go."

Micki turned at her father's voice. He stood at the sliding door, pushing the screen open as he tentatively stepped out. "Your friends are right, you need a break."

Micki opened her mouth to protest, but her father held up a hand.

"This place can survive a few days without you, and if it can't, well then it's already dead."

Her heart pinched at his words. "We're starting to get bookings for next summer and?—"

"Your mom and I can handle that. Who do you think did it before you?" He arched a brow.

"I know but?—"

"I'm not asking, Mick, I'm telling. You need to go. You need a break and to experience a new setting."

Micki"s gaze drifted to her mother, who'd been quietly watching from the refreshment table. "Your father"s right, honey. We want you to be happy, and we know how much you love this place. But we also know you"ve never really had the chance to explore the world beyond Kincaid Lake. We don't want you to saddle yourself without knowing what's outside."

Micki felt the familiar tug of conflicting emotions. On one hand, the idea of a weekend away was tempting - a chance to escape the constant pressure of keeping the resort afloat. On the other hand, she couldn"t shake the nagging fear that if she left, everything would fall apart.

"What if something happens while I"m gone? What if?—"

"We're not completely inept," her father snapped. "We can handle it. Logan can help. You"ve done more than your fair share, and now it"s time for you to take care of yourself."

A nagging fear tugged deep in her gut. "Are you selling this place?"

"Not while you're in New York," he stated. "But I'm not going to hand it over to you either until you have a chance to know what your other options are."

The idea of being coerced into a trip to New York didn't sit well, but she didn't have much choice either. For some reason, her parents had decided she needed to experience life away from the lake before they were going to agree to let her make the lake her life's career.

Letting out a slow breath, Micki nodded. "Okay. I'll go."

Sydney stood and put an arm around her. "It will be fun. You'll see."

When the weekend arrived,Micki found herself sitting in the lap of luxury as the private plane left Charlotte Tavern with her, Sydney, Lexie, and Chelsea, headed to NYC. Looking out the window of the plane, the green, lush country side of Central Virgina drifted away, replaced by buildings and traffic of New York.

Micki tried not to gape at the size of the buildings. The sounds of the city. The lights. She felt like she'd stepped onto an alien planet. No wonder Patrick felt so out of sorts at the lake.

Not that she didn't enjoy the city. Micki was an adventurer at heart. She found herself invigorated by energy of the bustling streets. There was so much going on all the time. It was exciting. Even so, she knew her life was back in Virginia. The towering skyscrapers, while impressive, lacked the warm embrace of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The rush of the city, while exhilarating, paled in comparison to the peaceful solitude of the lake.

Their first day was filled with shopping. Being nearly broke, Micki didn't buy anything, but it was entertaining, even shocking, to watch her friends contemplate a thousand dollar handbag or fifteen hundred dollar shoes. Micki had little use for fancy clothes and accessories, but she knew her friends sometimes attended posh events.

The next day was a fancy brunch and an afternoon show that Micki completely enjoyed. It made her think about attending more live events back home. After the show, they retreated back to the quiet of Sydney's apartment. Micki was glad for the opportunity to let her feet rest. She enjoyed hiking but walking in New York was a whole different thing.

They were enjoying cheese, crackers and wine, and camaraderie until it was time to go to dinner.

"More wine?" Lexie reached across the coffee table to refill Micki's glass.

"Thanks." Micki looked at Lexie and Chelsea, two women she'd gone to high school with, and new on a friendly basis as adults. They were from her world yet seemed to have acclimated to this crazy one in New York. "Did you ever think you'd end up flying private and having a penthouse?"

Lexie laughed. "God no. How about you Chels?"

"Not at all. Sometimes I still wonder if I'm dreaming about being married to Jagger."

"I think Mitch feels the same when he comes to New York." Sydney sipped orange juice with seltzer water.

"Is it discombobulating to you?" Lexie asked Micki.

Micki shrugged. "It's an adventure. But I don't know if I could live here. Where do you go for peace and quiet?"

"There are parks?—"

"But you can't escape the noise. And…you can't see the stars." Thinking of that, her heart throbbed with pain. Would Patrick ever see the stars again? Would he think of her if he did?

Micki was lost in thought when a sudden knock at the door startled her.

"You expecting someone?" Lexie asked Sydney. "It better not be Mitch. Remember, we said no husbands. No kids."

"Why would I break that rule?"

Lexie cast a glance to Chelsea. "You two go at it like rabbits."

"And you and Drake don't?"

"Touche."

Sydney laughed as she headed to the door. "It's not Mitch." She opened the door and immediately, all the air in the room shifted.

Patrick stepped in, giving Sydney a kiss on the cheek. "Hey Syd—" He stopped short as he took in her guests, his gaze stopping on Micki. Surprise and uncertainty sent a jolt of electricity through her. Why was he here?

"We're just having a lady's weekend." Sydney said to him.

He turned his attention to her, his expression morphing from confusion to accusation. Oh no? This was a set up. Sydney orchestrated this moment. Anxiety gripped her as she feared he would assume she had a hand in this, that she had somehow manipulated the situation to see him again since he'd stopped communicating with her.

As Patrick"s gaze locked with hers again. Vulnerability washed over her, uncertain of how to navigate this unexpected reunion. Unable to deal with his scrutiny, Micki rose from the couch and escaped into the kitchen. It was silly, but she'd hide until he left.