Chapter 24

Micki did her best not to mope when she returned from New York. She didn't want to give her parents any reason to believe she wasn't fully committed to helping with the resort and ensuring its future. Only when she was alone, did she let the anguish show.

Today was no different. Well, it was a little different. She arrived home to learn that Logan had signed Tate up for soccer day camp and counseling. She was happy about that, although she missed having Tate around. But her parents routine remained the same, so she settled into hers. She completed her chores checking the cabins, making a list of items needed to stock them or tasks that needed upkeep or fixing.

In her office, she handled emails from booking inquiries. She sent out electronic brochures and links to the updated Kincaid Lake website to potential families looking for a reunion spot. She had a request for information from a bride. Micki wasn't sure the resort was ready for large-scale weddings, but figured they could accommodate smaller, more intimate ceremonies.

That evening, Logan and Tate showed up for dinner. Listening to Tate excitedly tell about his day helped distract Micki from her woes. Once the evening finished, and her parents were in bed, Micki returned to the office to review the resort"s budget. Things were looking up, but they weren't out of the woods yet. She needed to find ways to stretch their dwindling funds. Deciding she'd done about all she could do, she closed the financial software on the computer and stretched. Looking out the window, the moon was bright in the sky, reflecting like a disc on the lake.

She made her way outside, stopping on the deck to soak in the country air before retreating to her room. The sight of the serene waters usually filled her with a sense of peace, but today, it was tinged with the sadness that permeated her soul.

Micki closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath. She couldn"t allow herself to be consumed by despair. There was still work to be done, still a chance to save the resort. With renewed determination, she started to the stairs to go down to her room.

Movement near a cabin stopped her. She looked toward Patrick's cabin, but immediately chastised herself. Wishful thinking was playing with her mind. But then she saw it again. It wasn't at the cabin. It was on the dock. A figure was lying on the dock.

A surge of excitement pulsed through her, but she dismissed it. It couldn't be him. It was probably an animal. Or maybe someone had wandered on the property.

Still.

Looking for answers, she headed to the dock. As she got closer, her heart rate beat faster. That was no animal. It was a man. Could it truly be him? She dared not to hope, yet the anticipation couldn't be doused.

As she reached the dock, her Micki"s breath caught in her throat. There, sprawled out on the weathered planks, was Patrick. Relief and joy were her first feelings, followed by confusion. Why was he here? What did it mean?

"Will join me?" He continued to lay looking up at the stars.

She stepped onto the dock, moving toward him. "What are you doing here?"

He sat up, his smile beautiful, albeit tentative. "Waiting for you."

She joined him, wanting to throw her arms around him and welcome him home, but she wasn't sure of his intensions.

"How long have you been here?"

"Not long. I have something for you." He handed her a piece of paper.

She didn't want to take her eyes off him but had to in order to read the document. Once she examined the ornate certificate, she looked up at him, her heart so full she thought it might burst from her chest. "You had a star named after me?"

He nodded. "I wanted to give you something as enduring and radiant as the joy you"ve brought into my life." He pushed a tendril of her hair away from her face. "Every time you feel alone, you can look up and know that there"s a piece of our connection out there."

She wondered if she was dreaming. This seemed too good to be true.

"Look." He pointed towards a bright spot in the night sky. "See that cluster there? Second from the right—that"s your star, Michaela."

A swirl of emotions cascaded through her—surprise, disbelief, but mostly love. So much love radiating from deep in her soul.

"Why?" It was the only word she could make herself say.

His smile melted her heart. "Because I"m in love with you, Michaela"

She gasped. "You are?"

He nodded. "I do. I have for some time, but it seemed like it wouldn't matter. I didn't believe I could have you. I put duty over happiness. I don"t want to do that anymore. So, I'm here. Where I want to be. With who I want to be with."

Patrick"s gesture left her breathless. She searched his face for any trace of doubt or hesitation, desperate to find the authenticity in his eyes.

What she saw there left her trembling. The vulnerability, the raw emotion – it was all laid bare before her.

"I guess the question is, do you love me."

"Yes." She said the word before he finished. "I love you. I love you so much it hurts." She threw her arms around him. Or maybe he moved first. It didn't matter who did what when.

What mattered was that he was holding her, whispering in her ear. "I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner—I've been in agony without you."

"Me too. Like a part of me was dying."

He brushed tears she didn't realize were falling from her cheeks. "I want to stay here."

"Leave New York? Your business."

"My life is here. If you'll have me."