Chapter 25

Patrick"s heart raced as he watched Michaela, waited for her answer. She said she loved him so surely she wanted him to stay. But until he heard the words, his life was on hold.

Her smile was wide and radiant. "You're still having trouble reading the signs."

He laughed. "I hope you'll help me."

"Yes, yes, yes. I want you to stay." But then her brow furrowed in question. "How will it work?"

He knew they couldn't step into their future without a plan. He just had to hope she accepted his idea. A flutter of uncertainty in his stomach had him hesitate, but only for a moment. He was here to grab life, grab love.

"I had another idea for the resort you might be interested in. I want to find innovative ways to help people and families find well-being through mental health treatments. An integrative approach?—"

"Like mind, body, spirit?"

"Yes. It could include medicine, but also counseling and programs that teach relaxation, meditation, coping skills. I believe Kincaid Lake would be the perfect place to put that into practice."

"It sounds wonderful but…I can see things improving but I'm not sure they'll happen fast enough. We have no guests right now. Only a few bookings until next year."

He sucked in a breath, knowing this would be the more difficult suggestion for her to consider. "I want to invest in the resort. I can be a silent partner, although I would like to find away to offer mental health retreats."

For a moment she just stared at him. "Your mom will think I seduced?—"

"What my mom thinks doesn't matter. She has no say in my life." He pressed his palm to her cheek. "This, here, this is what I want. And if you're not comfortable with my money, I'll find something else to do. I can get licensed here and open a practice or something. But this place…you…saved me. I want to help others find this peace."

Her smile was tentative. His sense was she liked his idea, but something held her back from embracing it. "We're struggling, Patrick. I don"t want you to risk everything on a gamble that may not pay off."

"Michaela, nothing about this is a gamble to me. It's an investment…not in business, but in life and happiness. I'm asking, hell, I'm practically begging you to let me be a part of this. Of your life. Of this resort and community. I want to put my expertise to work in a way that truly makes a difference. And I want to do it by your side."

Her eyes sparkled. "You have it all figured out, don't you Dr. Andres?"

"Only if you say yes."

She blew out a breath. "You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet."

He liked that.

"The only thing is that my parents will have to agree. It's hard to know how they'll react to your funneling money to save this place."

"It's not charity. It's an investment. They're business minded. They'll see it as such." At least he hoped they would.

She gnawed on her lower lip. "What if they don"t approve of your plans?" She looked down. "What will you do then?"

He hooked his finger under her chin. "Whatever they say, I still want to be here. I'm interested in this idea, but I'm committed to you. You're why I'm here."

Her eyes searched his and he hoped she was finding whatever she needed to know. Just in case, he leaned in, his forehead gently resting against hers. "I"m in this for the long haul, Michaela. Whatever it takes, I"m here to stay."

She looped her arms around his. "Then I'm not letting go. You're stuck now."

The tightness in his chest loosened. "Stuck to you is where I want to be." He pressed his lips to hers, sealing his love with a kiss. Hoping she could feel his love, know his sincerity. "By the way, I need to rent a cabin?"

She laughed. "You're in luck, Dr. Andres. I have the perfect one available. Let me show it to you."

She rose and he followed her to the cabin he'd stayed in. He remembered how discombobulated he'd felt the first time he'd entered it. Now it was like coming home. Of course, he'd have to make some sort of other arrangement for a living space. The cabins were for guests. He was no longer a guest. But for tonight, he'd stay here and use his words and his touch to make sure Michaela knew just how loved she was and how grateful he was to her for saving him from a life of pain and drudgery. Starting now, he finally truly living.