Chapter 17

The morning after the storm, I woke up to the sun streaming through the windows. The sheets beside me felt cold, and when I finally lifted my head, I could see that I'd overslept.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd slept past seven. I slowly stretched, feeling every inch of my sore muscles after the workout Aiden had put me through.

A few seconds later, Aiden came into the room with a mug.

"Coffee?" I asked him hopefully, my voice sounding rough from sleep.

"I thought you could use some."

I shifted to a seated position, accepting the warm mug from him. I blew across the hot liquid, needing it to cool off so I could drink it.

"I got up early to make sure the road was clear. Guests are scheduled to start arriving later tonight."

"You think the roads are okay?" I was kind of hoping we could be snowed in for longer. It was a nice reprieve from the realities of our lives. Each day that passed was one day closer to me needing to leave.

"Seem to be. We didn't get any ice overnight to complicate matters."

I never wished for cold temperatures and ice more than I did now. "I guess we should work since we took off yesterday."

"Marley doesn't care that we took off. Sometimes you have to take a snow day." Aiden settled onto the bed next to me.

"It felt like we were kids again. We ignored our responsibilities and just played."

Aiden's lips curved into a smile. "It was nice."

My heart ached to relive that day. When would we ever get uninterrupted time like that again? I couldn't help but think that our relationship worked when the outside world stopped. That wasn't a good sign. We should be able to maintain a relationship regardless of what was going on in our lives, where we lived or worked, and who our families were. But that had never been the case.

Aiden's phone buzzed. "Probably someone calling to check on the roads or to book a room. I'm going to take this downstairs. Come down when you're ready. I'll cook you breakfast."

I wished we could stay in his apartment and share breakfast. Then we could wear our pajamas all day, and watch TV, make love, and enjoy his hot tub.

Instead, Aiden kissed me and picked up his phone. "Matthews Inn. This is Aiden speaking. How can I help you?"

I heard the soft click of the front door a few seconds later, and I was alone again. I drank a few sips of the coffee, enjoying the fact that Aiden had brought it to me, before I finally got up and took a quick shower.

I wished that Aiden would join me. That we could make love before we needed to face our day. But until Charlotte arrived to man the front desk, Aiden took on those responsibilities. That would always be the case.

Even if I quit my job and moved here, Aiden had his own work occupying his time. Both of us were busy people.

I dried off, pulled on the dress from last night, and carried my heels to my room where I changed into workout clothes.

Downstairs, I could see the sun was shining brightly, doing its best to melt the snow that had fallen over the last few days.

"I was going to come look for you."

I smiled. "I decided to take a shower."

He leaned closer and kissed me. "I'm just going to dirty you up again. We need to hang those shelves today."

He was referring to work, not sexy times. I wished that we had no responsibilities. That we could just take a vacation and work on our relationship. But that wasn't reality. This was our life, working long hours toward the next big accomplishment.

For him, that was his family's inn, and for me… I wasn't sure what it was anymore. Putting everything into a business that would never appreciate what I had to offer? Bosses who would continually overlook my talents to hire someone with less experience?

"We have guests checking in this afternoon, but I want to get a head start on the shelves. Make up for time we lost yesterday."

He slid a plate of eggs and bacon across the counter toward me. There were even strawberries cut up on the side. Emotion clogged my throat as I picked up a fork and forced myself to eat. It would be selfish to ask him to take the morning off, to spend more time together. Yesterday was a gift. I needed to enjoy it for what it was and move on.

Aiden arranged muffins on a platter, then covered them. "These will be ready whenever the guests arrive. Since the roads were already cleared, one family said they might check in early."

"That's good." The eggs dissolved into dust in my mouth. I finished eating and got up to clear my dish.

Aiden took it with a smile. "You're a guest here."

The problem was I didn't want to be. I wanted to be the woman at his side, and that was dangerous. I'd asked him to spend his life with me before, and he'd said no. I couldn't forget the look on his face when I'd naively asked him to marry me.

Aiden put our dishes in the dishwasher, and we took bottled waters downstairs. Eventually, there would be a refrigerated unit behind the concession stand for drinks, but it wasn't ready yet.

We worked on the shelves, putting them together, then hanging them on the wall. This unit would be for bowling shoes. When it was done, we'd build the boxes that would form a table and cubbies for each lane. They would sit between the two couches.

At lunch, I went upstairs to make sandwiches while Aiden continued to work. He was focused on getting the work done since the repairman was coming soon.

Charlotte arrived at lunchtime, coming into the kitchen to snag a muffin and an iced tea from the fridge. "I saw that snowman outside. Did you and Aiden build it?"

Charlotte must have seen something in my expression because her eyes widened. "Are you two together?"

I shook my head. "We're not like that. We just dated in high school."

"Oh. I didn't realize that."

I smiled politely. "You wouldn't. We kept it a secret."

"Do you think you'll get back together?" Charlotte asked, taking a bite of the muffin.

I didn't know Charlotte that well, but she was so friendly, I felt like I could be honest with her. My stomach twisted. "I don't see how it could work. It was the same thing when we were teens. We're going in separate directions. We want different things."

"That's too bad. Aiden could use someone. Marley's worried about him since he retired from the military. I think that's why she stayed in the inn for so long with Heath instead of their cabin."

"She's worried about him? Why?"

"He doesn't talk about things, and she just wants him to settle in here and be happy. She doesn't want him to leave again."

There was a small part of me that wondered if I could ask him to move with me, but Charlotte's words cut off that possibility all together.

Aiden was invested in the inn and getting to know his sister again. I couldn't take him away from his family or his legacy. We were in the exact same position as last time. I could ask him to commit to me, but it wouldn't be fair. I wasn't what he wanted.

We might have had great chemistry, but that didn't mean we could make things work long-term. I got out the lunch meat and cheese to make subs, going through the motions while my mind whirred with the possibilities.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find one that kept us living in the same place. I wasn't willing to give up my job when he'd turned me down last time. I just couldn't take that risk again. My heart wouldn't take another break.

Aiden appeared in the kitchen with his hand on his stomach. "What's taking so long? I'm starving."

I nodded toward the plate of subs and chips I'd prepared. "I was just going to bring this down."

"We might as well eat up here." Aiden washed his hands in the sink, then asked Charlotte, "How were the roads?"

"Clear and dry. I expect guests will be arriving soon." She hopped off the stool, flashing us a smile before leaving the room.

"I'm glad she's here today. I just want to focus on the work downstairs."

He hadn't said anything about enjoying our time together. He seemed to be more worried about the work we hadn't completed.

"Is everything okay?" Aiden asked as he sat on a stool and grabbed a sub, taking a large bite.

"Of course." I ate a chip, looking outside at the sun doing its best to melt the snow.

"We only have a week until Christmas."

"Do you have any holiday events leading up to the big day?" I asked lightly.

"I was hoping we could get the movie theater ready for a small showing for family before the grand opening in the New Year.

I frowned. "You think it will be done in time?"

"We replaced some of the seat covers with temporary ones until they can be reupholstered. Heath ordered new curtains because he couldn't salvage the old ones. The wallpaper is gone, and he painted the walls."

"What's left to do?" I asked, not believing that our work was coming to an end.

"I need to get the projector room cleared of the old equipment while Heath works on the concession stand."

"I didn't realize he'd worked so quickly." The night we watched the movie together the theater was dark, and I'd been so wrapped up in Aiden, I hadn't noticed that so much had been completed.

"The repairman called to say he can come today to work on the lanes. So I'll help Heath with the concessions."

"Do you need me?" I asked, thinking I might have been asking about more than the renovations.

Aiden smiled. "You can help us clean."

"I should probably spend some time with my family." I hadn't seen them much since Daphne's housewarming party. And I needed to distance myself from Aiden. Yesterday was a big deal for me, but I wasn't sure he felt the same way.

I didn't want to find myself in a position where I liked him more than he did me. Did he see this as some kind of vacation fling? The thought sat like lead in my stomach, making it difficult to eat. I twisted off the cap for the water and drank.

Aiden ate quickly, then grabbed a few water bottles to take downstairs with him. "Heath just pulled up. I'm going to get back to work."

I smiled as he left the room, wondering why I was here. He didn't need me. I could consult with Marley on design elements over the phone and via email.

I wasn't needed, and that brought back how I felt after Mom died and then Aiden left. I was adrift. It was why I'd buried myself in classes, then work.

Could I go back to that? That solitary existence where I lived in hotel rooms across the country, making notes, and offering suggestions for improvements no one would take. Instead, they'd cut back on amenities, offering cookie-cutter decor that you could find in any hotel.

I wasn't sure I wanted to go back to my old job, but what else did I have? Marley didn't need me here. Not really. Even though I enjoyed the work I'd done, Marley and Aiden could survive without me.

They had Heath, and they could call in any expert that they needed. Shaking my head, I headed downstairs to clean the display case on the concession stand while Heath and Aiden worked around me, pulling out the old popcorn machine and installing a new one.

The movie theater would be ready to go soon, and there wouldn't be anything for me to do.

Surely, Marley could manage the bar and the game room by herself, even if my heart longed to offer suggestions for improvements and to see the finished project.

Long before Heath and Aiden were done, I said I was going to my dad's house. Aiden barely looked up when I left. He might have been trying to hide what was going on between us from Heath, but it still hurt.

We'd never be able to share our relationship with anyone because we didn't have a future. Aiden already realized that, and I needed to get on board. This thing between us was a fun way to pass the time. It had the added bonus of our shared history. But that just made it more treacherous for my heart.

I showered and headed to my dad's, wishing I could bring Aiden with me. That he wanted to spend time with my family. But he saw what I hadn't. We didn't fit into each other's lives. That's why we'd kept them separate even when we were together as teens.

Daphne and Cole were already at Dad's. I parked next to Cole's red Monroe Christmas Tree Farm truck and went inside.

As soon as I opened the door, Izzy flew at my legs, helping me forget my trepidation about being in my childhood home. "Aunt Fiona. Where've you been?"

I patted her back. "I was helping Marley renovate the movie theater at the inn. You should come see it. It's almost done."

"Can we?" Izzy asked Daphne as she approached us.

Daphne nodded in my direction. "If Fiona says we can."

"I think Aiden was planning on having a few people view a movie before Christmas, and then we'll have a party sometime in the New Year." It felt weird to talk about plans because I knew that I wouldn't be a part of them after I left. Everyone would move on without me. The renovations would be completed. Marley would have another party to celebrate.

Cole held his hand out to Izzy. "Let's go see what Grandpa has to snack on."

My heart squeezed when she took his hand and skipped along next to him as they headed for the kitchen.

"Will you be here for that?" Daphne asked softly.

I turned my attention to her. "I think Aiden wants to have it before I leave."

Daphne's forehead wrinkled. "Are you still planning on leaving?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked brightly even as my heart picked up the pace.

"Heath mentioned that you and Aiden have been spending a lot of time together."

"You know we're working together."

Daphne kept her gaze steady on me. "When we were younger, and I asked why you didn't come home more often, Teddy told me that you were avoiding Aiden because you'd dated, and it ended badly. I was hurt that you didn't talk to me about it until recently."

"First of all, no one knew about it, and you were a lot younger than me. Your age doesn't matter now that we're adults. But back then? I wouldn't have confided in you." There was a divide between us that was only partially about the fact that she was in middle school. She hadn't even gotten crushes on boys yet, whereas I was in love with one.

Daphne sighed. "Why don't you talk to me about what's going on now?"

She led me into the rarely utilized living room. Mom always wanted us to keep this one room nice. It still had all the same furniture but with a lot more dust. We settled onto the couch, and I said, "You just got engaged and moved in with Cole. Your life is moving in a different direction."

"That doesn't mean you can't talk to me. I know there's a gap of years between us, but you're my only sister. I thought we talked over those video calls because you wanted to have a better relationship." She chewed her lip. "Maybe it was only because of Izzy."

I covered her hand with mine. "I do want to have a relationship with you. Our bond is special. It's just… I've been spending a lot of time at the inn, and every time we're together lately, it's a family gathering."

"We obviously need to change that. But in the meantime, what's going on with you and Aiden?"

I let out a breath. "We were snowed in, and he was being all romantic." When Daphne inched closer with a smile on her lips, I continued, "We spent the day in the snow, built a snowman. Then he took me on a snowmobile to see the lights at the pond on the Monroes' farm. He even cooked dinner for me, and we ate in the formal dining room. He insisted we get dressed up. Afterward, we danced in the ballroom."

Her expression filled with awe. "That is so romantic. You and him all alone in that inn? It's a scene from a movie."

I laughed without any humor. "Our relationship doesn't have a happy ending."

Daphne frowned. "Why not?"

"You know he enlisted my sophomore year. After Mom died."

"You think her death prompted it?"

"Honestly? I don't know. He had this inner drive to prove himself, or he thought the military would turn him into a respectable man. He said he didn't want a future with me. We didn't want the same things."

"Are you sure that's what he wanted? You were so young."

"Last night he said that he pushed me away because he didn't want me to quit school and follow him around the world. It's in the past. My issue is that we're in the same situation again. My job is somewhere else, and his is here. I wouldn't take him away from Marley now that he's just gotten her back. And he loves running the inn."

"Are you happy? Will you be when you go back to your job?" Daphne asked.

"I can't just quit my job in the hopes that what Aiden and I have will last. There's no guarantee that he won't push me away again." If anything, he'd held me tighter last night. It had felt different from any other time we'd had sex. Like it meant more to him. He'd said I was his, and I hadn't responded. My throat had gotten tight, and I was scared that the hope in my chest would expand so much that I wouldn't be able to rein it in. It felt imperative that I hold myself back so I wouldn't get hurt.

Daphne's forehead wrinkled. "Oh, Fiona. You're so afraid of people leaving that you won't take a risk to truly be with them."

That assumption sent my mind reeling. "I'm not afraid of people leaving."

Daphne ticked off on her fingers. "Mom died. Then Aiden left. You're scared he'll do it again."

I shook my head. "Well, wouldn't you be?"

"It's been years, and you were so young then. You're not the same people. Aiden's grown up and gotten away from the crap he dealt with when he lived with his parents. And you're different too. You're just starting to see that there's more to life than work. Don't be so quick to dismiss what you have with Aiden. Give him a chance."

"Mommy! Dinner's ready," Izzy called from the doorway.

"Think about what I said." Daphne touched my shoulder as she stood and took Izzy's hand.

I couldn't help but think that despite Daphne's optimism, history usually repeated itself.