Chapter 9

Afew days later, I met with Heath, Marley, and Fiona in the inn's dining room to discuss the estimate and the scope of the work. Heath stood at one end of the table, his diagrams spread over the surface. "It's nothing fancy. But you get the idea."

"This looks like what I envisioned," Fiona said, pulling one of the illustrations closer to her.

"I've asked around, trying to find various people who've done this kind of restoration before so I could get some insight. We can salvage as much of the stage as we can, restoring the wood to its original luster and replacing any rotted planks. We'll have to get someone to look at the curtains. I think we'll need to strip the wallpaper and get new. We could paint too. I'd suggest a soft gray to keep with the original look."

"I like that," Marley said.

Fiona considered the one drawing he'd done in color. "There's enough going on in that room that we don't need wallpaper."

Heath let out a breath. "I was hoping you'd say that."

"I talked to an expert, and I think we can restore most of the seats. We might need to reupholster a bunch of them, but it's doable. New carpet on the floor and lighting. The projector room needs a complete overhaul with updated equipment."

Heath slid the estimate in front of Marley. She didn't flinch or give any outward sign of her reaction. "I can do this."

"This is assuming we have free manual labor from Aiden, Cole, and Fiona," Heath added.

"I said I'd help with this." I held my hand out to Marley for the estimate, but she held tight to it.

Her gaze met mine. "I want to cover this."

I kept my hand where it was. "Let me see it."

"I anticipated this." Heath handed me a second estimate.

The number had my eyes widening, and I whistled. "This is the cost after the family discount?"

Heath chuckled. "I'm charging you for costs and my crew. The restoration experts don't come cheap, and I can't control that expense."

"If we want to do this right, we need their advice and assistance. If we need to replace a chair, they know where to look for something similar. It sounds like it's important to everyone that we maintain the original charm."

"I agree with that," Fiona said.

"Are you sure you can afford this?" I asked Marley. She'd said she was financially secure, and I'd heard net worth numbers floating around, but I wasn't sure if they were true. I'd saved money while I was in the military, but it was tiny compared to the estimate. I always struggled with the belief that I didn't have enough to go around.

"I consider the inn an investment. I'll make the money back tenfold. Besides, this place means something to me. It's more than just a business."

Marley had a good head for investments, so I chose to take her at her word. "If you want to bankroll the project, I won't stand in your way."

Marley's eyes widened as she let out a soft laugh. "I was expecting an argument."

"I want this as much as you do. I see the potential, and nothing has gotten me this intrigued since I came home." I was searching for a purpose, and right now it was restoring my grandmother's inn to its former glory. If Marley could afford the repairs, then I was okay with that.

Marley's eyes were suspiciously shiny. "I want this so much. Thank you, Aiden."

"Of course." My voice was gruff.

"Let's talk timelines," Heath continued, not missing a beat. There was a sense of anticipation in the room. The financial piece was out of the way, and we could get to work. "We're able to get started tomorrow since Fiona and Aiden got a head start on cleaning."

"We have air cleaners and dehumidifiers running to clear out the mustiness," I said.

"Whatever we need to do, let's do it. I want it done right." Marley's tone was confident. She was used to making decisions quickly and assertively.

I was proud of her. She wasn't the same sister I'd left behind. The one that was ashamed by her upbringing and kept to herself in school. She was a confident woman who was sure of her moves.

I was a little envious of that confidence because when it came to Fiona, I wasn't sure what approach to take. So far, I'd taken the slow one. I was waiting for her to feel the connection between us, remember the good times we had. But she seemed to pull away whenever there was a moment, like the one on the stage. I couldn't blame her, but I wanted to reach her on a deeper level. I couldn't do that if she was resistant.

"I'm going to record content for my business today so I can focus on the theater for the rest of the week. But I was wondering if you would agree to me filming it for my social media accounts?" Marley asked me.

I frowned. "What does the restoration have to do with your work? I thought you talked about business and coached budding entrepreneurs."

Marley smiled. "This is my personal life. My followers love when I share it with them. And they're absolutely fascinated by the inn and the Christmas tree farm."

"I'm okay with it if you are. I can't imagine it would cause any harm. In fact, it might drum up interest in the inn itself," Fiona said thoughtfully.

I let out a breath, knowing that whatever Marley wanted, I'd give in to. "If you're okay with it, I am. Just don't want cameras interrupting the work."

Marley held up a hand. "I'll do the filming, and I'll stay out of the way. I promise."

I nodded my assent.

Marley grinned. "I have some work to do at home, but I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."

"You two have plans for the rest of the day?" Heath asked me and Fiona.

"I should probably start looking for a new job. But I'm much more interested in this project." Fiona lifted the diagram of the theater for emphasis.

I felt a pang of unease that her visit would be drawing to an end soon. A sense of urgency flew through my blood.

"The family will host a walk-through of the holiday light display at the farm soon. We'll have drinks and hang out around the fire. You should come and see it."

Fiona raised a brow. "Are your brothers okay with a Calloway on site?"

"I'm sure Cole is planning to bring Daphne and Izzy."

"Safety in numbers," Fiona mumbled.

"Emmett's all bluster," Heath said as he gathered his things.

Fiona gestured at the illustrations. "Can you leave these? I'd like to take another look at them."

"I can do that," Heath said.

"Did you have a chance to check out the rest of the basement?" I asked Heath.

"I'm heading down there now. Marley's excited about this project." He gave me a pointed look.

"You want me to let her bankroll it." That irritated me, because it should have been a matter between me and my business partner. But Heath was her significant other and the contractor. He had a say too.

Heath's gaze was serious. "Marley wants to restore the inn. It's not about money for her."

I leaned back in my chair. "Don't you think we should look at whether it's a good investment? You don't want to sink money into something that's never going to generate a return."

"Marley's considered all the angles. Don't forget it's a tax write-off, and she thinks it will pay for itself over time. She's looking to the future. If one of your kids wants to continue to run the place, it will be done. They won't have the burden of renovating it themselves."

I could appreciate that. "Kids is a long way off, isn't it?"

He merely raised a brow. "That's between me and your sister."

I winced because at some point, Heath had moved from the role as my best friend to my sister's fiancé. I should have been accustomed to the change, but I wasn't.

"Look, I'm not trying to be an asshole—" Heath broke off.

"I get it. I'm just not ready for that myself."

Heath shook his head, his lips curling into a smile. "You'd have to find a woman who could put up with you first."

If we were alone, I would have teased about wishing Heath had a sister. But Fiona was here, and it wasn't worth alienating her for a joke. "Women can't resist a man in uniform."

Fiona raised a brow but didn't say anything.

I didn't want her to think that I was a player since I'd been home. In fact, it was the exact opposite, but I couldn't resist teasing Heath. I missed our easy-going camaraderie.

"I'll leave you to it. I'm going to head downstairs," Heath said.

"I'll be down in a minute," I said to him, knowing I wanted to clear things up with Fiona.

When he was gone, I said, "I was just giving Heath a hard time. It didn't mean anything."

Fiona plastered a smile on her face. "It's none of my business who you date."

"I haven't been with anyone since I've been home. I've been too busy with this place, and frankly, I haven't been interested in anyone." Not until now.

"Like I said, you don't owe me an explanation." She stood and rested the strap of her purse on her shoulder. "Do you mind if I leave the drawings here?"

"It's a good spot for them. We don't use the dining room."

I rounded the table, stopping near Fiona.

"Did you have something else you wanted to discuss before I leave?" Fiona asked.

I opened my mouth intending to tell her I hadn't been interested in anyone but her, but I couldn't get the words out. I was afraid she wasn't ready to hear them. That I'd scare her away. At any moment, she could leave, go back to her apartment and her job. "Thanks for helping us out with this."

Her face softened. "Of course. I'm excited to get started."

"I'd better join Heath in case he has any questions."

Fiona nodded and moved to leave. When she was almost to the doorway, I asked, "Would you come with me to the light display? I feel weird going alone. I'm not a Monroe, and Marley's with Heath."

"I don't know—"

"You should experience some of the holiday things while you're here."

"That's not a bad idea."

And I want to be the one who experienced them with her. "I'll knock on your door at seven. Maybe we can have dinner in your room."

"That would be nice."

"I'll see you then." I walked out before she had a chance to back out and tell me the reasons why it was a bad idea.

In the basement, I found Heath in the bar. "This craftsmanship is top-notch. And the wood is mahogany."

"You think you can keep the bar itself?"

"Most of it's good. It's solid construction. Someone took their time with this." His fingers ran over the details on the side of the bar. "We want to keep as much of the original wood as possible." Then he stepped back and considered me. "I'm surprised you caved to Marley paying for this."

"She wants to restore Gram's pride and joy. We both want to see it come back to life. If she can afford to do that, then why should I stop her?"

Heath squeezed my shoulder. "You're growing up."

I shrugged him off. "I'm already a man."

Heath raised his brows. "In some ways."

My shoulders stiffened. "What are you trying to say?"

"Have you talked to Fiona? Have you tried to make things right with her?" Heath asked softly.

"I'm not sure I can."

He leaned against the bar. "Not talking about it isn't going to do anything. Then she's going to leave thinking you didn't want her."

My jaw ached from the tension. "She's moved on from me."

"Are you sure about that?"

I blew out a breath. "Honestly? I'm not sure of anything. I certainly haven't moved on. I haven't been interested in anyone until her."

Heath nodded. "Now we're getting somewhere."

"I just don't know what to do about it."

Heath shrugged. "Talk to her. Clear the air. Then start from there."

"You make it sound so easy."

"From where I'm standing, it is."

"Talking about feelings isn't easy."

"I guess not how you were raised. I'm sure your parents would've told you that you were a crybaby for having feelings. I remember some of what your mom used to spew at you."

"Thankfully, they're gone now."

"But those memories stay with us. They form the core of who we are."

"That's why I went into the military. I'm not that same guy." I'd hardened myself against my parents. I'd like to think if I ever ran into them again, I'd be immune to their barbs.

Heath shook his head. "It's who you are, and you need to heal from it to move on with someone."

"Fiona and I have a history. Don't you think it would be easier to move on with someone else."

Heath chuckled. "If only you were interested in someone else."

"Sometimes I hate you." He never failed to tell me how it was.

Heath sobered. "You need to talk to her about it. Tell her why you did what you did and that it had nothing to do with her as a person. That you never stopped having feelings for her."

"How do you know all of that?" I couldn't help but ask.

"It's obvious to anyone who's spent time around you two."

I thought I'd been professional when we were around Heath and Marley, but I guess I was wrong.

Heath grinned. "You should make sure she comes to the walk-through light display. When I was trying to win over Marley, I took her to all the holiday events. I wanted to show her the magic of the farm and the season."

"You wooed her." The fact was that Heath was more emotionally mature than me. He'd won over Marley despite the fact that he'd broken things off when they were teenagers. He'd been worried about his promise to protect her. The promise he made to me.

The difference was I'd promised Fiona that I'd wait for her to finish college. But I hadn't. I'd broken that promise, and I wasn't sure she'd ever forgive me for it.

"You'll never know if you don't try. The worst thing that will happen is that you'll talk it out, and you both move on from there."

The words got stuck in my throat. I wasn't prepared to move on from Fiona. Just the thought of it weighed on my chest, making it hurt to breathe.

"You don't like to talk about your feelings, do you?"

"And you do?" I asked him as we walked behind the bar. The glassware was still hanging on the hooks, covered in dust. It would need to be washed.

"When you're in a relationship, you have to dig deep and be honest about what you're thinking and feeling. It's hard but worth it." When I gave him a dubious look, he continued. "What's the alternative? Not talking about it? Her believing that you didn't want her?"

I shook my head. "I don't want that."

"Then you know what you have to do."

He let the topic drop, and we walked through the space, making notes of what was salvageable and what wasn't. The good thing was the basic setup was fine. We just needed to restore what was there.

When we stepped inside the bowling alley, Heath said, "I don't know anything about bowling alleys. There's got to be someone who fixes these kinds of things."

"I'll make some calls."

Heath stepped onto the lane. "We can polish the wood floors."

I touched the leather of the chairs. "Marley and Fiona might want some new seating."

There was a small bar in the back of the room and a space for bowling shoes. "Can you and Fiona get rid of these and see what it would cost to order new ones?"

"You got it."

"This place is small. You planning to make it available to the public? Or is it just for guests?"

"I can't speak for Marley, but I would think we'll keep it for guests. More of an incentive to book a room here. Even for locals."

Heath nodded. "You're creating an experience for them."

"That's how I like to think about it. That seems to be Fiona's specialty."

I helped him measure the seating areas. "I think we could add a table here, and guests could place their shoes and bags underneath. You want to build that?"

"I'd love to work with my hands again."

"Get this place up and running smoothly. Hire good people to run it for you, and I'll give you a team."

I chuckled. "I think I'll have my hands full with this place for now."

"Let this be your first project."

Despite my fear that I'd screw something up, I said, "That would be a good start."

"Fiona mentioned looking for a job. Is that why she's home?"

"She was passed over for a promotion and coming off a recent breakup. I think she's licking her wounds, trying to decide if she wants to go back to that job or look for another."

"Mmm." Heath jotted something down in his notebook.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I leaned a hip on the bar.

"It means this is the perfect time for you to convince her that something else is available. Something closer to well—"Heath touched the bar top—"here."

"She doesn't want to stick around here." And maybe that was the reason I'd been slow to do anything about this building attraction.

Heath raised a brow. "When are you going to learn that you can't have what you don't go after?"

My stomach rumbled. "Are you done giving me shit? Because I'm starving."

He gestured toward the exit. "Lead the way to the kitchen."

"You know, just because you're working at the inn doesn't mean I'll be making you lunch every day."

"That's exactly what it means," Heath said as he followed me up the stairs. "We should probably widen these and make them sturdier. Building codes have changed since these were built."

I let him draw me into his plans for the basement as I made us sandwiches. Fiona joined us, listening and commenting from time to time. It was good having all my favorite people in one place. If only Fiona was sticking around. Then everything would be perfect.