Chapter 11

ELEVEN

“You have arrived,” the voice from her phone’s GPS app announced.

Diana slowed her car and peered into the woods, looking for any sign of her rental house, but there was nothing visible in any direction except trees. She rolled the car slowly down the dirt road, eventually spotting the entrance to a driveway. Hopefully that was it. She hadn’t realized the house Carter had rented for her was in such a remote location.

A black mailbox stood at the entrance to the driveway, bearing the number 235. This was it, Diana’s home for the next two months. Carter had shown her photos of the house’s interior before he booked it, but she hadn’t looked at a satellite view. It was truly in the middle of nowhere. Supposedly, the inn was only a ten-minute drive from here, though.

“Cute,” she said out loud when the house came into view. It looked like the log cabin out of a classic children’s story, something she hadn’t realized still existed in modern times. It certainly wasn’t someplace she would have ever imagined herself living.

Diana stopped her car in the driveway. There wasn’t a garage, but that was fine since she’d be gone before there was any snow on the ground to worry about. She shut off the car and reached in back for one of the plants she’d brought with her. She’d left most of them at home under Carter’s care, but if she was going to be here for two months, she needed a few of her favorite plants for company.

Of course, she had all the plants she could ever want right outside her door. The house was surrounded by lush green trees and bushes, endless forest in every direction. She couldn’t even see the road from here. Diana stepped out of the car and approached the house, entering the code she’d been given into the keypad on the front door.

Inside, the cabin looked like…well, it looked like a real log cabin. The walls were constructed from wood beams. It gave the room a warm feel, and even though it wasn’t her style, she thought it suited the area. More importantly, the house had plenty of modern amenities, including a hot tub out back.

Diana walked to the kitchen table and set down her polka dot plant. She’d find a better place for it soon, but this was a good enough spot while she unloaded the car. It took her about fifteen minutes to bring in her bags and unpack everything.

The master bedroom was just off the living room. In fact, the cabin was only a single level, which was new for her. She was used to living vertically in her narrow Back Bay town house. The window in the bedroom looked straight into the forest. No sweeping mountain views here, but the trees were pretty enough .

Diana spent the next few minutes rearranging her plants, finding windowsills and sunny spots for them around the cabin. Then, as it was approaching dinnertime, she turned her attention to the empty kitchen cabinets. That was a problem, and a quick Google search revealed that the nearest grocery store was about twenty minutes away.

Maybe she should go into town tonight and have dinner at one of the local restaurants. First, she texted Carter to let him know she’d arrived and ask if he’d been able to fix the bug that had broken all the images on her new website that morning.

All fixed, he replied, with several emojis and a link to the website, which indeed seemed to be working perfectly now.

That was a relief. While she was in Vermont, she had proposals to write for two more hotels she hoped to purchase before the end of the year. It was an aggressive start, but the numbers supported her actions, and she would reap the reward next year as each hotel began to bring in revenue.

Vermont was quiet. Diana paced her living room, unnerved by the absolute silence outside. No cars. No people. She didn’t even hear a plane in the sky. She couldn’t believe she didn’t have any neighbors.

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her about the empty pantry. Diana pulled up Google maps and drove into town, where she had dinner at a local bistro. She was surprised to find herself looking for Emily while she ate, wondering if she might have decided to go out for dinner tonight too. Diana almost wished they hadn’t slept together, so she might have a friend here in town, but she couldn’t bring herself to regret their night together .

Heat spread over her skin every time she thought about that night.

Diana had thought about it entirely too often over the last few months, so often that she worried she would have trouble keeping things professional between them now that she was back in Crescent Falls. Hopefully, Emily had gotten over her bitter feelings about Diana buying the inn, because while Diana could handle her hostility, she’d much rather be friendly with her.

Whatever happened, though, she wouldn’t get involved with Emily again now that she owned the inn. No, from here on out, their interactions would be purely professional.

Back at the cabin, Diana spent a few hours looking over her plans for the Inn at Crescent Falls. She had so many things to go over with Mary and Eva before they officially retired. Diana’s first week at the inn would be their last.

Once they moved out of the apartment in back, Diana would have it cleaned and renovated so it would be ready for the next manager. She closed her laptop and rubbed her eyes, suddenly exhausted. It was still too quiet in this cabin. Diana could hear herself breathe. That was weird. She was out of her element here, and she hated that feeling. She’d been at the same job in the same building for almost twenty years, and now…everything had changed.

For the first time in her life, she was truly the boss. She owned her own company. It was exciting. Thrilling. And…terrifying.

No matter that the odds were against her. Diana would not fail.

She stood, deciding to call it an early night so she’d be well rested for her first day at the inn. She washed up in the bathroom and then turned off the light, plunging the cabin into darkness.

“Fuck,” she mumbled, frozen in the bathroom doorway. She couldn’t see the bed. She couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face. She blinked a few times, waiting to see if her eyes would adjust. This was too dark. Weren’t there streetlamps in Vermont? Frowning, she put the bathroom light back on and walked to the living room, where she turned on a small lamp that would hopefully provide enough ambient light for her to sleep.

She climbed into bed and lay there, blinking up at the ceiling. The lamp from the living room was a little too bright for her taste, but she was too tired to get back up and turn it off. The only sound in the bedroom was a faint rushing noise that she finally identified as the wind blowing through the trees outside her window. It was oddly unsettling.

Well, that, and she could still hear herself breathing. And now that she was thinking about her breathing, it quickened. Anxiety had her sucking in rapid breaths, and she scowled at herself. Here she was in this adorable little cabin in the woods, probably the most objectively peaceful place in the world, and she was too anxious to sleep.

An eerie noise came from outside, not quite a howl, but definitely an animal sound. Diana’s neck and arms prickled as her hair stood on end. She sat up, realizing as she did so that the curtains on the bedroom windows were wide open, revealing the endless darkness outside. She felt suddenly hyperaware that she was alone in a house in the middle of the woods.

No one would hear her if she screamed. A shiver shook her shoulders.

“You’re being ridiculous,” she murmured, just to hear the sound of her voice. Objectively, she knew it was true. Crime was nearly nonexistent in Crescent Falls. She’d researched the area before she purchased the inn. This was one of the safest places in America. And yet…

The darkness outside was impenetrable. She got up and shut the curtains. At least now she didn’t feel like the creatures of the forest were watching her. There was that sound again. Was it an owl? Yes, it did sound like a hoot, now that she was thinking about it. Owls were harmless, no matter how spooky they sounded.

She scrambled back into bed and picked up her phone to text Carter.

This cabin you rented is too far out in the woods! It’s creepy.

CARTER DEVLIN

Aunt DD r u afraid of the dark?

You would be too if your room was so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

And it’s too quiet.

CARTER DEVLIN

Want me to come up? I’m loud!

In a few weeks, once you’ve got the home office established.

CARTER DEVLIN

OK well ur too old for a nightlight but maybe install a white noise app

Night

Good night.

She hadn’t even realized white noise apps existed, but of course they did. The wonders of modern technology. She searched the app store, downloaded one with good reviews, and chose the option for city sounds.

“That’s more like it,” she muttered as the faint sound of cars rumbling and other engine noise filled the room. She exhaled, willing her body to relax. Tomorrow, shit got real. She’d be managing the inn. And she’d see Emily. Diana had prepared for this. She would pull Emily aside to address their personal history and reassure Emily that it wouldn’t affect their new working relationship. Simple enough. Diana was a professional. It would be fine.

She closed her eyes, rolled onto her side, and waited for sleep to come.

Emily was discreetly reading an e-book on her phone when the front door to the inn slid open. She quickly turned off the screen, but her smile froze the moment she spotted Diana’s familiar form coming through the door. Yes, Emily had known Diana would be here today, but she had hoped she’d be helping a visitor when Diana arrived, too busy to say hello.

Now here she was, alone in the lobby with Diana, who looked goddamn amazing in black slacks and a royal-blue top. It set off the red tones in her hair beautifully, and if she’d been standing a little closer, Emily was sure the color really made her eyes pop too. Emily’s skin tingled, and her stomach pinged. She inhaled sharply.

Oh no. Where had that come from?

She hadn’t been around Diana long enough in June to know if she was really attracted to her or if it had just been a spur-of-the-moment thing. Emily had been too upset the morning after their one-night stand to feel anything but hurt when she realized Diana was trying to buy the inn. She had expected to feel something similar today, and instead…this.

Heat spread across her chest and up into her cheeks as she faced Diana. “Hi.”

Diana’s smile was polite, gracious even. Those blue eyes locked on Emily’s, something intense sparkling in their depths that Emily wasn’t sure how to read. “Good morning.”

“My grandmothers are waiting for you in their office. You can go on back,” Emily told her. “You remember where it is, right? Or I could show you, because I?—”

“I remember,” Diana interrupted her nervous rambling, her expression softening. “Have a nice day, Emily.”

And with that, she strode down the hall like she owned the place. Well, she did own the place now, didn’t she? Emily had mixed feelings about Diana being back in town, but she’d made peace with her grandmas retiring. They’d bought the little house down the street that they’d had their eye on and would be moving in next week.

It would be weird here without them, but Emily could still pop by for dinner or just to hang out, and their new house had the prettiest little pond out back. She could hardly wait to set up her easel there and paint it.

Knowing Diana owned the inn, though? That made Emily extremely uncomfortable. She had been so impressed with Diana when they met, and now she couldn’t trust anything Diana said. Maybe she was all talk. Maybe she dreamed big but didn’t have what it took to follow through. Until she knew for sure, Emily would be watching Diana closely to make sure the inn was in good hands.

A hint of Diana’s floral perfume lingered in her wake, and Emily hated the memories it stirred. It sucked knowing what your new boss looked like naked, how she sounded when she came. How her voice trembled when she begged. It sucked that Emily’s body still overheated in her presence.

Did Diana feel the same? There had been something on her face when she looked at Emily just now, but she might just have been eager to get started here at the inn. Diana probably hadn’t thought about her night with Emily since she left Vermont the first time.

Ugh.

Emily tapped the screen on her phone, bringing up her e-book, but she couldn’t focus on reading anymore. Instead, she sent a message to the Adventurers group chat, lamenting her situation. Immediately, her phone began to ping with responses.

ALEXIS BELL

Whatever you do, don’t kiss your hot boss

TOM BELLAMY

I mean, maybe kiss her if she looks like she’d be into it…

she’s not your boss permanently anyway

TALIA MICHAUD

No kissing. That way lies heartbreak, Em

I don’t think she even wants to kiss me again, so no worries there

Just sucks having to see her every day

TOM BELLAMY

Let’s find you a new hookup then!

ALEXIS BELL

I met a nice girl at my yoga class last week, def queer vibes

Emily was grinning when a guest came into the lobby needing her assistance. From there, her morning picked up. She kept reasonably busy until lunchtime, when she made the five-minute walk back to her cabin to heat up leftovers from the pizza she’d made last night.

Maybe she was afraid she would bump into Diana if she ate in the break room as she usually did, but the weather was nice, and she never minded walking home for lunch. She took her pizza onto the porch with Jack, watching him spiral from perch to perch for a half hour until it was time to head back to work.

She was only on until three today, and just as she was handing the desk over to Mariah, Diana entered the lobby, headed straight for her.

“Oh good. I was hoping to catch you before you left,” Diana said, and Emily’s traitorous heart sped at her words before she registered Diana’s professional veneer. She wanted to ask her something about work. Duh, Emily .

“Can I help you with something?” She gave Diana what she hoped was a politely indifferent smile, but it felt weird on her face.

“I’m trying to catch up with all the staff today, just to introduce myself…” Diana’s lips quirked as she shrugged, acknowledging that they already knew each other. “And to check in with how things are going and what you might want or need professionally.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Great. I won’t take up much of your time.” With that, Diana turned and strode down the hallway.

Emily followed her to the break room, somewhat surprised when Diana shut the door behind them. This was more private than she’d expected. They sat across from each other at the table.

Diana clasped her hands on its wooden surface. She looked tired, Emily realized suddenly. Her makeup didn’t quite hide the dark shadows beneath her eyes, and her shoulders were rigid, as if she was trying not to let herself slump. “As I mentioned, I’m checking in with all the employees today, but before I start my usual speech, I want to address the elephant in the room.”

“Oh.” Emily hadn’t expected this either. Somehow, she’d assumed Diana would try to avoid talking about their night together.

“I know we’re in a tricky situation here, given our personal history,” Diana said. “But I don’t want it to be awkward. That night is in the past, and I’m sure we can both be professional about it now. Not to mention, I’ll be hiring a full-time manager in the next month or so, and as soon as I do, you’ll report to that person instead of me. Are you comfortable with that?”

“Sure,” Emily agreed, staring at her hands instead of meeting Diana’s gaze. Truthfully, working for Diana sounded awkward as hell, so Emily hoped she found a new manager quickly.

“Great. So, I’ve been meeting with all the employees today to get to know them and see what they’re looking for from the new management. More responsibility? Less? Shift changes? Suggestions for improvement? That kind of thing.”

Emily shrugged. “I’m fine as I am. Like I mentioned when we first met, I just work here a few days a week to help pay the bills.”

“And you’re not looking for any changes?” Diana asked, professional as ever, but there was still that tension in her shoulders, as if maybe she wasn’t quite as comfortable around Emily as she was pretending to be.

“Nope, no changes. I’m good.” Emily realized she was drumming her fingers against the tabletop and moved them to her lap instead.

Diana gave her a questioning look. Emily was being weird. She knew she was, but she didn’t know how to act around Diana anymore.

After an awkward pause, Diana continued. “As your grandmothers probably told you, I’ll be here for the next two months, making sure the transition is a smooth one. I’ve got a few renovations planned, nothing drastic, more like a general freshening up.”

“Oh?” Emily heard the skepticism in her tone, but she didn’t want any more changes to the inn. Diana’s presence was overwhelming enough.

“Fresh paint, a new computer system to better manage online reservations, picnic tables under that grove of trees over there.” Diana gestured out the window, indicating the tree line on the far side of the back lawn. “That sort of thing.”

Emily exhaled, trying to relax. “Picnic tables sound great, actually, and our computer system is a beast.”

“A total dinosaur,” Diana agreed. “My nephew is good with computers, and he’s found a new system that should be a big upgrade. He’ll be up in a few weeks to help get it installed.”

“Does he work with you, then?” Emily couldn’t help asking, trying to imagine Diana working with some young techy guy, keeping it all in the family even though she no longer worked for the family business.

“Yeah, he’s my first employee.” Diana’s expression filled with unmistakable affection for her nephew.

“What happened to your old job, if you don’t mind my asking?” Emily blurted, surprising herself and probably Diana too. But suddenly, she needed to know. She had to know if Diana was as competent as she seemed. “Because you were all set to become the next CEO of Devlin Hotels, and now…well, now you’ve started your own company, and frankly, I’m confused.”

Diana straightened, those eyes that had been so warm a moment before cooling behind what Emily could only imagine was her CEO mask. “My circumstances changed.”

She obviously didn’t want to talk about it, but how else was Emily ever going to trust Diana to run this inn? “How, though? Because I was so impressed with your ambition and your confidence when we met. You had me completely convinced you were going to be the next CEO of Devlin Hotels, and now you don’t even work there anymore. So I can’t help wondering, are you really committed to this inn or are you just going to run off when the next shiny thing catches your eye?”

Diana’s nostrils flared, and a muscle beside her eye twitched. “Whatever you saw in me then is still here, I promise. I’ve always been passionate about boutique hotels, and now they’re my exclusive focus. This inn is important to me, Emily. I’m committed to its success. I’m not going to abandon it and chase after the next shiny thing that catches my eye, as you so eloquently put it.”

Emily did feel a little bad for saying that, but she wouldn’t apologize for airing her concerns. Diana had been so singularly focused on her path to CEO of Devlin Hotels when they met. Why had she changed her mind? Managing boutique hotels had to feel like small potatoes by comparison. Who was to say she wouldn’t get bored here?

“Do you have any other concerns? If not, I’ll let you get home.” Diana tilted her head, awaiting Emily’s answer.

“Nope, that’s my only concern.” And Diana hadn’t done much to allay it, nor had she answered Emily’s question about why she’d left Devlin Hotels.

“All right, then. Have a nice evening, Emily.” Diana stood, giving Emily a smile that didn’t seem quite as genuine as the one she’d worn when she first saw Emily that morning.

Had Emily hurt her feelings with her questions? Emily deflated, uncomfortable with the idea that she might have hurt Diana. She’d just needed reassurance that the inn was in good hands. Maybe she should apologize.

But Diana was already out the door.