He didn’t even know what else he’d do that would bring him the same sense of satisfaction.
“I want you to be happy, Grace. I want that above all else.” And he knew from experience, absence did not make a woman happy.
She opened her mouth, and he could tell she was about to refute the statement. Maybe say that he made her happy. But when she closed her mouth again a tiny bubble burst inside.
“You’re right,” she said, a catch in her throat. “I don’t like it, but you’re right.”
They stared at each other across the table, linked by their hands, hopelessness weighting the air between them. He’d finally found a woman who felt like home, and he couldn’t have her.
Why, God?
The server came and set his food on the table. But his appetite was gone. His stomach was in knots, and the pungent smell of bacon was an affront to his senses.
When the server left, Grace closed her laptop and checked the time.
“Are you headed out now?” he asked.
“The sellers are letting me into the house for a couple hours this morning to measure and stuff. I was just making a list of everything I need to do while I’m there.”
He studied her for a long moment. “I was thinking of leaving today, Grace. Drawing this out will only make it more difficult for both of us.”
“Is this it, then? Are we saying good-bye now?”
“I still have to pack up my stuff and check out. And I’d like to see your new place. How about if I stop by on my way out of town?”
Her lips turned up, but there was no smile behind those blue eyes. “I’d like that.”
* * *
At the new house Pamela let Grace in and promised to return in a couple hours to lock up. Once inside Grace forced herself to work through her list. First she opened the windows to let the cool breeze in, then she took measurements for the windows and the checkout counter she was having made.
A friend of Levi’s stopped by to talk about the walls that would need to come down and additional structural support. Once he left she went up to the attic and checked out her soon-to-be digs, getting excited at the thought of having her own place, despite the ache of impending heartbreak.
She made a list of all the things she’d need to make the house into her business. It was long and detailed, but it kept her mind off the realization that she was about to say good-bye to the love of her life.
It seemed absurd that she could say that about a man she’d only known three weeks. But she knew in her heart it was true. They’d been through so much together. She felt as if she’d known him for years. Or maybe that she’d always known him. Maybe this was how it always felt, falling in love. As if you couldn’t fathom how you’d even existed before then. The thought made her heart palpitate, made her palms sweat.
But Wyatt had important things to do. He had a calling—his dream job awaited. And she loved him enough not to stand in his way.
He was an amazing man. Despite what he’d been through, he was confident but humble. Not feeling as though he was undeserving of good things. Just clearly seeing his place in the world and being content with that. She was striving for that. He’d shown her what that looked like.
She was coming down the attic steps when she heard the front door open.
“Grace?” Wyatt called.
“Right here,” she called as she walked down the short hall.
In the entryway he took off his sunglasses, and with the light behind him silhouetting his frame, he surveyed the space with those keen eyes.
He looked so much like he had that first day he’d walked into the inn. Into her life. She thought he’d shaken her up good, but that had only been the beginning. He’d turned her inside out and upside down. In all the best ways.
“This is going to be perfect,” he said as she joined him in what would be her store. “You were right about the location, and I can already see this space in my mind’s eye. You have good instincts.”
Joy swelled inside at his words. “You think so?”
He smiled at her and took her hand. “I know so. Give me the grand tour.”
She took him around, pointing out the house’s features and everything she was planning to change. Though she