needed his expression—the lines in his brow, the creases beyond his lashes, the curve of his lips—to help me direct this conversation. However, my angels delivered something else instead.
I set my hand on the cushioned seat between us, not realizing that his hand was already there. The warmth of his skin cut through the cool breeze that rustled the leaves around us. The connection was strong enough to keep me from pulling away yet soothing enough to settle my nerves and allow me to continue.
“From what you said last night, it sounds like your family has put their whole hearts into this place. And I imagine at one point, you have, too. Just because you don’t feel that their initial purpose is still valid, it doesn’t mean you can’t create a new one.”
Drew flipped his hand over so that his lay on top of mine. The warmth of his palm seeped into my skin, heating my entire body like a match. A fire. A blazing inferno. One simple touch to one part of my body had the ability to ignite in me flames of desire, comfort, and as odd as it sounded, a mystifying understanding. When he spoke, his voice covered me like a protective veil—a heavy blanket made of thick wool, shielding me from harmful elements.
“You said yourself it’s a lot of work for two people. Which is true. Normally, we get by just fine. We each get two days off a week, and most of the time, we waste the rest of our days away in the office with our feet propped up. We have twenty cabins, and in two weeks, twelve will sit vacant. Next week, ten. If we are at half capacity, then it’s a good week for us. Dad and I still have the same responsibilities, except it takes a quarter of the time to do it.”
“There are so many ways to get your name out there that could help this place stay busy. I don’t see why you can’t have fifty-two weeks like this one. This place is beautiful, Drew. I’ve only been here two days, yet I already feel like I belong. I can’t be the only one who comes here and gets this sense of hope and purpose.”
He squeezed my hand and blew out a sigh, making it clear that he was over this conversation. I couldn’t fathom any reason why he’d toss all this to the side without at least giving it a chance to flourish. But I was in no position to argue with him about it—what he did with this resort had nothing to do with me.
“I’m sorry, Drew. I didn’t mean to pry. I just see so much potential in this place.”
“Why are you so interested in it?” His tone seemed weighted with irritation, although his touch—and the way he ran the pad of his thumb over my knuckle almost lovingly—spoke of emotions that were nowhere near negative.
Before the shock of his question waned enough to answer him, a bulb affixed to the corner of the roof came on and bathed him in a warm, soft light. It was just enough to see his tranquil expression, proving that his inquiry was nothing more than simple curiosity.
He glanced over my shoulder toward the corner of the house where the light came from and laughed to himself under his breath. “Stupid cat,” he muttered as if to explain the sudden interruption. “I have no idea where it came from, but he’s been coming around every night. He rubs up against that corner of the house, and as soon as the motion light flicks on, he takes off. You’d think he’d learn by now, but he hasn’t.”
I wanted to laugh with him, participate in this bunny trail and forget all about our conversation. But I couldn’t do anything other than watch him, lost in the sight of him staring off into the distance, as if he could see where the cat went. And as much as I wanted to sit here with my hand in his as the trees rustled around us like our own personal ballad, I knew I couldn’t.
Worried that he would remember the question that had gone unanswered—because I didn’t have an answer to give—I released his hand and asked, “How about that movie?”
Drew shook his head as if breaking free from his thoughts and brought his attention back to me…with a smile that nearly made me squeeze my legs together. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he