way to my Grandparent’s house and for some reason my nerves were all over the place.
It is just dinner. Is the mantra I continued to repeat in my head, but that was doing nothing to help me.
“Sorry.” I murmured.
“What are you so worried about, Dani?”
After a minute of thinking about it, I admitted. “I really don’t know.”
“It’ll be fine—I promise.” My fingers intertwined with his, as we finished the rest of the drive in silence. A few times I reached over to steal a glance at Corey, to see if maybe he was more nervous than he was letting on. Each time though, I saw just how at ease he was. His thumb drummed along to a steady beat and his breathing remained even; unlike the erratic way mine was.
Corey parked the car; I practically stumbled out while he went around to grab the bottles of wine from the back. Typically, when I come over I only bring one bottle of either white or red—depending on my mood. Corey refused to just bring one, he said it was just in case we brought one and the other one would have tasted better with the meal. It really was endearing to see Corey in the liquor store going the extra mile to impress Clayton and Violet Hamilton.
After adjusting the bag of wine bottles in one arm he took my hand and just about dragged me along to the side door. My hand shook the entire way up to grab the doorknob; Corey’s soft laugh next to me eased some of the growing tension in my mind. We entered into the kitchen where the heavenly smells of my Grandma’s cooking immediately surrounded us. She looked our way and a grin slowly spread, brightening her whole face.
“Perfect timing.” Corey walked to the island in the middle of the room and set down the wine. Gram walked around the counter and drew Corey in for a tight squeeze. He still didn’t release his hold on my hand, maybe because he was convinced I was about to run. Gram held Corey at arm’s length with an approving smile on her face.
“You are going to make a wonderful addition to this family, Corey! I half expected Danielle to one day bring home a dead beat with no job, and no direction.” I scoff.
“Thanks for the faith, Gram.” She pursed her lips, casting a glare at me.
“It wouldn’t surprise me dear, but because that’s how your mother has always been. Beautiful and brilliant woman that made some of the dumbest decisions, and now I don’t even know who she is.”
“I’m not my mother.” Was all I wanted to say. She knew my mom was the last thing I wanted to discuss—ever— especially not after she shanghaied Corey and I to come over for dinner.
“Yes Dolly, I know that. The biggest difference of course is with your mom running my Inn; we were close to going under! With you at the helm that Inn can basically run itself! We’re making a wonderful profit, the staff is happy and every guest I speak with tells me how pleased they were with their experience. You’ve really turned that place around Danielle, and in just the few months you’ve been here.”
By the way Corey tensed up ever so slightly next to me, I realized he came to the same conclusion I did. I’ve done my job at saving the Inn. Now there was nothing keeping me from returning to my job and life in New York. Which has been the plan from the moment I got in the car to make the long drive to Serenity Cove.
So why was the thought of returning home suddenly leaving a bad taste in my mouth?
“Well I’m just happy I could help out.” I forced a smile, which was enough for my Grandma. She went over to inspect the wine Corey brought. Corey looked down into my eyes and mouthed, are you okay? With a smile, I nodded. This was not the time to admit I was anything but okay.
“Go on in and formally introduce Corey to Clay, then come back in here and give me a hand with dinner.”
“Yes, Gram.” We walked into the living room where my Grandpa was focused on some sporting event on the TV. When he saw us he stood and reached his arms out to me, the same way he had done since I was a child. For the first time Corey let my hand go, so I could