followed the rules and took his responsibilities seriously, and he expected the people he let into his sphere to do the same. I’d betrayed his trust. I was determined to prove myself to him. The two of us uniting in a cause near and dear to my heart—finding Lanie—would be good for the bro-hood.
I turned back to packing my clothes, cramming as much stuff as I could into the suitcase, barely folding it. I shut the suitcase, placed it near the front door, and went in search of Steele. He was still packing, everything perfectly folded and tucked neatly into his suitcase in typical Steele fashion.
I pointed at the large cooler sitting in the hallway. “What the fuck is that for?”
“Food. You’re cooking because I’m not. And beer.”
I almost smiled, feeling better than I had in a month. I was taking action to find Lanie, rather than moping around. I was healing the wounds caused by my stupidity, and I was doing the right thing, for once.
I’d find her, and I’d insist she tell me what was going on and why she ran.
Chapter Four
Not So Alone
~~Delaney~~
I handed the room keys to the middle-aged couple I’d just checked in and smiled at them.
“Do you have any questions? Or requests?”
“No, we’re good. Thank you so much. You’ve been very helpful,” the wife said, beaming at her husband. He grinned back at her and put his arm on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. My heart stalled for a beat or two. Kaden used to put his arm around me like that, too.
I watched the couple walk away and up the stairs with sadness for what might’ve been. There wasn’t an hour in the day Kaden didn’t cross my mind, along with my left-behind friends and family. I didn’t know how long I dared stay at this charming B and B, but I knew my stay here wasn’t permanent. I enjoyed the job, even though I’d never done any cleaning beyond cleaning my DC condo. The work was strenuous and freeing. I would play games with myself to see how quickly and efficiently I was able to clean each room, and I added special touches such as flowers from Mandy’s rose garden and pitchers of ice water. Little things meant a lot. This much I was able to salvage from my past.
I’d been one of those friends who always remembered a birthday with a written card and personal gift. I’d made a point, no matter how busy, to be there for a friend in need. I strived to be the best person I could be, honest, kind, and responsible. I’d been driven by causes much larger than me, and I’d relished every minute I spent helping others.
In some ways, this job allowed me to help others, whether it was making sure each room was spotless or taking a little extra time conversing with a lonely guest. I’d always held myself to the same high standards as my father—the same father who’d asked me to lie under oath. Just like that, my momentary good mood faded as I labored to come to terms with the father I’d idolized and the flawed man he truly was.
I heard a car pull up outside and craned my neck to see out the window. We weren’t expecting any more guests this evening as far as I knew. The low, sleek metallic black sports car parked near the walk to the front door. My eyes grew wide and every cell in my body urged me to run either away or toward the driver.
I knew that car, and I knew the long-legged, hard-bodied man striding toward the front door. In fact, I knew him and that body intimately. I froze, my feet rooted to the floor, unable to plan my next move.
He was here. Drew Delacorte had suspected something and told him. Part of me wasn’t surprised, the same part that sang with joy at the sight of him. My more practical side screamed for me to run. Self-preservation was my number one priority. Panic prodded my feet into action. I spun around and exited the lobby. Willing myself to sound calm despite the storm brewing inside, I found Mandy straightening up in the living area. “Could you take over the front desk for a few minutes? I have to use the bathroom.”
Mandy glanced up, smiling, and did a double take. The expression on my face must have clued her in. I hadn’t done a good job of masking my