The Inn At Seagrove - Rachel Hanna Page 0,1
a runner.
This push-pull feeling of new motherhood had her stumped. She adored her daughter, but she also wanted to run away. Why was her brain betraying her like this?
Christian walked closer, still keeping his voice barely above a whisper. “Meg, you need sleep. Come to bed.”
She looked up at him. “Don’t push, Christian.”
He nodded slowly and walked out, closing the door behind him. She wondered if he’d leave her soon, maybe even file for custody. She loved him so much, but he didn’t deserve this either. Maybe another woman would raise her child better. Maybe she should’ve done the adoption so Vivi would have a better mother.
As tears rolled down her cheeks like soldiers running straight into battle, she pulled her knees up to her chest and prayed that morning would be here soon.
Dawson pounded the last nail on his new deck overlooking the beach and stood back to look at his handiwork. He wiped his brow and took a long drink from his water bottle. This project had been a labor of love. He hadn’t told anyone about his big plans yet, and he wondered what Julie would think.
“Wow! This looks amazing!” she said from behind him.
“Hey, you,” he said, smiling. It was always a good day when he got to see her. Her life was busier than ever with Meg and the new baby, Colleen back home and working at the bookstore.
He pulled her into a tight hug and kissed the top of her head. She always smelled like strawberries which just happened to be his favorite fruit.
“I missed you,” she said as she looked up at him. It had been a couple of days since they’d seen each other.
“Ditto,” he said, stepping back. “So, you like it?”
She walked around the platform deck. “I love that you didn’t put spindles up because now you have this amazing view of the ocean. I could sit here all day, every day.”
“And you’re always welcome to do just that,” he said with a laugh. He put his arms around her waist from behind and pressed his lips against her neck. “In fact, we could just stay here from now on, and people can come visit us. We’ll have food delivered, and I’ll put a portable toilet right over there.”
She laughed. “I was happy with this plan until you mentioned the toilet. Kind of ruined the moment.”
Dawson was nervous about telling her his news. Maybe she’d think it was a dumb idea or that it would be too time consuming. After all, they were already struggling trying to find more time together.
“Are you ready for a break? We could go into town and get some lunch,” she said.
He scrunched his nose. “I would love to, but I actually have an important meeting in an hour.”
She looked at him quizzically. “Is it a doctor’s appointment? Are you okay?”
He laughed. “Nothing like that. It’s actually with my attorney.”
“Oh.”
“Aren’t you curious why I’m meeting with my lawyer?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I assume you’d tell me if you wanted me to know.”
Dawson smiled. “Well, it just so happens I do want you to know.”
“Okay…”
“The reason I’m working on this deck and all of these other projects is because I’m opening up The Inn at Seagrove.”
Julie’s eyes opened wide as she put her hand over her mouth. “What? Seriously?”
He froze for a moment. Did she think this was a silly idea? Maybe she thought he wasn’t capable enough to run an inn.
“Yes, I’m serious,” he said.
Julie grinned and jumped up and down before hugging his neck tightly. “Oh my goodness! Congratulations, Dawson! That’s so amazing!”
This was one of the things he loved about her. She always supported him no matter what.
He pulled back and looked at her, his hands around her waist. “Really? You’re happy about this?”
She looked at him, confused. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, it’s going to consume a lot of my time, so we might not be able to go out as much. And, to be honest, I thought maybe you’d think I was crazy being a man trying to run an inn.”
She smiled and put her arms around his neck. “Dawson Lancaster, I believe you can do anything, and I support you no matter what.”
“You’re amazing,” he said, kissing the top of her head.
“And I’ll help you in any way you need me,” she said.
Dawson chuckled. “I may just take you up on that. So, have you seen Vivi today?”
He always poked fun at how many times Julie snuck away during the week to