The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,39
to make the investment. It’s a worthwhile project.”
For more reasons than one….
As Jack hung up the phone, Vick ducked his head inside the office. “I thought you’d want to know Colt’s mumbling something about truffle butter under his breath.”
Jack shook his head in bemusement, in too good of a mood to be bothered by his friend’s latest culinary ambitions. “Keep an eye on him. If he starts talking about importing truffles from France, let me know.”
“Will do.” Vick saluted before taking a step backward. Then, he hesitated in the doorway as if contemplating his next words. “Was that phone call about the Windsor place?”
The pen in Jack’s hand stopped spinning. “How’d you hear about that?”
“It’s a small town.” Vick shrugged.
Jack knew that fact all too well, but his brooding, solitary cook usually kept to himself. If Vick knew about the inn, it was only a matter of time before Kat found out, too. And Jack wanted to be the one to tell her, but not until he’d made a little more progress.
“Don’t worry,” Vick told him. “I don’t think your girlfriend knows anything about it.”
Jack’s lips quirked. Girlfriend, huh? Kat was hardly his girlfriend, but he didn’t bother correcting him.
“I overheard a lady talking about it on the phone last night. She stopped by the diner looking for you. When Colt told her you were on a date, she stuck around for dinner. And dessert. I got the feeling she was waiting to see when you’d come back.”
Jack suppressed a heavy sigh, knowing exactly who Vick was talking about. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“About the Windsor place,” Vick continued. “I have some experience with construction, if you need any help.”
Now that Vick mentioned it, Jack remembered seeing something about that on his application when he’d hired him a few years ago. If he recalled, Vick had floated around from job to job after he got out of the military. “That’s right. You worked for Camden Construction, right?”
“Yeah. It’s a family-owned business. Great guys. I’m still friends with the son if you want a referral.”
“You know what, that’d be great.” The sooner he got started on renovations, the better. While he knew Luke would lend his woodworking skills and Reed would handle landscaping, he could use a professional construction crew.
“I’ll give them a call,” Vick offered. “Work is slow during the winter, so they may have some time.”
“Perfect. Thanks.”
Although Vick’s muscular frame filled most of the narrow doorway, Colt managed to poke his head over his shoulder. “Ashley’s here to see you.” His tone complemented his eye roll.
Tossing his pen on the table, Jack stood with a grimace.
Both men gave him sympathetic glances as he squeezed past them.
Ashley waited near the entrance, her sleek, all-black outfit matching her somber expression.
“I heard you’re looking for me,” he said in a friendlier drawl than usual. Kat’s words from last night had reminded him that he wouldn’t get very far living in the past.
“I just wanted to say goodbye before I head back to LA.”
Jack blinked, surprised by the news. “Okay, then. Hope you have a safe flight.”
“Thanks.” She turned toward the door, then glanced back. “Jack,” she said tentatively.
He repressed a groan, worried she wanted to rehash old wounds again. But he stood his ground, resigned to let her speak her mind, then address whatever he needed to in order to help them both move on once and for all.
Her dark eyes softened. “I don’t think you realize how much Lucy looks up to you. The very thought of disappointing… Well, let’s just say it’s not easy for her.”
Taken aback, Jack didn’t respond for several seconds. He hadn’t expected Ashley to bring up Lucy, let alone with so much concern and affection. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I’ll bear that in mind.”
She offered a thin smile. “Merry Christmas, Jack.”
“Merry Christmas, Tanner.”
Her eyes widened, knowing full well that he only called friends by their last name.
This time, she flashed a broad, genuine smile before striding out the front door.
As he watched her go, Jack’s chest expanded, as if letting go of his bitterness had suddenly made more room in his heart.
And he knew exactly how he wanted to fill it.
As Kat’s silver Toyota Corolla coasted along the scenic road leading into town, her heart felt light. Both because the picturesque view had become pleasantly familiar and because Fern’s comforting voice crackled through her car’s Bluetooth.
“I’m so happy you’re enjoying yourself, mija,” Fern said warmly. “Your sister sounds like a wonderful woman.”
“She is,” Kat said