One Snowy Night (Sweet Home, Alaska #1) - Patience Griffin Page 0,93

peered inside. It had had a makeover as well.

“What about putting a microwave, mini fridge, and a coffeemaker in here?” she asked.

“No, not this cabin,” he said firmly. “Meals will be eaten at the lodge.”

“Don’t you think guests will expect those amenities?”

“You’re not a guest. You’re—” He stopped himself, then started again. “Ella is family.”

“Don’t you think, then, that she ought to be able to keep Boomer with her at night?”

That seemed to quash his machismo. “Yes. You’re right. But let me be the good guy and tell her, okay?”

“Sure.”

They stood there for a few moments in awkward silence. Finally, Donovan said, “Are you sure you won’t reconsider and stay at the lodge?”

“We’ll be happy right here,” she said, praying it was true. At least Ella would have Boomer to keep her warm at night.

But what about Hope? Donovan was standing right in front of her. But he wasn’t smiling. He didn’t love her like Boomer loved Ella. He was just glaring at her like Hope had made a big mistake.

Yes, Hope was already regretting her rash decision to move out of the lodge. But that regret was just her heart wanting more from him, which wasn’t going to happen. She’d gotten used to living without him once before. She could do it again.

Chapter 17

AT NOON DONOVAN sat down in his grandfather’s office and opened the security camera app on his computer to see if everything was operational. Everything looked good . . . until he got to the video from the wine cellar.

“Hey, can you . . .” Hope was standing in the doorway. “What’s wrong?”

“Come see for yourself.” She might as well see the truth with her own eyes. “The wine cellar, last night.”

Hope walked in and stood over his shoulder as he replayed it. “What am I looking at?”

“Wait for it.” Donovan watched again as Ella keyed in the security code for the cellar and went in. Less than a minute later, she reemerged with two bottles of wine.

“No. How could she?” Hope whispered. In the next second, she said, “She’s in so much trouble.”

No. She’s a troubled teen. But Donovan didn’t say it. Instead, he reached up and took Hope’s hand. “Can you let me handle it?”

“I’m her mother. It’s up to me to lay down the law.” She sighed. “I don’t want Ella to see you as the enemy. I’ll take the heat.”

He didn’t like it. Didn’t like the worry lines between Hope’s eyebrows. Didn’t want her to go through this alone. He squeezed her hand. “Okay. You can let her know she’s busted. But, Hope, we’re in this together. Tell her that she’s in trouble but let me dish out the consequences.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“She stole from the lodge. It should be me who gives out the punishment.”

“Seriously, Donovan, she’ll never want anything to do with you if you play the heavy.” Hope let go of his hand. “What do you have in mind?”

“Something to help Ella.”

“You’re not going to tell me?”

“I think you should remain in the dark. You don’t want to be complicit, do you? Ella can’t blame you if you don’t know.”

Hope gave him a hard glare. “It better not be corporal punishment! I won’t allow it.”

“Of course it’s not corporal punishment. Nevertheless, she is not going to like it. I know I wouldn’t if I were in her shoes.” Since he’d found out that Ella might have a drinking problem, he’d been thinking about a way to help. Now was his chance.

“I’m just so angry,” Hope said. “Other things, too. When your kid is in trouble, you’re hit with a mixture of embarrassment and heartbreak. And guilt, too.”

He took her hand again, expecting her to jerk away, but she didn’t. “You know, Hope, this isn’t completely her fault. I’m the one who passed my drinking problem to her.” Bad genes. “She inherited a tendency to addiction. But we can give her tools to overcome it.”

“I hear what you’re saying, but it’s hard for me to believe I’m not responsible. I’m the one who raised her. I’ve done the best I can, but our life hasn’t been easy.”

Donovan pulled her in for a hug. “I’m so sorry. I know I’m responsible for that, too.”

For a second, they held each other. He was overwhelmed with emotion and kissed the top of her head, wishing he’d been here to help Hope. Help Ella. For no other reason than he wanted to, he tipped Hope’s face up and kissed her, trying