A Simple Wish About love - Karice Bolton Page 0,58
would have ever happened had you believed me right off the bat. Scott will now be able to carry the cool card into junior high and high school.” He smiled.
“So we have a lot to thank Penny for,” Erika said, smiling.
“Seems to be a pattern in my life.” Slade glanced at Scott. “He’s such a good kid, and I think he’s having the time of his life.”
“I don’t know what it will take to top this when he graduates high school.” Erika grinned, feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted.
“That’s your brother’s car?”
Slade nodded. “His pride and joy.”
“And the company? You really sold it.”
“That’s why I went to Idaho. I wanted my parents’ advice on which offer to take.”
“Why didn’t you tell me any of this?” she asked as he pushed his sunglasses off his face again.
“The timing seemed off. I didn’t want you to think because I’d slept with you, I was suddenly selling all my belongings and coming to Silver Ridge to stalk you.”
She laughed. “Isn’t that what you’re doing?”
“Well, kind of.”
Erika looked into Slade’s beautiful blue eyes, and her world had become peaceful again. The missing piece of her had been found. Her simple wish had been answered.
She wanted to find a man who was capable of loving her more than himself, and she’d found that man.
Slade brought his lips to Erika’s, and she finally let herself believe that her wish had been granted.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Three Months Later
“Don’t you feel the least bit bad about doing this?” Slade asked as all three of them sat in front of Cloudberry Inn.
“Not even a little bit.” Erika shook her head and turned around to wake Scott up in the backseat.
Ever since she found out that Drew had listened to Slade the night he came rolling into town to track her down and apologize, she figured it was payback time. Drew had known of the entire plan for three days.
The Camaro. The famous person. Slade showing up.
And Drew didn’t say a word, so this was absolutely payback.
“This is your last chance to back out,” Slade tried again.
“I promise I’m not going to do anything.” Erika smiled. “I just want to see who this Vera Roberts is. I’m telling ya, Drew had a real thing for her. His eyes got all cloudy when talking about her. He lost his cool demeanor. He was a mess.”
“Then maybe that’s why we shouldn’t be here.” Slade squeezed Erika’s hand.
“Nonsense. I’m not going to interfere. I’m just going to check her out, enjoy the Cloudberry Inn, relax a little, and head back to Silver Ridge.”
Slade laughed. Why don’t I believe you?”
“Because Mom can’t be trusted. She’s a born snooper and story creator.” Scott yawned in the backseat. “Can we get out of the car? My foot’s asleep.”
Erika nodded. “Of course. Let’s get our luggage.”
The Cloudberry Inn was a dream. It wasn’t tulip season at this time of year, but she could imagine what it would be like in spring with brightly colored quilts of flowers dotting the fields surrounding the inn.
The grounds were still beautiful, with perennials sprinkled throughout the garden beds and a wraparound porch inviting guests to sit back and enjoy the view. She could see why the inn was one of the top-rated places to stay in Washington for so many years straight. Silver Ridge always had those awards, too, for their hotel size.
As they made their way inside, she saw a woman who looked exactly like the Vera she saw online. Erika attempted to play it cool and glanced at Slade for support.
“Checking in?” the Vera lookalike asked.
Slade nodded. “We are. Two nights.”
“Yes, we have the two-bedroom suite.” She looked at Erika and smiled.
“Thanks. That’s the one.” Erika grinned and looked up at Slade, who seemed to be taking in the inn.
“Two nights. Your room is 214. Up the stairs and to the right, or you can take the elevator at the end of the hall and take a right instead.”
Scott wandered over to the mammoth fireplace in the center of the lobby. Granite surrounded the roiling flames as Scott stood back to take it in.
“There are drinks in the parlor right now. My name is Vera. I’m available anytime if you need anything at all.”
Erika beamed. She was right. She’d found Vera right where Drew had left her.
“Shall we get drinks?” Slade asked, and Scott smiled.
“Sure. What should we do with our bags?” Erika asked Slade, but Vera answered.
“You can just leave them here, and we’ll make sure