He might be a loving father, but in the business world, he could be a tyrant. He wouldn’t be outdone by anyone. He had to have the best and be the best. What it meant was most people feared him, opposed to love him.
But she did love her father. And the last thing she had wanted was to disappoint him. It wasn’t like she loved Ethan, but right now, she knew she disappointed him and it hurt almost as much.
Part of her was glad the lie was over. At least now Ethan knew who she really was. She didn’t need the Potters charity like Ethan did, but that didn’t mean she didn’t appreciate all they had done for her.
Now since she’d gotten to know the Potters, she had a feeling they wouldn’t have treated her any differently. That’s not who they are. However she couldn’t say the same thing about Ethan.
Sitting alone by the fire, she hoped that Ethan would open his door and return. But the minutes turned into hours. She was about to get up and go to her room when Roy came to add wood to the fire.
“No board games tonight?” he asked.
“No.”
“Guess Ethan was tired from the ride. Maybe tomorrow things will be back to normal,” he said.
That wasn’t going to happen. “I’m hoping the roads will be open and I can head home.” Actually being so close to Ethan and him not speaking to her was worse than being miles away.
“I don’t think they will be cleared for a few days. The county doesn’t worry about us up here because we don’t leave much to go down into town.”
“Really? Are you sure?” she asked.
“You can ask Ethan. He’s the one who spoke to the deputy today.”
I don’t think he’s talking to me any longer.“That’s okay. I’m sure you’re right.”
“You don’t seem very happy tonight,” he asked.
“My father called today. Guess it’s just time for me to get back to work.” She wasn’t about to get into all the details with Roy. Not that it mattered at this point. But she had promised Ethan she wouldn’t. Yet she saw no harm in telling Roy some things. “Did I mention that I am from Miami?” She wasn’t sure anymore what she had said and what she didn’t. If she was repeating herself, hopefully they’d tell her. If not, well at least it was a place to start the conversation.
“Do you like it there?”
“I can’t picture myself living anywhere else. Or at least I couldn’t.” That was true, but whether it was the mountain or the people or the combination, she was bonding with this place too. “But I don’t find myself in a rush to get back, if that makes any sense.”
“I’m sure you’ll feel differently when you get back to your own house and sleep in your own bed. And there is so much more to do there, that you won’t know what to do first,” he said.
That was correct. Even in a short time, she knew things wouldn’t be as she left them. Her assistant manager probably was making changes that he had wanted to do and had just been waiting for her to leave. She wasn’t going to be walking back into a cozy life, but instead an argument that was long overdue.
“Miami definitely had a night life. And actually, just as much to do during the day. My father called today and reminded me that I have work piling up.”
Roy patted her hand, “Then I guess it is time for you to return.”
“Yes. I really wish I could stay longer,” Kollette said.
“Our door is always open. All you need to do is come by.”
Kollette knew Roy meant it. Would he be so welcoming if he knew everything that Ethan and she had discussed? She really believed he would. That’s who Roy and Mabel were.
“Thank you Roy. That means a lot to me. And if you and Mabel ever find yourself in Miami, you can stay with me.”
Roy laughed. “In my younger years, I would take you up on that. Now I just want to be here on my mountain.”
“I can see why. This place is…special.”
He shook his head. “No. It’s just trees, grass and dirt. Being here with Mabel is what makes this place special.”
“I really believe if I stayed here for a month, she’d make a chef out of me,” Kollette smiled.
“She is a mighty fine cook, but even if she burned everything, I’d eat it anyway.”