Master of the Inn(30)

“Leave.” He pointed to the door. “Don’t come back. There’s nothing here for you.”

“I hope you get everything you deserve.” She ran out of the room, slamming the front door on her way to her car.

Logan pulled on his pants and hurried down the steps. Elyse’s keys were still on the hook behind the front desk. He looked out the window and saw her car in the driveway. She was still here.

“Elyse!” He yelled throughout the downstairs, but she didn’t answer. “Elyse! Answer me.”

Panic ruled his every move. Even if he did find her, would she believe him? Had her trust in him been shattered? Could he make her understand that what she thought she saw wasn’t the truth?

He checked the kitchen, but she wasn’t there either. Where would she go? He thought for a moment. He remembered the way her face lit up when she wanted to have lunch out in the woods.

Is that gazebo out by the trails still there?

You remember that old thing?

It had so much character. I used to dream I’d get married under it.

Logan pulled on his work boots at the back porch and headed to the trails. He’d make her understand. He had no other choice.





Chapter Eleven



Elyse ran out of the house so fast she didn’t take time to put on a jacket or grab her car keys. She regretted her haste now that a light snow blanketed the ground. A chill ran through her body as the howling wind hit her face. Ice cold tears slid down her cheeks.

She made her way to the old gazebo, taking refuge underneath it. She recalled with clarity the afternoon she and Logan ate lunch there. He hadn’t wanted her to return to New York because he said he didn’t want her to be away from him. She believed him when he said he’d never hurt her. How could he have…?

She stopped and thought for a moment. When she walked in on Logan and Cora, he wore nothing but a towel. His hair was damp and his skin still wet from the shower.

That sneaky bitch.

Cora must have taken him by surprise. Logan knew Elyse was on her way back to the inn. Did he really think so little of their relationship that he’d take another woman to the bed they shared knowing she was on her way home?

“Elyse!” Logan ran toward her. “Thank God you’re here.”

He stepped inside the gazebo shaking out the snowflakes that had accumulated in his thick brown hair. “You need to listen to me.”

“No, I don’t.” She held up her hand to stop him because she didn’t need to hear his explanation.

“Yes,” he yelled. “You do. What you saw with Cora – it isn’t what you think.”

“I know.”

“She was in our room when I…” He stopped and stared at her, confusion flooded his expression. “You know?”

She nodded.

“Why did you run?”

“I didn’t realize it right away. I was shocked when I saw the two of you together. It looked really bad.”

“I would never do that to you. I don’t want anyone else. You’re the only woman for me.”

She wiped the tears from her face. “It hurt seeing you with her like that. I thought you…”

He pulled her into his embrace. Despite the weather, his warm body comforted her. Maybe it was the way he made her feel – safe and secure – but he would always be home for her.

“Never,” he whispered. “I would never betray you. I had this special evening planned. I wanted to tell you – things.”

“What things?” She shivered against his chest.

“Let’s go inside. You’re freezing.”

“Tell me.” She looked up at him. “I need to hear what you were going to tell me. I need you to erase the image of her in your arms.”

“It wasn’t like that. Please, you have to believe me.”

“I do, but I still thought it.” Elyse trusted Logan, but the image of a naked Cora in his bed haunted her. “I want to hear what you have to say.”

“Fine.” He sat down on the bench and pulled her into his lap. “I wanted to tell you I’m having my attorney draw up papers putting your name on the inn along with mine. I want you to be my partner.”

“What? Why would you do that?”

“Because I can’t do this without you. I’ve assumed that you’d stay with me and help me run it, but I never officially asked you.”

She didn’t know what to say. He had stunned her. Of course she wanted to stay and help him. “Your partner?”

“In every sense of the word, cupcake. Will you stay with me forever?”

“What are you asking?”

“We’ll need to have a wedding out here after I restore this old thing.” He nodded up at the gazebo. “Will you marry me here this summer?”