The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series Read Free Page B

it’s exciting to finally be inside here after all the waiting for the sale to be finalized. And I can’t quit my job yet, I have to earn some money somewhere since I’m not going to be seeing any income from this place for a long time. Once you really get started there probably won’t be as much for me to do, for a while anyway. I can handle my job and this place. Not that I think I owe you an explanation,” she added.
    “Sorry,” he said, his eyes not meeting hers. “It just seems like you’re putting in some pretty long hours, but it’s your business. I need to go over a few things with Cindy before I head out.”
    Susan watched his back as he headed down the hall. What the heck was that? she wondered. She wanted to be angry with him for telling her what to do, but she was touched that he noticed, that he cared. Still, she wasn’t sure what to make of it. She turned it over in her head as she got back to the carpet.
     
    That evening, she brought it up with Sam while they ate dinner. “Who does he think he is, telling me to quit my job, to work less on the house?”
    “I’ve been telling you the same things, Suze.”
    “That’s different.”
    “How?”
    “I don’t know, it just is.” Over the last few hours she had decided she was more angry than touched. She didn’t need anyone telling her what to do or when to do it.
    “Well, I guess he’s just worried about you. You have been putting in some pretty long hours between the shop and the house.”
    “I know, but I just can’t quit yet. Emily needs me at It’s a Lake Thing. Her maternity leave is starting soon and I can’t leave her short-handed. Besides, I’m months away from being able to open the inn and until then I’ll be bleeding money trying to get the place in shape.”
    “I can help you,” Sam said tentatively, as if anticipating Susan’s response.
    “No, you can’t. You’ve already done enough,” Susan answered automatically.
    “I haven’t done that much.”
    “You invested in the B&B, you helped me get the loan, you’ve done more than enough.”
    “Susan, I want to help. I have the money from Granddad. I still don’t think it’s right he left almost everything to me.”
    Susan knew she felt guilty, but wished she wouldn’t. Their grandfather had raised Sam and her brother, Danny, after their parents died. It was only right that the majority of his estate went to Sam, he had been more like a father than a grandfather. If Danny were still alive Susan knew half of what Sam received would have gone to him. As it was, Susan was glad the lake home and most everything else that had been their grandfather’s was now Sam’s.
    “It’s yours, you need to stop feeling guilty. No one worries about it but you, you know.”
    Sam sighed. “I know. Promise me, though, that you’ll tell me if things start getting tight financially. I’m more than willing to help.”
    “I know, and thanks. But let’s change the subject,” Susan said as she bounced with excitement. “How are the wedding plans coming?”
    Sam’s face softened and her eyes took on a dreamy expression. “Oh, Susan, it’s so wonderful but so overwhelming at the same time. I can’t believe all the things I’m supposed to be thinking about. We need to pick a date, find a place for the reception, think about food, music, flowers…I haven’t even looked for a dress.”
    “And I haven’t been much of a maid of honor. I’m sorry, Sam. I’ve been so consumed with the inn I feel like I haven’t helped you at all.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Jake and I were supposed to get serious and hash out some details last night. We didn’t get anywhere. I don’t know why it’s so hard. I’m worried he’s starting to think I’m stalling.”
    Susan studied Sam. Her cousin seemed somewhat lost, unsure, and had been that way since her engagement a couple of months ago. Susan had put it off to excitement, to love, to all the things that go along with getting engaged, but