Bed, Breakfast, and You (Brookfield) (9 page)

She squeezed his hand. “I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about sleeping in here and how it would feel.”

Jace knew that would be weird. Anytime he walked into his parents’ bedroom, it was odd. It was one of those rooms that kids pretended didn’t exist because they sure as heck didn’t want to know what
might
be going on in there.

“Jace,” she said softly.

“Yes.”

“When the room is ready, will you do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Spend the night with me. I can’t do this alone. I need you.”

The last words she said pulled at the strings on his heart. “I’ll do anything for you.”

Claire slightly giggled. “I’d kiss you, but that’d be a little awkward on my parents
’ bed.”

He snickered. “I’d have to agree.”

Claire stood and led him out of her parents’ room. As they made their way to the front door of the inn, he knew exactly where they were going.

“Wait,” he said.

They stopped and Claire spun around. “Tell me you aren’t about to put the brakes on this.”

“I’m not. But I need to be honest with you.”

She stared at him, waiting.

“I love you,” he said it so fast he wasn’t sure he actually spoke it.

“You do?”

Jace nodded. “You think I’m crazy, don’t you? But I need you to know how real this is for me.”

Claire wrapped her arms around his waist. “That’s good. Because I’ve been trying to fight these feelings as well, but I can’t. I love you too.”

“Oh God, that’s music to my ears.”

“Now, let’s go express the love in another way.”

Jace scooped Claire up in his arms an
d practically ran out of Honeycreek to her cabin.

Chapter Ten

A few weeks later

Clai
re stood in the foyer of Honeycreek, not able to believe that in just a few days they’d be opening. And even more perfect, a fresh layer of snow had fallen and the weatherman was predicting a few more inches by the weekend.

“Hot chocolate,” Jace said from behind her.

“Ooo, thank you. A nice treat, you bringing me something.”

He grinned. “You won my heart with coffee each morning.”

“I’d like to think I won it other ways.”

“It’s yours. I don’t ever want it back.”

Claire spun around, planting a light kiss on his lips. “I love you.”

“I love you. In fact, I have something else for you.”

“You do?”

“It
’s in my suit pocket. Could you get it?”

She set the hot chocolate down on the table near her and reached into his jacket, pulling out a small black box. “Oh my!” she gasped. “Is this
…?”

As she stared at him, he took her hand. “Claire Stevens, I don’t want to go through life without you. So far our relationship has progressed fast, and I’d like to keep u
p with the pace. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Yes!” She embraced him, not giving him time to even put the ring on.

Once she finally let go, he slid the most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen on her finger. It was a princess-cut diamond with several small diamonds nestled on each side.

Just as
he tilted her head back to kiss her, a knock sounded on the front door.

“Perfect timing.” She giggled.

“Not for me,” he mumbled.

Claire went over and opened the door. A couple she vaguely recognized stood there. “Hi, can I help you?”

“Wow, you’ve grown up, Claire. I’m sure you don’t remember us. We used to stay here every winter and loved it. When your parents closed in the winters, we were so sad, but even more saddened to hear of their loss. We heard Honeycreek was reopening. We want to book a weekend as soon as possible,” the older woman said.

“Wow. That is great. Come on in
side out of the cold and we’ll get you all booked.” Claire was ecstatic to have someone who wanted to stay there.

As she went over the details with Mr. and Mrs. Adams, she stole a few glances at Jace, who sat beside her, holding her hand under the table.
This man gave her all the courage she needed. With him by her side, she could tackle anything.

The End

About Lacey Wolfe

Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true.
Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.

www.laceywolfe.com

Email Lacey Wolfe:
[email protected]

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Brookfield Series

Finding Home (Continue reading for a preview)

Bare Necessities

The Brookfield Series – Volume 1 (Includes Finding Home and Bare Necessities)

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At the Beach – Volume 1

Holiday Kisses

Finding Home – The story that started the Brookfield Series

Available Now!

Chapter One

Welcome to Brookfield, Wyoming. We hope you enjoy your visit.

Julie Miller rolled her eyes as she passed the sign that welcomed her back to her hometown. It had been a long time since she’d been back. It was one of those places that never changed, and its people would take you back anytime with their arms wide open.

As she drove down Main Street, she took note the town was almost the same. Just a fresh coat of paint on many of the stores. The street lights that lit the darkened streets had all been replaced and now had a more modern look to them.

It was a ghost town though. Then again, what did she expect? It was eleven at night, and this was the small town of Brookfield. Nothing stayed open late. Everyone was probably home, nestled up warm in their beds. She had debated on going straight to her mother’s house, but she was coming unannounced. It would be best to arrive in the morning.

At the stop sign, Julie took a right onto Steeple Lane and headed toward Honeycreek Bed and Breakfast. She pulled up to the beautiful house. The front porch was lit up. It was as if they knew she was coming. As she shut off the car, she sat a moment to compose herself. Returning here was more difficult than she’d expected. Soon everyone would be asking questions about why she was here and, even if she could avoid answering, they would all be able to see why.

Julie placed her hand on her belly. A tear trickled down her cheek as she remembered.

Pacing back and forth across the bathroom, Julie waited. Deep down she knew what that stick was going to say, but all she could do was pray it wouldn’t. As if she even had that control at this point. What was done was done, and there was no changing it.

The timer on her cell phone went off. Biting her bottom lip, she turned toward the test. It was time to find out if what she feared was true. She had laid the box over the stick, and she now had to remove it to see if it would confirm her fear. As her arms shook, she pushed the box aside and stared down at the results.

“Shit,” she said. “I’m pregnant.”

Well, she had no other choice now. She was over three months late, and she had to tell Jeremy. She was scared to tell him. They’d never discussed children. Things were getting serious between them. She had just recently moved into his apartment since she was here all the time anyway.

She found him in the living room like usual.

“Jeremy,” Julie said softly, feeling a lump in her throat.

“Huh?” he responded.

“We need to talk.”

“Right now?”

“It’s important,” she said, starting to feel frustrated.

“Fine. What?” he snapped and then muted the TV. He turned toward her in his recliner.

She took a deep breath and blurted out, “I’m pregnant.”

“You’re what?” His voice was loud now.

“Please don’t make me say it again.”

“This is just great! I move you in here, and you get yourself knocked up.” He shook his head, now noticing the test in her hand. “You’re going to have to take care of that.”

Julie hoped he wasn’t asking her to do what she thought he was. “You don’t mean…” she said.

“Damn right, I do. I don’t want to be a father.”

“What if I don’t want to do that?”

He pointed toward the door.

“I have to leave?” Julie couldn’t believe what was happening.

Jeremy didn’t say anything to her. He turned the volume back up on the TV and returned to his show. Julie stood there, dumb-founded. Was this really happening? Not only had her life been turned upside-down by an unexpected pregnancy, but her boyfriend had just told her to have an abortion or leave.

Doing her best to hold it together, Julie went back to the bedroom. She had a decision to make.

And here she was. She had chosen the baby. Jeremy hadn’t even given her a second glance as she’d left.

She grabbed her small suitcase from the back of her car and then headed in to check into Honeycreek Bed and Breakfast. As she stepped up the stairs, the front door opened, and Claire Stevens greeted her.

“Julie Miller, is that really you?” Claire said.

“It’s me.” Julie smiled, hugging the woman in front of her. “What are you doing here?”

“You’re looking at the owner.”

“I heard the news, and I’m sorry about your loss.”

“Thanks.” Claire paused a moment, and Julie wondered if the pain was still fresh. “So, tell me, what brings you here?” Claire asked.

“I need a place to crash for the night, so I’m hoping you have a vacancy,” Julie said.

“You’re in luck. Come on in, and let’s get you settled. You must be tired after that long drive from New York.”

Julie followed the petite blonde inside. It was warm and felt like a home away from home, which she was sure was just how Claire wanted her guests to feel.

Claire fiddled around behind the desk then came over, dangling a key in front of Julie. “I’ll show you to your room.”

“Do you need a credit card or something before I check in?” Julie reached into her purse.

“Your night’s on me.” Claire smiled. “There’s a story as to why you’re home, and I want to know it.”

If only you knew.
“Well, thanks. I appreciate it.”

Claire opened the door to the room Julie would stay in. Julie glanced around, taking in the beautifully decorated room. The furniture was all made of dark wood. The bed had a gorgeous quilt and tons of pillows. Ah, the pillows. She yawned, ready to snuggle in. The last few days had been long and tiring.

“I can see you’re tired. So I won’t get the details tonight, but we will play catch-up soon,” Claire said.

“Definitely.”

“Breakfast in the morning?”

Julie shook her head. “I think I’m going to get up early and head out to Mom’s. Looking forward to her cooking.”

A mischievous smile crossed Claire’s face, and she looked as if she had something to say, but Julie was too tired to figure out what.

“Well, get some rest. Holler if you need anything.” Claire shut the door behind her as she left.

Kicking her shoes off, Julie wasted no time getting out of her clothes and climbing into the fluffy bed. Turning off the lamp, she pulled the covers up and nestled in. Without even a second thought, she drifted off and had one of the best nights of sleep she’d had in a long time.

* * *