Six Hours Away Read online

  “No, I’m fine. Now that the electricity is on, I’m good. I’ll be glad when the cell service quits cutting out.”

  “Hopefully it will be back to normal soon. We’ll keep dropping in on you until it does.”

  “You don’t need to. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  Lillian shook her head. “Like you were fine at the historical society when that bookcase fell? Just let me do this. I’ll feel better.”

  Etta threw up her hands and laughed. “Okay, you win. And I really do appreciate it.”

  “Okay, I’m heading back to the inn. You got your phone near you in case the cell service comes back?”

  “I do.”

  “Okay, I’ll check on you later.” Lillian hurried outside, glad that Etta was doing okay. She worried about her living alone like that. Especially after her incident during the storm. But she also didn’t want to hover and make Etta feel like she wasn’t capable.

  When Sara had hovered over her after her fall earlier this year, it had made Lillian a bit crazy. She wasn’t an old lady and didn’t want to be treated like one. She figured Etta felt the same way. Age was just a number… and she never planned on being ruled or defined by it.

  Chapter 21

  Zoe found Sara hauling the beach chairs from the lower storage area back to the beach area. “Sara, let me help you.”

  Sara paused and set down a chair. “That would be great. I told Aunt Lillian I’d haul these back out.”

  They made multiple trips, back and forth, until she thought she’d never be able to take another step. Who knew providing beach chairs at the inn was so much work?

  Sara sank onto a chair. “I need a break.”

  Zoe plopped down on a chair next to her. “Thank goodness. I was wearing out.”

  “These storms are a lot of work, aren’t they?”

  “I know. All this work to prepare, then all this work to put everything back like it was.” She reached down and scooped up a handful of sand and let it sift through her fingers.

  “Noah’s house came through okay. Just a bit of damage to one corner of the roof.”

  “So, it’s still Noah’s house, huh? When are you going to start thinking of it as your house, too?” Zoe teased.

  Sara laughed. “I should. It’s just a hard habit to break. It’s not like Noah hasn’t said I can change anything and make it more mine.”

  “I’m sure it’s hard to adjust to living with someone and moving into a place that was his.”

  “I actually thought it would be harder than it was. Noah is… well, he’s the best.”

  “I’ll agree with you on that.” She scooped up another handful of sand.

  “So, are you going to move back to the house? You don’t have to stay at the inn, you know.”

  “I know.”

  Sara stared at her and a small smile played at the corners of her lips. “But you like staying here while Mason is here, don’t you?”

  She let out a long breath. “I… do.”

  “So, you like him?”

  She turned and looked out at the water, trying to find the right words. “I do care about him. It’s silly. I haven’t known him that long. But I feel like I really know him.” She shrugged. “That he knows me. That he really sees me. How can that happen so quickly?”

  Sara shook her head. “I don’t know. Sometimes your heart just has its own timeline.”

  “I guess.”

  “Have you told him how you feel?”

  Zoe leaned back on the chair. “No, of course not. I mean… it’s so soon. And he’s leaving to go home. And… well, it would be better if I just keep quiet and not complicate things.”

  “I think it’s always better to tell the truth. Who knows? Maybe he feels the same way.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “At least think about it.” Sara got up. “I should get back to work.”

  She stood. “I’m coming.” She gave one last longing glance at the chair and followed Sara back to the storage room.

  Mason looked up from where he was bundling fallen palm branches to drag them to the street to be picked up later by the town. Zoe came walking across the grassy area, a smile on her face.

  His breath caught at the sight of her. Her hair whipped around in the breeze that had picked up and she caught it with one hand as she crossed the distance. One delicate hand, with those long fingers of hers that he loved to lace with his own.

  How had he let her get under his skin so quickly? She walked up to him and he grabbed her hand, glancing around briefly. When he didn’t see anyone, he kissed her quickly, though he wanted to linger there. Kiss her again. And maybe again. But he resisted. Kind of. One more quick kiss.

  “Well, that’s a nice hello.” Her mouth played in a smile and her eyes sparkled.

  And her eyes. He could get lost in those eyes.

  And when had he become some kind of romantic fool?

  “Let me help you,” she offered.

  “You don’t need to. You could just sit and keep me company.”

  “No, I want to help. I’ll go get those branches over there.” She pointed to a tree a short distance away.

  He knew better than to argue with her, so he nodded. He watched her walk away, her long, tanned legs stretching out with each stride. A gust of wind tossed her hair again, and she grabbed at it, holding it in one hand. She leaned over to pick up a palm branch and he watched her every move.

  He really should get back to work, but he couldn’t resist watching her. Staring at her, really. A funny flip of his heart didn’t help things. She wove some kind of spell over him.

  He leaned down to pick up a branch at his feet, and as he straightened, his heart started pounding. Was that tree… falling? Headed right in Zoe’s direction? “Zoe, watch out.”

  He dropped the branch and sprinted toward her, watching in shock as a nearby palm tree began to tilt next to her. “The tree,” he shouted as loudly as he could, waving his arms to get her attention.

  She turned to glance at him and then whirled back around, seeing the tree, her arms raised above her.

  Her scream tore at his very soul.

  “Zoe.”

  He raced the final steps. “Zoe.” He dug through the palm fronds, clearing them away until he saw her face. “Zoe.” She lay there, her eyes closed, blood across her forehead.

  She opened her eyes. “Well, that was… scary.”

  “Are you okay?” She wasn’t. There was blood.

  “I think so.”

  He dug around in the foliage, moving back branches. The main trunk had barely missed crushing her. She was just covered with the top branches. At least she hadn’t been crushed. He thought he might faint then as the relief swelled through him. Some hero he was. All he could think was he could have lost her.

  “Let me get you out of there.” He bent back branches and tore at them, clearing the way.

  She reached out a hand and he took it in his. Firmly. He didn’t ever want to let her go. She scrambled to her feet and landed against him. He wrapped her in his arms and held her tightly.

  He could hear voices calling in the distance, but he ignored them. Ignored everything but this woman in his arms. He pulled back slightly and gently swept her hair away from her face. “Are you okay?”

  “I am. I think I am. It just… wow.” She gave him a weak smile.

  His father came racing up to him. “I looked out and saw the tree down. Saw Mason digging through it. Are you okay?” His dad frowned. “No, you’re not. You’re bleeding.”

  “I am?” Zoe looked down at the blood on her shirt.

  “We need to get you checked out.” Mason carefully looked her over. “It’s here. There’s a gash on your arm.”

  Zoe looked at her arm. “Well, there is.”

  “Come on, let’s take her inside.” His dad motioned toward the inn.

  Mason wrapped an arm firmly around Zoe’s waist and they slowly made their way inside. With each step, he told himself to calm down. Tha
t she was okay. But he couldn’t help but notice the tremble in his hands as he carefully supported her along the walkway.

  Chapter 22

  Zoe thought she might scream if everyone didn’t stop hovering over her. She knew they meant well, but she was okay. Really. As she kept telling them.

  She looked up to see Noah rushing in through the main door.

  “Zoe, Lil called. Are you okay?” Her uncle raced over and sank to his knees in front of her.

  “I’m fine.” See, she would just keep repeating it until someone believed her.

  “What’s that?” He eyed the bandage on her arm.

  “It’s just a little cut.”

  “It’s not so little,” Lillian contradicted her. “But I cleaned it up and bandaged it for her.”

  “Does she need to see Dr. Harden?” Noah’s brow creased.

  “No. I don’t,” Zoe insisted.

  “Lillian said a tree fell on you?” Noah scanned her slowly, carefully.

  “It mostly missed me.” She shrugged.

  “Well, I’ve come to take you home.”

  “Nah, all my stuff is here. I’m fine.” Her voice was a tad bit shakier than she’d like.

  “I’ll collect your things. Or you can come back later and get them. You’re coming home with me.” Noah’s voice didn’t hold any room for argument.

  But she didn’t want to leave. She looked over at Mason who gave her a nod. What did that nod mean? That he wanted her to stay? That she should leave with Noah?

  “I’ll get her things and bring them over. How about that?” Mason offered.

  Ah, he was fine with her leaving. Okay, then. Perfect. That’s fine. Really it was. He didn’t care if she left… on what might be their last day together.

  Noah reached out and helped her up. “That would be great. Thanks.” He turned to Lillian. “And thank you so much for getting her all bandaged up.”

  She stood by herself, annoyed that she still felt a bit shaky. “I’m fine,” she lied to herself as well as everyone else. She gritted her teeth. She was fine. Just a bit battered and bruised. And a bit tired. It wasn’t every day she had a tree fall on her.

  “I’ll help you out.” Mason stepped forward, concern coloring his eyes.

  “I’ve got her,” Noah said brusquely as he took her uninjured arm.

  She gave Mason a smile that she hoped said she was fine and leaned against Noah—just a tiny bit—as they walked out of the inn.

  Mason packed up Zoe’s things, carefully folding the clothes she’d tossed randomly on a chair. He smiled as he did it. The woman just didn’t grasp the concept of orderly whereas he was methodical and organized to a fault. But it was just one more thing that he found adorable about her.

  Gathering up the things she’d left in the bathroom—scattered all over the counter—he walked out and glanced around the bedroom, making sure he’d gotten everything. With one last look, he went back to the main room of the suite.

  The emptiness of the space stifled him. He missed seeing Zoe here. Her laugh, her smile, her teasing. Even her mess. But it was better she was back with her uncle. It had been plain to see how worried Noah was about her, and he didn’t blame him. He’d been so worried about Zoe, too. When that tree had started to fall and he’d seen Zoe standing there… his heart had just about stopped.

  He shook the thoughts away.

  He’d really, really wanted to ask her to stay here at the suite. Just one more night. But that would have been selfish. She’d had quite an ordeal and needed her family. He stepped out of the suite and closed the door firmly behind him.

  He got downstairs with Zoe’s things and ran into his dad.

  “Get everything?”

  “I hope so. I’m going to head over to Zoe’s and give them to her.”

  His dad nodded. “Then what?”

  “Then I need to head back to Seattle. I’ve already called the pilot. I leave in the morning. I’ve been away too long. I really need to get back.”

  His dad frowned, chewed his lip, then let out a long sigh. “Things are pretty much under control here. I’m coming with you, son. Need to talk to the Board of Directors.”

  And what would his father be telling the board? Was he coming back to run the company? Or was he going to stay here on the island? His father’s face didn’t give him a clue, but he figured his dad would tell him when the time was right.

  He nodded. “Okay, sounds good.”

  After driving over to Noah’s house, he parked in front of it and sat in the car for a few minutes, steeling himself. Readying himself to say goodbye to Zoe. And this time, he meant it. He wasn’t going to be turning around at the airport and heading right back. He’d run out of excuses. And he had responsibilities to the company. It was time.

  He climbed out of the car and trudged up to the front door. Noah opened it and let him in. “She’s tired. She needs some rest. I don’t think you should stay long.”

  Mason nodded.

  “She’s in the back sunroom.” Noah pointed through the main room.

  Mason walked slowly across the space, each step dragging him down. Smothering him. But he put on a cheerful—if fake—smile when he entered the sunroom. “Hey there.”

  Zoe looked up at him and smiled. That smile. The one that took his breath away and drove him a bit crazy. And he wanted to kiss those lips, but he was well aware that Noah was just steps away, hovering near.

  “I brought your things.” He set her belongings on a chair.

  “That was nice of you.”

  “I hope I got everything.”

  “If not, I’ll go back and get anything you missed.”

  Simple conversation, if a bit inane, as he stalled, unwilling to tell her what he’d really come to say.

  She looked up at him and her brow wrinkled. And he sensed the exact moment that she knew already.

  “You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Her eyes held a cloak of sadness.

  “I am. I need to get back to Seattle. Dad’s going with me. We’re leaving first thing in the morning.”

  She nodded slightly. “Well, your job is there. I knew you’d have to leave soon.”

  She scooted up on the couch and he sat down beside her. “I’m going to miss you, Zoe.”

  “I’ll miss you too. These couple of weeks… they’ve been…” She looked down at her hands, not finishing her sentence.

  He glanced out of the sunroom, not seeing Noah, and took her hand in his. “These weeks have been wonderful. I really enjoyed spending time with you. I wish…” He looked directly into her eyes. “I wish things were different.”

  “But they aren’t.” Her voice was low.

  “No, they aren’t.”

  “Do you think you’ll come back to visit… visit the island?”

  “Probably. I’m not sure how often I can get away, though.” He gave her a weak smile. “But I’m just a mere six-hour flight away from here.”

  Noah came walking into the room and Mason dropped Zoe’s hand. “Here, Zoe, I brought you some tea.” He set the teacup on the coffee table. “You should rest.”

  Mason took his clue. “I should go then.” He stood.

  “Uncle Noah, can you give us a minute?”

  Noah nodded and left the sunroom, though Mason could hear him rustling around in the adjoining room.

  “You take care of yourself, Zoe Birch.”

  She nodded.

  He leaned down and kissed the side of her cheek, turned, and walked out of the room, knowing that if he kissed her lips, if he said anything more, that he’d never be able to make himself leave.

  Zoe watched Mason leave and reached a hand up to touch her cheek where he’d kissed her. Then she touched her lips. The lips she’d hoped he’d kiss just one more time.

  A lone tear trailed down her cheek and she did nothing to wipe it away. Its hot path down her cheek just reminded her of what she already was missing. And he hadn’t even left the island yet.

  Noah poked his head in. “You ok
ay?”

  “I will be.” She reached for the tea and tried to put on a more cheerful expression. She was fine.

  “So, he’s leaving?”

  “He is. Has to get back to Seattle.”

  Noah crossed over to her. “I… I was afraid you were going to get hurt. You’ve fallen for him. Haven’t you?”

  She looked into the teacup, then back at her uncle. “A bit.”

  Noah scowled. “He should have left you alone instead of hanging around you every minute he was in town. He knew he was leaving.”

  “Noah, I love you for caring, but just… I enjoyed spending time with him. I had fun. It was an incredible few weeks.”

  “I just hate seeing you hurt.”

  “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”

  Noah snorted a laugh. “As if that will ever happen.” He turned to leave. “I’ll let you rest. Call out if you need me.”

  She settled back on the couch, sipping the tea and trying to imagine what her life would be like now that Mason was gone.

  And she didn’t really like the picture she saw. But there was nothing she could do about it. It was life. Life threw curves and the best a person could do was learn to adapt to them.

  Chapter 23

  Lillian watched Gary pack early the next morning. He’d put on dress slacks and a button-down long-sleeve shirt. He’d tucked a tie in his carry on. So different than the shorts, t-shirts, and sandals she was used to seeing. This was Gary the business owner. Gary the CEO.

  “You sure you’re going to be okay here? You’ve got the re-opening under control?” His forehead creased with worry.

  “I do. And Jay and Robin will help with what’s left. I’ll be fine.”

  “I still feel bad leaving you to deal with the rest of it.” He straightened and looked at her. “But I’ve left this hanging long enough. And since Mason has the jet heading back today, it seemed like now was a good time.”

  “You’re going to tell them you’re coming back as CEO, aren’t you?” She got up and rested her hand on his arm.