Love at Last (Last Frontier Lodge #2) (13 page)

Don glanced through the archway into the restaurant. Delia stood by a table chatting with customers. Don turned back to Garrett. “Does Delia know you might be staying for a while?”

Garrett shrugged. “As much as I know about it. She knows I planned to be here at least a month or more. Once I know more, she’ll be the first to know.”

Don nodded slowly. “Got it. It’s up to Delia, but be careful about what you say to Nick. He’d love to have a father. He doesn’t need to get confused.”

Garrett’s throat tightened. “I know. I’d never do anything to confuse him.”

The click of heels carried in their direction. Delia was walking their way.
 

Don caught his eyes briefly. “Hope you understand why I said something,” he said gruffly.

Garrett nodded swiftly and turned away as Delia walked behind the desk. Her blue eyes bounced between her father and him. If she sensed anything, she elected to ignore it. “Dad, how late you plan on staying tonight? Did you need some leftovers for dinner?”

Don grinned. “Nick’s probably got a full belly by now. He’s been grazing in the kitchen long enough. I’ll grab something and head out. You’ll be working late, I suppose.”

“I’ll be here at least until we shut down. It’s Friday, so that means a late night at the bar.”

Don pushed away from the desk. “We’ll leave through the back. Catch you tomorrow,” he said with a wave before nudging the swinging door to the kitchen with his shoulder.

Chapter 12

Garrett came awake slowly. The room was dark with only the soft light from the bathroom splashing across the bed. Delia lay beside him, her legs tangled with his. He stroked a hand down her back and curled it over her hip. He wanted nothing more than to fall back asleep with her, but he knew she wanted to get up and drive through the dark, so she could be home for Nick in the morning. He listened to the rhythmic sound of her breathing. He allowed himself a few moments of luxury, of simply laying at her side, savoring the rise and fall of her breath and her lush curves warm against his side.

He gently rocked her shoulder. “Delia,” he whispered.

“Hmm?” she mumbled.

“It’s one-thirty. You said you wanted to get up before two to drive home.”

She lifted her head from his shoulder, her hair a rumpled mess. “It’s already one-thirty?” Her voice had more strength.

“Sorry to say, but now it’s…” He paused and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. The numbers glowed bright green, mocking him with their clarity. He turned back to her and brushed her hair out of her face. “…one-thirty two to be precise.”

She groaned and let her head fall back to his shoulder. He chuckled and stroked her back in slow circles. “Fine with me if you want to stay, but I don’t think that’s what you want.”

Oddly enough, there was a time when he’d have considered himself crazy to date a single mother. Too complicated, too many needs to consider. With Delia, though he desperately wanted to sleep through the night and wake in the morning with her, he didn’t question the fact that she needed to go home. If it weren’t for her father, who could put Nick to bed and be there for him at any point, Garrett wouldn’t even blink at the fact that it would mean a rather long wait before she ever fell asleep at his side. He knew it was important to her to be there for Nick in the morning, so he’d make sure she was there. His own wants and needs took a backseat.

She lifted her head again. “Okay then. I’m getting up,” she announced firmly.

When she didn’t move, he chuckled. “Is this you getting up?”

“This is me working up the energy to get up.”

He felt her smile in the darkness. He leaned up and caught her lips in a kiss before kicking the covers back and sitting up. “Let’s do this. I’ll walk you out.”

Once again, he watched her drive away in the cold, dark night. There were no northern lights shimmering in the sky tonight, only a panorama of stars glittering in the inky darkness. The sound of her tires rolling across the snow-packed drive slowly faded. An owl hooted softly from the trees nearby. He took several deep breaths—the air was so cold and clean here, it was as if he could drink it in and cleanse himself inside and out.

Hours later, he sat at the kitchen table and turned on his laptop. As promised, he was checking his work email. He could tell Elaine was pruning for him. As his assistant, she had access to his email. Without her, he’d have expected hundreds of emails, yet there were only about twenty flagged for his attention. He quickly skimmed them and replied as needed to a few. Elaine had also conveniently sent him a summary of matters of concern. To this day, he didn’t know how he’d manage without her relentlessly efficient support. He clicked on his work cell and checked his messages. He’d left Carlton a message the other day just as he’d promised Elaine. Carlton had left a return message—demanding and pushy as Garrett expected.

Garrett tapped to return Carlton’s call and waited.

“It’s about damn time.”

Carlton wasn’t one for niceties, so Garrett didn’t bother with them when he was dealing with Carlton.

“I already left you a message, Carlton. What else are you waiting for?”

“I will not be working with Ms. Brooks. That’s unacceptable. I hired your firm to have you handle all of my cases.”

Garrett took a breath. This conversation was strangely calming. Carlton represented everything he didn’t like about corporate law—he was entitled, arrogant and cared little for the needs of anyone other than himself and the bottom line.

“Working with Ms. Brooks is the only option you have right now. As I’m sure Elaine explained to you, I’m currently unavailable due to a family situation and don’t have a time frame for my return.”

Carlton sputtered. Garrett could actually picture his face reddening.

“Well, I may have to take my business elsewhere if that’s the case.”

Carlton’s reply was exactly what Garrett expected. Carlton thought he was playing a poker game and was waiting for Garrett’s next move. He’d yet to learn any lessons from the various legal firms that had allowed him to take his business elsewhere. He was a high maintenance client who tended to argue about everything, billing included. At one time, Garrett would have thrived on playing this imaginary game of poker. Right now, he simply didn’t care about the outcome, which strengthened every move he made.

“You can do whatever you need to do, Carlton. Please notify Elaine of your decision by the end of next week. Ms. Brooks’ availability will be limited after that.”

He didn’t wait for Carlton’s reply and ended the call. His phone immediately began ringing again. He turned it off and put it back in the bottom of his duffel bag. He glanced around to find his personal phone. Spying it on the counter, he snagged it and called Elaine. She picked up immediately.

“Hello, Garrett. How are you today?”

“Just fine. Talked to Carlton a few minutes ago. He has until the end of next week to let you know what his plans are.”

“What are his options?”

“Work with Olivia, or take his business elsewhere.”

Elaine chuckled. “Excellent. I’ll let you know when I hear from him. Did you get my email?”

“I did. Anything else I need to know?”

“Of course not. Any updates on when you’ll be back?”

The sense of temporary relief he’d felt after his call with Carlton was followed with a knot of tension and uncertainty. He knew he’d have to give an answer soon, but he wasn’t quite ready. He also knew his answer would involve going to Seattle and making a decision there. Whatever lay between him and Delia muddied his thoughts so much that he couldn’t think clearly when he was near her.

Alaska, Diamond Creek, and the Last Frontier Lodge also represented layer upon layer of something he was seeking. He wasn’t quite sure he could see through the haze without going back to the place he once thought had been his center.

He took a deep breath and replied to Elaine. “I don’t have a firm date, but it should be within the month.”

***

Delia carefully straightened the silverware and placemat. After they were perfectly situated, she flipped through the menu. She was restlessly waiting for Helen to arrive at the Boathouse. Her phone chirped, indicating a text had arrived. She flipped her phone over on the table. Marley was checking in.

What time is your lunch date?

Now.

Okay then. Don’t forget it’s your decision. Call me when you’re done.

Will do.

She’d run into Marley this morning after the breakfast crowd had thinned out. Marley had given her a mini pep talk before Delia headed out to meet Nick’s grandmother. Right behind Marley, Garrett had swung through her office and nudged her chin up for a kiss. When she’d mentioned Helen was coming down today, he’d nodded and asked if she needed anything. Oddly, the simple fact that he asked was enough to add fuel to the courage she was running on.

While she waited for Helen to arrive, she kept reminding herself Nick would want a chance to know his grandmother, but it didn’t change the reality that meeting Helen opened a door to Terry. Though she’d lamented his absence in Nick’s life, she didn’t trust him. Allowing a relationship to develop with his mother provided a much closer connection to him. She fiddled with her necklace and took a breath.

An older woman approached her table. She was on the short side with long black hair streaked with silver. The same black hair Terry had passed on to Nick. Helen stopped at the side of the table, her brown eyes crinkling when she smiled hesitantly.

“Delia?”

She took a breath and smiled nervously. “Helen?”

Helen nodded. “Yes.” She gestured to the chair across from Delia. “May I?”

Delia nodded. “Of course.”

Helen removed her coat and hung it on her chair before taking a seat. She glanced out the windows and sighed. “Such a lovely view.”

The Boathouse Café was situated on a small rise overlooking Kachemak Bay. It felt as if one was seated over the water with the building high on pilings. The glide and roll of waves lulled her. The sky was dotted with clouds today. They drifted in front of the mountains on the far side of the bay. Seagulls called and swooped along the shore.

Delia turned back to Helen. “That it is. How was your drive from Anchorage?”

“Uneventful, which means a lot in the winter in Alaska. The roads were clear and dry all the way down.”

A waitress stopped by and served them water. “Should I give you ladies a few minutes?”

Helen caught Delia’s eyes. “If you’re ready, go ahead and order. I can take a quick look,” she said as she picked up the menu.

“I’ll take the halibut tacos,” Delia said. “Are you sure you don’t need more time?” she asked Helen.

Helen set the menu down. “No need. I’ll take the salmon burger.”

Their waitress jotted down their order and collected the menus. Delia’s stomach had been knotted with anxiety all morning. Now that Helen was finally here, her tension eased slightly. The anticipation was half the battle.

Helen took a sip of water. Her face was soft and kind. Her warm brown eyes held Delia’s. “I’m sure this isn’t easy for you. Thank you for meeting me.”

“It’s not, but it’s important for Nick to have a chance to know you.”

Somehow they plowed through the first few moments of conversation. Sometimes sticking to the superficial was incredibly helpful. The weather, the view and the latest news were safe topics. Delia recalled her mother’s words so many years ago. Manners were to conversation like bread was to butter—it made things smoother. Helen was gracious and polite and had a host of questions about Last Frontier Lodge.

“Ted and I skied there a few times when we were young. How did you end up working there?”

“Believe it or not, my mother used to manage the kitchen there and my father handled the slopes and grounds. When Gage Hamilton came back to town to reopen it, he hired my father, and my father persuaded me to help with the kitchen.”

“That must be wonderful! Do you enjoy it?”

“I do. I grew up cooking with my mother, so I always wanted to be a chef. Before I had Nick, I thought maybe I’d move to Seattle, but I’m glad I came back to Diamond Creek.”

Their waitress arrived to serve their food. After the brief interruption, Helen shifted gears. “Your mother must be proud to see you running the same kitchen she did.”

Delia experienced a flash of pain, but she’d slowly grown accustomed to her mother’s absence. “My mother passed away a few years ago. Pancreatic cancer.”

Helen’s eyes whipped up. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“That’s okay. How could you have known? It wasn’t easy, especially for my father, but time helps.”

They ate in between snippets of conversation. After their plates had been cleared, Helen leaned back in her chair. Her gaze was somber. “I’m sure you know I’d like to meet Nick as soon as possible. I’d about given up on ever having a grandchild. I suppose we should talk about Terry. If you’re worried about me trying to pressure you into involving him in Nick’s life, I can assure you there’s no need to worry. Terry is only intermittently in contact with me. He had a few brushes with the law after he got involved in drugs. I’d like to say I knew when that happened, but I don’t. Terry and his father were close. After Ted died, things seemed to spiral out of control for Terry. I’m not making excuses for my son’s complete failure to be a father to Nick. It is what it is.”

Delia chewed the inside of her mouth. “I was worried about Terry. Not because I don’t ever want him to have contact with Nick, but because it’s not okay unless it’s on my terms. Now that I’ve had a chance to meet you, I’m not worried you would try to force that. I suppose we should work out a time for you to meet Nick. My father would also like to meet you.”

Helen clasped her hands together, her eyes glistening with tears. “Thank you, dear. Just say when and I’ll make it work.”

A while later, Delia walked along the beach. Helen had left with plans to return next weekend. Delia tucked her hands in her pockets and idly kicked at a pebble. A salty breeze gusted off the water. An eagle flew low across the water and landed on a piece of driftwood, regally staring out over the water. She took a breath, the biting air soothing her. The anxiety she’d been carrying ever since she’d picked up the phone and heard Terry’s voice had eased. Nick would get the chance to meet his grandmother, and it felt right.