Page 10 of Live Like There's No Tomorrow
“But what if he likes her?” asked Smoke. “Would that be so wrong?”
Missy looked at him and considered his words for a long moment. “No. It wouldn’t be wrong at all. We’d just have to get used to it. What matters most is that Ben’s happy. We’ve just all believed for years that Charlotte was the only one who could ever make him happy. If it turns out that she can’t and that Angel can then we’ll accept it.” She shot a look at Emma. “Won’t we?”
Emma stared back her and then nodded slowly. “Of course. I only want to see him happy and he’s the only one who knows what—and who—will make him happy, but,” her bottom lip quivered, then she took a deep breath, “like I said, I’m being selfish I suppose. If he decides he wants Angel, then I’ll have to give up on the dream I’ve had for him all these years.” She looked around at them all. “I know that’s silly, but it’s true. My picture of how we all end up, has always included Ben and Charlotte being together. How could they throw it all away now when they have the chance of getting it back?”
Missy patted her hand. “They’ll do what’s right for them. And we’ll support it.”
Emma nodded and snuggled into Jack’s side.
“Anyway, I thought you had some news to share?” Pete asked.
Missy smiled, she’d almost forgotten with all the talk about Ben and Angel. “I do! Chance is coming.”
“That’s great, when?” Renée smiled at her. “I’ve been hoping he’d come visit again soon.”
“I don’t know for sure yet, but sometime in the next few weeks. He’s got things under control at the ranch and he wants a break.”
Jack smiled at Emma. “That should cheer you up.”
Missy had to laugh at the way Emma’s cheeks turned pink. “I don’t know what you mean!”
They all laughed. Emma’s crush on Missy’s big brother still seemed to be going strong after all these years.
Chapter Three
“You didn’t need to come over here with me,” said Angel. “You should have stayed and had breakfast with your friends. I can handle the delivery.”
Ben rubbed his hands over his face. “I know. I just can’t get out of the habit of thinking I have to handle it myself.”
Angel smiled and came to put her hand on his shoulder. “It must be a hard habit to break, but I hope someday you’ll get used to the idea that you’ve got me now.”
Ben froze. Was she talking about more than work? He stepped back from her. “Thanks.”
She smiled brightly. “No problem. I’m here for you.”
He nodded. He’d wanted to get away from the gang and all the awkwardness at breakfast, but he’d been too hasty. He should have sent Angel over here by herself. She was right. He didn’t need to come with her.
When they had the delivery handled, they walked back to the reception desk. “I’d better get back over there.”
Angel nodded. “It’s going to be a busy one for you, isn’t it?”
He nodded. It always was.
“Do you want to grab some dinner with me tonight?”
Ben stared at her.
She smiled. “We were going to go over the marketing plan, remember? I figure if we do it over dinner we can kill two birds with one stone.”
Ben got a grip. Just because the others thought Angel was no good for him, didn’t mean he needed to get weirded out around her. She was great at her job, she was easy to work with, and when he wasn’t too busy worrying about what other people thought, she was fun.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.”
“Great. I’ll come find you when I get done here.”
Ben nodded and made his way out. He looked out at the lake as he made his way across the parking lot. It was hard to believe that this place was now a reality. Not so long ago it had just been an idea. It was odd to look at the lake from the opposite side. He smiled. It was odd, but good. Just because he’d been used to the original resort all his life, didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate and enjoy the new lodge. The resort owned a piece of his heart and always would. It took a lot of work, much of it because the place was old. It needed ongoing maintenance and still threw up some nasty surprises occasionally. This new lodge had its own problems, but they were few and minor by comparison. Everything here was shiny and new and inviting.
He stopped when he reached his truck and turned back to look at the lodge. It was beautiful. He sighed as an odd thought struck him—Charlotte was like the resort, and Angel was like the lodge.
