About a month has gone by and we are just about ready to have the B&B open and the weather is warming up just in time. Brad and Courtney talked mama and papa into letting them build a home on their property. Derek and I have been working on opening the store and hiring staff. Ethan has agreed to stay on and Camille, well she decided this isn't the life for her.
Sitting on the couch with my lap top on my lap searching through the many resumes I've been sent. Had about over 200 applicants for different positions. We need atleast 4 in the store to rotate hours and Derek would like atleast 5 cleaning ladies, 3 cooks, 3 front desk workers, 2 butlers and Ethan as the handy man.
Derek barges into the living room on the phone. "I told you the inspection has to happen no later than tomorrow. You'll have someone here in a half hour? Great! See you soon!" He hangs up and plops down next to me.
"What are you doing?" He asks.
"Going through the applications for the positions we are going to need filled. Do you want to be in the interviews?"
"Why doesn't Courtney help you out?"
"She offered just wasn't sure if you wanted to be involved."
"Well of course if you need me babe I'll help."
"I would probably prefer you be there." I say.
He brushes my cheek with his hand and leans in to kiss me. I love when he does that makes my body tingle.
"Well if you want me there then I'll be there. Just let me know when and I'll be in it."
"Do you want to go through any of these?" I ask.
"Nope I trust you." He kisses me again.
"Ok and by the way there's an envelope on the table for you that came in the mail." I say pointing toward the table.
He studies the handwriting for a minute and I can tell he's wondering who it's from. He reaches in the silverware drawer for a knife and slides it across the top cutting it open. Pulling out the letter he opens it carefully and a pic falls out from inside of it. He crouches down to pic it up and it's a picture of a little boy maybe 5-6 years old. He reads the letter and his face turns white as he reads on. I watch him intently wondering what it is about. He finishes the letter, folds it closed and slides it back into the envelope. He pulls out a bar stool and sits at the island quietly then takes his glasses off nervously rubs his face. I stand up and walk over to him placing my hands on his shoulders and ask him what's wrong. Derek doesn't say anything just slides the envelope toward me, stands up and walks out the front door.
Picking up the envelope, I decide not to read it and run after Derek. I see him climbing onto Bucky and he takes off so I go grab Lucy and jump on. I get Lucy to gallop as fast as she can and finally spot Derek. Derek! Derek stop! He turns around and sees me coming. Woahhh slow down boy!
"What are you doing Ella?" He gruffly asks.
"What does the letter say Derek?"
"I pushed it toward you to read it."
"I don't want to read it, I want to hear it from you."
"Ella I don't want to talk about it!" He yells.
"Don't you dare do this me Derek, don't you dare yell at me and run!"
"If you would have read the goddamn letter you would know, but no you have to make everything so fucking difficult Ella!"
Tears start pouring out from my eyes and I can't stop them. I'm at a full on sob now and don't know what to do next. I tug Lucy's reign and tap her side with my heal to instruct her to head back to the barn. I don't look at him I just allow Lucy to take me back.
