Chapter Nineteen

Elise opened her eyes and immediately glanced over to the chair near the window, opposite her bed.

It was empty.

She could have sworn that Tucker had fallen asleep there the night before, but now, she wasn’t so sure.

So much of the night before was a blur – maybe her memory of his presence in her room as she fell asleep was too.

Sitting up, she pulled the sheets tightly around herself, as though to cocoon herself for a bit longer before facing the reality waiting for her downstairs.

Whatever that reality was.

But, the guests of Timberline needed her. She still had another huge breakfast to prepare, rides to coordinate to get people home, and a lot of goodbyes to make, as Tucker’s guests were due to depart throughout the day today.

She’d enjoyed meeting them all – despite the events of the night before – but if she were honest with herself, she wouldn’t be that sorry to see them go.

Timberline was better to her when it was quiet, serene, and a little less occupied.

Especially without Madison Duncan throwing her attitude around.

The door cracked open, and Elise looked up, expecting to see Tucker, but instead seeing Betsy’s sweet face. “Elise! You’re awake! We need help… Uncle Tucker is trying to make pancakes, and he’s doing it all wrong. I tried showing him how you showed me, but…” Betsy trailed off, her mouth a moue of disapproval. “This is serious. He doesn’t even have the chocolate chips out yet.”

Elise grinned and pulled the girl onto the bed for a tight hug. “I’ll be down in five minutes.”

#

“Betsy was right,” Elise said from behind him, making Tucker jump. “You are doing it all wrong.”

Tucker put the bowl down and grabbed a towel to wipe his hands off before turning to face her. “Busted by a three foot spy in princess pajamas. Good morning,” he added softly, giving her a gentle smile.

“Hi,” Elise returned, her voice stronger than the butterflies suddenly swarming about her stomach. “Betsy told me you were unsupervised in my kitchen, and it made me nervous.”

“Your kitchen?” Tucker teased and Elise nodded seriously.

“Oh yes,” she said. “My kitchen. Are we the first ones up, or the last ones?”

“The first,” Tucker said, stepping over to the coffeemaker and pouring two cups to the brim, handing Elise one of them. “I couldn’t sleep anymore, so I went for a swim. Everyone else is still wiped out, so I thought I’d try and help out.”

“Or hinder,” Elise said, gesturing to the mess he’d made on the countertops. “Though I appreciate the sentiment.”

Tucker took a step closer to her, his eyes searching hers, making her finally glance down to her toes in embarrassment. “How are you?” he asked, his voice full of significance.

She nodded and gave him a small smile. “I’m fine. Truly. Thank you again, for…” she paused, then continued. “Well, for everything.”

“No thanks necessary,” he said, hesitating before reaching out a hand and giving her shoulder a soft squeeze, then stepping back.

It was clear neither of them knew the rules governing their interactions now – a line had been crossed last night into more intimate territory, and not the type either had been expecting.

An emotional intimacy, one that would link them forever.

Tucker was afraid of hurting Elise – of bringing emotions and past crimes against her to the surface and wounding her deeply.

Elise was afraid of sharing her heart with him, afraid that he saw her only as someone to protect, not someone to necessarily cherish.

But both knew the dynamic had changed somehow, throwing them both off kilter.

And it was making them both feel… weird.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Elise asked lightly, grabbing her apron and tying it around her waist. “Is everyone leaving?”

Tucker nodded. “Yeah, everyone is leaving at some point today, though I would expect we won’t see the last of everyone until later this afternoon. The weather is holding, so people will probably want to stay and hang out. Which is fine, I guess.”

“Well, we have plenty of food, so that shouldn’t be a problem,” Elise said, turning to the fridge to retrieve eggs and milk. Both Elise and Tucker turned as a throat was cleared from the doorway.

“Well, isn’t this a cozy morning scene?” Madison asked, sauntering into the kitchen and helping herself to coffee as though she owned the place. Elise rolled her eyes – only Madison Duncan would emerge from her bedroom already made up, fully dressed, with a blow out and four inch heels on.

Obvious much?

“Good morning, Madison,” Tucker said politely. “Sleep well?”

She shrugged. “Could have been better – got awfully cold in that room all by myself. You? Did you find someone to warm your toes?” Madison asked coyly, glancing at Elise. “I was half hoping you’d… turn my quilt down last night.”

Elise bit her lip to choke back her disgust and kept cracking eggs into the bowl even as Tucker seemed to choke on a mouthful of coffee. “Yeah, I, um, just went to bed. No… no toe warming…”

“Pity,” Madison cooed. “Maybe you and I could take a walk together instead – we’ve hardly had time to catch up during this trip.”

“We spent all day together yesterday,” Tucker said, not unkindly.

“I meant… privately…” Madison purred. “C’mon – you aren’t afraid of little old me, are you?”

As Tucker gallantly steered Madison from the kitchen and outside to the beach, Elise shook her head and concentrated on her recipe.

She wouldn’t be at all sorry to see the back of Madison Duncan.

#

“I was hoping I could ask you for a favor,” Elise said from the doorway, causing Tucker to look up from his book, which he was reading curled up in a chair in his library.

“Of course,” he said, tenting the book beside him and gesturing to the nearby chair. “Please, sit.”

Elise sat primly on the chair and folded her hands in her lap. “I was hoping… if it wasn’t too much trouble, I was hoping I could have a couple of days off.”

Tucker studied her, considering her request, and the reason for it. Only a few hours ago they had waved goodbye to the last of his vacation guests, and now, Elise wanted to leave too?

“When?” Tucker asked abruptly.

“Maybe I could take off the next two days?” Elise asked. “I spoke to Rose and she would be happy to watch Betsy, and I’ve prepared a couple of casseroles for the fridge so you’d have dinners ready.”

“Where are you going?” Tucker asked sharply.

Elise shrugged, caught off guard by his tone. “Well, it depends. I don’t have a car, so…”

Tucker’s brow furrowed. “You can borrow a car, Elise, of course, and you’re entitled to days off, I’m just…” he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Are you running away?”

“No.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not,” Elise said hotly, feeling berated. “I have days I’m entitled to, and I’d like to take them.”

He realized he’d pushed her the wrong way in his confusion, and backpedaled. “I didn’t mean to make it sound that you were prisoner here, or that I had to approve when you went. I’m just... confused about the timing. And a bit concerned, I guess.”

Elise swallowed. “It’s been a… busy few days, and I just need to recharge my batteries. And if I’m honest, I need some time to think. Last night…”

“Last night never happened,” Tucker said forcefully, and Elise scowled at him.

“Yes, it did, sir,” Elise replied, her cheeks still flushed but her tone even. “It did, and yes, it might have bearing on my wanting to take time off now, but it’s not the only reason. And I don’t think I should have to justify my reasoning to you on when I want to take a day or two, assuming you will allow me the time off, and transportation should I ask for it.”

Tucker bit his lip, then nodded, recognizing that flare of temper – it looked suspiciously like his own. “Of course, you’re right. Of course. Of course you can have a couple of days off – I should be here through the weekend and can help out Rose and with Betsy, and then when you’re back… things will go back to normal.”

Elise nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

“Tucker.”

Elise ignored that.

“May I borrow a car?” she asked formally.

“Of course,” he said. “Where are you planning to go, or is that super secret?

Elise finally cracked a smile. “It’s not super secret. I thought I’d do some exploring on my own – I’d like to visit a college friend in Iron Mountain, and I’d like to see Bond Falls which I think is on the way. I might even go to the Porcupine Mountains for a drive. I’d just… I like to drive, and see new things. The break would do me good. Plus, I need to pick up lots of supplies from Houghton for some homework ideas I have for Betsy, so I will be working part of the time.”

“I’m not worried about a timecard, Elise,” Tucker said gently. “I just… I worry about you, and I didn’t want you to go flying off, upset by… I just…”

“I’m a pretty rational person, and I’m not known for just going off the handle. I’m fine. I just …thanks for the time off.”

“Thanks for the casseroles,” Tucker said archly, and Elise laughed.

“If I hadn’t made them, you would have docked my pay.”

“And there would have been scoldings. Isn’t that what lords of the manor do?”

They smiled at each other, and then Elise stood. “I’ll leave in the morning. Thanks again.”

“Wait,” Tucker said, crossing the room and digging around in his desk and then handing her a smartphone. “Here, take this. Just in case you need it. And then you can… you can text me to let me know you arrived safely, wherever you go. Please. Keep in touch.”

She clutched it to her chest. “Thanks.” She said softly, and then left the room.

When Tucker woke the next morning, she was gone.

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