The Mighty Quinns: Devin (18 page)

But she'd needed the distance to realize what it all meant. She'd been too close to him to see what they had for what it was. Not just desire or lust or passion. But real and true and deep love. Love that could last a lifetime.

The moment she finally figured it out, Elodie booked her ticket home. She was going home to the man she loved. And with every minute that passed, she worried that she may have messed it up. Had his feelings diminished over their time apart? Had he met someone else?

She had the whole evening planned out in her head. She'd called Mary to make sure Dev didn't have any plans. She'd go to his apartment and make a video call on her cell phone, pretending to be in Manhattan. She'd tease him, seduce him over the phone until he was desperate for her. And then she'd knock on his door and let the evening take its usual course. Sex, more sex, and then maybe some dinner. And then hours and hours of even more sex.

As she made the early afternoon drive into Winchester, she grabbed her phone and rechecked her appointment with the agent from the bank. She was scheduled to meet with an associate from Avery James's office to show him the old mill and to discuss her plans for renovating it.

Avery James had agreed to explore the possibility. They'd start by having his architects examine the building. If it looked sound, they'd proceed with drawings and plans and meetings with the bank. But even if her plans for the mill fell apart, she'd find some way to make her idea work. Because Winchester was her home, and always would be.

Elodie hoped she'd be able to sneak into town without Dev finding out. He did have a knack for knowing when something odd was happening in Winchester. But she was betting on Mary being able to keep her visit quiet.

The old mill stood on a vast piece of property right next to the river. Made from stone milled from the mountains, it stood like a silent sentinel over the town, its windows dark, walls stained with soot.

Elodie had spent hours of her childhood at the mill. Her father used to pay her a quarter to sweep up the cotton dust that had gathered into little bunnies on the edges of the vast loom rooms. She found the door open and walked inside, calling out as the door creaked.

“Hello?”

“Miss Winchester?”

“Yes,” she said.

“I'm Sophia Markesan from the bank. The electricity is off, so there are no lights. But the windows are big and it's a sunny day. Is it just you?”

“No, I'm meeting someone. His name is—”

“Hello!” A deep voice drifted in from the door, and they both turned to see a younger man enter. He held out his hand. “I'm Jeff Dupree, Avery James's associate.”

Elodie made the introductions, then took the keys from Sophia and told her she'd drop them off at the bank when they were done. When she rejoined Jeff, he was anxious to explore the rest of the building.

“I've never been inside a fabric mill before,” he said. “When was this built?”

“Between 1882 and 1897,” she said. “This building closest to the river is the oldest.”

“So the mill used water power?”

“Early on, in the 1700s, they were run with water power. But these mills were first powered by steam,” Elodie said. “And later electricity. But with steam came the constant threat of fire, so you needed a source of water to fight a fire, and that's why they were built alongside the river.”

They walked through the offices and then up the stairs into the loom room. She drew the doors back, the old iron rollers groaning as the plank door slid to the right.

“Wow,” Jeff said. “This is huge.”

“It had to be,” Elodie explained.

“This has got to be a hundred yards long. And completely open.”

“I think it's about two hundred and fifty feet. And it's solidly built. These are timber beams and a plank floor that held tons of equipment. It's overbuilt for what we'd use it for.”

“You don't have to convince me, Miss Winchester. I see the possibilities.”

“Then you like it?”

“I do,” he said. “I'd love to do a project in this space.”

Elodie smiled and clapped her hands. “Really?”

“Really. That doesn't mean it's a done deal, but I'm impressed enough that I'll start looking at some plans. The price is certainly right. And with the new golf resort going in, it would be the perfect time. One thing you should do, however, if you want to make this an artists' colony, is line up some corporate sponsors for the artists. If we can rent out fifty percent of our shops and studios by the time we're done with renovation, it will go a long way to getting the project approved.”

“I can do that.” She threw her arms around Jeff and gave him a quick hug. But the gesture of gratitude was interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Elodie?”

She drew back and turned around to find Dev standing in the doorway. Her heart skipped, and she wanted to run to him and launch herself into his arms. “Dev. What are you doing here?”

“I got a call that there were people inside the mill.”

“This is Jeff Dupree from Avery James and Associates. He's an architect. His firm might be interested in helping me with the mill project.”

“Why didn't you tell me you were coming into town?”

She turned to Jeff. “Can you excuse me for a moment? Just go ahead and look around.”

She followed Dev out into the stairwell and the moment they were out of sight, he grabbed her and covered her mouth with his like a man desperate for the taste of her lips. He pushed her back against the wall. Grabbing her wrists, he pinned them above her head. Elodie arched her body against his, their hips meeting in an erotic dance.

When he finally drew away, she was breathless. But Elodie grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into another mind-numbing kiss.

“I can't believe you're here,” he murmured, his lips hot against her throat.

“And I can't believe you messed up my big surprise. I had it all planned out. I even called your mother.”

“I can always pretend I didn't see you here,” Dev said. “When are you finished?”

“This is probably going to take at least an hour. Maybe two,” she said. “I can stop by the station when I'm done.”

He nodded. “All right. There's something I want to show you, actually.” Dev pulled her into another kiss. “I don't want to let you go,” he whispered. “I'm afraid you might disappear.”

“Don't worry,” Elodie said. “I'm home now.”

Dev stepped back and stared down into her eyes. “You are?”

“I am.”

“I'm glad to hear that.”

Elodie watched as he walked out, smiling to herself. She'd had a different reunion planned, but this one had turned out perfectly. If she'd had any questions about his affections, they'd been answered immediately. All that was left was to tell him that he'd been right all along—that she belonged here in Winchester with him.

She hurried back to Jeff, dust motes flying up around her shoes as she moved. She found him at the far end of the adjacent room, his jacket off, his tie undone, an old ladder braced against one of the timber cross beams.

“I just wanted to get a picture of these joints here. They're amazing. This place could withstand any force of nature—except a fire, maybe. It's been built for strength.” He crawled down the ladder. “Amazing.”

“I'm so glad you're enthusiastic about the mill and this project.”

“And I can't tell you how happy we are that you brought it to us. Mr. James has authorized me to make you a partner in this project. We'd like you to work for us. You know the town, the history of this building. It would be wonderful to have a Winchester on board. You'd have an office in our New York location, but you'd be spending a few weeks down here each month until construction begins. Then, we'd expect you to move down here full-time.”

“A job,” she said. “That would be great. I want to see this project through.”

“Good. I can tell Mr. Avery that you're on board.”

“Not yet,” she said. “There are a few things I need to work out first.”

“What might those things be?” Jeff asked.

“Personal things,” she said. “About where I'm meant to live—here or New York.”

* * *

D
EV
PACED
THE
length of his office, glancing at his watch every few minutes. It had been two hours. She ought to have been here by now. He fought the impulse to go back to the mill and see what was taking so long.

The buzzer sounded on his phone, and he pushed the intercom button.

“Elodie Winchester is here,” Sally said.

“Thanks, I'll be right out.” He drew a deep breath, knowing that another greeting like the one he'd given her at the mill would have to be delayed until they got out to the car.

He found her in the lobby, chatting with Sally and Kyle as if they were old friends. She met his gaze as he crossed the room, a smile twitching at the corners of her lips. When he reached her, he bent close and brushed a kiss to her cheek. “Hey there.”

“Hello,” Elodie said.

“Have you had lunch?” Dev asked.

“I haven't. I had a late breakfast at the hotel in Asheville, but just toast and some fruit.”

“Let's go,” he said. “Sally, I'm on lunch.”

“Got it, boss,” she said with a wide smile.

They walked out into the late afternoon sunshine. “Are you finished with your work for the day?” Dev asked.

She nodded.

“How did it go?”

“I'm so excited,” she said. “Jeff loves the idea, and with the new golf resort going in outside town, there's—”

“Golf resort?”

“That's supposed to be secret,” she said. “So don't tell anyone. I think they're still trying to put the land deal together. But a developer is planning a seventy-two-hole resort with a hotel and spa.”

“Can you imagine what that would do for the town? The number of jobs alone could change the whole outlook here in Winchester.”

“And they believe that once the resort is built, there will be a need for tourist shops here in town, and that the mill would be a perfect place to develop. Of course, some shops will still be located on Main Street, but both places will benefit.”

When they reached the car, Dev slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her into a deep and lingering kiss. Pressing his forehead against hers, he smiled. “I can't seem to stop myself from kissing you.”

“So my surprise had the intended effect?”

“Can't you tell?” he asked.

Her stomach growled, and Elodie laughed. “I guess I'm hungrier than I thought. Where are we going to eat?”

“We could go down to Zelda's,” he said. “But there's a new place I want to show you.”

“A new place in Winchester? That's a good thing.”

He helped her into the car, and they drove toward the Winchester mansion. When he pulled up in front of it, she glanced over at him, frowning. “Here?”

Dev nodded. “You'll love it.”

“I didn't know the new buyers planned to open a restaurant. Wouldn't that require a commercial variance? How could the council give one to the new owners and not me?”

“It's a very exclusive restaurant. And it's not really a restaurant but an eating experience. Does that make sense?”

She gave him a confused look. “No. What are you babbling about?”

“Don't worry. I'm sure you'll love it.”

“Do we need a reservation?” she asked.

“No, we can just walk in. I know the owner really well.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and walked up the front walk, trying to keep himself from grinning.

“New roof,” she said. “And fresh paint on the porch. Those baskets of flowers are so beautiful. They've gotten a lot of work done in six weeks.”

“You should see the inside.” He held the door open for her, and Elodie stepped into the hall. A soft gasp slipped from her lips as she took in the finely decorated interior. “What do you think?”

“It's lovely,” she said. She walked to a sideboard and ran her hand over it. “Elegant, but not fussy.” She looked down at the floors. “These rugs are gorgeous. And the floors have been refinished. It's like a brand-new house.”

“Nice enough for you to live in?”

“Who wouldn't want to live here? I wonder what they did with my room.”

“Would you like to find out?”

“We can't just wander through the house uninvited. Shouldn't we ask the owner?”

He slipped his hands around her waist. “Sure. Go ahead and ask me.”

“Ask you? But—”

“Yes. Say, ‘Can I see more of the house, please?'”

“Can I see—” The words died in her throat. “Did you buy this house, Dev?”

He nodded. “I did.”

The expression on her face was pure shock at first. But then, a smile touched her lips and it grew to a huge grin. “You bought the house.”

“For us,” he said. “We can't live in my apartment. And this place was comfortable for both of us. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.”

“But you didn't even know if I was coming back. What if I had stayed in New York?”

“I would have had a lot of extra room.” He grabbed her hand. “Let me show you the kitchen.”

When he pushed open the door, she stepped inside. It had been completely updated. He'd kept all the old cabinets, but had them refinished and fitted with new nickel-plated hardware. And the island had been transformed, the battered stainless steel replaced with granite.

Elodie smoothed her hands over the surface. “It's very cool. Nice for those hot summer nights.” She walked around, looking in the oven and running water from the new faucet. “You did this all yourself?”

“I had a decorator here for about a week, but we didn't see eye to eye. So my mom helped me out. She has a good memory for what was in the house when your family lived there.” He took her hand and pressed it to his heart.