Elizabeth flew back to Atlanta a few days later, ready to give her notice at work and move on with her new life.
After his shift, Jack went to Agatha's home, now Elizabeth's home. He wanted to have her bedroom done before she came back. He had the pictures she'd sent him from Pinterest printed out and taped to the wall for reference.
All in all the room was in good shape. His first task would be to remove a layer of ancient wallpaper. It was green and tan, but might have been white in its prime. Jack loved old homes, but felt no loss taking this off. It played tricks on his eyes, he swore it moved.
This project was important to him. This was going to be Elizabeth's room, her sanctuary. It needed to be just right.
He couldn't wait to get to know Elizabeth as a woman, an adult. Growing up, she was his best friend's sister. Not to mention a bit younger. Now, she was still his best friend's sister, but the age difference didn't seem like a big deal at all. Jack also thought Jesse might not mind so much his best friend and sister dating as long as Jack treated her right, which he would if given the chance.
As he worked carefully to remove the wallpaper and not damage the drywall underneath, Jack couldn't help think about taking that beautiful woman out on a real date. Picking her up at her front door, dressed up nice and taking her out someplace nice. Maybe a candle lit restaurant, or a place with outdoor seating. He would make it a time to remember.
….
The next morning back in Atlanta, Elizabeth dressed up in pencil skirt and jacket, her hair up in a bun ready to take on the day like always.
After parking in her usual spot, Elizabeth took the elevator to the 7th floor and headed to her office. It was a beautiful one with a great view of the city and the park. She'd worked hard for it.
"Morning Janet!"
"Morning Ms. Thatcher! How was your trip?"
"Eventful. I'll tell you all about it at lunch."
"I look forward to it!"
"Great. In the meantime, Janet, let me know when Mr. Ericsson comes in this morning and can you set up a meeting with Donnie for this afternoon?"
"Of course. What's it regarding?"
"I'll tell him when I meet with him. Just tell him it's important."
"Consider it done."
Sitting at her desk, Elizabeth took one more glance over her resignation letter.
Everything was in order, now all she had to do with it was give it to her boss.
She spent the first half hour going through emails and responding to anything demanding her immediate attention. Just as she was about to switch gears, her receptionist rang in.
"Ms. Thatcher?"
"Yes?"
"Just wanted to let you know that Mr. Ericsson is in his office. He'd like to see you at your convenience."
"Thanks, Janet. I'll tend to that now." She hung up and looked back at her resignation letter, "Now or never."
She knocked on Mr. Ericsson's door. "Come in."
"Hello, sir."
"Welcome back, Beth. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing well, thank you."
"I'm sure it was good to spend some time with your family."
"Yes. It was." She took a breath and handed him the envelope.
"What's this?"
"My resignation, sir."
"I'm sorry?"
"I'm moving back to Maple Hills."
"There's a lot of call for paralegals there?"
"No. My aunt left me her house and some money to fix it up. I'm going to turn it into a bed and breakfast."
"A bed and breakfast?"
"Yes, sir. It's being remodeled as we speak. I need to be back in four weeks."
"Well, its risky but I admire your willingness to start fresh. I sometimes wish I could do that." He paused and then shook her hand. "You are the best paralegal I've had the pleasure to work with. I wish you luck, Beth."
"Thank you, sir. Just so you know, I'm going to speak with Donnie this afternoon. Make sure he's ready to fill in for me when I leave in two weeks."
"Very good."
….
Back in Maple Hills
Jack looked at the now stripped walls. No more awful wallpaper. Now, he could concentrate on getting the finishing work done.
White shiplap was going to go on the focal wall where the bed would be. The other walls he would paint a soft gray.
The wood floor would be refinished and it was in good condition so it would look great.
He had also taken out the tile and old vanity in the bathroom along with the toilet.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. "Hey, Ma. How's Palm Springs?"
"Perfect. Weather is warm. Sand between my toes."
"Nice."
"Look, son, I talked with Stanley."
"What did Mr. Buttons want?" The man owned the diner in town and somehow knew everything about everyone.
"He told me that Aggie left her house to Beth."
"How did he find that out and why did he think you needed to know that? You live across the country."
"You know Stanley. He likes to keep me informed."
"Mom, Beth is moving back. She is going to change the house into a bed and breakfast. I'm just helping fix it up."
"Your idea?"
"No. Aggie's."
"Interesting."
"Not really. She knew that I do renovating on the side and that Beth would need help."
"And that Beth and you have had feelings for each other for years."
"Mom, I'm just helping her fix it up. Nothing more."
"Whatever you say, dear."
"Yep. That's right."
"Did you ask her out yet?"
"Did David propose yet?"
"Touché, son. Still sassy I see."
"I learned from the best."
….
That evening, Atlanta
Bree came over to Beth's condo for a much needed girl's night, leaving her kids with a babysitter.
Beth needed to tell Bree that night that she was moving but she was nervous. Bree and Beth relied on each other. They had been friends, good friends, since Beth had moved to Atlanta.
They sat on the couch and sipped on their wine as they ate appetizers.
"Your hair looks cute, Bree. I'm glad you decided to pamper yourself. You deserve it."
"Thanks. I'm still getting used to it." She had gone from unmanageable long hair to a very easy shoulder length bob. It, at the very least, would be quicker to deal with which was very helpful being a single mom of two rambunctious young boys.
"So I have news."
"What's that?" she asked, putting a piece of cheese in her mouth.
"My aunt left me her house in Maple Hills."
"Oh yeah? You gonna sell it?"
"No. I'm going to fix it up and open a Bed and Breakfast."
"Wow. I can't believe you're leaving Atlanta."
"I'm leaving in a month."
She nodded and ate another piece of cheese.
"Are you mad, Bree?"
"No. I'm just going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too. Maybe you should move with me." Beth knew it wasn't that easy but she threw it out there anyway.
"Its not that simple. I have a job here and the boys have friends and our house is paid for."
"I know. I guess it was selfish on my part. I'm really going to miss you."
"Well, tell me about your Bed and Breakfast. What's the name?"
Beth's phone buzzed and she saw Jack's name on it. "I'm going to answer this," she told Bree walking into her kitchen. "Jack?"
"Hey, Beth."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, why?"
"I guess I didn't expect you to call so I thought maybe…never mind."
"Okay. Well, the reason I called was I was going to go buy the materials for the tile in the bathroom and the kitchen while I'm waiting for the drywall mud to dry. Do you want the island to exactly match the uppers or do you want the island to stand out? It would look cool in a darker gray."
"I trust you. You can decide."
"Nope. It's your house and business. I want it to be exactly what you want."
"Okay, well let's go with the darker gray. The counters will look great with that."
"Will do."
"Thanks, Jack."
"You're welcome, Beth."
Beth walked back in the room and sat down. "Whoa," Bree said, her eyebrows raised.
"What?"
"Your face, it's really red. Who was on the phone?"
"The guy who is remodeling my house."
"Pretty cute, huh?"
"He's alright."
She stared at Beth and waited.
"Okay okay. He was my brother's best friend growing up and I've had a crush on him since I was like fourteen."
"Now we are getting to it. What's his name?"
"Jack Thornton."
"So he remodels homes for a living?"
"No, he's a cop."
"Whoa, hot guy in a uniform and he's handy? Better marry this one."
"I never said he's hot."
"No but from your protests and red cheeks, I'm guessing he is."
"Yeah," she sighed, leaning her head against the couch. "So hot. He's basically perfect, Bree."
"That's good. You deserve basically perfect."
"I don't know. I really don't think I want to chance getting into a relationship while I'm trying to start a new business. I don't think its smart to do that."
"Maybe not smart but it may be completely worth it."
….
Beth thought about it the next few weeks. She thought about it each time Jack called or sent pictures of another choice she needed to make. She thought about it whenever she packed another box. She even thought about it when she brainstormed name ideas with Bree.
Now, as she packed her last box and prepared Bella for the very long ride up to Vermont, she looked around to make sure nothing was left behind.
"Beth?"
"In the bedroom, Jess."
Her brother and his soon to be adopted son Ryder walked in the room. "Hi, Aunt Beth."
"Hi, Ryder. Thank you for helping me move."
She knelt down on the carpet and smiled. "I couldn't have done it without you."
"I go with you and Papa in the big truck?"
"It's up to your Daddy."
He looked up at Jesse. "Daddy? I go with Aunt Beth?"
"If they don't mind. I guess we can put your car seat in the truck."
"That means Bella rides with you, Jess."
"Beth, you know me and cats. I don't like them and they don't like me. It's a mutual dislike."
"No room for Bella with me if I have Ryder."
"Daddy, Bella is nice kitty."
"Alright. I'll take the cat," he grumbled.
"Thanks, Jess."
"Everybody ready to get moving?" William yelled from the other room. "If we leave now, we will get home at about noon tomorrow."
The drive was technically nineteen hours but they planned on taking twenty four that way they could let Bella out for a bit and Ryder could run around.
That was the plan anyway but two hours in, Beth's car got a flat. Then they stopped for lunch while waiting for a new tire.
Finally, two hours behind schedule they were back on the road.
"You ready for this, Beth?" William asked.
"Yes. I'm completely ready. Its exciting, starting over."
"Maybe a bit scary too?"
"Yeah but new things always are. I really think that this B and B is a good idea." She was ready to make sure that her new business was a success but to also honor her Aunt Agatha's memory.