“Your daughter?” Derek asked as Lana quickly moved to his side.
“Daddy? What are you doing here? We weren’t expecting you until next week.”
Lloyd Sable looked from Derek to his oldest daughter. “Lavender had a feeling that I was going to be needed here, so I came back early. The night manager told me you brought a tray up to a guest and hadn’t been seen since, so I became worried.”
Lloyd looked back at Derek. “I’m assuming that you aren’t holding my daughter against her will in her own establishment?”
“No, sir.” Derek cleared his throat as he sat the tray on the floor. “Lana was kind enough to have dinner with me this evening.”
He then held out his hand. “I’m Derek Wells.”
Lloyd glanced at Lana before shaking the offered hand. “Lloyd Sable, Lana’s father.”
Derek nodded. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I must tell you that you and your daughters run a fine establishment and your daughters are absolutely beautiful.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with my beautiful daughter right now,” Lloyd told him.
Lana spoke up, “Of course, Daddy. Let me get my shoes.”
As Lana scrambled over to the bed to retrieve her shoes, the two men looked over one another. Lloyd reached for the tray and held it as Lana made her way to the door.
Looking up at Derek, she said softly, “I’ll see you later.”
He nodded and turned to her father. “It was nice meeting you Mr. Sable.”
“Oh, we will see each other again very soon, Mr. Wells.” Lloyd told him before walking away with the tray.
Derek halted Lana from following her father with a hand on her waist. “I will see you later?”
Lana smiled. “I promise.”
Quickly she moved to the stairs, hurrying to catch up with her father. Downstairs, Lloyd sat the tray on the counter, then headed to his office knowing that his daughter would be right behind him. He waited at the door until she arrived.
Lana hugged her father warmly and kissed his cheek. “Hi Daddy, I’m glad you’re home.”
Lloyd returned her hug and kiss. “I’m glad to be home and apparently, I need to be here.”
She looked up into his eyes, and said, “Let’s talk.”
Lloyd walked around his desk and took his seat as Lana sat across from him. He waited while she looked him over.
“You look good, Daddy. Did you have a good time?” she asked.
“Lana Sable…”
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, then began, “So I’m sure you want to know why I was in a guest’s room?”
“That is where we can start.”
She looked at him. “I met Derek yesterday. He checked in for a month’s stay….”
Lloyd nodded and waited for her to continue.
Lana shrugged. “I don’t know. We hit it off, I guess…”
He lifted a brow.
“Okay, more than hit it off. The attraction is very strong and I’d decided to grant his request to spend time together and get to know one another. Tonight we had dinner in his room after all the other guests had retired,” she explained.
Lloyd sat back in his seat and studied his eldest. Lana had been his rock in both raising the girls and running the business. Of all his daughters, she was the most cautious, so if someone had gotten her to agree to spend time with him at the Inn, this was definitely someone he had to check out.
“So tell me about Derek Wells,” Lloyd said quietly, knowing all of his daughters had checked the man out thoroughly.
Lana nodded. “He’s a very successful campaign manager. His primary residence is in D.C. but he travels all over the country. He’s single, no children, seems close to his family and extremely charming.”
“He must be, if my daughter is lounging in bed with him at the Inn.”
“We were discussing politics,” Lana explained.
“I never knew you were so interested,” her father commented.
Lana smiled. “I really wasn’t, but Derek makes it very interesting.”
Lloyd put his hands on the desk. “Mr. Wells has my daughter quite smitten.”
“I have to admit that he does.”
“And is he as smitten with my daughter?”
Lana flushed. “He says that he is…”
Lloyd stood and walked around the desk before leaning back against it. “You know that I don’t interfere in your lives but also, I would not ever let anyone, hurt any of you.”
“I know that,” Lana replied.
“The Inn has always been your priority, but I want you to know that it’s okay for you to have a life Lana…even if that life takes you away from Grayling,” Lloyd pointed out.
“I’m never leaving the Inn,” she vowed vehemently. “You and Granddaddy worked your whole lives to make this a success.”
Lloyd took her hand. “That was our dream.”
“It’s mine too.”
He lifted her face with a hand on her chin. “You’re a smart, beautiful woman, Lana…and you deserve whatever you desire in life. Don’t ever settle…for anyone or anything.”
She smiled up at him. “You’ve always told us that.”
“Because it’s true.”
“I’m so glad you’ve found Lavender,” Lana told her. “She has you so balanced.”
Lloyd smiled. “Lavender is an incredible woman and I enjoy every moment I can spend with her.”
Lana looked confused. “Isn’t it hard when you have to leave her in California?”
“I’d love to be with Lavender every day, but right now her family needs her and my daughters need me. The time apart actually makes our coming together even more special,” Lloyd explained.
“I don’t know if I can handle that,” Lana confessed. “With someone that I loved.”
“Didn’t you say that Derek travels a lot?” he asked.
Lana nodded. “I’ve already told him that I’m not good with goodbyes.”
“Yet, you’ve decided to start something with him…”
She paused. “I didn’t want to…but I couldn’t say no.”
“Life doesn’t always conform to our neat little package, sometimes we have to choose happiness in the way it appears,” Lloyd told her. “I’d planned to spend my entire life with your mother, and when she was taken away from me, I’d planned to spend the rest of my life alone.”
“But I was given the opportunity to love two incredible women in my life,” he finished.
Lana sighed. “I know I just met Derek yesterday, but there’s something there…something I can’t yet explain. He’s handsome and he’s smart, but there’s more.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you finding out what that is, maybe it’s what you’ve been waiting for,” Lloyd said quietly.
“I have everything right here,” Lana told him firmly.
Lloyd smiled. “That doesn’t mean there’s not more for you.”
“My priority is the Inn and I promise you that I won’t do anything to compromise our reputation,” Lana vowed.
“I’m not worried about that Lana. You know your business and I trust you.” Lloyd replied. “Although, I will be having a ‘man to man’ with your campaign manager.”
“I thought Lavender had balanced you,” Lana complained.
“I’m still your father,”
Lana stood and hugged him. “And I love you so much. You’re the best Daddy ever.”
“And you are my Princess along with your sisters.”
She smiled. “Derek has a tough act to follow.”
“I set the bar high because I know the value of my beautiful girls.”
“Or you’re just biased.”
Lloyd laughed. “That too.”
“Now tell me what else has been going on around here while I was gone,” he finished.
******
Lana returned to her home late that night after speaking extensively with her father. In her bedroom, she picked up the phone and dialed the main line, then waited to be transferred to the Blue Room.
“Hello?”
“Did I wake you?” she asked.
Derek laid back. “No, I was up wondering when I would hear from you.”
“I talked with my Daddy for a while and lost track of time,” Lana explained.
“I was expecting him to be knocking on my door.”
She smiled. “No, Daddy isn’t like that. He might corner you over breakfast though.”
“That’s cool. I’m up front with mine.”
“Yes, I think you are.” Lana agreed. “I like that about you.”
He placed an arm over his head. “So what’s next Miss Sable?”
“A handsome guy is supposed to be meeting me at the pool so I was on my way over there,” she hinted.
“I’ve been waiting for two hours to swim with a pretty country girl,” he replied.
“Then I’ll see you soon.”
When Lana arrived, the bouquets from Derek’s room were arranged around the pool and gave off a fragrant scent. She smiled as she joined him on the edge. He looked her over in another swimsuit and her customary swim cap.
“Hi,” Lana said softly. “The flowers are beautiful.”
“Hello Lana, so are you.”
She held his gaze. “Sorry I was so late.”
“I was willing to wait.” Derek told her. “I know your father just arrived home.”
“He inquired about you.”
Derek smiled. “I’m sure he did, since you were in my room.”
She laughed. “Daddy has always let us make our own decisions unless it’s something he feels very strongly about, like making us all leave for college. Other than that, he believes that we’re smart enough to make our own choices.”
“But he will let us know that he’s still Daddy,” she told him.
Derek nodded. “I can respect that.”
“I think he’ll like you a lot.” Lana commented. “You two have similar views.”
“Similar views on how lovely his daughter is?” Derek took her hand and helped her into the water.
“Or how smart she is?” He continued. “How any man would be blessed to be in her presence?”
Lana smiled. “Yeah, something like that.”
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “In that case, we should get along just fine.”
She watched him swim away with a silly smile on her face before she joined him. Together, they swam laps until they moved over to the whirling spa. Derek noticed that this time, Lana sat across from him, on the far side and their eyes connected across the water.
She spread her arms out to rest them along the edge. “That worked off some steam, huh?”
Derek lifted a dark brow. “Yeah, I guess…”
“I’m not tipsy tonight…”
“And that means…”
Lana shrugged a wet shoulder. “Well, the way the cameras are positioned in here, this spot where I’m sitting is the only place in the room that’s not covered. It’s a blind spot. We noticed it after the cameras were installed, but since we can see basically everything else, we decided not to change them.”
“So, you should come and sit over here, so that we can…talk privately.”
Lana watched as Derek slowly made his way over to her. She gasped when he lifted her from the water and sat placing her on his lap. Lana looped her arms around his neck to hold on for balance.
“So what we’re not going to do Lana Sable, is play any type of games,” Derek told her firmly.
“Who’s playing games?”
He gave her a look. “We can…talk privately…anywhere and anytime you like. You have my complete attention and you don’t need to do anything to encourage it.”
Lana smiled softly. “What is your opinion on one night stands?”
“They happen,” Derek shrugged.
She lifted a brow. “Often?”
“Are you asking to have one or how many I’ve had in the past?”
“I think if you’re here for a month, it would definitely be more than one night,” Lana told him.
Derek touched her face. “I would hope so.”
Lana held his gaze. “I’m not a prude but I’m also not completely sexually liberated. I’m honest enough with myself to admit that I still equate sex with love or some type of deep emotion, even in this new age of quote/unquote ‘situationships’.”
He dropped his hand to her leg underneath the water. “It’s possible to have one without the other,” he commented.
“I’ve been told that many times…by men and women, but my feelings remain the same.”
Derek kissed her cheek. “We don’t have to plan it out. Nature can just run its course.”
“I can be open to that,” she whispered, turning her mouth to his. Derek received her offering and returned it, while gently caressing her thigh.
“I’ve never experienced this level of attraction,” Lana confessed. “Not this quickly.”
He locked eyes with her. “Lana, I wasn’t planning to come here. I wasn’t looking to meet anyone and I certainly wasn’t expecting to be this attracted to you. I’m sure we’ve both met attractive and interesting people, but this is deeper than the physical.”
“I don’t necessarily believe in fate and destiny,” he continued. “But I do understand my instinct and it’s never let me down. I came here for you and I’m not leaving here, until I know exactly what that means,” he finished.
“Since you walked through the door, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” Lana told. “And believe me, I didn’t want to.”
“Oh, I got that message.” He said with a smile. “But I changed your mind.”
“I have to admit that you did,” she agreed. “You’re very persistent and persuasive.”
“I have to be, in order to make things happen.”
Lana stroked his jaw, gently touching the soft hairs. “You know I can’t resist a strong brother.”
“I remember, and your book club agreed with you.”
She laughed and traced his full lips. “Speaking of, if this thing between us goes sour…my friend, Nadia has already put her bid in for you.”
“Tell Nadia, I plan to be enjoying your sweetness for many days to come.” Derek said, kissing her again.
“Yeah, I claimed you.”
Derek chuckled. “I feel so special.”
Lana became serious. “I’m finding that you very well may be…”
He pulled her closer and they enjoyed exploring one another. Exiting the spa, they talked until they realized that morning was on the horizon.
“I have to get ready for the breakfast meal soon,” Lana said reluctantly, as they relaxed on the pool loungers.
Derek looked over at her. “I guess we’ve spent our first night together.”
“And it was amazing,”
“I agree,” Derek said taking her hand.
“Are you working today?” she questioned.
He nodded. “I need to stay on top of things.”
“I have a busy scheduled today and with Daddy home, he’ll want to meet with us.” Lana explained. “So, I guess I’ll give you a rest.”
Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed it softly. “I’m not trying to interfere in your work, so whenever you have time, you know where to find me.”
Lana leaned forward. “I’ll always find you.”
******
Derek worked through breakfast and his stomach made him go downstairs for lunch after smelling the delicious food through the vents. He was met in the dining room by Lorna.
“Good afternoon, Lorna,” he greeted.
“Hello, Derek. Are you enjoying your stay at the Sable Inn?” she asked with a smile.
He nodded. “Very much so.”
“Great! Well, have a seat and we’ll take your order.”
“Thank you,” Derek responded, then found an empty table. A few minutes later, he placed his order and was served a tall glass of lemonade while he waited. He was checking his phone, when his food arrived and he looked up, surprised at the server.
“Mr. Wells?”
“Yes, that’s me.” Derek answered.
The older woman sat the plate in front of him and Derek caught Lorna’s smile across the room. Turning his attention back to the woman, he stood to his feet.
“Thank you.”
She smiled and took the seat across from where he’d been sitting, prompting him to sit back down.
“I’m Ella Langston,” she introduced herself. “I make the food around here.”
Derek nodded. “Then I should thank you again because everything has been delicious.”
“I understand that you’ve been spending time with our Lana.”
He noted how she said ‘our’. “Yes, Lana has been kind enough to spend her free time with me.”
Mrs. Langston nodded and watched him.
“Are you a chef, Mrs. Langston?” Derek asked.
She shook head. “Nah, baby…didn’t come to talk about me.”
Derek sat back. “Yes, ma’am.”
“You know, I helped raise those girls. Cutest little things I’d ever seen running around here, driving their Daddy crazy. The baby, Lorna, she’s a sweetheart. Kindest little thing you’ll ever meet. Lena, strong as an ox. Will fight you to the death over her sisters and Daddy.”
He listened intently for her next words. “And Lana…she took on the role as Momma. Loving, protective and as loyal as they come. If she loves you, she’ll never turn her back on you. She takes care of everybody and everything. It’s time somebody came to take care of her.”
“Do you have any words of advice for me to do that?” Derek asked.
Mrs. Langston leaned forward. “First of all, do you want to?”
He matched her stance. “Yes, I do. That’s why I’m here.”
She smiled. “Good. Now the first thing is, don’t let her retreat. She’s good for that. Lana will fight for everybody else, except herself. Oh, she’s not a pushover, but she’s guarded.” Mrs. Langston pointed a finger at him.
Derek nodded. “I can see that.”
“She doesn’t do anything that she doesn’t want to do,” Mrs. Langston advised. “So, if she’s spending time with you, knowing that you’re a guest…that means that you’ve sparked something in her.”
The old woman leaned back and pinned him with a stare. “So if you’re here to get your jollies while on vacation, I suggest you look elsewhere. This ain’t that kind of party. These are good girls here,” she warned.
Derek smiled at the woman’s words. “No ma’am, definitely not here to get my…jollies. I’m staying to spend time with Lana because she’s sparked something within me as well.”
Mrs. Langston relaxed. “Okay now, you look like a nice young man. Where your people from?”
“We’re from Virginia.”
She nodded. “Eat that food before it gets cold. I don’t like my meals wasted.”
Derek picked up his fork with a smile. “Lana told me you’d take a switch to us.”
“She knows.”
He chuckled and dug into the plate. “This is really delicious. It reminds me of home.”
“Stick around for a while and this place will become home,” Mrs. Langston said as she got to her feet. Derek stood along with her and she patted his arm.
“Welcome to the Sable Inn, Derek.”
“Thank you ma’am.” He replied. “I’m enjoying it more every day.”
He watched her walk back to the kitchen and took his seat again, finishing his lunch. Derek’s phone rang as he was walking through the lobby and he saw his sister’s number. Stepping outside into the nature, he answered.
“Thanks for calling me back,” she complained.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I talked to Brian and then I started catching up on what was going on.”
She sighed. “Now you see why I was trying to get in touch with you?”
He began walking. “Yeah, I never thought we’d get to this point.”
“Can you believe there’s an actual debate over whether any of this is illegal? People have just forgotten the Constitution!”
“We know how laws are broken and shit is slipped under the rug, depending on who’s involved,” he commented.
“Are you on your way to Washington?”
He looked at the scenery as he passed. “No, I’m still in Michigan.”
“For how long?”
“As long as necessary…”
“What the hell is going on Derek?” she demanded. “This is what you live for.”
He frowned. “I never said all that.”
“Why are you still in Michigan?” she asked plainly.
“A pretty country girl has me walking through woods,” he answered, looking at the trees.
“Excuse me, I need to speak with Derek Wells.”
Derek stopped on the path. “Shut up Dina.”
“Really, where is my brother? The Campaign Manager? The Politician Maker?”
“That Derek is on vacation, while Derek the single man with a life, is spending time with a beautiful woman in a beautiful place,” he countered.
His sister sighed. “My bad Derek. I’m certainly not trying to begrudge you a life. If anybody, I know how much you’ve sacrificed to get where you are.”
Derek looked out at the water. “I wasn’t looking for this Dina, but it’s found me and I can’t walk away.”
“At least keep in touch,” Dina requested.
“I will,” he promised.
“You know I love my little brother and I’m so proud of you.”
Derek laughed. “Don’t try to clean it up now. You probably were calling me everything but your little brother when you couldn’t get in touch with me.”
“I did, but I can do that. Nobody else can though,” she replied.
“I love you too. Did you talk to Momma today?”
Dina laughed. “Yes, can’t miss my day. You’d better not miss yours either.”
“I know better than that.”
“Your little country girl might have you tied up.”
He shook his head. “Nah, I don’t play about calling Momma.”
Derek heard a noise and turned to find another person.
“Uh, Dina…let me talk to you later.”
Derek ended the call and stepped to the man. “Mr. Sable, I wondered when we’d meet again.”
Lloyd nodded. “Let’s take a walk, son.”
“My pleasure, sir.”
The two men began walking along the path and Derek followed Lloyd’s lead.
“I understand that you’ve been here three days, now?” Lloyd questioned.
Derek nodded. “Yes,”
“And you’re booked for the entire month?”
“Unless or until my work demands my attention,” Derek answered.
Lloyd lifted a brow. “And then what?”
“Then I’ll handle my business both here and there.”
Both Lloyd and Derek turned as a golf cart came in their direction. Derek looked at the older man who was driving the vehicle as he stopped and climbed out slowly.
“Here you are,” the older man commented. “I wondered where you’d walked off to…”
Lloyd smiled. “I saw our guest and I wanted to have a word with him.”
Turning to Derek, the older man held out his hand. “Harry Langston.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Langston. I’ve met your wife and tasted her delicious food,” Derek greeted, shaking the extended hand.
“That’s my Ella,” Mr. Langston boasted then turned to Lloyd. “I’ve got the buckets and the poles on the cart.”
Lloyd nodded. “Thanks Mr. Langton.” He then looked at Derek. “You fish, son?”
“I haven’t in a while, but I know how to handle a pole,” he answered.
“We’re having a fish fry tonight at the Inn and I need to provide the fish. Would you like to join me?” Lloyd offered.
Mr. Langston looked between the two men and waited.
Derek tucked his phone into the back pocket of his jeans and nodded. “Sure, why not?”
Lloyd smiled then climbed into the waiting cart.
“Tell Mrs. Langston, I’ll have a haul for her when I get back.” Lloyd told Mr. Langston then looked at Derek. “Hopefully, my fishing buddy will pull in his share.”
Derek entered the cart on the other side. “Depends on how many people you’re trying to feed.”
Lloyd laughed. “The whole town.”
Derek looked confused as Mr. Langston laughed. “Happy fishing!” He turned and walked away before Lloyd started the cart and the two men took off toward the river.