Our Last Chance (Heart of Hope 1)

“He’s going through the wringer, for sure. He looked like hell. I think he feels he needs to go. Lyle’s mob ran him out of town.”

I nodded, wondering how a town that once lauded Nick could so easily turn on him. Now that he didn’t work here, we could be together if only he stayed. I could have been the one to hold him through the nightmares. To support him through the lawsuit. But I guess he didn’t see me like that, and that moved my sadness to anger. After everything, I didn’t mean enough for him to even say goodbye, much less be a friend. He couldn’t be bothered to return my call. Not even with a text. I guess that meant we were over. Then again, I suppose we never really started. We never got beyond admitting our being together was more than sex. That didn’t mean it was love, at least for him. For me, it was love. It had probably been love the first time I saw him again. But I hadn’t told him. Would it have made a difference if I had? Would he have stayed and faced all his challenges if he knew I’d be by his side?

“He’ll have to be back sometime,” Eli said. “He just took a small bag.”

I tried to smile. “Did it really bother you that much to learn Nick and I were together?”

“Yes. You’re my sister. He was my best friend. My friend shouldn’t know my sister like that.”

I nodded. “I guess that would be weird. He was good to me, Eli. I loved him.”

“He loved you too, at least that’s what he said. He wanted to spend his life with you.”

“What?” I frowned.

“He said he’d wanted to spend his life with you, but you broke it off when you went to L.A.”

I shook my head. “He never said that to me.”

“I guess he realized your dream was elsewhere. He did say mom wanted you two together, did he tell you?”

“Yes.” It was so strange that my parents liked the idea of me and Nick together.

“I got pissed that Dad and I wouldn’t be enough to bring you home. We were. You’re home now.”

“I think she just wanted all of us to be happy.”

“Are you happy, Mia?” His eyes showed sincerity in his question.

“I’m … not at the moment, but life is like that, isn’t it? Are you happy, Eli?”

“I don’t think so, but I want to be. I’ve been trying to figure out ways to kick ass with the shop.”

Glad to have a new topic, I asked. “What have you come up with?”

“The Internet.”

“Oh?” I quirked a brow.

“One is for reservations of equipment. I also thought we could make some Parker Sports Store logo wear wit

h Goldrush Lake, skiing, bears, whatever, and sell it.”

“Like souvenirs?”

“Right. But we can sell them online too. I also was looking into costs for running a shuttle from the store to the ski slopes. When people rent skis, we could take them right to the slopes.”

I smiled. “You have been thinking about this. Have you talked to Dad?”

“Don’t think I can do it on my own?”

I pursed my lips. “I’m not doubting your ability, Eli. I’m saying having feedback, the input of more ideas, and support can be inspiring and motivating.”

“I haven’t yet, but I will. I’ll bring him by to visit you at lunch. Doc says he wants you here another day.”

“Really?” I frowned. “Is something wrong?”

“I don’t think so.”