The MacAllisters of Rivers End Collection Books 1-4

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

“You’re seriously going to let her just … walk away?” The disbelief in James’s voice was clear.

“That’s not what I said.” Isaac clenched his jaw. What did his brother know, anyway? He and Carly were happily married, and James had no idea what it felt like to have the person you’d committed to spending your life with just pack up and leave you. “She has a life that doesn’t involve Rivers End. If she stays, it’s got to be her choice.”

“You’re an i***t. Jenna clearly likes it here, and gets along great with Sara. It’s obvious you’re crazy about her. How is she supposed to know that staying is an option if you don’t even bring it up?”

Isaac took his frustration out on the snow, shovelling faster than before. He wasn’t an i***t. He knew Jenna was exactly what he and Sara needed in their lives. But it wasn’t fair to ask her to give up all her plans and move to Rivers End, just to be with them.

“Drop it, James. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Fine, but I still think you’re an idiot.”

Isaac resisted the urge to bash his brother in the head with the snow shovel. They finished clearing the rest of the driveway in silence.

Isaac had some serious thinking to do. He considered relocating to the city, but quickly dismissed that idea. He couldn’t give up the lodge. It was the best way to combine making a living with taking care of Sara, and it was their home. He knew that was why his dad had asked him to come and help out when Lauren had left. He’d needed work with flexible hours, somewhere he could be right there for his little girl. Dad had needed someone with a strong back to take on some of the heavier work around the place.

When his dad had passed away the previous year, Isaac had taken over completely. They were just getting settled into a routine again. No, he couldn’t uproot Sara and take her away from the only home she’d ever known.

His brother was right about one thing. He was an i***t if he let Jenna leave without at least telling her how he felt.

Jenna found Isaac out back chopping wood while Sara was inside spending some quality time with her aunts and cousin. She crutched her way out to the back porch, and took a moment to watch Isaac and enjoy the way his muscles bunched with each swing of the axe. A mental flash of him chopping wood—without his shirt—had her grinning. It was a bit chilly for that at the moment, but she was willing to bet that come summertime her fantasy would become a reality. And now, there was a chance she’d get to see it in real life.

Jenna was well aware she was making a leap that many would call crazy. Her family would freak out when they discovered she had no intention of coming back to the city. Her mother hated small towns with a passion. But that might just be the perfect solution. She would be free to start her new life with minimal interference, and the bulk of her cash would be tied up in real estate, which would make it impossible for her brother to get his hands on it. The allure of an anonymous place in the city had seemed like a good idea. She liked the idea of renting the condo out even better. Rivers End was already feeling more like home than Vancouver ever had—and she’d lived there for five years.

There were six retail spaces in the complex she’d looked at with Lucas, and she only needed one for herself. Owning the building would mean that the rental income from the other spaces would help cover the mortgage while she got her business up and running. The realtor assured her there were more people interested in the space than there were spaces to rent.

Once the deal was finalized she could start accepting rental applications and see which businesses would make a good fit. A coffee shop was priority number one. From the way that Lucas was taking measurements in the space next door, it looked like he was pretty serious about his plan.

The apartments above the retail space were another thing she’d have to deal with. There were three decently sized apartments, and she really only needed one for herself. The other two could be rented out. She would see if Lucas had somewhere lined up to stay. If any of the other business owners interested in renting wanted to live above their premises, that would take care of the third apartment. If not, she’d put the word out around town.

Jenna’s cell phone rang, and a quick glance showed her the realtor’s number.

That was quick. She really hoped it wasn’t bad news.

“Shirley? What’s up?”

“They accepted your offer. The building is yours.”

Jenna resisted the urge to jump up and down and squeal. She was a landlord!

She could hear the smile in Shirley’s voice. “Welcome to Rivers End, Jenna. I know you’re going to love living here.”

Jenna expected she would, and not all of those reasons were related to her real estate purchase.

Now she had to find out how Isaac would feel about her sticking around.

Isaac had stopped chopping when Jenna’s phone rang, and his eyes had lit up at the sight of her. She felt her stomach flip-flop at the thought of what she was about to tell him.

He put down the axe and made his way over to the porch. “How did your trip into town go?”

“Great. I think I got everything I need.” And one or two things more besides. Like a building. Jenna fought the urge to giggle hysterically at the thought. Crazy? Maybe. But it felt like the right choice.

“I was wondering if I might be able to stay with you and Sara a little longer. Turns out the place I bought has some stairs, and I don’t think I’ll be able to move in until my brace comes off and I do a bit of work with the physio.”

Isaac climbed the porch stairs and kissed her soundly. “If I had my way you wouldn’t be leaving at all.”

“Do you mean that?” Jenna pulled back enough so that she could look him in the eyes. What she saw there unravelled the knot of nerves in her stomach and she forged ahead. He nodded seriously. “Good,” she said, “because the place I just bought, the one with the stairs—it’s in Rivers End.”

Isaac let out a whoop and lifted her off the ground in a bone-crushing hug. She dropped her crutches to throw her arms around him. “Wait, what about your place in Vancouver? I thought that deal was a sure thing.”

“It is, but I made enough on my website deal to be able to keep that one, too, if I rent it out. Fortunately, the apartment here comes with office space. I’m thinking Rivers End could use a web designer.” She kept the part about her owning the entire building to herself for the moment. They’d have plenty of time for details later.

Now that Jenna knew she was sticking around, she was going to take things one step at a time. The first step? To give their relationship an honest shot.

“Got any plans for tonight? Lucas said he’d babysit so we could go out and celebrate.”

Isaac responded to her question with a bone-melting kiss. “You’re on.”

They could start with an actual date, and then who knew where that could lead?

Sara just might get her Christmas wish after all.

Jenna and Isaac’s story continues in Wedding Bells (the final story of this collection). If you’re the kind who needs to jump ahead you can do that now by clicking here!

But… if you can handle being in suspense a little longer, I’d suggest you read the stories in the order they are here. It’ll make that ending all the sweeter when you get there, and help avoid any spoilers.