Free Only in My Dreams by Darcy Burke Page B

her in that clothes-stripping way . . .
    Get ahold of yourself, Sara. He wasn’t mentally undressing you. He was fighting for the job .
    â€œWell, he’s still totally hot. And ex-military.” Tori watched Sara’s reaction.
    Sara shook her head. “Uh-uh. I’m not biting. Let it go.”
    Tori exhaled and tossed her a small smile that signified the end of her goading. “Just as well since we’ll probably be hiring him for phase one.”
    â€œHe’s your first choice?”
    â€œFor the cottage, definitely. And his attitude today only sealed the deal for me. You seemed pretty hesitant about even considering him for the other phases though.”
    She was hesitant, and if she thought about it, not for the right reasons. She couldn’t let their one-night stand and any lingering attraction, which she absolutely felt, influence her decision. “You’re not?”
    â€œMaybe a little, but I’m inclined to give him a chance.” Tori sat forward and waved a hand. “We’re putting the cart before the horse here. I need to work on the plans before we consider anything, and I can’t focus on that until we get underway with this cottage. You’re sure you’re up for overseeing that phase?”
    Sara frowned. The last several weeks had been tough as she’d transitioned management of her business to Craig, and half-moved home to help with this project and provide support to Mom. Craig had eagerly agreed to help out—he’d been great actually. Mom, on the other hand, was a basket case. She’d started seeing a therapist but was still incredibly depressed. Dad was keeping everything bottled up and was pulling further and further away emotionally. It was like he just didn’t want to deal with Alex’s death at all.
    All of that had combined to create stress, and Sara’s sensory regulation had been all over the place. So much for proving her capability if she couldn’t keep herself from having meltdowns every couple days. Granted, it wasn’t quite that bad, but it wasn’t as good as things had been the last few years. Which made Tori’s question all the more grating, even if it was well intentioned.
    â€œI can do it,” Sara said. “I know you think I’m struggling, and I suppose I am, but we all are. I just look different doing it than you.” That was the crux most of them didn’t understand. Yes, she was different, but she was okay with that. “The cottage is my baby anyway.” No way they would stop her overseeing it.
    Converting the ranch-style house at the edge of the property into a wedding-event space had been Sara’s brainstorm when they’d first toured the property several weeks ago. The idea had come to her after she’d talked with Derek’s fiancée, Chloe, who’d been concerned about getting married at the Archers’ house given Alex’s suicide and the overall aura of depression. Moving the wedding to this new space would take the pressure off Mom. Plus, Sara could totally envision the place as a premier event destination. Once the hotel was operational, it would be in high demand.
    â€œYou’re right, it is your baby,” Tori said. “But I’m still your sister, and it’s my responsibility to watch out for you, even when it’s annoying.” Her gaze softened. “Really, Sara. I know I can be overbearing sometimes, but you know my heart’s in the right place.”
    â€œI do. Although I don’t always appreciate it, I understand it.”
    Tori crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you going to do when that part of the project is done? Go back to your condo and your event-planning business?”
    â€œThat’s the plan, yes.” They’d discussed the need to hire a team to run the hotel and restaurant—none of them believed Kyle would ever come back to do anything. While she, Tori, Hayden, and