Page 91 of A Wolfe in the Woods

Jonathan didn’t reply, but he understood, perhaps better than anyone. He kept his attention on me and continued to listen.

“So, once she got some of her strength back, she just wanted to focus on baking for enjoyment, for the community. But I always remembered working together, even if it was brief. How fun it was. I wanted to make her happy, but in doing so, I foundmypurpose. I found what excitedme, what I wanted to do with my life.”

And instead, I’d landed at Skoll Corp, doing none of it. Ihadstarted there in a marketing position…but then it had morphed into other responsibilities, more and more tasks piling up.

I bit my lip, still chasing that bright spark of inspiration that was still reverberating through me. I made up my mind. I had a vision, so clear in my head. A complete website update, marketing materials throughout Everwick, better signage. I wouldn’t even bother with online ads; I’d contact travel influencers who could make content instead, invite them out for a free weekend stay. They’d see how amazing this place was and get it out to their following.

People only needed to know this washere, and they’d swarm to it.

“Let me help you,” I said, my tone soft but certain.

A gruff sound fell from his throat. He would turn me down—I could feel it.

“Jonathan, I’m serious,” I insisted.

Quickly, I rose from the chair, the book falling onto the floor, and went to his desk, splaying my hands over the top. His lips twitched. His eyes went to my spread palms, trailing up my arms before meeting my eyes.

He leaned forward, his hand propping up his chin. “I appreciate the offer, Red, but right now there are so many things on my to-do list that are bigger priorities, which need immediateattention. You’ve been listening to some of them all morning. Advertising is important—I get that—but trying to draw more people in when this place isn’t ready just feels backward.Half these cabins need repairs, the garden’s overgrown, and there’s more issues that you’re not even aware of. I’m not proud of this place, and I don’t want to market a mess.” He exhaled, then rubbed the back of his neck. “Truth is I’ve already been doing that. I opened sooner than planned, only because May said it was time. Maybe she’s right, but it’s not how I would’ve done it.”

Jonathan’s gaze shifted to the window, thoughtful. “I don’t mind the low guest count. I’ve got enough money saved, and I’ve got a vision—I just can’t do everything all at once.”

“I’m not asking you to pay me anything,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s not what this is about. Iwantto help. You can’t do everything alone, and you shouldn’t have to.This is fun for me. Besides…” I gestured to all the paperwork scattered around his desk. “Who else is gonna help fill up your cabins when you have all this to deal with? The cabins are just sitting there. What’s a little marketing gonna hurt?”

His gaze flicked down to the surface of his desk. His lips pressed together.

“You don’t like to accept help, do you?” I asked gently.

The old chair creaked as he leaned back, regarding me with narrowed eyes.

“I mean, you’re doing everything yourself. Even the cabins. If you had a crew, even a small one, the work would get done quicker and get the Hollow to where you want it to be, and you could focus on other things. Like marketing. Like turning a profit. Likerelaxing.” I ticked them off on my fingers, one by one.

“You sound like May,” he grumbled, but there was the ghost of a chuckle behind it.

“Yeah, and she’s right. Between both of you, I’m sure you know every carpenter, electrician, and handyman along this entire coast. You just don’t seem open to the idea. Why is that?”

He let out a slow breath, rubbing his thumb over the edge of an envelope…one of the investment firms offers that used to hound his father. “I like doing everything myself,” he said quietly. “Always have.”

The words didn’t land with confidence this time though. They felt forced.

There was a long pause before he added, “…Or maybe,” he murmured, “I keep fixing things here because I couldn’t fix things withhim.”

It wasn’t dramatic. Or self-pitying. Just honest.

My chest tightened, knowing he was talking about his father.

“When someone breaks something into a million pieces,” I said softly, “it leaves a lot of pieces to pick up.”

I reached out, brushing my fingers against the back of his hand.

“And it helps…to have help.”

He dragged in a deep breath and slowly scrubbed at his face. I’d slept beside him last night. He’d been like a furnace, radiating heat, but even though he’d slept soundly, he still looked tired.

“All right,” he finally said. “You and May are right. If I want to finish sooner, I need to bring a crew on.”

I beamed in victory. “And you’ll let me help you too?”

A smile touched his lips. “Because you’re insisting andonlyif it’ll make you happy.”