Cristina and The Blue Serene Resort and Spa
David smiled into Cristina's eyes as he pulled her down for a kiss. She laughed into his mouth even as he kissed her deeper. She pulled back and rolled off of him but stayed close, placing her head on his chest.
"Your friend is an idiot."
David laughed. "He knows. So, the Blue Serene is going to be a resort?"
"And why should I help the idiot?"
"But wouldn't you actually help your friend?" He kissed her forehead.
"She is getting over him. She just needs time. Besides, her two renters are better prospects, if you ask me."
"The chef and the milkman? Really?"
She shrugged. "I know no one compares to Virginia."
"And why do you bring her up?"
"You know why." She paused in thought. "Yes, it will be a resort, and she plans to run four of the businesses herself and sell or rent all of the residential locations."
He pulled her back on top of him and looked deep into her eyes. "I don't want Virginia. I want you."
David left Cristina's home a couple of hours later and called Dan on his way to his house.
"Dan. Are you ready? I am on my way."
"Yes. Marcus says we can go with his crew."
"Okay, a day of toting supplies back and forth for Marcus. A dream come true."
"I will be there in five."
"Okay. Five minutes."
Dan was waiting outside when David arrived, and they drove to Marcus Mills' warehouse.
"She has four businesses that she is renoing?" Dan thought for a moment. "Let's focus on the bakery and bath house first. I think these will be her two most important endeavors."
"Okay. Message Marcus and tell him what supplies we want to get over there."
"On it." Dan looked at his friend. "My mom says I should give her space. What do you think?"
"I think if you give her space, this Brandon or Calvin will have your wife."
They pulled up to the supply warehouse and hopped into a truck that was already loaded. The two best friends drove to Blue Serene Lake in silence. Dan's eyes went wide when he saw the wall and landscaping already taking shape.
A huge blue-green sign greeted them: Blue Serene Lake Resort and Spa.
He smiled. She is always able to do things beyond expectation.
He was ejected out of his daydreaming as soon as he saw her. She was standing in front of the bakery, looking at the building and nodding. He had to admit the work was going quickly, and they only really needed to do some interior work so that she had what she wanted.
Dan felt like he was quickly running out of time.
Amber saw Dan and David when they jumped out of the supply truck. She had initially frowned but didn't say anything. She watched as they both unloaded the truck and stacked all the supplies where directed.
It was odd seeing Dan work like this—not that he wasn't a hard worker. She had never seen him perform manual labor before. She did not know what he was up to, but she was not going to give it time in her brain. She pushed all thoughts of Dan away and focused on her work.
As she thought of this, Dan watched her as well. He berated himself for not knowing her expressions—he couldn't tell if she was impressed or annoyed.
He, himself, was in awe. The bakery was coming together well. It wasn't just a three-story bakery; it was a quaint café with cozy seating, beautiful views, and an innovative open kitchen—allowing patrons an opportunity to see delicacies in the making.
It was beyond innovative and so much more than the houses he renovated with mere splashes of paint and plumbing repairs.
Dan was bewildered. He knew nothing of the woman he had lived with for five years. He realized he never tried to understand her or get to know her. And when they began taking supplies to the bath house, this point was driven home even more.
This construction was different than the bakery. It was a project being built from the ground up, and laid out like Roman baths. There would be relaxing baths—both co-ed and divided by sex—separated by uniquely sculpted partitions and beautiful hedges. Surrounding these would be unique mud and mineral baths, message, yoga, and meditation rooms, and more.
Dan paused mentally as he faced the fact that he had been married to an extraordinary woman, and he had been a selfish fool.
He had wanted to come to her rescue. He wanted to show her he could support her... no, not support. He wanted to show her he could help her, fix things, make them more efficient. But Amber didn't need that. She didn't need a superhero or knight in shining armor.
She needed a man who believed in her, encouraged her—a man who understood her. He had to change.
It was time he wooed his wife, validated her, and showed her—through action—just how important she was to him.
First, he would help her with the spa. Marcus had already told him she was looking for sustainable mud and mineral resources. He would dive into his network and solve this issue.
Next, he would understand her other two ventures, here at the resort, and quietly help her with those as well.
He would support her and lift her up, and he would win her back with his own effort. She would see him as an asset and not a hanger-on.