The Path

When I came to Crystal Cove, I was running—from heartbreak, from humiliation, from the life I thought I wanted. Managing a cozy little bed-and-breakfast felt safe. Predictable. The kind of quiet I could live with.

But then the old Riverside Inn landed in my lap—faded, forgotten, and full of potential. Bringing it back to life feels like a second chance, the kind I stopped believing in a long time ago.

And then there’s Ryland Kent. Handsome, grounded, and just as passionate about restoration as I am. He shows up with tools, blueprints, and a smile that makes me remember what it’s like to dream again.

I came here to rebuild a hotel, not to open my heart. But maybe, just maybe, the path to finding myself again leads straight to him.