"I don't mean to imply that you haven't been," he replied, quickly, holding his hands up defensively. "I just- I don't know how to fix this, Rena. I'll be the first to admit that. I hate to see you fighting and upset over all of this, but it seems my mediation has done little to solve it. I just- I don't know, Rena. Maybe things have moved too quickly, changed too much in too short of a time. But we have to work through it, one way or another. You- you know that you're needed here. For the inn, yes, but also for me and Bridget. I wouldn't let you go without a fight- and I think Bridget would fight even harder if she had any inclination that you might be going."