Page 20 of Roses for Rosie

“I can’t stay with you!”

“It’s a better option than staying here.”

“No.” She stomps her foot and digs her heels in.

I could scoop her up in my arms and carry her out of here, I muse. I can only imagine the fit she would throw if I did something like that though.

“OK, fine. I’ll get you a room at the hotel where I’m staying. Your modesty will be preserved and so will your physical safety.”

“You’ll get me a room?”

“That’s what I said.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“You aren’t asking, I’m offering.”

“But you barely know me.”

“It’s no problem, really. You’d be doing me a favor honestly. If I let you stay here, I’ll be up all night worrying that he woke up and came after you. I wouldn’t sleep a wink and I have a big day planned for tomorrow.”

“I’d be doing you a favor, huh?” She looks up at me and then back at her father’s closed door and then back at me, deliberating. Her shoulder sink when she relents. She doesn’t want to stay here any more than I want her to stay here. “OK, you win. Can I grab a few things and meet you at the car in five minutes?”

“I’ll wait right here.” I look at her father’s door while I say it, letting her know that it’s him I don’t trust, not her.

“Fair enough.”

She disappears into another room and then pops out again a moment later with a small bag.

“Ready?” I ask.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

I take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze. It’s been a hard night for her.

“We’re all booked up for the night,” the night receptionist tells me when we get to the hotel.

“You don’t have even one room left?” I ask. How does a hotel just outside a little town like this get booked up?

“I’m so sorry, sir. The annual Sheep and Wool Festival is this week and we have knitters from all over the country pouring in.”

Knitters? A festival of knitters has filled the one hotel within fifty miles of Jamesville. You have got to be kidding me.

I look down at Rosie standing beside me. I know she doesn’t want to, but there is only one choice. She’s staying with me and that’s final.

“Come on. You’re staying with me.” I pull on her hand, guiding her toward the elevator, pulling out my key card as I go.

She yelps and jumps backward a bit. “I can’t, Adam. I really can’t.”

“We’ve been through this already. I can’t let you stay at home tonight. There are no open rooms. Choices are limited here.”

“My father doesn’t let me spend time with men. He’ll be furious.”

“Let me deal with your father.”

She considers this for a moment, no doubt imagining me beating the man to a pulp. As much as I would like to do just that I know Rosie wouldn’t want me to.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.”

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