Page 44 of The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

I swallow my bite of muffin and reach for her coffee to help myself. “You mowed the day before yesterday.”

“They used to call that ereyesterday,” Marian quips brightly, joining me in this dismissal of Lauren’s impulsive concerns.

“Really?” I maintain a lighthearted tone, glancing at Marian and not looking at a scowling Lauren. “I didn’t know that.”

Lauren clears her throat again, refusing to be derailed. “I can mow again.”

“No, you can’t,” Marian replies. “You said the mower is out of gas.”

I lift my hand. “Aren’t new guests arriving later today? Can’t have a mower running and causing a loud ruckus for customers.”

“You’re supposed to be a customer.”

I smile slyly. “I happen to enjoy your ruckuses.”

Her cheeks turn pink. “I wasn’t loud—”

Marian wisely smothers her laughter behind her coffee mug, regardless of the fact that it’s empty.

Lauren glares at me. “I won’t sit around and be idle.”

I have a particular idea to avoid that, but when I let my grin show where my thoughts are going, she crosses her arms.

“You’re allowed to be idle now and then.” Marian tells her. Now she’s the recipient of Lauren’s stern, pursed-lip look.

“Then I’ll get ahead on the social media posts,” she declares, nodding once, like that’s final.

Marian glances at me, and I sigh. I won’t push, but I’m determined to find a way to get a moment with this woman somewhere. Besides, that’s a good idea. “You should mention Marian’s cooking in those posts too. Highlight it all.”

Later, when Lauren greets the new guests, a pair of rugged-looking brothers who are eager to go hiking for their Colorado vacation, Marian pulls me aside. A flare of jealousy hits me each time Lauren giggles or smiles at something the men say. I plan to head up there on the porch and welcome them to the Goldfinch, too. Or something like that. Marian must have seen my scowl, though, because she intercepts me by pulling my arm and redirecting me to the side.

“I need something,” she says.

I glance at her, then scowl at the men again. “Sure.”

“Would you be willing to head into town for me?”

I frown at her before I can catch myself. “And leave Lauren with those two?”

“A trip into town as you bring Lauren along for her errands,” she adds.

I grin and exhale a breath of relief.

“Make a date of it or something.”

“Are you playing matchmaker?” I tease.

She shrugs. “Is it working?”

I really like this woman, and I’m confident I would do anything for her, especially if it involves Lauren and getting a chance to be with her one-on-one again.

“I sure hope so.”

“You’re fond of her,” she observes.

“What gave me away?”

“Little looks, always seeking her out.”

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