Page 10 of The Hot New Bachelor in Town

“Why not?”

“Because I grew up here,” I say. “You raised me in this inn.”

“I know that.”

“It’s the only home I’ve ever had. There are twenty-three little notches on the wall of the kitchen downstairs!”

He laughs at that. “We haven’t measured your height since you were fifteen.”

“We’re not ready yet,” I say.

“You’re not ready yet, honey. I am.”

I close my eyes, unable to ignore the age in his voice. “Papa...”

“Look at me, Mickey,” he says, and I do. “You know how much I love this place, but... without your mother...”

“Papa,” I whisper, my heart breaking.

“It’s time to let it go, Mika. And it’s time for you to move on.”

“I don’t want to move on.”

“Go out and find somebody to share your life with,” he says. “Build yourself a life of your own.”

“I don’t need that,” I say as I give the bed a last glance, quickly smoothing a wrinkle out of the corner. “All right? I have everything under control. And sure, things are tight. But I can get another job!”

“You’re spread too thin already.”

“Hot Beans is always looking for baristas.”

Papa chuckles. “Oh, Mickey. I love you, but your coffee is awful.”

“I’ll learn.”

“You’re a young woman! You should be out there socializing. Dating. Men! Remember men?”

“Yes, I remember men, Papa,” I say dryly.

“You should be out there falling in love and getting into trouble. Not cooped up in here with your old man.”

“I have everything I need here and?—”

The bell at the front desk rings downstairs. “Hello?”

“It’s him,” I say, my chest fluttering with panic. “Okay. You go check him in. I’ll finish up here.”

“All right, honey.” Papa stands up slowly. “But we’ll talk more about this later,” he says by the door.

I don’t reply, far too preoccupied with making sure the room is perfect.

Everything is fine. Everything is going to be fine.

I got this.

4

CARTER

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