Page 14 of Three Hearts Hideaway

She felt her cheeks turn pink as she smiled. “You didn’t have to do that, Roman.”

He simply shrugged his shoulders and said, “I know you have a sweet tooth.”

She could get used to this. A man who is kind and giving? Who pays attention to the little things? Definitely three things she mentally added to her list of desirable traits in a partner.

Ava placed her hand on his forearm. “Thank you. Would it be okay if I ran into Gertie’s hotel to deliver the butter?”

“Go for it. I’ll wait for you right here.” He leaned casually against the outside of Dean’s Drug Mart. It should’ve been illegal to make leaning against a wall so sexy.

Ava ducked into The Quiet Shore Hotel a few doors down and found Gertie setting out butter tarts by the coffee machine in the lobby. Judging by the rich smell of pastry and caramel, they were freshly baked. Violet tassels hung from her ears today, alongwith a matching statement piece around her neck. She always seemed to have the nicest jewellery.

Gertie beamed when she saw her. “Ava! So nice of you to drop in, dear.”

“I brought you a little something to say thank you for your hospitality yesterday.” She held out the jar of maple butter. “A little birdy told me you loved maple.”

Gertie joined her and accepted the gift. “Would that birdy’s name be Roman, by chance?”

She laughed. “That obvious?”

Gertie tilted her head. “He’s been buying me maple-flavoured candies and treats for as long as I can remember. I don’t have the heart to tell him I don’t care for the flavour,” she tittered.

Ava gasped. “You don’t like maple?”

Gertie was full-on snorting now. “I know, what kind of Canadian am I?”

“I need to get you something else, then. Roman was so confident that you’d love this.” She motioned for Gertie to return the butter.

“Oh, no you don’t.” She clutched the gift to her chest. “Roman can never know. I don’t have the heart to tell him. Besides, I set out the fudge or chocolates he brings me for the guests. Or I bake tarts and pastries using the maple butter and serve it as our continental breakfast. Nothing goes to waste.”

She admired the woman more each time they spoke. “Your secret’s safe with me, Gertie. I promise.”

Walking down the opposite side of the street toward where the truck was parked, her eyes were trained on Roman.

“What? Do I have peanut butter on my face or something?” Crossing his eyes to see his beard, he wiped at it in a broad, exaggerated motion.

A heartfelt laugh poured out of her. “No, I’m just admiring the view,” she admitted.

“Like what you see?” He grinned, slinging his arm around her shoulders and letting it rest there.

“I think I might,” she said, popping a chocolate he’d bought her into her mouth.

And that was the truth. She’d only known him for a day and a half, but she liked him. He was funny, generous, and thoughtful. When she needed help, he jumped at the chance to provide it. She was pretty sure he was successful—owning both a pub and a construction business. All things she definitely wished for in a man. Oh, and it didn’t hurt that he looked like a god of war with those tattoos and long hair. Not to mention being built like a brick house.

“I need to pick up some furniture for the guest bedrooms and balconies. You feel like taking a detour with me?”

“I’ve got nothing but time right now, Roman. Take me wherever you need to go.” She leaned into him slightly, testing how he felt next to her.

His arm was warm and solid against her shoulders.

The whole thing was too good to be true. She came here to get away from her idiot ex-boyfriend, not to lust after the hunky B&B owner. But Roman was swiftly showing her how a real man behaved. She couldn’t get involved with someone right after a breakup, could she?

That would be dumb. Irresponsible. But oh so good…

Though it wouldn’t work long-term. Roman’s life was in Little Greenfield, and hers wasn’t. She had a career she worked hard for in Ottawa. An apartment. Friends. Well, estrangedfriends. But maybe she could reach out and start mending those relationships now that she was done with Sebastian.

And who was to say Roman was trustworthy in regards to the heart? Sure, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and chocolates were marvellous things, but to trust someone with private pieces of you was a different matter.

She’d trusted Sebastian. In hindsight, there were definite red flags that she now saw a lot clearer. Although she sensed that Roman was different. His reaction to her abridged version of events with Sebastian was not what she expected, and he oozed confidence. Maybe sharing the details of what happened wouldn’t scare him away.

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