Page 4 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

"Sure." She handed him her phone. "But I still have to drive you somewhere."

"If I can make a call, then I don't need to get a car just yet. I'd rather go to the inn. Maybe they'll have a computer I can use until I can get a new one."

Her face paled as she stared back at him. "The inn?"

"The Firefly Inn. Do you know it?"

"Yes. I'm Lizzie Cole, the owner. Who are you?"

"Justin Blackwood. My grandparents made the booking. They're coming in tonight."

"Actually, they won't be here until tomorrow. I got a call a half hour ago that their flight was canceled and the next flight they can get is tomorrow."

Of course their flight was canceled, he thought cynically. So far, the trip was a complete bust.

"All right then," Lizzie said, as she started the truck. "I'll take you to the inn and we'll get your vacation going in the right direction."

"It's not a vacation," he said automatically. "I don't take vacations."

"Then what would you call it?"

"An obligation. My grandparents want me at their vow renewal."

"I know. They told me how excited they were that you were coming. It's going to be a lovely ceremony," she added, as she pulled back onto the road. "In fact, this whole week will be packed with fun. It's a busy time in Whisper Lake. We have our usual Wednesday night happy hour tomorrow, the lunar eclipse beach picnic on Friday, and the ceremony Saturday night will be in the garden, with candles and music. It's going to be very special—magical, really. I want your grandparents to have a day they'll remember. And I want your visit to be memorable, too. I know it's not starting off on the best note, but it will get better."

He gave her a doubtful look. "Is being an optimistic cheerleader part of your duties at the inn?"

"Sometimes. But I'm just a positive person. Problems are challenges. Most can be fixed."

Despite her words, there was a tension beneath them that suggested she didn't quite believe her own hype. "I don't think my rental car, computer or phone can be fixed. Not unless you have a magic wand to go with that idealism."

"No wand, but…" She smiled as she turned her warm gaze on him.

"What?" he asked, curious about the gleam in her eyes.

"I have lemons, and I know exactly what I'm going to do with them."

"Make lemonade," he said, as a reluctant smile crossed his lips.

"Exactly. It's what I do. I make lemonade out of lemons. You're going to love it. It's delicious."

He didn't want to love her lemonade. He didn't want to like her happy, determinedly cheerful spirit, but he had a feeling he was going to lose on both counts.

"You know what else I'm going to do?" she asked.

"I'm afraid to ask."

"I'm going to turn your obligation into a vacation."

"That's impossible."

"Challenge accepted."

He shook his head. "You will fail."

"I don't think so." Her eyes sparkled with confidence. "You're going to have the time of your life, Justin Blackwood. Just wait and see."

There was a very small part of him that wanted to believe her, but he'd lost his faith in the impossible a long time ago.

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