Page 3 of Tangled Passion

“I’m like you. And your mom is right.”

Daisy narrowed her eyes as she stared at Madelyn. “Let me guess. Thirty-two?”

Madelyn laughed. “Forty-nine.”

Daisy’s mouth dropped open. “No way.”

Madelyn chuckled. “Yeah, way. I’ve got kids older than you.”

Daisy wrinkled her nose. “I’m going to have to thank my mom, aren’t I?”

“If it comes from her side of the family, absolutely.”

Daisy nodded, looked over Madelyn’s shoulder, straightened, and smiled.

“Hey, Boss, this is Madelyn Freeman. She’s the one staying for a month.” Daisy turned to Madelyn. “I’d like you to meet Garrett Walsh. He and his brother Trey are the owners of this place.”

Madelyn saw the surprise on his face and thought they might have met, but she knew she would have remembered. She stiffened at the suspicion that instantly darkened his eyes. He smiled, but she could tell it was forced.

She had just met the man. What had she done to deserve that? Maybe she was being overly sensitive because she was tired, so she tried to put it out of her mind. She swallowed and held out a hand.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said and waited a long moment. Embarrassed, she was starting to lower her hand when he suddenly grabbed hers.

His jaw bunched as his skin came into contact with hers.

“Welcome, Madelyn,” he murmured and then dropped her hand like it was poison.

Why did she get the feeling he really didn’t mean it?

“Thank you. I’m glad to be here. What I’ve seen of your place is beautiful.”

Garrett dipped his head forward once. “Yes, it is. If you’ll excuse me.”

Both women watched him walk off with matching looks of dismay.

Daisy looked as confused as Madelyn felt.

“I’m sorry about that. Garrett isn’t usually so … abrupt. However, he is the hardest of the two owners, who happen to be brothers. Trey is a lot more laid-back.”

“It’s fine. He’s probably just had a hard day.”

Daisy shrugged. “Let me show you where dinner is served. The dining room is this way. It’s usually a buffet so you can choose when to come. We serve breakfast from seven to nine, lunch from eleven to one, and dinner from five to seven.”

“I’ll remember. Thank you so much for showing me,” Madelyn said.

“Dinner should be happening now.”

“It smells wonderful. I think I’ll eat right now instead of coming back down.”

Daisy smiled and waved.

“I hope you enjoy the meal.”

“I’m sure I will. Thanks again, Daisy.”

Chapter Three

The family and couple she had sat with at one of the larger tables were entertaining, and she enjoyed herself immensely.

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