Page 64 of This Means War

“He doesn’t want to buy it,” I reply for Saul, actually excited about his idea. “He wants to invest in it.”

“I know you must be hemorrhaging money,” Saul continues. “Yes, your grandmother left you the inn, but she was behind on a ton of repairs. You need a new roof, almost every room needs updated furniture, more than one fireplace is in need of repair, not to mention you’ll need a hefty marketing budget if you want to attract new guests. You can’t just slap a fresh coat of paint on the place and call it good.”

Josh flushes, and I remember his paint splattered clothes from earlier. Saul must be spot on.

“How do you know all this?” Delia utters in dismay.

“Because,” Saul shrugs, “I made an offer for the place a few months ago. Your grandmother told me no, said she had someone else in mind for the place.” He sighs. “I tried to tell her that as is, the place is a money pit, but she didn’t see it that way. She’s a smart woman, your grandmother, but her soft heart gives her a blind eye in some respects.”

“What’s in this for you?” Josh speaks for the firsttime. “I mean, why do you want this place so badly if it’s a money pit?”

“Simple. My wife Josie and I stayed at the Robin’s Nest on our honeymoon. We went back recently as a celebration of our fortieth wedding anniversary. When she saw the state of the place, she asked me to buy it and restore it. I may be a crude businessman, but I’m a softie when it comes to my wife. Not to mention, I happen to have plenty of money with which to fund a money pit. I’m also confident it will make me lots of money in the long run.”

The doorbell rings, and we all turn towards the door in surprise. “Don’t worry,” Lydia, who hasn’t been back since she went to get me more orange juice fifteen minutes ago, calls from the kitchen, “I’ll get it. You all just keep talking shop.”

Suspicion starts to rise in me. What exactly has Lydia been doing all this time? I don’t have to wait long to find out. A few seconds later Lydia walks back in the room and behind her comes…our midwife? What is she doing here?

“Gabby?” I stand to greet her, my confusion clearing as I see she has a medical bag in her hand. My eyes swivel to Lydia who smiles innocently up at me. “Let me guess, you’re here to do some sort of medical check on me.”

“That I am,” Gabby says cheerfully. “You’re not my usual type of patient, but I do have some basic nursing training under my belt. I should at least be able to tell you whether or not you have a concussion.”

“She’s just exchanging cervixes for pupils,” Lydia offers cheerfully. “They both come down to dilation.” She laughs at her own joke. I do not.

“Lydia.” I turn with a low growl. “I need to talk to you,” I gesture to the hall, “in private.”

Lydia purses her lips, but follows me. “Gabby,” she says on her way out, “why don’t you go to the guest room, and we’ll meet you there in a minute for his exam.” I just tighten my jaw and continue to the hall.

“Why did you bring Gabby here?” I say the second we’re alone.

“You know why I brought her. You need medical attention.” Lydia sets her hands on her hips, staring me down. I tell myself I do not find this cute.

“I’m fine.”

“Why are you so against getting medical care for this, Cole?” She sets her jaw stubbornly. I stare at her for a second, then run a frustrated hand through my hair. “It’s embarrassing, okay? I’m a 28-year-old guy who keeps fainting. It’s embarrassing,” I repeat for good measure.

“Cole,” Lydia’s face doesn’t soften, “that’s the stupidest thing I ever heard. So what, you’re a guy? Are guys somehow able to control the involuntary functions of their bodies better than women? Is that what you’re saying, Cole?”

“You know that’s not what I’m saying,” I begin, but she cuts me off.

“Let me tell you something, Cole Jacobson. You want to know what happens to men who are tooembarrassed to address their health issues?”

“They end up dying?” I say with an annoyed sigh. This is all Saul’s fault. He just had to tell Lydia about me fainting.

“No. Well, maybe, but that’s not what I was going to say. What I was going to say is that they get yelled at by their wives for being idiots. Do you want me to yell at you?”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing right now?” Amusement quirks across my lips.

“Oh, I’m just warming up.” Lydia cocks her head. “Although,” she steps closer immediately invading my space with her vanilla scent and hypnotizing eyes, “maybe, I shouldn’t yell. Maybe I should just tell you that against my better judgment I actually like having you around. So yes, I’m going to push you into getting a health check you don’t want, because I stupidly want tokeephaving you around.” She places her hand on my forearm sending a rush of sparks through my whole body. “Besides,” her voice softens with vulnerability, “you’re always the one taking care of me. Maybe for once I want to take care of you.” She looks up at me, her long lashes on full display, then slowly raises her other hand and rests it on my chest. Suddenly I’m not mad at Saul anymore.

“Lydia Jacobson,” my voice comes out husky, “are you trying to use your feminine wiles against me?”

Her lips bow into a satisfied smile. “You think I have feminine wiles?”

I bend down, positioning my mouth right byher ear before replying. “In. Spades.” Her answering shiver makes me forget the bizarre fact that there’s a midwife waiting in the next room to check my vitals. I lift my hands to her shoulders, gently pushing her back against the wall then trapping her there with my kiss. A second later her hands encircle my neck, and I can’t keep mine off her any longer. I move them to her hair, her back, that irresistible sliver of skin below her tank top. She moans and my pulse skyrockets with the need for more of her. All of her.

“Uh, guys,” Gabby’s amused voice ends our kiss as fast as it started. With a squeak of embarrassment Lydia pushes me away, her face adorably red.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, Gabby.” She fumbles around, adjusting her top to cover her stomach, but it just slides right back up. Good top.

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