Page 19 of Beauty and the Beard

“Yes?”

“Dinner is ready. If you want to help me bring it out to the buffet, I’d appreciate it.”

“I’ll be right there. Thanks, Millie.”

With a nod and a smile in my direction, she returns to the kitchen.

“So, ah, I’ll help Millie and I’ll see you once everyone is eating?”

“Of course. I can help, too, if you’d like.”

A genuine smile fills his face.

“You’re a guest here. While I appreciate your offer, that’s a no. Please sit and I’ll join you after.”

He flashes another smile before disappearing and I almost want to lock myself in the bathroom again, but a friendly voice stops me.

“Sasha. Care to join me?”

Perry has returned. No longer dressed in grubby overalls, he changed to jeans and a lodge branded t-shirt and ball cap. He has the same physique as his brother. Tall and as broad as a hundred-year-old oak tree. While Leaf’s eyes are dark and soulful, Perry’s are a light blue and full of mischief.

“Sure. You don’t help with dinner service?”

He shakes his head. “Not unless I’m needed. Millie, Pete, and Leaf do the kitchen stuff, and once the lodge is busy, they hire students for the summer to help out. Which will be next week, come to think of it.”

He motions for me to follow him and he explains how the lodge runs in slow times and off season. A skeleton staff can keep it running smoothly until it’s booked to capacity for the summer. Next week the lodge will be half full and once July starts, it’s full speed ahead.

We sit at a table together after visiting the buffet. Self-serve in low time is the norm and once we sit with our meal of mashed potatoes, carrots, and roast beef, Perry wastes no time interrogating me.

“What are your intentions with my brother?”

Coughing on my water at his directness, my eyes dart around to see if anyone is listening.

“Uh, he’s a friend. We had a lovely time fishing. He’s very welcoming.”

Perry chews his food and considers my answer.

“Are you hoping to get into his bed?”

Sitting straighter, I meet his gaze.

“If you’re implying I’m some bimbo here to score a quick fuck, you can kindly fuck off with that. And that’s a grossly inappropriate question to ask me.”

He doesn’t apologize, but he does take his line of questioning down.

“My brother isn’t someone to jump into bed with people. I don’t want him hurt when you leave.”

Cutting my roast beef with extra aggression, I try to think of what I want to say to Perry without being overly rude. I liked him earlier. He seemed like a fun guy but now he’s a bit of an asshole.

“I’ve spent my whole life being judged. My appearance. My intelligence. My sexual habits. All of it. And if you must know, Leaf is the first person I’ve met in years—yes years, Perry—who hasn’t judged me on any of those.” Feeling the tears prick behind my eyes, I blink them back. “I appreciate you protecting your brother. It’s quite noble, but maybe don’t be such a prick when you barely know me.”

So much for not being rude.

He has the good grace to lower his eyes, but I’m so upset I feel like stabbing his hand with my fork.

“I’m sorry.”

My eyes snap to his and I hesitate, but he’s sincere.

---