Page 66 of Eclipse Bay

“Your grandfather is out in the garden.”

“Thanks.”

Rafe nodded in a friendly manner and walked off down the porch. No point exchanging further pleasantries. Bryce was not one for extended conversations.

Rafe opened the gate and entered the lush wonderland. When he didn’t see Mitchell, he took the narrow gravel path that led toward the greenhouse at the far end of the garden.

He found his grandfather inside the opaque structure, tending to a tray of plants. Mitchell had a long-spouted watering can in one hand and a small spade in the other.

Rafe took a breath and stepped into the humid atmosphere of the greenhouse. He recalled Hannah’s comment.Your interest in cooking parallels his in gardening. Creative outlets that you both approach with passion.

The idea of having something in common with Mitchell was a hard concept to digest.

“Lookin’ good in here,” he said. He told himself Hannah would have been proud of him for trying to start things off on a civil note. Then again, maybe not. She was pretty pissed at him right now. “You ever think about opening a commercial nursery?”

“Hell, no. Last thing I want to do is turn a good hobby into a business. Ruin all the fun.” Mitchell set down the watering can with a thunk and scowled ferociously. “Speaking of business, what’s this I hear about you opening an inn and a little restaurant out there at Dreamscape?”

“Word gets around fast.”

“If you wanted to keep it a secret, you shouldn’t have called the Willis brothers out to give you an opinion on the condition of the plumbing and wiring in that old place.”

“You’re right.” Rafe examined a row of tiny pots containing small green plants with glossy leaves. “On the other hand, not much point trying to keep the plan a big dark secret here in Eclipse Bay.”

Mitchell gave him a sharp glance from beneath bushy brows. “You’re serious about opening an inn?”

“Yeah.” Rafe moved on to a tray of feathery ferns. “Been thinking about it for a year now.”

Mitchell whistled softly. “Well, shoot and damn. Why the hell didn’t you ever say anything?”

“Got to work things out with Hannah first.”

“Huh. That’s a fact.”

Rafe looked up from the ferns. “Aren’t you going to tell me that turning Dreamscape into an inn and restaurant is just about the dumbest idea any Madison has ever had?”

“Dumb is beside the point. Madisons don’t concern themselves with dumb. They concentrate on what they want.” Mitchell’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he squinted at Rafe. “You really want this?”

“Yes.”

Mitchell studied him for a long moment. Then he nodded once and stripped off a garden glove. “Go for it.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me. If you want it that bad, there’s no point in me trying to talk you out of it. You’re a Madison. Nothing’s going to get in your way. Hell, you’ve got a better chance of pulling off an inn out there at Dreamscape than most folks.”

Rafe was thunderstruck. He stared at Mitchell until he finally got his jaw back in place.

“Are you telling me you think opening an inn and a restaurant is agoodidea?” he finally managed.

“Didn’t say that.” Mitchell tossed the glove down on the workbench. “Don’t know if it’s a good idea or not, to tell you the truth. Just said I could see that nothing was going to stop you. You’ve got a good head for business when you choose to use it. You could make this inn-restaurant thing work.”

Rafe lounged back against a waist-high potting bench, slightly shaken. This was the first time that Mitchell had ever given even halfhearted approval for any idea that did not involve going to work for Madison Commercial.

“Where does Hannah Harte fit into this big plan of yours?” Mitchell asked.

Rafe did not move. He did not even blink. “What do you mean?”

“Last I heard, she still owned half of that old house. Has she agreed to let you buy her out?”

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