Page 27 of Call it Fate

Silently, he hung his coat on a hook in the outer foyer. I watched as he looked all around at the rooms visible from the entrance, looking anywhere but at me.

I came around the desk, my hands twisting and squeezing each other. “Can I get you anything? I have a guest who should be here soon and then we can talk.”

He shook his head. “Is…is he here?”

I didn’t have to ask who “he” was. I bit my lip. “No. Iain’s with my mom. They’re visiting family out on a farm. He loves it there.”

A flash of disappointment crossed his face, but he nodded. “Iain. I like his name.”

“It was my father’s.”

In a gesture that was becoming familiar, he twisted his head and reached a hand back to smooth his hair. I guessed he was as nervous as me, but I was grateful he’d come in calm. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he’d come in guns blazing.

“We could—”

“This is—”

We started speaking at the same time, both pausing simultaneously, too. Then we both broke into nervous laughter.

“Listen,” he began. “I know this is awkward. I have a lot of questions as you can imagine.”

I nodded. “I know,” I said, my voice quiet. “Maybe it would be best if we—”

The outer front door opened again, and a man wearing a suit strode through the entranceway. Zach moved to the living room, but I could tell he was paying attention.

“Can I help you, sir?”

The man’s smile was big. “I’m Matt Stowe. I have a reservation here for the next two nights. Are you Emalee?”

“I am. Welcome to The Dogtrot.”

“You’re even prettier than you sounded on the phone.”

I’d met all types of people in this business, including the flirty ones. I’d learned to pay no attention to it. “Well, thank you.” I presented him with the usual facts about breakfast, how to reach me in case of an emergency during off hours, and a map of the town with nearby restaurants highlighted. I slid his key across the counter. “You’ll be in the gold room, second door on the right. I’m sure you’ll find it comfortable, but please let me know if there’s anything else you need.”

I saw him glance at my empty ring finger. “Unless I can persuade you to show me the town personally, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

To my surprise, Zach came to stand in the arched door frame and crossed his arms. Matt looked up at him and, whatever he saw, he backed down. “No problem.” His smile was more reserved this time as he picked up the key. He tipped his head at Zach. “Have a good evening.”

Zach watched as he ascended the stairs. Once the door clicked closed, Zach turned to me. “Does that happen often?”

I didn’t bother pretending to not understand what he meant. “Sometimes. You learn to deal with all types. Most people who stay at a bed-and-breakfast are couples, but we get single people here, too, like you. It’s convenient to downtown and central to a lot of things in the general area.”

“And what about Iain? Is it safe here? You never know what kind of creep might be sleeping under the same roof.”

My inner mama bear began to stir. “It’s perfectly safe. For your information, we don’t live inside the inn. But if you think for one second, you’re going to come in here and question my decisions as a mother, you better think again.”

He held his hands up. “Sorry. You’re right.”

Mollified, I asked, “Are you hungry? I, uh, made some lasagna earlier. I can warm it up. It’s fine if you don’t want it. I wasn’t sure—”

His hand on my arm made me pause. His smile was cautious but appeared genuine. “That sounds great, actually.”

I quietly let out a breath of relief. Maybe this would be easier than I thought. “We can eat at my place if that’s okay. It’s next door. You can see for yourself that it’s very private and secure from the inn.”

At his nod, I lead the way through the kitchen and out a side door where the two buildings were connected. I was leading him to my home, to my sanctuary. I only hoped it felt that way after we talked.

CHAPTER14

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