Page 9 of Riding with the Secret Billionaire

"It's exactly like you said," I murmur, taking in the picture-perfect small-townscene."Like something out of a Hallmarkmovie."

"The Nighty Night should be up ahead on the right," Jake says, slowing as we approach a large, white Victorian house set back from theroad."There itis."

The B&B is a grand old house with a wraparound porch and gabled windows, overlooking what appears to be a lake behindit.As Jake pulls into the gravel driveway, the front door opens and a woman stepsout.She's beautiful, with natural curly hair framing a round face, full lips curved in a welcomingsmile.

"That must be Dawn Lincoln," Jake says, parking thetruck."The co-owner Imentioned."

He cuts the engine, and for a moment, neither of usmoves.Our journey has only just begun, but I already feel like something significant has shifted betweenus.This small town in Missouri marks not just our first stop, but the first acknowledgment of the undeniable tension building betweenus.

"Ready?" Jake asks, his eyes meeting mine making my breathcatch.

The question feels weighted with meaning beyond our immediatesituation.

"As I'll ever be," I reply, holding hisgaze.

Whatever happens in Heartstone, I have a feeling it will change the course of our entirejourney.

4

TRISH

Dawn Lincoln leads us into the Nighty Night Bed and Breakfast with a warmth that immediately melts away the tension of our long drive.Her natural curls bounce around her face as she moves through the foyer, her dark eyes bright with genuine welcome.

"So, you two are traveling all the way to Nevada?" she asks, turning to face us."What a romantic road trip!"

"Oh, we're not--" I start.

"It's not--" Jake says simultaneously.

Dawn's smile widens. "Of course not.Just two strangers sharing a cross-country journey.I hear that story at least once a month." She winks at me."Honey, the way that man watches you when you're not looking?That's not 'just a ride share' territory."

Heat floods my cheeks as I avoid looking at Jake.We've barely known each other twenty-four hours, but something about the knowing gleam in Dawn's eye makes me wonder just how transparent our growing tension is to outsiders.

"Two rooms, please," Jake says firmly, seemingly unruffled by her assumption.

"Of course," Dawn agrees, but her smile remains skeptical."Though I should mention we only have one room with a private bath available.The other has a shared bathroom down the hall."

Jake's jaw tightens almost imperceptibly."I'll take the shared."

"Such a gentleman," Dawn murmurs, pulling out an old-fashioned guest book."Sign here, please. Jeremy will show you to your rooms once you're registered."

As if summoned, a man appears from what must be a back office.He's tall with reddish-brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard, wearing a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up.His eyes are a startling cobalt blue, but it's the quiet confidence in his demeanor that reminds me immediately of Jake.

"I'm Jeremy," he says, his voice softer than I expected from someone his size."Welcome to Heartstone."

Jake extends his hand. "Jake Winters.This is Trish Walker."

They shake hands, and I don't miss the way Jeremy's eyes flick between us, assessing.Another former military man, if I had to guess.

"I'll take your bags up," Jeremy offers, reaching for my suitcase.

"I've got it," Jake says, already lifting both our bags with ease.

Jeremy nods, not offended. "Follow me, then."

The B&B is everything a Victorian country home should be, polished wood floors, tall windows that let in streams of golden afternoon light,and antique furniture that somehow manages to look both elegant and comfortable.As we climb the wooden staircase, I notice framed photographs lining the wall, Dawn and Jeremy throughout the years, the B&B in different seasons, and what looks like local Heartstone events.

"Your room is here," Jeremy says to me, stopping at a door with "Sweet Dreams" painted in elegant script on a small wooden plaque.He unlocks it and steps aside.

---