Page 176 of Knockin' Boats
When we arrived in the lobby, laden with bags, Cash did a double take. “You guys moving in together or something?”
“Ash’s mom needs a room. I called Sky to make sure there were openings.”
“Oh. Sure.” Cash smiled for Ash’s mom, and it was a little weird to see the transformation from teasing friend to polite professional. He had always known how to charm people, but this wasn’t cocky or flirty. It was…genuinely kind. “How many nights would you like to stay?”
“I’m not sure,” she said hesitantly. “Can we start with a week and go from there?”
“Sure thing.” He tapped at the keyboard in front of him while simultaneously picking up a call. “Swallow’s Ne—Oh, hey, Skylar. Mm-hmm. Gotcha.” He paused. “No, I didn’t hear that. Seriously? That man. Do you think it’s because ofme?”
His voice had gone thin. Fragile.
I shifted forward, concerned. The call had to be about Declan. No one else ever got under Cash’s skin that way.
“No, you’re probably right. Okay. Thanks, Sky.” Cash replaced the receiver. “Okay, I’ve got you a suite on the second floor with a balcony overlooking the lake. We’ve got an in-house dining room and bar, an outdoor pool bar, an upper-floor balcony bar.” He winked playfully. “I guess people really like to drink around here.”
She laughed, which seemed kind of like a miracle.
“There’s also boat tours down at the docks, but I’m sure that comes as no surprise to you,” Cash said. “And a food boat out on the lake. Courtesy of Ash here.”
“He’s done so well for himself.”
“He has,” Cash said. “All right, I’ll need to run your card for a deposit only. You’ll get that back when you leave.”
“How much is the room?”
“You get the family discount. No charge.”
“What?” Her eyes widened.
“That’s really generous of Sky,” Ash said. “Are you sure? Mom’s going to get a lawyer and take Rick for everything he has. She can pay.”
“Nah, she’s family. We take care of our own. You know how Sky is about this stuff.”
I wrapped an arm around Ash. “You’re one of us now, babe.” I slanted a gaze to his mom. “You too.”
“Oh, that’s nice of you to say, but?—”
“I’m not just saying that. Mom will be so excited to see you.”
“Vera?” she said in surprise. “Is she here too?”
“She runs the kitchen.”
Silvia smiled. “Of course she does. I should have known nothing could keep her down.”
We left shortly after—letting Ash’s mom settle in and get some rest with plans to meet for breakfast the next day along with my mom—but first, I pulled Cash aside.
“What was that phone call about?”
“Just Sky telling me to give them the family rate.”
“No, that other stuff. Was it about Declan?”
His face tightened. “Oh. That.”
I raised my eyebrows. He shrugged. “Just some gossip that Declan is looking to sell.”
“Sell what?”
