Page 20 of Falling Inn Love
Pete shakes his head. “These dogs seem like a package deal. They’re a pack.”
“She’s so soft and sweet,” she purrs.
“You’re going to have to stay here now,” Pete says with a laugh. “You won’t want to split them up.”
This is the moment I decide that I really like this thought. “That’s what I said.”
Beth shoots Pete a look but he just continues to laugh. They both then look at me and I can’t help but laugh too. The way she catches me looking at her mouth seems to make her nervous, but I don’t miss her grin.
“Oh, go put a shirt on!” she fumes, but I don’t miss the smoldering look she gives me or how she grazes my hand with hers before she walks away, cradling the puppy.
Her obvious frustration just makes Pete laugh even harder.
My mom comes back and sits on the floor next to Kase. “They will be a lot of work, but we need them. I miss our old dog, Sassy.”
“Except that time he brought a baby skunk into the inn and Sasha got a fun surprise during the lunch rush.” I bite back laughter at the memory.
“That’s probably why she is scarred for life about dogs in her kitchen. It took us days to get the smell out and we had to comp so many nights for guests.” My mom shakes her head with laughter but grimaces at the memory.
“We’ll have our hands full with them because they’re so little, but with all of us, I think we can get them house-trained and used to being around guests.”
“Guests love puppies. This is great,” I say as I rub their tiny ears between my thumb and forefinger. They’re so soft.
We may have a lot to figure out, but puppies sure aren’t hurting the morale around here. I think it’s physically impossible to pet puppies and be upset.
I watch Beth and Kase play with the puppies, and I feel there’s a real maternal sense about her.She’d make a great mom, I think to myself. She looks so happy right now.
“I’m going to head into town. You good with all of this?” I ask Beth.
She nods. “Sure. We’ve got this, don’t we, Kase?” She hands Kase a puppy.
“Yup. Chew toys, Evan. Don’t forget,” Kase says.
Just as I get to my cottage for a quick shower and a change of clothes, Pete stops me. “How are things with you and Beth?” he asks.
I stop mid-stride and say, “Great”
“You just look really happy is all. So does she.”
“I am happy.”
“You deserve it. Don’t forget that. You may be running the inn, but don’t forget to slow down and enjoy your life, too, kid. She deserves that, and so do you.”
I know Pete’s right; we both deserve to be happy and enjoy life. The question is how can I convince Beth that we should be happy and enjoy lifetogether?
After my shower, I head out to find Beth walking toward my truck holding two to-go mugs. “Your mom took over the front desk and Kase and told me to come with you and help you pick out the supplies,” she says. “Also, I brought us coffee to-go.”
I grab one of the cups and then slide into the driver's seat. “Sure, hop in.”
“Thanks for letting me tag along,” she says.
“Of course.”
I look over at her and take her in as we ride to town. “I like you,” I finally just say bluntly, giving her my best grin.
She glances at me, not seeming in the least bit surprised by my statement. She says, “I really like you, too.”
“What are we going to do about this?”
