Page 39 of When You Got a Good Thing (Misfit Inn 1)

Because he couldn’t think of a good reason not to, Xander took her hand. She glanced up at him, the corners of her mouth tipping up in a way that made him want to kiss her. Eyes twinkling, as if she knew exactly what he was thinking, she swung their joined hands in a wide arc, as they used to back in high school.

“We’ve had a little bit of growth. There are those trying to bring tourism to the Ridge. We get dribs and drabs of people. Lot of hikers. Folks doing antiquing. But the powers that be are wanting to do a big push for more since the Gatlinburg fires. It’s kinda mercenary, trying to capitalize on their misfortune, but it’s probably the best shot we’ve got. There’s even been some talk of building a resort.”

“A resort? In Eden’s Ridge?”

He shrugged. “Tourism and resorts are big business down in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Mountain vacations and a little luxury for common folks.”

“Definitely not arguing that point. But wouldn’t a resort be too late to take advantage of the fires? I mean, they’d have to build it, so that puts the whole thing off into next year at the earliest.”

“Maybe. There have been a growing number of rental cabins being built, and quite a few people are taking advantage of AirBnB. It’s a small start, but it’s a start getting people here. If the town makes a good impression, people are liable to come back. Especially people who don’t like all the congestion and tourist trap feel of Gatlinburg.”

She hummed a considering noise. “I’ll have to research what’s here and make a post about it on my travel blog.”

“Your what now?”

“My travel blog. It’s monetized. That’s part of how I’ve funded my travel all these years. By chronicling all the places I’ve lived and visited and talking about how to travel affordably. It’s not huge, but it’s got a pretty decent following. And somebody might find the Ridge that way.”

And she just kept surprising him with her resourcefulness.

Xander tugged open the door to the diner. “Your sisters know about that?”

“It’s never come up. I started it more for me, to keep up with where I went. And it just kind of grew.” She made a beeline for their old booth by the window.

“What’s it called?”

“Not All Who Wander.”

“Because you weren’t lost.”

Kennedy inclined her head. She plucked a menu from the holder on the table and began to scan it.

In his pocket, Xander’s phone began to vibrate. He fished it out and checked the display. His father. No way in hell was he answering that right now. If it were an actual emergency, he’d be hearing from Essie as dispatch over the radio. More likely, somebody saw him and Kennedy together and told Buck. Sending the call to voicemail, Xander shoved it back into his pocket.

Nicky Blue, daughter of the diner’s namesake, swung by their table, order pad in hand. “What can I get you, Deputy?”

“I’ll take the meatloaf special.”

The girl scribbled it down. “And you?” She turned curious eyes on Kennedy.

“The grilled mac ’n cheese sandwich with a pile of curly fries. And a root beer.”

“Comin’ right up.” She started to turn away but Xander stopped her.

“Let’s add an Oreo milkshake to that, too. Two straws.” Very deliberately, he reached across the table to tangle his fingers with Kennedy’s.

Nicky’s brows disappeared beneath her teased bangs. “Yes, sir.”

Kennedy’s lips twitched as the waitress disappeared into the kitchen. “Felt like making an announcement, huh?”

“Seemed more expedient to get the word out.” He met her gaze. “Is that a problem for you?”

She shook her head and squeezed his hand. “No problem at all.”

“So. Blogger, huh?” He pulled his phone back out and opened a browser, running a quick Google search for Not All Who Wander.

A blush crawled up Kennedy’s cheeks. “Don’t go look it up.”

“Why not?”

---