Hope Harbor

by Jill Sanders

  He followed her down the hallway and stepped into her office right after her.

  When he’d arrived earlier, her desk had been full of papers, along with a small laptop she’d been working on. Now, however, every scrap of paper was gone. As was her laptop.

  “What the…” She spun around in a circle. “Where are they?” She shook her head.

  “Woah.” He stopped her from spinning. “Easy.”

  “Someone broke in and…”

  He glanced around to make sure that the papers and her laptop were nowhere in the room.

  “Someone must have been replacing the breaker while we were downstairs,” she said, under her breath.

  “Has this happened before?” he asked when he noticed the lost look in her eyes.

  “I…” She put a hand to her forehead, and he nudged her until she sat down.

  “Easy, take a breath.” He spotted a small fridge and grabbed a bottle of water from it. He noted that the thing was turned off, as was the rest of the power in the room. “Here.” He handed her the water and waited until she drank from it.

  “Small things. I mean, since I arrived, things have been out of place. Someone would knock on the door and when I got up to let them in…” She shook her head. “I just thought it was…” She sighed and shook her head.

  “How about when I go into town, I grab an extra lock for this door?” He touched the old-fashioned door handle. “It might need a whole new door handle to boot,” he thought out loud.

  “Yes.” She stood up suddenly. “Please, whatever it takes.” She closed her eyes. “How am I supposed to pay all those bills? I’m going to have to call each one and…” She broke off. Her eyes opened suddenly. “I’ll be right back.” She rushed from the room. He thought about following her, but she was too fast for him and he lost track of where she’d disappeared to.

  Instead, he went back into the small electric room and replaced the breakers, then made sure her office electricity was restored.

  Since she hadn’t returned, he climbed the narrow staircase and checked the next three levels. Here, the panels didn’t appear to have been messed with yet.

  He was on the top floor when he heard the raised voices. He would have ignored them, but he heard Eve’s voice and followed it until he stood just outside of a half-opened door.

  “If you didn’t take them, then how did they get here?” she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

  “Like I said, I don’t know. I was down in the dining hall, having lunch. When I came back up, I found this,” a low male voice replied.

  “I want you out,” Eve replied. “Reggie gave you until the end of the month, which is next week. I’m going to stick to his last wishes. If you aren’t moved out by this time next week, I’ll have you evicted,” she said and suddenly he heard her footsteps drawing closer.

  Glancing around for a place to hide, he realized there wasn’t one and gave up. He had a fraction of a moment to step aside as she darted out of the door, her hands full of the papers and her laptop.

  “Oh, good,” he said casually, getting a good glance inside the room. He saw her uncle Roger standing in the room and narrowed his eyes at him as the older man moved forward and slammed the door in Dylan’s face. “You found them.” He reached down to help her carry all the paperwork.

  “That man,” Eve said under her breath, holding tight to the papers and the laptop. “I have it,” she told him. “What are you doing up here?” she asked after glancing around.

  “I… was checking the other closets. So far, on these top three floors, nothing has been changed around or touched. I was about to head into town for the locks and the door handles you’ll need. The top three floors will need new handles, since they’re… ancient.”

  “Yes, fine.” She moved towards the main staircase with him on her heels.

  “Eve.” He stopped her at the top of the stairs. “Is everything okay?”

  “Fine,” she repeated, then she softened. “I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. “It’s just… family.” She shook her head. “You know.”

  He shrugged. “My family’s pretty awesome,” he said with a smile.

  Her eyes drew sad and a slight crease formed between her eyebrows. He wanted to reach out and soothe her until it disappeared. “Right.” She turned back towards the stairs. “When you’re done, you can stop by my office for another check.”

  “Sure thing, boss,” he said lightheartedly as he followed her downstairs.

  6

  Losing it

  It took Eve almost fifteen minutes to get back under control and straighten out the bills into piles again. She felt totally guilty for how she’d treated Dylan after the confrontation she’d had with her uncle.

  She didn’t know what she’d expected when she’d climbed the stairs to search her family’s rooms. She’d hoped that she’d catch whoever had taken the papers and her laptop. She hadn’t expected to catch her uncle red-handed.

  Of course, he’d denied taking her things and switching out the breakers. But she’d caught him standing over the evidence.

  Resting her head down on her desk, she took a few cleansings breaths just as her cell phone rang.

  She answered it without looking at the screen and cringed when she heard Brent’s voice on the line.

  “So, you not only leave work without a word, you leave town?” Brent sounded pissed.

  Standing up, she walked to the window and looked out. The fog had rolled in shortly after lunch, leaving everything gray outside. Too gray. The world appeared to be a dull watercolor from the office window. It hadn’t started raining yet, but she knew they were due for an evening storm.

  Still, the view was so much better than any she’d had in the city. The gray water of the harbor mixed with the gray of the fog and made the scene appear to go on and on.

  Resting her head against the cool glass, she tried to calm herself down once again.

  “You made my options very clear. So, I chose door number three,” she said with a slight chuckle.

  “Whatever you do, wherever you go, I’ll see that you’re ruined,” Brent said in a low tone.

  “I no longer care what you do or don’t do. I’m no longer under your control,” she said before hanging up on her ex.

  “More problems?” The husky voice behind her made her jump slightly. “Sorry,” Dylan said easily, holding his hands up towards her. “I just came to install the new door handle and lock.” He waved the box with the new handle towards her.

  “Right.” She relaxed and sat back down behind her desk.

  “Sounds like you’re under attack from all angles,” he said, setting down his tool bag. He glanced over his shoulder at her when she didn’t reply.

  What would it hurt to open up to a stranger? she thought. Then she reminded herself that he was the help and that it wasn’t wise to get too personal. After all, he had a family of his own. One that he’d said was pretty awesome.

  Her heart sank at that knowledge. She would never describe her family as such.

  “I’m fine,” she finally replied.

  “Sounds like it,” he added sarcastically. “Someone’s sabotaging the inn and stealing your bills so… what? I assume to make the place go under?” He shrugged as he started working on removing the old door handle. “Then”—he glanced at her with a smirk— “I assume your ex is pissed at you for…” He let the question hang.

  A burst of laughter escaped her, and she couldn’t help the next words that spilled from her lips. “He actually thought that promising me a better job in exchange for a sexual relationship was a good offer.”

  She hadn’t meant to say that out loud and watched as heat mixed with anger flooded Dylan’s eyes.

  “Sorry, that just slipped out.” She closed her eyes and rolled her shoulders. She was still sleeping on her grandfather’s sofa, since she hadn’t had any personal time to clear out his rooms yet, let alone change the sheets on his bed.

  She
knew she had to head into the city before the end of the month and gather up the rest of her belongings, since she’d officially given her landlord notice that she’d be out by the end of the month.

  There was nothing left in Seattle for her. Hell, most of her items were still in boxes that could be given directly to charity. She no longer cared. Her future was here, ensuring that the inn turned around and became successful again.

  “He what?” Dylan asked with a low growl.

  “It’s old news.” She waved it off, trying to make it sound less… menacing. Then she remembered Brent’s words. “Whatever you do, wherever you go, I’ll see that you’re ruined.”

  “Sounds like it was a good divorce,” Dylan said, turning back to his work.

  “Yeah,” she agreed and watched him work. He was bent over the handle, concentrating on the task of prying off the old-fashioned door handle.

  She’d wondered about the man since seeing him for the first time. She’d dreamed about him.

  Seeing his daughter climb into his lap, she wondered about his wife or Palmer’s mother. She hadn’t had the time to ask around, nor did she want it known she was interested. When Palmer had shown up at the pizza parlor, she’d tried to put Dylan out of her mind. She wasn’t the type of person to cheat or allow someone she was with to cheat.

  It had been a good thing that she hadn’t had much time to think about him. The pile of bills stacked in her grandfather’s inbox had been at least three weeks past due. His books were all out of whack, and it was probably going to take her more than a month just to get everything in the new system she was used to.

  She hadn’t lied when she’d told Dylan she didn’t think the inn had the money to pay him for any major updates, but she had to draw a line when safety was concerned.

  The locks were a necessity she couldn’t overlook. Not after today. Just knowing that someone had replaced the breakers with ones that would cause problems had her seething.

  She’d stood in that small storeroom flipping the breaker more than a dozen times last night during dinner preparation.

  “So, you’re back home for good?” Dylan asked when the old handle finally broke free of the heavy wood door.

  “It would appear so,” she answered, her eyes glued to his strong shoulders as he moved. God, what would it feel like to run her fingers over them? To have those strong arms wrapped around her. To have those calloused hands on her body, pleasing her?

  When she realized he was watching her, waiting for her to respond to a question he’d asked, she jerked her eyes up to his.

  “Sorry?” she asked. She watched in amazement as the right side of his mouth curved up in a half smile. God he was sexy. A dark dusting of stubble covered his straight jawline. He had high cheekbones that accented his sea-green eyes even more. His thick brown hair held a slight wave to it that matched the curl in his daughter’s hair.

  His arms were tan and, remembering what he looked like out of his shirt, she knew the rest of him was just as tan and toned. Her eyes traveled down his chest, remembering the sexy trail of dark hair that led…

  His chuckle had her eyes snapping back to his.

  “Think you can pay attention this time?” He smiled at her.

  She closed her eyes and tried to focus. “Sorry, I’ve only had about five hours of sleep since I arrived.”

  When she opened her eyes, his smile had been replaced by a frown.

  “Why?” His dark eyebrows drew together in the same worried look he’d given her in the pizzeria.

  “They’ve…” she started, but then shook her head. “I’m staying in my grandfather’s room and haven’t had time to clear things out yet.”

  His frown increased. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t you have over a hundred rooms at your disposal?”

  She almost laughed, but then stilled. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I do.” Why hadn’t she thought of staying in a different room? After all, there weren’t any rules that said she had to be in her grandfather’s rooms. Or that she had to obey her family’s wishes. They were supposed to be leaving in a week anyway, which meant, after some time spent clearing the rooms, she could rent out those rooms to guests.

  “My work here is done,” Dylan said, standing suddenly. She jumped up and moved around her desk, taking the ring of keys he held out to her.

  “These are for the electric rooms.” He showed her matching silver keys. “This gold one is for your office.” He motioned to the new lock.

  “Thank you.” She turned to gather her checkbook. Since she hadn’t had any time to run into town and add her name to the inn’s bank account, she was using her personal account, hoping to reimburse herself from the inn’s account when she could.

  “No need to pay yet. I’ll bill you at the end of the month. I can be here tomorrow first thing,” he added.

  “For?” she asked, glancing at him.

  “For my inspection,” he reminded her.

  “Right.” She felt like a fool.

  He reached up and, surprising her, nudged a strand of her dark hair away from her eyes. “Get some rest. The paperwork can wait a few hours.”

  She nodded, holding her breath as he turned, picked up his tool bag, and disappeared down the hallway.

  My god. She could at least dream, right?

  Saving her progress on her laptop, she locked the office and walked down the hallway to the front desk.

  Kathrine was correct—Patrick was a stiff. She didn’t doubt he was a great employee, but his demeanor was not what she wanted representing the inn. She planned to let him go, as soon as she had the time.

  Stepping up to the desk, she smiled brightly at him. “Hi, Patrick, would you please block out a room on the top floor for me for the coming week?”

  The man’s perfectly manicured eyebrows rose slowly. “For?” he asked, stretching out the word.

  “Myself. Until my grandfather’s room can be cleared out, I’ll be moving into another room.”

  He waited a full thirty seconds before he turned his eyes to the computer screen. “The honeymoon suite is avail—”

  “Gosh, no.” She chuckled. “I’m good with a smaller room. Not a full suite.” She waved her hands. “Single bedroom. Double bed.”

  He slowly turned back to the screen. “Room four-thirty-two?” he asked.

  “Thank you, that will be fine.” She nodded.

  He clicked a few buttons then turned and pulled the old-fashioned key from the hooks.

  “Will there be anything else?” he asked.

  “No, thank you.” She turned to go.

  “Miss, would you like me to have your grandfather’s rooms cleared?”

  She stilled. “No.” She sighed. “I’ll arrange it myself.”

  “Very well.” He nodded and turned back to the computer screen as she climbed the stairs to pack her bags.

  She was too weary to even look around her grandfather’s rooms and dragged her bag down the hallway.

  She let herself into her new room, dropped her bag on the floor, passed through the sitting room, and fell face-first on the soft mattress. It was one of the inn’s standard rooms, one that smelled of bleach and cleaner. Too tired to think, she fell fast asleep fully dressed once again.

  When she woke, the room was dark and, for a moment, she wondered where she was. Then everything came back to her, and she groaned as her stomach let out a loud growl.

  She’d been too upset and busy to eat lunch, or breakfast for that matter. She thought of changing and descending the stairs to the main dining hall where she knew dinner was being served. Then she rolled over and saw the phone. Room service. What was the point of owning an inn if you couldn’t order room service occasionally?

  Pulling on her fuzzy pajamas, she dialed the desk and ordered a large steak, a baked potato, corn on the cob, a large milk chocolate, and chocolate chip cookies.

  She was surprised half an hour later when Kathrine delivered the tray herself.

  “Sorry, I just had to see
that you were okay,” her friend said, glancing around the room. “Gosh, I haven’t been in one of these rooms for a long time.” She set the tray down on the small table. Then she spotted Eve’s pajamas and smiled.

  “Those are so cute.”

  Eve smiled and motioned to a chair. “Sit. You can spare a minute or two to chat.”

  Katherine sat and leaned her arms on the table. “So, someone told me tall, sexy, and handy was here fixing your locks today?”

  “Tall, sexy…” Eve smiled. “Dylan.” She nodded as she took her first bite of steak. “What’s the scoop on him and Palmer’s mother?”

  “He’s a widower,” Kathrine said with a frown. “If I was a few years younger.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Yowzer.”

  Eve frowned at the thought of Palmer losing her mother. “How did his wife die?”

  “During childbirth. Apparently, it was a big mess at the hospital. Big enough that he and that baby are set for life.”

  “Why move to Orcas?” she asked, digging into her potato.

  “His father lives here. Now that’s a man I could sink my teeth into.” Kathrine sighed and rested her chin in her hands. “Just as sexy as the son, only… seasoned.”

  Eve chuckled. “You are sex starved.”

  Kathrine laughed. “True dat.” She sighed. “What about you?” Eve stilled. “It’s been a while since your divorce.”

  “Right.” Eve shrugged. “After Brent… I don’t think I have enough patience for a relationship.” She turned back to her food. “Besides, I need all my energy to combat my family and turn this place around.”

  “Right,” Kathrine agreed. “Speaking of which, I better get back to work.” She stood up but leaned closer. “My boss can be a real bitch,” she said with a wink. “See you for breakfast.”

  “Right.” Eve nodded. Eve used to spend each morning down in the kitchens, eating and talking to the staff as they bustled around. She had yet to make another trip down there for pleasure or food since the first night she’d arrived.

  Kathrine let herself out, and Eve took the tray to the bed and flipped on the television. If she was going to enjoy herself, then she was going to go full steam.