Color him curious.
“I have a call into Timmons Heating and AC. He’ll get back to me.”
She nodded. “Soon, I hope. I can’t move my fingers but I wanted to be able to make coffee and start my baking, so I didn’t put on my full gloves.”
Parker rose to his feet, headed for the cabinet where he’d seen James pull mugs from before, and proceeded to take one out and pour Emily a cup of coffee. “Milk and sugar?” he asked.
James was watching them carefully, something Emily must have realized because she put on a sweet but obviously fake smile. “Both, but I can get them myself. But thank you.”
She made herself her coffee, pouring enough milk in to lighten it to the point where he cringed. Ditto on the sugar.
“What?” she asked, obviously catching his wince.
“Want a little coffee with your milk and sugar?”
“So I like it sweet. Shoot me.”
He chuckled and took a sip of his own drink.
“Black?” she asked with a knowing grin.
He nodded. “One step short of mainlining my caffeine.” He drank what was left in his cup, placed it down on the counter, met her gaze, and winked.
She blushed, a sexy shade of pink staining her cheeks. “Dad. Are you too cold? Do you want to go stay with Aunt Rhonda?”
James, who had been watching them with an interested look on his face, glanced at Parker. “My sister,” he explained. “And no. I can handle the chill. I want to be here when Timmons arrives. I want a fix, not a whole new boiler, no matter what he tries to sell me. We can’t afford the replacement right now.”
Parker listened to the man’s words, his mind whirling. He wanted to help them. They were good, hardworking people who deserved a break. And if anyone understood grief and heartbreak, it was him. But he sensed he had two proud individuals on his hands and they wouldn’t accept a handout, no matter how easily he could afford to fix their boiler … and other things around the inn.
Especially Emily, who had distrusted him on sight.
He placed his mug down on the table and drew a deep breath. “Let’s see what the repairman says before you go making any decisions. Sometimes repairing is only prolonging the issue, putting money in that could be put to better use.”
“Says the rich man?” Emily asked, her tone one of utter disdain.
He shook his head. “Says the practicalities of the situation. It’s obvious to me that this place means a lot to your dad. I’m just thinking of the best way to get it up and running the way he wants.”
“I think we know what we can afford to do better than you.” She slammed her mug down. “Dad, I need to start baking,” she said, turning her back on him and taking items out of the pantry.
Parker followed her moves, his gaze on her ass, as was becoming his favorite pastime. But knowing her father was in the room, he jerked his head to the other man before he realized what Parker was up to. “Sorry to cause trouble.”
James shook his head. “She’s stubborn like her mom. She has it in her head that I’m too old to run this place by myself. I just need a plan, that’s all. And for things to stop breaking so I can get ahead of myself.”
“I can hear you,” she reminded them.
James chuckled, as did Parker.
“Are you still doing taxes?” he asked the man.
“I got out of the business when we opened the inn and it’s been five years. But I could start again. Take a few refresher courses online. It might help bringing in money here to fix things.” He tapped his fingers on the counter in thought.
Parker nodded, his mind suddenly inundated with ideas to help them … that would do nothing but piss off Miss Emily. He needed to think through what kind and how much help he really wanted to offer. But he knew he could help. If they were willing to accept.
His cell phone, which had been sitting on the counter, rang and Ethan’s name flashed on the screen. “Excuse me,” he said to James and answered the phone. “Hello.”
“How’d the tour of the lodge go?” Ethan asked.
“Hi, Ethan. I’m fine. How are you?” Parker muttered. “The tour went fine if you like a cold, sterile, too slick and packaged environment.”
“I’m sure we could make it work. Jenna liked what they’d offered on the phone.”
“And you sent me to check the place out and make a decision. I decided it won’t work for us.”
“Fine,” Ethan bit out. “What options do we have then?”
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I’ll do some research when I get back.” He glanced out the window in the family room, where he’d retreated to in order to take the call. The sun shone on the green grass, and in the distance, snowcapped mountains dotted the horizon. Colorado was a gorgeous place.
“When are you home?” Ethan asked.
“My rental broke down so I’m stranded for a day or so. I’ll get in touch when I’m back in Denver.” And before his brother could rant or argue, Parker disconnected the call.
Broken-down rental or not, he had no intention of rushing home any time soon.
* * *
Emily drove into town in her car, an old Jeep she’d bought when she moved back home. She delivered her baked goods to Harper and stayed for a cup of coffee with her friend. Her shop was a gathering place in town, had a regular breakfast crowd, and Emily knew everyone by name and the same in return. Harper had hung bright-colored pictures of cups and mugs on the wooden walls, and around the shop were shelves of homemade items created by local artisans that were for sale. One of the ways this town thrived was by friends helping and supporting each other.
After the morning rush ended, Harper carried two lattes over to the table where Emily sat waiting and joined her. “Whew. That was crazy. But your muffins are gone. The banana ones sell like hotcakes. Bake some more for tomorrow?”
“You got it.” Emily loved that people enjoyed her muffins, bread, cookies, and cakes, things she loved making so much more than the perfect petit fours she’d been forced to craft working at the high-end pastry shop in Chicago. She was a small-town girl at heart and she liked what she liked.
Too bad she hadn’t listened to her own needs when she’d been with Rex, who, despite the fact that she was baking for a living when he met her, encouraged her to make better use of her culinary background than working for an Italian bakery owned by a husband-and-wife team. In truth, he wanted to be able to say his wife was a pastry chef, not a baker. Why had he gotten involved with her in the first place? Because he liked molding women into the dutiful female who made him her sole focus to the exclusion of everything and everyone else that made her who she was.
“Have you given any thought to going into partnership with me?” Harper asked. “The space next door is still empty and we could enlarge the shop, put in a kitchen where you could bake without having to take over the counters and oven at the inn. It would really be awesome, don’t you think?”
Her heart began beating harder in her chest. Had she given it thought? Yes. A lot. Did she think she could abandon her father and the inn to do it? No. Besides, what made her think the bank would give her a loan? She was on the verge of divorce with very little to her name.
“God, Harper. I’d love to but I have to worry about my dad and the inn. If he closes it down and moves to Florida with my sister, then I can think about my own dreams.”
“You know, having the inn booked solid would mean more people shopping in town. A rotating group of people coming in on a weekly basis. We just need to figure out a way to get the money to do both.”
Emily glanced at her untouched drink. “Dad’s maxed out. He owes so much money, nobody will lend him any to fix up the inn, and as for me, if I go to the bank for a loan, it’s iffy they’ll give me one. And if they do, I need to help my dad.”
Harper sighed. “I understand. I’ll keep thinking. The landlord promised not to rush into anything with another renter until he gives me the opportunity first. Nobody’s come to him as f
ar as I know.”
“Okay,” Emily said, sad because she knew how much expanding meant to Harper. But without Emily’s baking, there was no reason to take over the expense of a larger place or the renovation it would entail.
“So … on another subject, how are things going with your newest guest?” Harper asked.
Her best friend could peg Emily’s type, and the stranger with the beautiful blue eyes and sexy grin was it. Too bad she was over men. Especially the kind she knew were bad for her. Luckily between the fact that he’d turned in early and the heater being out this morning necessitating them all bundling up, she hadn’t had a visual of him without a heavy jacket or sweatshirt. No hint of whatever muscles lay beneath all the clothing.
Which was a good thing. Although she had a bathroom in her room, he didn’t, which meant there was a good possibility she’d pass him in the hall on the way to or from the shower. Her body came alive at the possibility, despite the fact that the man wouldn’t roam the halls naked.
“He’s fine,” Emily muttered, because her friend wouldn’t give up until she got an answer.
“Fine.” Harper drummed her fingertips on the table, clearly not satisfied with the one-word answer.
Emily nodded. And Harper stared her down, wanting her to elaborate.
“You know you’re a pain in the ass, right?”
Harper chuckled. “That’s my job as your best friend.”
Emily covered her face with her hands. “Okay! He’s sexy, all right? Those blue eyes, strong jaw, and full, kissable lips.”
Harper glanced behind her, eyes suddenly wide.
“Kissable, huh?” a familiar male voice asked.
Shit and shit, Emily thought, blushing hard as she met Parker’s grin. As embarrassed as she was, she wouldn’t let him get to her or think she liked him. “He’s also nosey, frustrating, and arrogant,” she added for good measure.
Parker burst out laughing and the genuine sound went straight through her. “I can’t say you’re the only one to call me the last two but nosey? Now that’s a first.”
Without asking permission, he pulled out the chair beside her, turned it backwards, and sat down, joining them.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Emily muttered.
It was warmer today than it had been yesterday, and wherever he was from, he’d obviously prepared for the variable Colorado weather. Warm one day, below freezing the next. He wore a hunter-green Henley shirt, the three buttons on the flat collar open, revealing a smattering of dark chest hair. The fit of the shirt showed her muscles she’d been wondering if he possessed, definition that could only be gotten at the gym. She swallowed a groan at the fact that not only was he hot, he had a great body, too.
“How did you get into town?” she asked, knowing his car was in for repair across the street.
“Your father lent me his truck. He needed a few things from the hardware store and I picked them up for him before coming in here.”
“Well, it’s good to see you,” Harper said. “Can I get you a coffee? On the house?” She smiled at Parker, disloyal bitch that she was.
“I’d love a cup. Black is good.”
Harper jumped up. “I’ll be back.”
Emily knew her friend was matchmaking and would inevitably take her time, and she wanted to strangle her.
“Too much caffeine isn’t good for you,” Emily said to Parker, wrapping her hands around the cooled cup of coffee.
“Then it’s a good thing I didn’t finish mine this morning. So how did your sales go today?” he asked, sounding truly interested.
After the boiler had been fixed – luckily it hadn’t been anything horrendously expensive – the heat had kicked back on, making her baking easier. He’d gone to shower and returned as she was finishing, packing her items to bring into town. He’d insisted on helping her, carrying her packed and covered baked goods out to the car and loading up the trunk.
“We had a good morning. Banana muffins sold out,” she said with pride.
“Cool. I’ll have to get one tomorrow before that happens.”
“You’ll still be here tomorrow?” she asked.
He nodded. “I called Matt this morning and he’s waiting for a ship date.”
“You could … you know, arrange for a ride back to wherever you came from?” She raised her eyebrows at him hopefully.
Taking her by surprise, he rose, flipped the chair, and sat down again, this time leaning close. “But what kind of vacation would that be? I like this small town, the proximity to the mountains, and I’m relaxed for the first time in … forever. So I figured what’s the rush?”
She blinked at him in surprise. He wasn’t leaving any time soon?
“Besides, your father said he has no problem with me staying. And I can help him with some things around the lodge.”
She unclenched her jaw enough to say, “Swell.”
She glanced around enough to know they were still alone. Harper was in the back, stalling in her making of a basic cup of coffee.
“Look,” she said, leaning forward, too close to the man. He smelled good, woodsy, musky, manly, she thought, doing her best not to squirm in her seat. “You might think the lodge is a fun project while you’re here and taking a break from whatever you’re running from at home, but this is our lives.”
“I respect that, Emily,” he said, his tone serious.
“Then respect the fact that my father doesn’t need you feeding him hope about the lodge. It’s falling apart, we don’t have the money to fix it, and he needs to go live with my sister in Florida, where he can take it easy and enjoy life. I’m this close to convincing him.” She elaborated on her words by gesturing with her thumb and forefinger. “So please, for the love of God, don’t give him hope we really don’t have.”
He stared at her for so long she grew uncomfortable. There was something going on behind those piercing blue eyes and she couldn’t figure out what it was. And that made her nervous. She couldn’t deny the attraction between them was mutual. He was an extremely good-looking man and she’d be lying if she said otherwise. But the last thing she needed was another overly confident male in her life who swooped in and thought he knew what was best.
Time to put him on the defensive, she thought. “So what are you avoiding back home, city boy?”
Those clear eyes shuttered quickly, confirming her suspicions. He had problems and secrets of his own.
“Not so interested in me digging into your issues, now are you? I’ll make you a deal.”
He reached across the table and slid a strand of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail off her face, his fingertips trailing over her cheek, leaving goose bumps in their wake. In fact, he woke up parts of her that had gone dead and dormant after Rex had gotten through with her. Her nipples pebbled beneath her shirt and awareness tingled between her thighs.
“What did you have in mind?” he asked, taking her thoughts off of the things he did to her body, but the physical remnants of her need remained.
“You stay out of my family’s business and I’ll stay out of yours.”
“Coffee!” Harper said, returning with his cup before he could respond.
Emily took that as her cue to leave. “I need to get going. It was … interesting talking to you, Parker.” She rose to her feet. “Bye, Harper.”
“But–”
“Talk to you later!” she trilled. Having had the last word, she headed for the door in order to escape.
Except when she got to her car and turned on the ignition, it chugged and chugged and didn’t come to life.
“So much for a grand exit.” She put her head in her hands on the wheel and groaned.
* * *
“Struck out?” Harper asked Parker as she sank into the seat Emily had vacated seconds before.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lied. It was obvious to anyone within a twelve-foot radius of him and Emily that there was some serious chemistry arcing between them.
; Harper laughed.
He glanced at the gorgeous brunette who, with her voluptuous curves and easy disposition, was exactly his type. So why did he find himself attracted instead to the willowy blonde determined to keep him at arm’s length?
“Don’t pay her any mind. She’s been through a lot in the last few years. She’s wary of strangers.”
More like she was wary of something about the kind of man she thought him to be. But he wouldn’t push her friend for answers.
“Are you the type to give up easily?” Harper asked him.
He appreciated her directness. “Not a chance in hell,” he said with a grin.
“Good. Just one thing.”
Parker tipped his head. “Yes?”
“Hurt her and I’ll make the Lorena Bobbitt story sound like a fairy tale.”
He winced and had to physically stop himself from cupping his dick in his hands. Still, he admired the loyalty and protectiveness of the women’s friendship.
He glanced out the window only to see Emily climb out of her car and kick the wheel with her foot. He narrowed his gaze and was rising from his seat before he could think it through.
“I take it you aren’t going to be drinking that?” Harper asked, chuckling.
“Sorry. Rain check?” he asked, sliding his hand into his pants for his wallet.
She waved her hand through the air. “Don’t worry about it. I told you it was on the house. Go help her,” she said, her gaze falling on Emily through the window. “Trust me, you’ll want to get there before Matt does.”
“He’s interested?” he asked, not surprised based on the look in the man’s eyes when he’d dropped Parker off at the inn yesterday.
“And persistent.”
Parker caught something in Harper’s voice and glanced up in time to see disappointment in her gaze. “You like Matt?”
“Does it matter? He’s got a thing for my best friend.”
“His loss,” Parker assured her.
She smiled. “Thanks.”
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