Chapter Twelve

Shouts of laughter and loud barking snapped Nate awake. His shoulder felt better and the bruises had faded to green and yellow patches. Rubbing his blurry eyes, he opened the window and leaned out. Overnight the pond had filled with clear water. Cleo and Mark leaped after the yellow tennis balls Sara and John threw for them. When each returned with a ball, they dropped it into an outstretched hand and shook violently so the kids were sprayed with water. Sara shrieked, John shouted, and the dogs barked.

Liz’s face glowed with laughter.

Nate envied them the happy moment. This was what he wanted. The laughter. The children. A woman who made him so happy his smile broke his face. He withdrew before they noticed him. He’d slept late for the second day in a row, but his body felt one hundred percent better. Getting dressed was less of a chore and he’d get everyone breakfast. His T-shirt was a bright green he’d been told matched his eyes and he pulled on shorts before donning sneakers.

The ingredients for omelets waited in the center drawer of the refrigerator. He washed his hands and donned his apron. If someone preferred a simple egg he could do that, too. Or a quiche. He’d make one for any late arrivals. It would be good cold. After starting the coffee, he called the dripping group. “Clean up and come in. I’m making omelets. Get ’em while they’re hot!”

Emily yawned and stretched her arms overhead as she came inside. “What is all that shouting? It’s awfully early for a party.”

Her tan tank top pulled tight over her breasts and she absently yanked it over the waistband of her khaki crew pants. Her slender arms were tanned from the sun. Red highlights gleamed in her thick braid.

“The dogs are playing in the water,” Nate said. He put the prepared quiche into the oven and set the timer. After cracking a half dozen eggs into a bowl, he whisked them into a froth. “Since you’re here first, you get your pick of fillings. What do you want?”

“All those fresh veggies look great. An omelet is perfect.” She poured coffee and reached in the refrigerator for orange juice. Like she felt at home. He swallowed a lump in his throat.

After Sara and John changed into dry clothes, everyone piled into the kitchen. Emily poured coffee and juice. The noise increased to deafening and Liz raised her hand for the kids to quiet. Jack told the dogs to wait on the deck, and they sat panting, their eager gazes on Nate. The smell of cooking eggs filled the air. He plucked a few leaves from the parsley and basil. Skillfully, he whipped the eggs and added a handful of vegetables before making another.

“You’re here early, Jack.” He gave the man a questioning look.

“I spent the night,” he replied and shoveled a large forkful of egg into his mouth.

“What?” Nate almost flipped the omelet on the floor.

“In the barn. I set up a cot. The dogs don’t know this place and I didn’t want them barking at every noise.” He ate another forkful. “This is great.”

“Make the kids’ half that size, Nate, please.”

Sara poked John in the ribs and dodged off the chair to avoid his fingers. Liz caught her before she ran into Nate. “Sit down and behave. Both of you.”

After starting their food, Nate sat at the counter and sipped his coffee. The timer beeped and he removed the quiche from the oven. He didn’t listen to the conversation, but enjoyed having family with him. He included Emily in the group. She fit.

“I’m probably leaving today,” she said. He choked on his coffee.

“Oh no,” Liz protested. “It’s been so nice to have you here.”

Emily saluted her with her cup. “I agree. It has been nice. But I have to get back to work.”

Nate realized he didn’t know what she did. Or where she lived. Or her phone number.

Before he could ask, John took his plate of eggs and headed for the deck. Sara was one step behind. Cleo whined and bumped Mark’s shoulder. Sara reached to pet Cleo and the heavy plate slipped from her hands.

“Mommy!” Sara shrieked. “I dropped my breakfast.” The dogs remained seated, but barked happily. Jack signaled the dogs they could eat. Their wagging tails brushed Sara’s legs and she shrieked again.

“Can I give them mine?” John pleaded.

“Absolutely not,” Liz called. “Sit and eat.” John sulked but did as he was told.

Nate knew he was acting like a jerk but he put his head on the counter and howled with laughter. Liz told Jack he shouldn’t encourage them to feed the dogs table food. Emily punched his good arm before she escaped down the hall.

Straightening, he rubbed his watering eyes. Sunlight brightened the kitchen and his spirits. Since breakfast was clear, he needed to get the area ready for dinner. Loading the dishwasher and storing everything in the refrigerator took only minutes. With the doors open, the scent of mown hay floated on the breeze.

With a shrug, he poured another cup of coffee. Working so many hours a day had to end. Breaking his arm had shown him he could enjoy something else. That part of his life was over. The inn was his future. Pushing aside the centerpiece, he settled at the breakfast table to work on his menu for the weekend.

A knock on the door interrupted before he was done. Seems the word was out to come around back and knock.

“Come in, it’s open,” he called. He had a good idea what he needed from the farm market and butcher. Thankfully, he could drive. He rubbed his broken arm and frowned before glancing up at his visitor.

“Hello. I’m Jared Langford. Liz told me to talk to you about a job?” Nate had never seen such bright blue eyes. The young man’s hair gleamed like soft gold and a charming smile lit his face. His blue blazer perfectly matched his narrow tie. He dressed like a male model from an upscale men’s magazine. He even wore a pleasant cologne.

“What can you do? I need another housekeeper and a waiter.”

Jared laughed lightly and waved his hand in the air. His buffed nails gleamed. “Not quite my thing. All my skills are office related. I’m computer literate, can file, answer the phones, keep records. Whatever.”

“How are you with people?” Nate blinked at his good luck.

“I’m comfortable with the public.” He gave a casual shrug.

“Are you sure you want to work here? This is never going to be a bustling hot spot. And you dress like you’re used to the big city.”

“Do you think I’ll be a problem?” Jared cast an uneasy glance at Nate.

For a second Nate didn’t know what he was referring to. He’s spent so much time in the city, he’d stopped noticing people’s sexual preferences. “Certainly not. I’d be pleased to have you at the front desk.”

Nate pushed from the table. He was several inches taller, but the young man emitted confidence. “Let me show you what I need. The reception area is near the front door and I hooked up a computer and phone lines. Only Liz never learned how to use the program or the system for credit cards. Guests need to be booked, then registered when they arrive. Checkout is important since they need to return the brass keys to the rooms. My café patrons need counting, too. With the official opening on Saturday this weekend, I am swamped.”

Jared’s eyebrow rose when he looked past Nate to the messy registration desk. Papers were stacked all over the surface and a computer, still in the box alongside a printer, was piled on the counter behind it.

Nate opened the drawers and found a paper-clipped pile of notes. A large monthly wall calendar was blackened with writing and X’s. Jared compared the two and gave a cheerful nod.

“What do you think?” Nate asked.

Jared frowned. “Give me a couple hours. I’ll make this hot mess go away faster than a mouse in a barn full of cats.” Jared slipped off his blazer and rolled up the sleeves of his patterned shirt. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

Nate actually felt the weight lift from his shoulders. He rubbed his hands together. “Good. You can start now. I’ll give you a tour of the inn later. Make a note of any questions. We’ve got a lot going on right now.”

His new receptionist barely noticed him walk away.

When the menu was completed, he checked his inventory and what he’d need to buy fresh. The farm market provided heirloom vegetables along with preserves, pickles, and honey. He’d purchased the maple syrup there, too. Liz had the table linens organized and Jenny would help gather fresh flowers for the centerpieces.

He had remembered every detail. He hoped. Satisfaction swelled.

Another knock had him turning to answer.

Karen Burke strode toward him, a stern expression on her pretty face. Although he’d done nothing wrong, she sent a stab of guilt through him.

“I wanted to update you, Nate. There are only a couple local vehicles with that blue paint. Shouldn’t take us long to check them for damage. When we find it, we’ll have our hit-and-run driver.”

“Do you want coffee?” he asked. Karen’s pressed and starched uniform emphasized her curves. The wide leather belt showed a narrow waist above rounded hips and thighs. Maybe a woman would think them too curvy but he liked a little meat. God, Liz would laugh if she found out he was comparing pretty women to food.

“Thanks, but no. I have to get on this. Too much is happening on Labor Day Weekend. I have to call in all the part-time deputies. We get a ton of tourists.” She exhaled briskly. “Are you entering a float in the parade?”

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the counter. “Not this year. The kids wanted to decorate the jeep, but we have no time. We promised to do one next year. In fact, we changed the date for our café opening to Saturday, since so many tourists wanted to book rooms on Friday for the weekend. Liz was ready to tear her hair out. Jack’s dogs have been a blessing keeping the kids occupied. Plus Jack found a hay wagon in the barn he’s going to repair for wagon rides. He claims his horses need the exercise and he can charge a fee to pay for their feed.”

“Jack’s a hard worker. His family farm is doing very well between him and his father. Too bad about the barn. That’s a hard knock for any farmer.”

“Do you have any clues to the arsonist’s identity? Jack is worried about the barns here.”

“He told me he was bringing over his dogs. Cleo and Mark are great animals and they love kids. I wish I had a pair for the department.” She paced around the kitchen.

Although she’d refused one, Nate handed her a fresh coffee. She followed him over to the banquette and they sat. She relaxed with a sigh. The view had changed dramatically with the addition of the water-filled pond. Butterflies hovered along the black-eyed Susans at the edge. Birds dove for bugs on the surface.

“The town would probably buy a pair,” Nate replied.

“It’s not that. They take attention and I don’t have enough deputies to assign one for dog handler. Maybe in the future. Besides, Jack is training Mark and Cleo for search and rescue work.”

“He does take on a number of projects. He’s interested in Liz,” Nate added drily. “She’s nervous about his fire department service.”

Karen drained her cup. She set it down with another sigh. “I can understand why. Fires are dangerous. This arsonist is lucky no one has been hurt.”

“Do you want more?” He gestured at her hands turning the cup.

“Oh, no. It’s time to finish my patrol. The whole town is looking forward to your big opening.”

He walked her to the front door and watched her drive away. It occurred to him his new receptionist had been very quiet. When he looked, the check-in desk was clean and polished. The scent of lemon oil and beeswax filled the small room. The wall calendar had been erased and neat print filled the squares. Jared hunched over the keyboard, a frown lining his brow. The printer chattered and spit out several pages.

“How’s it going?” Nate asked.

Jared’s blond hair was messed and he jerked in surprise. “I didn’t hear you,” he said. “But everything is fine. Liz keeps great notes even though she doesn’t like the computer. I set up the credit card program. I’ve printed out the room registrations for Thursday night and for dinner Saturday. I understand there is no dinner tonight or tomorrow because you’re working on the opening.”

“Liz insisted that a hundred details would crop up at the last minute and I would need to make important decisions. I agreed with her. She needs a break, too.”

Jared handed him the printouts with a flourish. “I’m not done, but these are basic: room reservations and dining. If you want changes, let me know.”