“Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I think I owe the author a visit. I don’t want this getting any traction,” Christopher said.
“Very good.” Mr. Brixen wiped a hand over his brow.
“If that’s all?” Christopher asked gently. He didn’t like the relief evident on his employee’s face. Was he scary? Would Ashley be a better boss? More approachable?
“Did Mrs. Hale-Lewis deliver your envelope? I gave it to her first thing.”
Christopher frowned. “No, but it’s been a chaotic day. I’ll ask her about it.”
Mr. Brixen nodded.
Christopher left, taking the stairs two at a time. Up and down, in and out. He was running in circles. Since she’d come back, he hadn’t known rest or peace. He would love to stay in the office and ignore the latest round of problems. But that wasn’t his style.
What envelope could be so important that Mr. Brixen asked Ashley to hand-deliver? Why hadn’t she?Hotel Lavande?
He scrubbed a hand over his face as he breathed shallowly, heading back to his car and jogging across the front drive. Mr. Brixen would instantly know the contents were important. Would Ashley? Why hadn’t she given him the envelope?
He couldn’t worry about the package now or try to read into her inaction. He’d push it to the side until their meeting later. He needed focus.
When he had something to do that he’d rather not, he had to deal with the issue as soon as possible. And there was nothing and no one he would rather avoid than Zach Jenkins. But the time had come for a face-to-face meeting. He wasn’t about to back down.
ChapterTwelve
Ashley tugged the cuffs of her worn sweatshirt over her fingers. Despite the change of dry clothes, dressing for comfort and not style, she still hadn’t warmed up. Inside the vehicle with Christopher, the air had hung heavy and unmoving. Full of suspense and anticipation. But the moment she had slipped out into the pine-soaked fresh air, she’d been chilled to her bone.
She entered the coffee shop through the open front door, her steps creaking on the uneven pine floorboards. The smell of coffee and the whir of the bean grinder greeted her first. She scanned the interior, noting most of the tables were occupied.
Approaching the counter, she ordered a hot chocolate with whipped cream and stood to the side. She loved the warm ambiance of the coffee shop. Her stint working in one hadn’t been enough to cure her of the good feelings. Despite her lack of skills, she’d recharged every time she met a smile or chatted with a new customer. Extroverts did their best in public, and she was no exception.
It was why the only way she could stay in Loon Lake was in the center of the action at the Inn. If he cared about her, he wouldn’t deny her the chance. But if she cared about him, she wouldn’t ask him to sacrifice his career. Her temples throbbed. The longer she stayed, the more confused her goals and motivations were.
“There you are!” A gruff, wheezy voice called.
She stiffened, lifting her shoulders to her ears and slowly turning toward the door.
Carl Prim shook a beefy finger as he approached, his ruddy cheeks shining from exertion.
Behind him, head and shoulders above, Steve mouthedsorry.
“Oh, hi, Carl.” She forced a smile. “Hi again, Steve. Thank you so much for the rescue earlier.”
“You were supposed to wait for us,” Carl said. “Wait. Not leave. Stay.”
When a man raised his voice at her, she knew the expectations. The man wanted her to go meek and boneless, nodding like a good girl and apologizing for nonexistent errors and faults. But she’d never been called submissive or obedient. Instead, she got angry. She was not a child, and she would not be told what to do. Steve had angled her into the hospital, and she’d been too stunned by his agreement about her ghost to push back and insist he take her home.
But she wouldn’t be intimidated by him or his father. And she wouldn’t be addressed like she was a stray dog. The last man who tried that had been sorely disappointed to learn just how stubborn and strong-willed she was. Her heart ached a little for Dad and the hollow victory. She widened her stance and lifted her chin. “No. I was fine. I appreciate your concern, but I am perfectly sound and was able to leave.”
Carl sputtered, opening up his mouth again.
“And besides,” she continued before he could speak. “I’ve already talked to Christopher about the dinner cruise. I think it’s great. You have my support.” She nodded at Steve.
Now, the younger Prim gaped at her. “You do?”
The barista called, “Ashley.”
She turned grateful to be saved from a response or giving either man any more of her attention. Grabbing the hot chocolate, she took a sip and turned away. Surveying the room again, she spotted Seth at a table near the window.
She glanced back over her shoulder, ignoring Carl and smiling at Steve. It was a shame he couldn’t escape from under his father’s thumb. Couldn’t the Inn somehow absorb the marina and bring Steve on board? He was too gentle to deal with the constant barrage of insults.
