“Gross. Some of them are awful. But I guess that’s true of meat sausages too. I’ve had some pretty awful ones.” She mentioned the brand Clara was cooking as one of the better veggie choices.
“Let me make the coffee while you cook. I wouldn’t want you to burn my breakfast.” Zane winked as he rose from the table. “Back in a flash.” He went into the dining area. Leaving her behind with her heart fluttering in the aftermath of his careless flirtation.
“Lord, he’s handsome,” Wren said dreamily. “Not good looking like my Noah, but pretty hot all the same.” She fanned her face.
“Sh. He’ll hear you,” Clara whispered.
“Do you think he’s handsome? Don’t you love seeing him every morning?” Wren grinned widely as she whispered the questions.
“He’s cute and he helps out a lot. It makes me feel guilty. He’s a guest. Guests don’t help the innkeeper.”
“Why ever not? If he wants to, let him.” Her voice rose to a normal level.
“Here’s a cup of decaf from the Keurig. I started a real pot too.” Zane said from the doorway. He set the mug on the table. “Let who do what?”
“Nothing.” Heat rose in Clara’s face. She turned back to the stove so Zane couldn’t see her emotion.
She didn’t turn fast enough for Wren not to notice as she laughed at Clara’s discomfort.
Behind Clara, a chair slid across the floor and Wren grunted as she flopped down into it.
“I think Clara should let you help out with the heavy lifting,” Wren said to Zane.
“Of course, she should let me help. Work needs to be done. I’m on vacation. I can fill my time however I want. Right, Miss Clara?”
“I suppose. But I’d rather you didn’t. It makes me feel guilty.” More than she’d ever admit. She’d asked him repeatedly not to do her chores, but he kept pitching in. Decorating a tree was one thing, but he was helping with all the decorations, the shoveling, and she’d caught him trying to take out the kitchen garbage. It seemed he was always disregarding her requests, but it wasn’t malicious, it was done kindly with the intent of helping.
“I’ll make a deal with you. Every time I shovel, you can repay me with dinner. How does that sound?”
She blinked. Dinner with Zane nearly every day? It sounded wonderful. And terrible. She was falling for him already. What would happen if she ate with him every night? At least at breakfast, she could mingle with the other guests. Five rooms were full now. Eleven guests altogether. Guests had come and gone and had left glowing reviews on the internet. She was doing this, making the inn a success.
This morning was her biggest breakfast service so far. Maybe she better cook bacon too. She didn’t want to run short of food and bacon was a great snack cold from the fridge.
“Well?” Zane’s voice penetrated her thoughts.
She didn’t know how to refuse him without seeming rude, so she reluctantly agreed. “Okay. I’ll start with dinner tonight, since you already shoveled today. Thanks again.”
“Not tonight,” he corrected. “We’re having dinner at the Flints. Did you forget that Sue invited us both?”
“Crap. I did, and I have late arrivals this evening. I’ll need to find someone to watch the front desk for me tonight. I’ve been looking for a desk clerk but haven’t found more staff yet. I’ll call Sue and ask for a recommendation. She’ll know someone.” She hadn’t looked hard but had kept her eyes and ears open for someone needing a few hours of random work on a very casual basis. A trustworthy teen or young mother would be perfect.
“What if I did it?” Wren asked.
“You’re a guest.” Accepting more help from a guest was unthinkable. Not happening.
“So what? You need help. I can’t go anywhere. Noah and I are here anyway and will probably be in the common room watching television. We can’t leave until the doctor clears me for travel again.”
Clara considered the offer. It was logical, but she wouldn’t accept free help. “Thank you. I’ll give you a discount on your room for the day in exchange for the help. I appreciate it. It saves me hiring someone in a rush.”
“It’s what friends do,” Wren said. “We help each other out.”
“Yes, it is.” Zane echoed the sentiment.
“Thank you both.” She turned her attention back to the stove. She put the sausages into two glass casserole dishes and slid them into the warming oven.
“What’s for breakfast? It smells delicious,” Noah said as he came into the kitchen.
“Morning, Noah.” Clara turned to greet him just as he bent to kiss Wren on the mouth. The kiss lasted several long, embarrassing seconds before they broke apart, and smiled at each other.
