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“No.”
“Oh, so you’re on vacation.”
“Not really.”
She frowned at him. When he didn’t offer an explanation, she shrugged and moved on.
He was surprised by her forwardness. A conversation like that one never would have happened back in San Diego, but then again he supposed it was due to this being a small town. He wondered if this sort of nosiness would pose a problem to his grand plans. He would have to proceed cautiously.
Finished at last.
With the clog rectified, Josie returned the supplies to the janitor’s closet. She cleaned up before heading back to the front desk. She was anxious to see what was in that envelope—to hopefully learn what was next for the inn.
She wasn’t very good with the unknown. She liked plans with definitive steps to take in order to accomplish her goal. Muddling around without knowing what the future held made her antsy, though she did her best to hide her anxiousness from the other employees.
The lobby was abuzz with guests. Some were coming, others were going, and yet others were taking advantage of their tourist rack with pamphlets from the various businesses on the island.
She moved to the check-in desk where Sara had just finished checking in a guest. “How’s it going?”
“Everything is under control. How’s room two one one?”
“In working order.” Josie felt good about the fact she was able to fix the problem. Her brothers had taught her to be self-reliant. They always encouraged her to spread her wings and she’d learned she was capable of more than she thought possible.
Sara glanced at her. “You forgot your vest.”
All the employees wore white shirts with navy-blue vests and gold name tags. Sandra liked for the employees to have a polished look about them.
“Oh, yeah. I took it off when I put on the overalls. I forgot it in the locker in the janitor’s room.”
Sara nodded in understand. “These flowers just came for room one nineteen. Could you watch the desk while I drop them off?”
“I’ve got it.”
There were usually two people to cover the front desk, but the other person had been out sick for a couple of days. The flu had hit the island hard this spring. Josie didn’t mind pitching in when she was needed. It just meant she’d be working later in order to get all of her office work done. Sometimes sacrifices had to be made.
Just as Sara walked away, a young couple entered the lobby with their bags in hand. They paused just inside the doorway to take in the display of Bluestar’s history. Sandra had worked hard to track down photos and memorabilia. She’d assembled it in the lobby. It was the island’s unofficial museum.
On the walls hung black-and-white photos of some of the Bluestar’s rich history from the settlers to more modern-day events. If guests took the time to walk around the spacious room and read the cards with each photo, they would really get a feel for this island.
And though the wallpaper had been replaced with paint over the years, the one thing that stayed the same was the history. Everyone who stayed at the inn loved the attention to details given to the historical photos and even some antiques, which were displayed in glass cases. The collection spanned from dinnerware to replicas of ships that once upon a time had called Bluestar’s port their home.
A smile lifted Josie’s lips. She loved watching the awe on the young couple’s faces. When the man noticed her looking in their direction, he gently elbowed his partner. They made their way across the room. Their footsteps were muffled by the luxurious navy-blue carpeting.
They stopped in front of the reception desk. After Josie greeted them, they gave her their names. She pulled up their reservation. They were lucky they’d planned ahead because the inn was booked solid this week.
Behind them a man entered the inn. When he closed the door behind him, it appeared he was all by himself. He had short brown hair. Some styling gel gave it some height on top while the sides were trimmed close.
As he stood at the doorway and glanced around the lobby, she continued to take in his handsome appearance. His nose was straight, and his face was thin, showing his strong jawline, which was covered with some scruff.
Her gaze lowered to his left hand, and when she found he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, a smile pulled at the corners of her lips. Not that she was looking for anyone to date. Her life was very full at the moment with all the things going on at the inn. The bicentennial celebration was coming up and she had to stay focused. Besides, her dating life hadn’t been going well—not well at all.
Still, it didn’t hurt to look. And she enjoyed the eye candy in front of her. She wondered if he was here to meet up with someone. This wasn’t the sort of place that people commonly visited alone. She was curious to know more about him.
CHAPTER THREE
Heownedfiftypercent...
Of this?
