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He moved to stand behind her. He gently parted her hair and then ran his fingers over the lump. She jerked away from his touch as though the spot was very painful.
Once he’d finished his examination, he stopped in front of her. “There’s no cut, but you’ve got a big lump forming. You might want to have a doctor look at it. It’s possible you have a concussion.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I was just clumsy. I’ll be fine.” She ran a hand over her hair, smoothing it out. “What may I do for you?”
Lane moved to the other side of the desk. “I would like to check in.”
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. “Name, please.”
“Johnson. Lane Johnson.”
She typed in the name before frowning. “Could you spell that for me?”
“Lane. L-A-N-E. Johnson. J-O-H-N-S-O-N.”
She typed his name again. And once again, her brows drew together. “I’m sorry. Would the reservation be under a different name?”
“No.”
“I’m afraid there must be some sort of mistake because your reservation isn’t in the system.”
“That’s because I didn’t make a reservation.”
“Oh.” She let out a soft sigh of relief. “In that case, I’m sorry I can’t help you. We’re booked solid.”
It was his turn to frown. “That can’t be right.”
“I’m afraid it is. This is the beginning of the busy season. If you haven’t made a reservation in advance, you most likely aren’t going to get a room on the island. I’m really very sorry. You can try some of the B&Bs on the island, but they’re likely filled up too.”
“My people were to have contacted you and made arrangements.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, but there’s no available room at the inn.”
“Do you know who I am?”
She blinked. “Yes, sir. Lane Johnson. Would you like me to make a couple of phone calls to see if other arrangements can be made for you?”
“No, I wouldn’t.” He sighed. “I’m the new owner of the inn. And I would like a room. Now.”
This couldn’t be happening. He’d been traveling for hours. He was tired, and he couldn’t even get a room at his own inn. It only made him even more resolute in his desire to sell this place.
Owner.
Her mind stuttered.
Of course Josie knew this day was coming. She’d been waiting for it, but now that it was here, a sense of foreboding came over her. She blamed it on Agnes Dewey and her stupid horoscope.
Josie tried to recall what Agnes had said. Something about falling prey to something and losing what she valued most. Josie inwardly groaned.
Her gaze met the man’s pointed stare. She couldn’t help but notice Lane had the most alluring blue-gray eyes. Their unique shade reminded her of the ocean on a cloudy day when a storm was churning.
She blinked, breaking the connection. What was she thinking? After all, it wasn’t like there was a storm headed in their direction. It was a gorgeous sunny day.
She wondered if there had been a warning in the envelope that had arrived that morning. The one she hadn’t had a chance to open. “I didn’t know you would be arriving today.”
“Obviously. Now about my accommodations.”
“Um, let me see.” She pulled up a screen on the computer. There was absolutely no one checking out that day or the next. And she couldn’t just ask people to leave.
