AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
As I watch them laugh and enjoy each other, I’m so glad they are happy together. A pang of fear flashes through me. What if I never get the chance to find a love like theirs? I want someone to cook for. Someone to eat burritos and be happy with. I just want to be happy.
16. paige
Love is Dangerous
Pancake isasleep in a bouncy chair in Evan’s office next to a sleeping baby Benny in another bouncy chair. He’s even strapped in like a baby, and his big belly rolls around him, making him fill out the seat. It’s comical to see him next to the tiny baby boy.
“Thanks for letting me use your printer.” I smile as I gaze over at Pancake and baby Benny.
“Thanks for letting me have your raccoon,” he says with a smile.
Pancake seems to become more popular by the day at the inn. Golden Gable’s social media has blown up with guests posting pictures tagging the inn, and Pancake’s presence here has resulted in a lot more bookings and a waiting list. When they can’t book a room, people have even asked to stay in the back farmers’ market area in their RVs to visit the infamous Golden Gable Inn raccoon.
Margie comes into Evan’s office wearing baby Eden, who’s swaddled in pink, in a sling.
“Hey, Margie. How’s grandma life?”
“I love these babies.” She smiles, pulling Eden closer to her. “Just making sure her dad takes a break.”
“I’m fine,” Evan calls with a yawn.
“You need to go take a nap with their mother,” she calls. “Haven’t you ever heard of paternity leave?”
“Yeah, yeah. I will,” he says as he stretches at his desk.
“I’ll bring the babies to her when it’s time to eat, but try to let her get some sleep otherwise. We’re trying to get their days and nights straightened out.”
“I can watch the front desk for a while,” I offer. “I’ll be here all day getting this party stuff together.”
“That would be lovely, honey,” Margie says, glancing at Evan with what I can only describe as a motherly look, urging him to go.
It feels good to belong here and to be a part of things, even though I’m still a guest myself. They’ve made me feel like family, and that feels amazing. No wonder Preston practically lives here, too. I don’t blame him. This is truly a special place. It’s like a recharge for the soul.
“I’ll go check on Beth. Promise you’ll come get me if you need me?”
“Of course.” She winks at me.
He then leans down to kiss his babies and to scratch Pancake on the belly.
“As if I didn’t run this inn before he did. I think I can manage it for a few hours.” She gently ushers Evan out.
Once he’s gone, I ask Margie, “Have you seen Mellie?”
“Yeah, she just got back from town,” she says, then cocks an eyebrow. “I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do to that poor Preston next. And getting Mellie in on it? Hilarious!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Mellie picked up an eighties suit that looks like someone’s grandmother’s sofa at a thrift store to switch out for Preston’s designer court suit. He won’t know it’s the wrong suit until it’s too late. He has jeans or that, so we’ll see what he chooses. He can’t go to court in jeans. We’re planning to drive by and see if he wears it.
Just then, Sasha comes in. “Someone wants to see Pancake.”
I look over at Pancake, who’s still snoozing away. “You’re famous, Pancake.”
She unbuckles the straps and picks him up, then hoists him over her shoulder. “That he is. They used to come here to meet Beth, the famous romance author. Now they want to see the famous raccoon.”
My phone buzzes with a text:Did you pick up my suit? I have court in forty-five minutes. I know you took this afternoon off, but I still need you, Paige.
