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Finley stood behind the counter, talking on the phone. Shelowered her voice as the door shut behind me. Scout shook herself, tossing snow every which way, before plopping down on the floor near the door.
Finley had the lobby all decorated for the holidays, with garlands and twinkling lights. The door to Thad’s office was closed, which meant he was either in a meeting or out for lunch.
“I have to go,” Finley said into the phone. “I’m at work. Yes, thank you for calling. Send it to my email, and I’ll make sure to sign it right away.” She hung up, and for a second, I saw deep sadness in her eyes. However, only for a moment. Almost immediately, she shot me a bright smile. Hospitality ran through her veins. Mama had been right. Finley was perfect for the guest services job.
“Hi, sorry about that.” Finley flushed and tugged on the sleeves of her jacket as if she wanted to make them longer. “I hope you know, I don’t make it a habit to do anything personal while at work. It was something that couldn’t wait.”
“Please, don’t apologize. Life happens, and sometimes we have to deal with it sooner rather than later.”
“Yes, exactly.” Her voice caught, but she swallowed and gave me that sunshiny smile once again. “May I help you with something?”
“Annie’s going to check out of the cabin and come stay with me. More privacy that way.”
She nodded, clearly understanding why this was necessary without me having to explain it. “There are a few couples checking in tonight, so I think you’re wise to protect her at your home. Your mother told me she was practically part of the family way back when. You know how people are about celebrities. They would try to get her photo and post it everywhere, exposing her whereabouts.”
“That’s right,” I said. “It’s important her visit remain out of the press.”
“I understand completely.” She looked out the window for amoment. “The hotel where I worked in London—we had a lot of high-profile guests. Discretion was not an option. So you can count on me.”
“Thanks, Finley.” I pulled gloves from my jacket, readying to return to the cold. “How are you adjusting to the new job? Living here? The weather?”
“I’m doing quite fine. Thank you for asking,” she said in her clipped British accent. “This job’s been a lifesaver.”
“Is Thad treating you well?” I asked, smiling. “I know what an ogre he can be.”
She laughed. “Hardly. He’s been a star to work for. Soren, now, that’s another matter.”
“What do you mean?” His eternal grumpiness, I presumed.
“Soren’s extremely intimidating. Every time I interact with him, I act like a total goof and embarrass myself. I can’t seem to stop talking like an utter fool. I’m absolutely certain he thinks I’m an idiot.”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Sure.”
“He’s a softy under that gruff exterior and extremely shy—he’s more comfortable with animals than humans.”Especially around pretty women, I thought, but kept that to myself. The more attractive he found someone, the more likely he was to act aloof, which people interpreted as disdain. In reality, he probably couldn’t think of anything to say to her and acted grumpy instead.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Finley said. “For now, I’m happy I report directly to Thad.”
“Have you met any new friends in town?” I asked.
“Not yet. It’s only been a few weeks though. Your mom said I should start a book club.”
“Not a bad idea.”
“If only I knew someone to invite.”
“I’ll give that some thought,” I said.
I said goodbye and called out to Scout, who leaped to her feet, already excited to get back outside. “Come on, girl, let’s go get the truck.”
Scout barked and took off toward my house.
What a turn of events the day had brought. When I woke this morning, I hadn’t thought I would see Annie again for the first time in over twenty years.
Annie Armstrong back in our lives. For a while, anyway. Soon, the scandal would blow over, and she’d return to her real life. I had to remember that she didn’t belong here any longer. She was a star. Meant for greatness, not here with the likes of me.
Unfortunately, I seemed to have slipped back through time. She made me feel like a kid again. A smitten boy obsessed with counting the freckles on that cute nose of hers and dreaming of a kiss.
