“Nice to meet you, darlin’,” the lady said with a wink. “You’re lucky you ran into this one.” She pointed at Brady with an affectionate smile. “He’s always ready to help a pretty girl who’s down on her luck.”
Claudia felt she must be oozing desperation to elicit a comment like that. With the intent of perfecting the fake smile, she tried it on for size. She’d had plenty of practice in the days after the funeral, but she’d hoped to shelve it permanently when she left Brockville. “I’m very grateful for his help.”
“Room 115 still available, Dana?” Brady asked, glancing at his employee’s computer screen.
“Sure is.” She handed him an old-fashioned key on a ring instead of the plastic card Claudia had been expecting.
“Don’t people lose those?” she asked as Brady led her through the rustic-looking lobby with wildlife paintings and distressed leather furniture situated in front of a massive stone fireplace. “The keys?”
Looking amused, Brady said, “Why would they? They manage to keep track of their house and car keys, I’m guessing. Why would their room key be any different?”
She supposed he had a point. “It looks like the dining room is still open,” she said as they passed a large, open room with high ceilings and pine tables decorated with crisp white tablecloths. “Do you need any help tonight?”
“That’s okay.” He glanced at his watch. “We’ll be wrapping things up in there soon. The kitchen stays open until eleven though, if you’re hungry. You’re welcome to get anything you want while you’re here. The bar, which is on the other side of the inn, will be open ‘til one. We usually have live entertainment there on Friday and Saturday nights. Since you’ll be working the breakfast and lunch shift, you’re welcome to pass by. I have to fill in tomorrow night, since the act I had booked came down with the flu.”
“You sing?” She didn’t know why she was surprised. Perhaps he looked a little rough around the edges to be a musician. Though she didn’t know any musicians personally, she’d always pictured an artistic poet who carried extra guitar picks instead of a gun.
He chuckled as he unlocked the door to her room. “You know what they say about judging a book by its cover.”
“Sorry,” she said, blushing. “You’re right.”
“Well, here it is. I hope this is okay?”
He set her suitcase down by the door as she took in the large window flanked by floor-length white curtains before her eyes traveled to the rough-hewn four poster bed outfitted in a fluffy white duvet. “It’s perfect, thank you.”
There was a bureau, which she assumed housed a TV, and a small table with two chairs by the window. She peeked into the bathroom and practically sighed at the sight of the old-fashioned claw foot tub. She would give just about anything for a bubble bath right about now.
“The inn is lovely,” she said, tipping her head back to look at him. “Is it a family business?”
“No.” He smiled again, catching her slightly off-guard with his appeal. “But I’ve worked here since I was a kid, so the old owners were practically family. When they decided to retire, they offered me a VTB. They didn’t really need the money. They just wanted their freedom.”
“What’s a VTB?”
“Vendor take-back mortgage. It means they’re my lenders instead of the bank.”
“Oh.”
“Thankfully I’ve been able to make some improvements that have led to a lot more business, which means the place should be all mine in about eleven months, if all goes according to plan.”
She heard the enthusiasm in his voice, and it reminded her of a time when she and her husband had been excited about the prospect of buying their own little home, a place where they could raise the family they’d hoped to have one day.
A rush of sadness washed over her, and he touched her shoulder, reminding her she needed to get better at masking her emotions. “Hey, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She straightened. “Just a little tired, I guess. It’s been quite a day.”
“In that case, I’ll let you get some sleep.”
“What time would you like me to start in the morning?”
“Six a.m. Mandy will be there to train you.”
“Um, what about a uniform?”
He gave her a quick once-over. “I might have something that’ll fit you. You about a size six?”
“Yes.” She was surprised he guessed her size so easily. Perhaps he’d compared her to an old… or current girlfriend?
“Okay, I’ll pass by with it in a bit, if you think you’ll still be awake?”
“I’ll wait up.” That also meant she’d have to delay her bath, but it was a small price to pay for a place to sleep tonight.
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Small Town Billionaire Page 21
