Carolina Breeze

by Denise Hunter

  “Oh! Of course you do. I wasn’t thinking. Well, that won’t work then.”

  He tempered the disappointment that welled up. “I’d be happy to find you a house to rent. There are some nice secluded ones over by Pine Bay.” Although he didn’t like the thought of her staying alone with those hounds stalking her.

  “Do you have space for me here?”

  “I’m sure we do.” He stepped over to the computer and opened up the schedule. “Let me see . . . Yes, the suite is actually available until July eighth, when we’re hosting a wedding party. How long are you thinking of staying?”

  She shifted. “I’m not sure—a couple weeks? Can I just . . . play it by ear?”

  “Of course.”

  “And . . .” She tilted her head, giving him a hopeful look. “Maybe we can keep searching for the necklace? I mean, when you have spare time?”

  And have more opportunity to spend time with her? “I think I can make that happen. But are you okay having other guests in the house? They very well may recognize you.”

  She lifted a shoulder, a beautiful smile lighting her face. “Well, I’m just going to have to get over that, aren’t I?”

  * * *

  Mia shifted, biting her lip. She had one more item to address with Levi, but this one was trickier. More personal. She’d texted Nolan this morning, asking for clarification on his advice about continuing the narrative. His direction had been crystal clear. And it made all kinds of sense.

  She was a little uncomfortable with it, however, as she had an aversion to deception. But Nolan’s argument made sense—she’d actually be doing this in service to the truth.

  She lifted her eyes to Levi’s questioning gaze.

  “Is there something else I can help you with?”

  She gave a nervous chuckle. “You could say that.” The only problem was her request went above and beyond the call of duty. Way above.

  “What is it?” Those darn crinkly eyes would be the death of her.

  “So, um, Levi, I don’t know if you’ve gone online and looked at the pictures from last night.”

  He shook his head.

  “Right. Well. It seems the press was very curious . . . about you.”

  His brows jumped. “About me?”

  “Well, specifically . . . your relationship to me.”

  “Aaah. Well, they’ve surely figured out I’m only the innkeeper.”

  “Not yet, actually. But . . .” She wasn’t sure how to say he’d put off a very protective vibe last night. She’d just show him instead. “Here, maybe if you take a look.”

  She pulled up the photos and handed her phone to him. Would he see what others had seen in his expressions? That he looked like an avenging angel? That his protectiveness seemed . . . personal?

  As he studied the photos a flush crawled into his cheeks. He handed her phone back and scratched the back of his neck. “So . . . what are you saying exactly?”

  She cleared her throat. “Nolan thinks the speculation about our relationship is a good thing. It’s changed the narrative from Jax and me to . . .”

  “You and me.” Realization dawned in his eyes. “That’s why there are more of them out front today.”

  “Right. And I’m so sorry about your picture being spread all over creation—I guess I should’ve warned you about that.”

  “I figured as much when we walked out the door last night. I just didn’t think—”

  “Me either. But the press have inventive ways of stirring up talk, and Nolan would much rather that they were talking about us than the scandal. He asked if we might be willing to, um . . . continue the narrative.”

  “Continue the narrative . . . like be seen together as though we’re . . .”

  “In a relationship, yes. And feel free to say no, because I realize this is a huge ask. I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting the public scrutiny. Believe me, I know what a pain that is. But the thing is, not only are people speculating about our relationship, they’re wondering how Jax’s version of what happened can be true if I’m involved with someone else.”

  Levi’s head tilted back in understanding. “Ah, makes sense. That’s a good thing then.”

  Mia winced. “Except it’s not really true. And I don’t want you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. I’m extending my stay regardless, and I honestly wouldn’t blame you if—”

  Levi hit the counter with his palm with a decisive smack. “Count me in.”

  The smile blooming on Mia’s face was unstoppable. “Really? I mean, you won’t have to, like, lay it on thick or anything. Just being seen out and about together is enough. They’ll do the rest.”

  She loved the formidable look that came over his face. The determined thrust of his chin. “Know what? It’s time Jax Jordan was put in his place. He spread blatant lies about you, and if I can help expose him for the schmuck that he is . . . I’m all in.”

  twenty-five

  Molly was already seated in the library when Levi entered with the financial folder. He’d been a little scattered since his conversation with Mia earlier in the morning. She’d gone upstairs to unpack, and Levi had texted his sisters, moving up their financial meeting. He had items to go over, and they wouldn’t be checking in guests until later this afternoon.

  Levi turned the desk chair to face the small sofa and was just sitting down when Grace entered.

  “Why’d we move up the board meeting?” Grace asked.

  Molly chuckled and gave Grace a high five. “Nice one.”

  Levi’s gaze toggled between then. “What? Oh, bored meeting. I get it. Very funny. Sit down, both of you, and try to stay awake this time.”

  “Yes, master,” they said simultaneously.

  He sighed as he passed out the spreadsheets.

  “Before we get into this exciting stuff,” Grace said, “I’d just like to say I’m really overdue for a raise.”

  Levi rolled his eyes.

  “I’m serious. I’m making minimum wage here.”

  “As I said—last month and the month before and the month before that—we’re all making minimum wage here, Grace. Until the bottom line improves it will continue that way. Speaking of which, I have a potential solution I’d like to propose—”

  “Wait,” Molly said. “I’d like to address the restaurant situation.”

  “We don’t have an actual restaurant,” Levi said. “And again, we can’t afford one.”

  “Well, I think we should at least extend the breakfast menu, Levi. I’m tired of hearing about—”

  “If you’d just wait a minute, Molly, I have an idea that will increase our profits and maybe take care of all our problems.” Please, God. Why did his sisters have to be so difficult?

  Molly crossed her arms. “Fine. I’m listening.”

  “I’ve been doing some research, and I think we should increase our rates.”

  “What?” Molly said. “No. That doesn’t make sense.”

  “We’re already pretty empty through the week,” Grace said. “Isn’t raising the rates just going to scare people away?”

  “Not at all. We’re the only inn in town, and we’re almost full up on the weekends. That’s where our rates could go up. By my calculations we can increase the price by 8 percent and still remain competitive.”

  “I don’t like it,” Molly said.

  “That’s not really a valid argument,” Levi said. “And we need to do something to increase our bottom line. I think this would go a long way toward growing the business.”

  “I thought that’s what your marketing plan was for,” Grace said.

  “Yes, but that costs money, and those dollars come straight out of our bottom line. Unless you want to charge for the extras like internet and breakfast, we’re going to have to raise our rates.”

  “We’re not nickeling and diming our guests to death,” Molly said. “Inns are supposed to have extra amenities. This is not a Motel Six.”

  “Then we need to raise the rates. You’re just go
ing to have to trust me on this. I know what I’m doing. We’ll honor the prices for those who’ve already booked, of course. But new bookings get charged our increased rate.”

  “Repeat customers are going to love that,” Grace said.

  “We’ve been open a year. How many repeat customers could we have? They probably won’t even notice, and if they do, we could give them a one-time reduced rate to mollify them. Agreed?”

  Grace and Molly looked at each other, then back to him. “Fine,” they said simultaneously.

  “Great,” he said on a sigh. That had been easier than he’d anticipated. And he wasn’t nearly as certain as he’d made it sound that the risk would actually pay off. “Now let’s go over last month’s numbers.”

  He talked them through the income and expenditures listed on the Excel spreadsheet. As usual he hoped his sisters wouldn’t notice that the numbers didn’t quite add up. The spreadsheet didn’t account for the fact that all the marketing dollars had gone onto Levi’s personal credit card.

  No worries, though. As usual their eyes remained good and glazed over throughout the meeting. Forty minutes later he was finished.

  Levi closed the folder. “And that’s about it for this month.”

  “Thank God,” Grace muttered, pushing up. “It’s been real.”

  “Wait up,” Levi said. “Before you go there’s one more matter I want to discuss with you guys.”

  The girls groaned as they sank back into their seats.

  There it was—the reason he personally referred to the meetings as the monthly Moan and Groan.

  “Before you slip off into dreamland again, this isn’t regarding business per se. It’s about Mia.”

  “I just love that girl,” Molly said. “I’m so glad she’s staying on a while.”

  “Me too,” Grace said. “I never dreamed she’d be so down-to-earth.”

  “Right? She’s so considerate. And she plays a mean game of five-card draw.”

  “Anyway,” Levi continued, “it seems that when she and I slipped out last night the press took some photos and posted them online.”

  “The paparazzi?” Grace deadpanned.

  “Unheard of,” Molly added.

  He gave them both a look. “Anyway . . . Since then there’s been some speculation about our relationship, and that scrutiny has kind of changed the subject, if you will, in regard to Mia’s situation with Jax Jordan. Her agent thinks that if we— No phones during our meetings, Grace.”

  Grace’s eyes remained glued to her screen. “Relax, brother dear, just looking up those photos you— Oh. My. Gosh.”

  “What?” Molly leaned over. “What is it?”

  “Look at these. Look at this one.”

  Molly cut a look at Levi. “Levi . . . you dirty dog. You’re totally in love with Mia Emerson.”

  Heat rushed through his body, shooting down his limbs and up his neck. He wiped his palms on his legs. “She’s our guest, Molly.”

  Grace gave a wry laugh. “You are such a goner.”

  They were not making this easy. “Anyway . . . As I was saying, her agent thinks it would be good for her career if we continued the narrative a bit. So I just wanted you to know we’ll likely be seen out and about town the remainder of her stay.”

  “Otherwise known as ‘dating,’” Grace said, still staring at her phone. “Look at this one—look at his face.”

  “So fierce!”

  Levi snatched the phone. “All right already. Can you guys just listen for a change? We’re not actually going to be dating. I’m simply helping a guest with a . . .” He searched for the right word.

  “Project?” Molly asked, a gleam in her eyes. “Would you say this is a project, Levi?”

  He gave her a withering look. He’d been all over Molly for getting into that love letter project with Adam when he’d been their guest.

  “I’m pretty sure projects with guests are discouraged,” Molly said.

  “Frowned upon,” Grace added.

  “Forbidden, even,” Molly said.

  Levi glowered. “This is her project, not mine. There’s a difference. This isn’t—”

  Grace and Molly traded looks, chuckling.

  He clenched his teeth and tossed Grace’s phone back to her. “Know what? If you two could just continue saying ‘no comment’ as you come and go that would be great. Thanks for your support.”

  He got up and left the room, their laughter following him all the way to the lobby.

  twenty-six

  The next Tuesday Mia followed Levi down the marina dock. The gaggle of reporters that had followed them from the inn was shooting from the parking lot with their telephoto lenses.

  “This is really weird,” he said.

  “You’re doing great.” She smiled her thanks as Levi helped her on board the beautiful wooden boat bearing the name Mystique. “Just keep smiling. Good news is, we’re about to make our getaway.” She took the beach bag from him and stowed it on a bench seat.

  Levi untied the boat and hopped inside. He’d been busy working over the weekend, so Mia had just hung around the inn. She’d worked on her lines, Skyped Ana Maria, and caught up on emails.

  Meanwhile the media had figured out who Levi was, and the speculation that he was a significant other had waned. Nolan suggested that being seen together on an actual “date” would help their cause.

  Levi’s marina friend had loaned him the boat for the afternoon, and the rest was history. Or soon would be, when the pictures were published. Mia wore her red shorts with a white gauzy top, and Levi wore a pair of navy blue trunks with a white T-shirt. They looked like they were on a nautical dream date.

  She settled close to him on the bench seat as he started up the boat, his masculine scent carrying over on a breeze.

  “Think they got some good shots?” he asked.

  “I hope so.”

  “Let’s get out of here then.” He pulled the boat from the slip, going slow through the no-wake zone, and Mia settled back in her seat.

  Levi took her across the lake to a private little spit of beach. They lay out in the sun and grazed on the snacks Miss Della had packed them. They talked about his family and his life back in Denver. Mia wondered if he knew that his tone took on a wistful quality when he talked about that life. And she wondered if his sisters knew how much he was sacrificing for them.

  With the sun overhead beaming hot, Levi got in the water, swimming out to a submerged boulder and back. Mia, having no swimsuit, simply splashed in the shallows, cooling her feet.

  Her ankle was only a little swollen now, and the bruising had faded to a yellow-green. She could walk without limping, though she still took care with her steps.

  After three lazy hours they headed back to the marina. Mia slumped in her seat, sun-tired, her hair windblown.

  “That was a nice break,” Levi said as he steered into the no-wake zone. He perched his sunglasses on top of his head.

  White fluffy clouds had gathered overhead, screening the sun, so Mia did the same. “I think I got too much sun.”

  His gaze raked over her, a flicker of male appreciation in his eyes. “Your cheeks are a little pink, but the color looks nice on you.”

  At his scrutiny a pleasant shiver passed over her heated flesh. “I should’ve worn sunscreen—I probably don’t look very Irish at the moment.”

  “That’s right. Tell me more about the movie. You said it was multigenerational?”

  She loved that he listened to her. She never got the feeling he was daydreaming or thinking of what he’d say next. “It’s called Lesser Days, and it’s about a mother and her two daughters. It’s set in Ireland during the potato famine in the 1840s. It’s got a lot of grit. The female characters have lost so much, and it really showcases the power of resilience and fortitude. It’s so empowering—that’s what attracted me to the role.”

  “Sounds intriguing. I can’t wait to see it.”

  “We have to shoot it first.” Her smile wavered. It was still poss
ible the studio would cancel her contract. They had the right to do so with the morality clause, and Nolan had reported that they were nervous about her participation after the scandal.

  Mia settled deeper into the bench seat, feeling languid after all the sun. Their bodies touched at the shoulder and thigh. Was she sitting too close? He didn’t make room between them.

  “You had a busy weekend.” She’d missed him the last few days while the inn had been flooded with guests. Though she’d enjoyed seeing the siblings in action, especially him.

  “I meant to ask—did anyone recognize you?”

  “A couple people. But they were cool.” She tossed him a look. But it lingered longer than she’d intended. The bit of color he’d gotten today made his eyes seem even bluer.

  “So . . .” She pulled her gaze away. “Have you given any more thought to where we might look next for the necklace?”

  “I know the basement is empty. I couldn’t see Dorothy hiding valuables down there anyway. I thought we might check the walls for safes, just in case. Maybe look around the main attic, even though I’m pretty sure it was cleaned out. Sorry I haven’t had a chance to look yet.”

  “Understandable.”

  “I’m afraid we have a large family coming for a reunion tonight and staying through Sunday. Not sure how long you were planning to stay . . .”

  It sounded like he was fishing, like maybe he didn’t want her to leave. Or maybe he did want her to leave because of all the extra hassle. But then she remembered the way he’d looked at her a couple times today.

  “At least another week, if that’s okay.”

  Did the corners of his lips lift just a bit? “Let’s plan on getting back to it after they leave then?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  The marina was quiet as Levi expertly guided the boat into the slip. Mia found herself reluctant to return to the inn. She’d enjoyed having Levi all to herself. There was something growing between them, and even though she knew it could only be temporary, she couldn’t seem to quell the butterflies fluttering about her belly. He’d made her laugh today, made her let down her guard. And it felt good. Right.