Four Weeks

by Melissa Ford

  It seemed that she had very few defenses when it came to her handsome boss. If she hadn't been so exhausted last night, she would've stayed awake all night wondering how she was going to manage the impossible and keep things professional between them now.

  The truth couldn't be avoided anymore. She'd practically thrown herself at him. Maybe if she explained that she'd been emotionally off balance ... Anybody would've been shook up after what they'd been through. He'd understand. He must have been shook up, too. Why else would he think that someone had started that fire on purpose? It didn't make sense.

  Her hopes of quickly slipping out were squashed when she reached the landing and got a whiff of blueberry muffins. Her willpower wasn't that strong. Giving in to the sudden growl in her stomach, she headed to the kitchen and greeted Sally.

  The older woman turned from her place at the counter. “You sleep okay, dear?"

  "Surprisingly, yes."

  Sally nodded as she poured some tea. “It's the island air."

  Louise accepted the hot drink her hostess offered and sat down at the solid kitchen table. “You must be right about that, because I feel ready to start work this morning."

  Sally popped the muffins out of the tin and placed them in a basket. She set the basket in the center of the table and put a huge slab of butter next to it.

  "Eat, Louise. You're going to need some good energy food inside you for what you have planned."

  Louise reached for one of the hot muffins, but skipped the butter. If she wasn't careful, she'd gain several pounds eating Sally's delicious food. “How do you know what I have planned for today?"

  Sally sat down across from her. “It's a small island, everyone knows everything."

  They sat in silence for a few minutes until Sally broke the quiet with a question. “Do you know much about Gail?"

  Louise nearly choked. She hadn't said anything to Sally about her new employee. “The girl I hired to help out at Hawk's?"

  "Do you know another Gail?"

  She shook her head and chuckled. “I guess this is a small place."

  "What do you know about her?"

  Louise frowned. Trent had hinted at her lack of professionalism regarding her new hire as well. She didn't feel like admitting she knew nothing about the girl. The good feeling she had about her would have to be enough. Besides, Gail's position would be a small one and the stable needed another pair of hands. “I know as much as I need to know."

  Sally nodded silently, but her brown eyes held speculation. Louise considered asking Sally if she knew something about Gail, but that would be the same as admitting she didn't know anything about the girl she'd offered a job. So she stood and wrapped her muffin in a napkin. “Thanks for the breakfast, Sally."

  Sally frowned. “That's not breakfast, girl. Won't you stay for some eggs?"

  "No, but thanks. I really need to get over to Hawk's."

  Sally leaned back in her chair. “Working hard is good, but don't forget to live your life while you're at it."

  Not sure what Sally meant by that, Louise smiled and said goodbye. Within minutes she was on her way to the stable, not quite ready to explain her unacceptable behavior to Trent, but anxious to start work.

  * * * *

  TRENT SAT AT a small table in the hotel dining room with his half-eaten breakfast of scrambled eggs and hash browns in front of him. The small clock hanging above the door assured him that Louise was sure to be at work. Louise. Each minute, it seemed, he was thinking about her.

  Kissing her had been a mistake. He'd laid a part of himself out, and he had a sinking feeling that piece was about to get thrown out with the rest of the waste from last night's fire.

  During the night, when he hadn't been thinking about her, he'd been reliving what had happened later at Hawk's. He needed to find out who'd been in the stable, and why they were sneaking around. Gut instinct told him that whoever had been in the office was connected to the fire. If only he'd been able to hear what they'd said or at least gotten close enough to recognize their voices. He could kick himself for not busting in while they were talking.

  Some early morning delivery wagons rolled past. The horses strained to pull the tall load of boxes and crates. The island was gearing up for another bustling season.

  Even though he needed to get to the stable to inspect things in the daylight, he was stalling. The one thing he didn't want to face kept tugging at him.

  Could the woman have been Louise? It was possible. She could've returned to Hawk's after he'd left Sally's. The old rooming house had several doors and she could've exited without being noticed.

  He didn't want to think that way, yet he couldn't help it. Louise had made it clear that she wanted this job. She seemed to want it with a desperation he didn't understand. What possible reason could she have for wanting to manage a run down mess like Hawk's? Could she be in on something?

  More likely he was trying to find an easy reason to push her away, to wedge something between them. Something to give him control over the dangerous affection he felt for her.

  Absently Trent took another sip of his cold coffee and rose to drop some money on the table. He trekked down the quiet side streets but barely glimpsed the people he passed. He was sick of being out of his element and plagued by questions, he wanted answers. Action. Anything that would make him feel in control of his life again.

  * * * *

  BY THE TIME Trent reached the stable yard, he was clinging to his role as boss. Louise worked for him and he had a right to know where she was last night. He'd simply ask her if she'd gone straight to bed or not.

  He marched up to the rental desk where he saw a young woman filling out some sort of paperwork.

  The instant smile she offered was probably meant to welcome him, but it didn't work. He hadn't felt welcome at Hawk's ever since he'd stepped foot in it that first day.

  Giving him her full attention, she asked, “Would you like to rent a horse?"

  He shook his head.

  "Is there something else I can help you with?"

  Trent turned around to head for the office. “No, thanks,” he said stomping off. He'd had that conversation before. Just three days ago.

  He tried to imagine Louise swept into something criminal. Louise Hart the woman who defined hard working? The woman who'd spent hours on her hands and knees cleaning his shabby old buildings? Why would she be trying so hard to save a business if she were involved in some scheme. In that split second of reflection, Trent decided that he needed a couple good nights’ sleep. She was exactly what she seemed—an honest, hard-working girl.

  A girl he cared for a lot more than he should.

  He reached the office, but hesitated before he went in. If she hadn't been one of the people he'd heard last night, and he was sure now that she wasn't, who was? Whoever it was, they were playing for keeps. Why else would they be sneaking around? Why else would they start a fire?

  Trent's hands clenched at his sides and his throat tightened. What would they do next?

  Doubts and questions had become his constant companion ever since his father died. He was sick to death of walking around wondering “what if?” and “why?” But now there was a new possibility, one that he could not ignore. As long as she stayed at Hawk's, Louise was in danger. If she got hurt because of his father's business...

  There was only one way to keep her safe.

  Trent stepped into the office. Louise sat behind the desk with a white pad of paper in front of her and a pencil twirling in her fingers. She smiled as soon as their gazes connected and he smiled back. Just seeing her made him want to kiss her again.

  He sat in the chair beside the old wood desk and glanced behind her. The window was still open. “You okay this morning? How're things going?"

  She waved off his concern with a flick of her wrist. “A little stiff, but I'm fine.” She looked down and pointed at the blank sheet of paper. “Gail has already sent out about ten riders. I've been sitting here for awhile and still
haven't thought of anything that has to be taken care of right away. I guess I'll have to start on a different list."

  So she was going to pretend last night never happened. “You're list making?"

  She lifted the gaze of her bright eyes. “Of course. That's the first thing I do every morning. That way I get everything done and I don't waste time during the day."

  "Of course.” Trent reached for the pencil in her hand. When his fingers brushed across hers, the spark of energy he'd come to associate with touching Louise ignited. If she noticed it too, she didn't give any sign. She just handed the pencil to him without comment.

  He pulled the pad over to him, wrote across the middle of the empty page, Have lunch with Trent, and passed it back to her. “Twelve o'clock okay?"

  "I'm not sure that's such a good idea,” she said, avoiding him by keeping her gaze on the pad.

  Even though he should've expected it, her answer disappointed him. “Why not?” he asked more abruptly than he intended.

  She sighed and looked up. The guarded expression in her eyes made him want to ball his fists.

  Before answering his question, her gaze darted around the bare walls of the office. “I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you did for me last night, Trent. You saved my life.

  "But I work for you, and after last night ... I don't think it would be a good idea for us to spend a lot of time together."

  He didn't respond. She was right, but what he had to tell her would change everything.

  She filled in the silence with the last thing he wanted to hear. “I'm here to do a job, remember?"

  He pushed himself from the desk and strolled out without saying another word. Whether she liked it or not, he'd be back at noon and they'd have lunch together. It was time to start reversing the mistakes he'd made.

  * * * *

  LOUISE STARED AT Trent's note. His handwriting looked exactly like his father's.

  She wanted to have lunch with him, but it wasn't a good idea. After the way he'd kissed her the night before, there was no way she could sit across from him for an entire meal and act like they were just friends.

  They weren't even friends. They were boss and employee. If she wanted to keep it that way, she better keep her distance from that handsome man. He had a way of making her forget about her plan to make the most of this job opportunity.

  If she was going to turn Hawk's around and get things moving in the right direction she had to stay focused on business. Otherwise her four weeks would be up and she'd be out of a job and on her way back home.

  Just thinking about that possibility made her queasy.

  No, she couldn't take that chance. She had to hang tight to her dream of happiness and success. Otherwise, she'd never be really, truly happy.

  On the bright side, Trent seemed to have forgotten about those kisses. He hadn't acted any different. Maybe she wasn't going to have to say anything to him after all. The idea that their intimacy hadn't affected him enough to care was possible. She didn't want to think that, but if that was the case, it was for the best.

  Wincing slightly at the pain in her shoulder, Louise pushed the pad aside and stood to stretch. She needed to get out of the stuffy room and see how things were going at the rental office. She grabbed a stack of advertisement flyers she'd made and left.

  The sound of cheerful laughter drifted down from the rental desk where Gail was asking some tourists the series of questions that helped her assign riders the most appropriate animal. Luckily, Hawk's had plenty of gentle, slow-moving horses for inexperienced trail riders. Only about four of the two dozen animals needed an experienced rider.

  By the time she reached the front desk, Gail was escorting the trio of riders outside to get their mounts. As she watched her new hire chat with the customers, she nodded with satisfaction. Hiring Gail had been the right thing to do; the girl was a natural with people and animals. Louise leaned on the counter and waited for her to return.

  It didn't take Gail long to get the riders mounted up and on their way. Within a few minutes she reappeared and hopped up onto the stool behind the counter.

  Louise smiled at her. “Looks like you have everything under control."

  Gail shrugged. “Sure, it's a snap."

  Louise laid the stack of flyers on the counter. “Think you could pass these out at the docks?"

  "Um, okay.” Gail picked one up to read it. “How long do you think it'll take me?"

  "I guess that depends on the crowds. Pass out about half of them, hang some up around town, and then leave the rest at the tourist information building.” The girl's usual enthusiasm was no where in sight. “Don't worry about the desk, I'll keep it covered."

  After a second, the tension dropped off Gail's face. “Okay. I'll be back as soon as I'm done."

  She hopped down, grabbed the stack and strolled out into the sunshine.

  Louise moved around to drop herself onto the stool and lean onto the counter. Suddenly, her back ached more than it had when she'd gotten up and her whole body felt like it was filled with lead. Apparently, she hadn't really slept well after all. Just staying upright proved to be an effort.

  The gentle sounds of the horses drinking and the smell of sweet fresh hay eventually got to her. She laid her head down, to rest a moment, but soon found herself drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

  * * * *

  TRENT WAS MORE than a little surprised to find career woman Louise asleep at the front counter. With her hair heaped around her head and her feet dangling from the stool she looked like a child. Trying to decide whether or not to wake her, he stood beside her for a few moments. If her night had been anything like his, she hadn't gotten much sleep at all. The longer he watched her sleep, the more his hands itched to touch her golden hair and caress her round face. He scowled at his own stupidity.

  He had something to tell her and it really couldn't wait. Gently, he shook her shoulder.

  She moaned and lifted her head enough to peer up at him. Still half asleep, she grinned. The smile nearly undid him. It certainly made him reconsider what he'd come to tell her.

  He stepped back. “Time for lunch."

  "Lunch?” She jerked up and looked around. “It can't be that late. I just sent Gail out with some flyers."

  Trent lifted his wrist and pointed to his watch. “See, lunch time."

  Louise smoothed her hair away from her face. Her cloudy gaze darted around the stable. “I couldn't have slept that long."

  "Pete's been here to look after things and you needed the rest. Now you need some food, so let's go."

  "What about the rentals? Is Gail back?” Louise slid down from the stool.

  "Yes, and I already told her we're leaving.” He stepped aside to give her room. “You were right about her."

  Louise glanced at him, perhaps checking his sincerity. He did mean it. Her friendly smile and easy manner were perfect for a place like Hawk's.

  Unable to keep from touching her, he reached over to wrap his arm around Louise. To his surprise she didn't jerk away, instead she let him guide her down the aisle. But she did edge away when they got outside.

  Trent called goodbye to Gail who responded with a wave before turning to watch a man hop around on one foot as he tried to swing into the saddle. Trent held in a grin; getting up on a horse was a lot harder than the movie cowboys made it look.

  "I thought I told you I didn't want to have lunch with you,” Louise said with a half smile that took the bite out of her words.

  "You did.” He grinned. “But I wasn't listening."

  Clusters of people lined both sides of the sidewalk along Market Street. When they got to Huron Street, which ran right through the center of town, Trent spotted a bunch of school children. The boisterous mass reminded him of a beehive. Interesting to look at, but only from a safe distance.

  He leaned down to ask Louise, “Where do you want to eat?"

  She pointed at the noisy kids. “We better eat somewhere that doesn't serve pizza or che
eseburgers."

  "How about fish?"

  "Sounds perfect."

  Trent led Louise up the steep incline at Fort Street and turned left at Turkey Hill Road, continuing on toward a small quiet restaurant that he'd found his second day on the island. Those first days seemed ages ago, but he still remembered each detail. He'd wandered around, still in shock from his father's death. If he'd been smart and left right away, he wouldn't be in the mess he was in now, dealing with a business he didn't want and an attraction to a woman who was sure to cause him pain.

  Trent stopped outside Soldiers’ Fish and Chips. When he pulled the door open for Louise, she looked from the simple interior and back to him. Had he made a mistake by bringing her to such a campy place? Then she smiled and he felt a warm rush of pleasure. After they'd been seated, he handed Louise a plastic menu.

  She scanned the menu. “No pizza, we'll be safe here."

  He watched her gaze zip across the possibilities. Thinking of the last two times they'd eaten together, he asked, “You ready to commit?"

  Her eyebrows shot up and she nearly dropped her menu.

  "I meant to a food item on the menu."

  She surprised him by laughing. “Oh yes. This time I know exactly what I want. After considering, she added, “Want me to order for both of us?"

  "Sure."

  The waitress came over and she ordered them both the special—blackened catfish. Trent avoided his task by looking around at the collection of pictures featuring the British soldiers who had at one time occupied the fort.

  "Trent? Did you want to discuss ... work?"

  No. There were a million other things he wanted to talk about with her, but he said, “Of course."

  "We need some more hay. I called Zigler's and they have some we can get this afternoon."

  "I'll take care of that,” he replied with his mind still on the unpleasant task ahead. He let his gaze drift back to the walls. “A lot of history here on this island,” he remarked. Just like he'd been reluctant to talk to her that first day at Sally's, he hesitated now. If he'd sent her away, then he wouldn't be facing the same task now. The severance package he planned to offer her wasn't going to appeal to her work ethic. Even so he had to try to make her understand his point of view.