"Red wine would be good for me, honey," Ida said.
Antonio nodded. "For me as well."
Maggie smiled and said, "Why don't you get a bottle?"
"I'll be right back."
As Cole went up to the counter to place their order, Ida and Antonio started talking about the history of the restaurant and their younger days in Napa.
Maggie couldn't believe how well it was all going. Ida was charming, and Antonio was responsive. With Cole in line for pizza, she was starting to feel like a third wheel.
"I was a contractor. I could fix anything, build any house in the world," Antonio boasted in reply to Ida's question about what he did for a living. "Then I got old, and now everyone wants a young, strong man." He pointed to his thin arms. "I may not have the muscle, but I've got the brain," he added, pointing his finger to his head.
"Experience counts far more than muscle," Ida agreed. "In fact, I have a young man who is supposed to remodel my suite, but he can't seem to understand the way I want to do things. He keeps trying to change my mind."
"But the customer is always right," Antonio replied.
"My thoughts exactly," Ida said. "The thing I'm really concerned about is closet space, Antonio. You don't mind if I call you Antonio, do you?"
"Of course not."
"And please call me Ida. Now, what do you think of those new closet inserts, where everything just snaps into place?"
"I know they're popular, but in my opinion, it's better to customize. Then you get it exactly the way you want it."
"Maybe Mr. Pastorini could give you some suggestions," Maggie interjected.
"That's a wonderful idea. If you have the time, of course," Ida added.
Antonio straightened in his chair, confidence filling his body, making him look bigger and more impressive. "It would be a pleasure."
"But don't forget you're planning to move to Miami next week," Maggie said. "You won't have much time."
Antonio tipped his head. "Perhaps I can push it back a day or two for a lady as lovely as this."
Ida laughed. "Oh, you are a charmer. I really would love your help. It's so difficult to find a genuine craftsman these days." She paused, her gaze drifting over to the counter where Cole was still in line then back to Maggie and Antonio. "I know this is a lot to ask but I wonder—do you think you could look at my suite now? I hate to break up your evening with Maggie, but I need to get started on the remodel this week."
"Well," Antonio said uncertainly. "It would be rude of me to leave."
"It's fine," Maggie said quickly. "Although you should go after we have pizza."
"Or," Ida said, "I could treat you to dinner at the hotel. Pizza if you like, but I have a chef who makes the most wonderful lasagna you have ever tasted."
Antonio brightened. "Lasagna is my favorite. I would love to help you out."
"Then let's go."
Maggie's mouth dropped open as they stood up. "But, but—what about the pizza?" she asked, wondering even as she spoke why she was trying to stop them.
"You and Cole have it," Ida said. "My nephew will only be around for a few more days," she added to Antonio. "I'm sure these two young people don't need us around."
"I'm sure they don't," Antonio said with a laugh. "We'll talk again later in the week, Maggie. We'll see what other ideas you come up with."
"All right."
Cole returned to the table with four wine glasses and a bottle of wine and gave her a questioning look. "Where did everyone go?"
"To the Stratton. Your aunt asked Mr. Pastorini to look at her suite and tell her what to do with her closets, and he agreed. She's going to treat him to dinner afterward."
Cole sat down. "That's an interesting turn of events."
"Our plan worked," she agreed, although she still felt a little unsettled about how it had all gone down.
"I guess," he said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't tell my aunt that we were trying to fix her up, and I can't imagine that she had a closet emergency, so I'm guessing she decided to take Mr. Pastorini away so you and I could be alone together." He grinned. "She doesn't quit."
"She did say she thought we'd be happy to spend time together. So what do you want to do?"
"Drink wine and eat pizza," he said pouring her a glass. "At least Mr. Pastorini won't be lonely for a few hours."
"No. I thought he and your aunt really hit it off, too. She told him he should come to her line-dancing class."
"What did he say?"
"That he was better at salsa."
Cole laughed. "Maybe they have more in common than we thought."
"Maybe they do. It would be nice if they got together."
"And a relationship between them would be good for you, too."
"Yes, of course, but it might be even better for them. Wouldn't it be crazy if our little plan resulted in them falling in love and maybe even getting married?"
"Whoa, Maggie. They're just looking at closets. Don't get ahead of yourself."
"You're right, but I'm telling you I don't think either one of them moves slow when it comes to what they want."
"You might be right about that." He paused as the waiter brought their pizza over to the table.
As Maggie glanced down at the pizza, she realized one thing she'd forgotten to mention earlier. "Damn."
He laughed. "You hate anchovies, don't you?"
"Yes. I meant to say get half-and-half, but I forgot."
"And I thought since the three of you wanted them, I'd just suck it up." He got to his feet. "I'm going to order another pizza."
"Really?"
"Yes. I think we should both have what we want, don't you?"
She nodded, but she couldn't help thinking that was a loaded question. Was there really any way they could both get what they want?
On a pizza, maybe—but in life she wasn't so sure.
Chapter Twelve
Wednesday morning Cole knocked on the door of his aunt's suite just after nine. He hadn't spoken to her since the night before, and he not only wanted to see how the evening had gone but also to discuss the books he'd gone through yesterday afternoon. He had only begun to tell her about what he'd found when she'd hijacked Antonio from the pizza parlor. While he wasn't in a hurry to leave Napa, he did want to get the job done that he'd come to do. He might live a gypsy life, but he still felt a responsibility to the family business, especially when they were paying him to do some actual work.
Ida threw open the door, giving him a startled smile. Her cheeks were pink, and her eyes were sparkling. "Cole, what are you doing here?"
"I came to talk to you," he said, his brows knitting together as he heard a male voice in the background. "Are you with someone?" He had a hard time keeping the shock out of his voice.
"Yes, they're looking at my bedroom."
"They?"
Ida stepped back and let him into her living room. "Antonio and Doug."
He raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Pastorini?"
"Yes. After looking at my situation last night, he agreed to come back this morning and speak to Doug, the contractor I've been working with. Antonio understands what I want and what I need far better than Doug does. He's of a different generation; we do not speak the same language."
"You and Antonio really hit it off."
"We did. He's a charming man. I'm so glad you introduced us."
"You didn't have to whisk him away before pizza, you know."
Ida smiled. "I thought you and Maggie could use some alone time. And it was a good decision because Antonio is just what I need."
"For more than your closet?" he couldn't help asking, thinking his aunt looked like a giddy young girl this morning.
She waved his words away. "Cole, really, I barely know the man."
"Exactly. You should be careful, Aunt Ida. You're a wealthy woman." He felt a little guilty that he'd thrown them together.
"And you think it's only my money that can a
ttract a man?"
"Well, no, of course not."
"Good, because I know a fortune hunter when I see one and that is not Antonio. He's an old-fashioned gentleman, and it's nice to have someone my age to speak to."
"You should still be careful. Sometimes you trust people too easily."
"It's the only way I know how to be, honey. And frankly, I don't feel like being careful anymore. I'm going to live for the moment, just like you. Speaking of fun, how was your night with Maggie?"
"It was good. She's great." He cleared his throat. "But I'm leaving in a few days; that hasn’t changed."
"You like her, don't you?"
"It would be hard not to."
"That's why you're spending all your time with her instead of helping me with my business."
"Which is why I came to speak to you. Can you give me the keys to Harry's personal office? I know I missed out on the opportunity to get into his office on Monday, but I'd like to get in there tonight when he goes home for the day."
"Of course," she said, her smile dimming a little as she walked toward the desk. "But I can't imagine what you'll find in there."
"Maybe nothing, but I need to look. Perhaps tomorrow we can sit down and talk about everything. I did go over the books, and I have looked around the rest of the hotel. I have some thoughts on the fitness center and the concierge."
She frowned. "You're finding too many problems, aren't you?"
"Let's just say I have some ideas for improvement."
"I feel like I should already know what those are."
"Sometimes it helps to have an objective viewpoint. You live here. You care about your employees. I'm not emotionally attached to anyone or anything; you are. That's why I'm here." He saw the distress in her eyes and was sorry he'd put it there. "We're on the same team. You know that, don't you?"
"I do. I just feel a little guilty for letting things get sloppy, but you're right, that's why you're here. But now I should get back to the bedroom. I have some men waiting for me there. Goodness, I haven't said that in a while," she added with a laugh.
He grinned at her mischievous smile. "Just remember what you always say to me."
"What's that, honey?"
"It's never too late to start over."
"I do say that, and it's very true. Every time I start thinking I might be so old I'll just have to run out the clock, something happens and I realize I'm not dead yet."
"Far from it."
"You can start over again, too, Cole."
"No need. I'm happy with my new reincarnation."
"I hope so, but sometimes I wonder." As she finished speaking, Antonio called her name. "We'll talk later. I have to go."
"Okay," he said, but as he left her suite he couldn't help wondering what she'd meant by her last comment. Why on earth would she think he wasn't happy? He had the life of freedom most people dreamed of. He just didn't have one special person in his life. But he'd done the serious relationship. He'd tried to be a good husband, and he'd failed. Why would he want to try that again?
Maggie's name ran around in his head. "Not for me," he muttered, wishing he felt happier about that decision. Maybe he needed to get out of Napa sooner rather than later.
* * *
Wednesday afternoon was busy for Maggie with a lot of new guests checking in for the Harvest Festival. As two o'clock neared, she grew impatient for the end of her day. She was going to the Napa Fairgrounds right after work to enter her pumpkin in the Harvest Festival Pumpkin Contest, and she was excited to see how Henry would measure up.
"Finally, it's slow," Karen said, walking over to Maggie. "I can't believe the lines we've had to deal with. The hotel is completely sold out for the next five nights. I don't remember when that last happened."
"I'm glad business is going so well, but it's been crazy today." She glanced over her shoulder at the closed doors leading into the back offices. Harry Stone had been in and out every other minute, micromanaging her job and in general making her life miserable. She could hardly believe he'd left them alone for five minutes.
"He went on a break," Karen said, reading her mind.
"Good. He's been on me all day."
"He's definitely not your biggest fan. You're too friendly for his taste."
"I thought that was part of the job."
"Not when he's watching. He's more impressed with speed."
"I suppose."
"He's more on edge because Mrs. Stratton has been taking interest in our bookings since she came back from Europe. She was asking him a lot of questions last week, and he didn't like being put on the spot, that's for sure."
"He got used to running this place without her oversight."
"He did." Karen looked around the lobby, then added, "I think he might be having personal or marital problems."
"Why would you say that?"
"He met with a divorce attorney last week. The man came to the front desk and left his card. Harry had just stepped out for a moment. When I gave him the card and told him the man was waiting for him in the bar, he turned white as a sheet."
"That's interesting."
"But probably not that surprising. I don't know could anyone stay married to him. He's so difficult."
"I agree."
"So, changing the subject—how did your pie turn out? You're taking it down to the festival this afternoon, aren't you?"
"Not the pie. It just didn't come together, but I am still entering my giant pumpkin. Hopefully, he'll bring me home a ribbon of some color."
"How big is the pumpkin now?"
"I'm pretty sure it weighs over a hundred pounds."
"How are you going to lift it into the car?"
"I'm still working on that. I'm hoping the neighbor's son will help me when he gets home from school. He has a truck."
"I wish you luck. So have you seen our hottest guest lately?"
She hadn't told Karen about any of her dates with Cole. While she didn't usually keep secrets from her friend, she hadn't wanted to answer questions about him, mostly because she knew Karen would tell her to go for it and not worry about the future, and she didn't need another voice urging her to do something she would probably regret. "I haven't seen him today," she said lightly.
"I saw him in the gym yesterday morning before I came on duty. He looked really good in workout clothes. His body is ripped. Abs that should be on a magazine cover."
Since her fingers had gotten up close and personal with some of Cole's ripped muscles, she silently agreed.
"I wouldn't mind going for a ride with him," Karen said. "And I'm not talking about his motorcycle."
She forced a smile onto her face, trying to ignore the incredibly shocking wave of jealousy that Karen's joking words had sent racing through her body.
"What about you?" Karen asked.
"I'm not a big fan of motorcycles."
Karen gave her a pointed look. "You know what I mean."
"He's not my type."
"Sexy is not your type?"
"He's a guest. He's leaving in a few days."
"Sometimes that makes it easier and more fun. You don't have to worry about the long-term. You don't have to go down the pro and con list as to whether he'd make a good boyfriend or want a relationship. You just have a hell of a good time for as long as it lasts."
"I want more than that. I want someone who will stick around, someone solid and stable and—"
"Boring," Karen finished with a sigh. She suddenly straightened and tipped her head toward the lobby doors. "Speak of the devil."
Maggie turned her head to see Cole jogging into the hotel wearing shorts and a t-shirt, his muscles gleaming with a fine sheen of sweat from what had obviously been a good run.
He gave them both a smile as he passed. "Hello, ladies."
"Hello, Mr. Hastings," Karen said.
Maggie swallowed hard and managed to get out, "Hi" as Cole headed toward the elevators.
As soon as he disappeared around the corner, Karen burs
t out laughing, and said, "Yeah, you're not interested in him at all."
Thankfully, Maggie was saved from answering as a middle-aged couple stepped up to the counter to check in.
* * *
Cole smiled to himself as he got into the elevator, happy he'd had a chance to connect with Maggie when she wasn't busy with a customer. He'd tried to avoid her when they were both in the hotel. She had a job to do, and so did he, although he wasn't working particularly hard at it.
When he visited one of the family hotels, usually his days were filled with analyzing the books and marketing data, talking to the personnel and to the guests, and generally reviewing everything that was happening at the hotel. He'd spend his nights writing up reports on the customer service in the restaurants, the speed and reliability of room service, the cleanliness of the fitness center, the inventory in the gift shop, and the friendliness of the staff to all guests, whether they looked important or not.
But on this trip, he'd barely dug into anything. He told himself that was partly Aunt Ida's fault. She was the one who had set him up with Maggie in the first place, and she was the one who had encouraged him to explore Napa. Even though she seemed to have legitimate concerns about the hotel operations, he had to wonder if part of the reason she'd suggested he come to the hotel was to set him up with Maggie.
He inserted his key into the door and headed straight for the shower. While he wasn't completely sure of his aunt's motives, he did want to do a good job for her. She was one of the nicest people in the family, and he didn't want to let her down.
As he stepped under the hot spray of water, his thoughts turned from his aunt back to Maggie. It had given him a lift to see her beautiful blue eyes turn on him as he came through the door. He'd seen desire even in that brief connection, the same desire he felt for her. Leaving her each day was getting more and more difficult, which meant he should really make more of an effort to avoid her outside of the hotel as well as inside.
Maggie was not for him. She was sweetness and light, optimism and hope, and he was jaded and cynical. She wanted a happily ever after, a home, a husband, kids, days of growing pumpkins and making pies and being part of a community. Well, maybe not making pies, he thought with a smile, but certainly everything else. And he didn't want any of that.
Falling Into You (Bachelors & Bridesmaids Book 5) Page 12
