“He sure is a pretty golden retriever. My grandson is in need of a service dog, actually a therapy dog. He’s been diagnosed with PTSD from an accident he was in. Where did you get Charlie?”
“A local breeder named Carol Graves. I’ll be sure to give you her contact information.”
“Thank you so much. Maybe I could visit her while I’m here,” she said.
They were just approaching the elevator, when Josh’s dad powered out of the office in his wheelchair. He regarded Janet with a tinge of surprise swimming in his green eyes.
Josh stopped mid-stride. “Dad, I thought you were taking a nap.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Mrs. Stone, it’s good to see you again.”
Pinching her eyebrows together, she let go of Josh’s arm and sized up his dad. “Oliver, what happened?”
Josh wasn’t surprised Dad knew Janet. After all, Dad owned the inn. He had purchased the place after he’d retired from the army fifteen years ago.
Dad mashed his lips into a thin line as his hand hovered over the control on the wheelchair. “ALS.” His tone was polite, but Josh could detect Dad’s anger over the predicament.
A week after Mom had passed, Dad had started to slur his speech. Six months later, he’d been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS. He still hadn’t come to terms with the disease. Josh couldn’t say that he had either. There was no cure for ALS, and it gutted Josh to watch his active, happy, and virile father go downhill.
Once again, Janet touched her heart.
Josh petted Charlie’s head. “I should get back to help Drake.”
She gave him a hug. “Thank you for your sweet hospitality. Now I know where you get it from.”
Josh did take after his dad in several ways. Dad had always taught Josh to make sure the guests were well taken care of. After all, they paid the bills. But Dad’s morals went deeper than money. He loved to help people. He loved to chat them up. He loved that he could provide an escape for vacationers to have fun and unwind. More than all that, he’d always taught Josh to be polite to anyone no matter if it was a stranger or a returning guest walking into the inn.
Josh hugged Mrs. Stone back. Her rose scent reminded him of his mom, and suddenly he was trying to keep the tears at bay. Mom had passed eleven months prior from pancreatic cancer. So the pain was still etched in his mind.
Janet edged back. “Your son is handsome,” she said to Dad.
“Like father like son,” Dad teased.
“For sure,” Janet said. “I have to make a call. Afterwards, Oliver, would you like to get a coffee?”
Dad smiled. Josh couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Dad light up. “I would love that. Meet me in the restaurant.” Dad pointed to the small eatery they had on the property.
Josh’s heart soared at seeing a spark in Dad’s eyes. Josh wanted nothing more than to see his dad walk again. But with no cure for ALS, he didn’t see that happening. Dad’s muscles would continue to deteriorate, as would his diaphragm.
One day at a time, man. One day at a time.
Josh had to consistently repeat that motto. In addition to taking care of his dad, his current mission was to do everything he could to keep the inn running. Aside from that, nothing else mattered, although Dad kept egging Josh on to find a woman and settle down.
While that request did appeal to him, Josh was too busy to find a woman. Sure, as a man, he had needs. He’d seen a few beautiful ladies check in to the inn during the time he’d been home from the Navy. Some had been interested in having dinner with him, but none had made his heart skip a beat.
After Janet boarded the elevator, Josh said to Dad, “It’s nice to see you smile. You should do that more.”
“And you should find yourself a bride.”
Charlie’s wet nose poked Josh’s hand.
Josh looked around to see what noise Charlie was alerting him to, but Charlie wasn’t running to show Josh where the noise was coming from.
The lobby had thinned out. Only one younger man was at the front desk, and Drake was handing him a room key. Everything seemed normal.
“So you agree with Dad,” Josh said to Charlie.
He wagged his tail.
Josh’s phone vibrated in his jeans pocket, and his dad gave a wave before wheeling into the restaurant.
Josh dug his cell out of his pocket and lifted it to his good ear. “Liza, is everything okay?”
She should have been at the Sacramento airport, picking up her best friend. Both were scheduled to hang in Redwood Cove during one of the days Riley was visiting.
Liza had shown Josh a picture of Riley, and since then, he’d been dying to meet the pretty lady.
“I got caught at work, so I never made it to Sac. Riley is going to kill me.”
“You left her hanging at the airport?”
Liza had talked about seeing her best friend nonstop for the last two weeks.
“I couldn’t help it. My largest customer showed up madder than hell today. Anyway, I can’t chat. I tried to call Riley, but she’s not answering. Taylor talked to her earlier. Riley should be at your place soon. Can you entertain her and give her a room? I’ll meet up with you guys tomorrow. It’s going to be a late night here at the office.”
Josh could detect fear in her voice. “Cousin, you sound off.”
“Tired. That’s all.”
“Why don’t I believe you?” he replied.
“Josh, please take care of Riley.” She hung up before he could question her further.
She’d delivered the last sentence as though she would never see her friend again. Josh was tempted to call her back, but he knew she wouldn’t tell him anything more than she already had.
Josh scratched his neck as he went over to Drake. “Do we have any rooms available?” He knew the answer but asked just the same in the hopes someone had canceled.
Drake’s brown eyes went wide as he shook his head. “You know we’re booked solid through Monday.”
Josh ran a hand through his sandy-blond hair. “Liza’s friend needs a room tonight.” He also hadn’t gotten a chance to ask his cousin why Riley wasn’t staying at her place in the city.
Charlie went over to his bed behind the counter and plopped down.
Drake waggled his dark eyebrows. “You mean the hot beauty we’ve seen pictures of?” Now that Drake was divorced, he spent his time surfing and playing the field.
“The very one.”
“She could stay at my place,” Drake said.
Josh chuckled. “That isn’t happening. She’s not available anyway.” He remembered Liza mentioning that Riley had a boyfriend. Josh got on the computer. “I’ll check the other hotels in the area.” That way when she arrived, he could at least have a room for her somewhere. But the more Josh searched, the more he started to panic. Not one hotel within a thirty-mile radius had any openings. He wasn’t surprised with the summer winding down and vacationers rushing to get the last-minute summer sun and activities in before school began.
He needed to think, and Charlie needed a bathroom break. So with the lobby still quiet, Josh said to Charlie, “Come on, boy.”
They were headed out through the main entrance, when the door opened.
All Josh saw at first were red-painted toenails peeking through high-heeled sandals. Then his gaze traveled up long legs until he locked eyes with a black-haired goddess.
Charlie nuzzled her hand as Josh’s jaw slackened.
She bent down and petted Charlie. “Hey there. What’s your name?”
Josh tried to speak, but Riley had his tongue twisted. Her pictures didn’t do her justice. Her long black hair had a blue tint to it, and her curves were… well, curvy. But what had his stomach doing somersaults were her light-gray eyes that reminded him of a cloudy day when rain threatened. He loved days like that when he could kick his feet up on the porch rail while sitting in a rocking chair, waiting for the clouds to open up.
“His name is Charlie,” Josh finally said.
>
Climbing to her feet, Riley held out her hand.
The minute they shook, an electrical charge jolted Josh in a good way, even more so when she smiled and batted those luscious lashes that framed her blue-rimmed gray eyes.
Josh didn’t believe in love at first sight, but maybe he should have. His body heated and reacted in ways he hadn’t felt since Marybeth, his first love, in high school.
Chapter Three
Riley was exhausted as she walked into the Redwood Cove Inn. She swore she could’ve fallen on the flowered loveseat not too far off to her right. Instead, she swayed when she rose from petting Charlie, who seemed happy to see her, even though she didn’t know the beautiful golden retriever.
The tall, muscled, and handsome man steadied her.
Riley blushed as she laid eyes on him. When she did, butterflies took flight. Eyes as green as a lush forest regarded her.
“Josh, right?” She stammered out of her dry mouth.
She knew he was Liza’s cousin. Liza had texted a picture or two every now and again of both of them lounging on the veranda that wrapped around the inn, overlooking the ocean. Riley was excited to see the place and relax on the veranda while sipping cold lemonade, even though the weather in Redwood Cove wasn’t as unbearably hot as it was in Sacramento.
He nodded, a clump of his thick sandy-blond hair falling forward. Riley was tempted to move it off his forehead, but one, the look was rather alluring, and two, it would’ve been too intimate of a gesture for someone she hardly knew.
Regardless, she was finding that Josh’s bad-boy persona was making her a little giddy. Liza had been right. Taking a few days off to forget the breakup and unwind was starting to clear Riley’s mind and help erase the nerdy ex-boyfriend she’d been brooding about for weeks. Josh was anything but nerdy. His chest was broad, and his well-toned, tattooed biceps were calling to her. Riley wanted to run one of her long nails over them. It was odd that she was drawn to his tattoos. She’d never had a thing for tats. She could take them or leave them. Yet at the moment, she was really appreciating the reds and yellows of his tat that depicted an eagle clinging to an anchor, a pistol, and what looked like a pitchfork. Scripted underneath the elaborate tattoo were the words, “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday.” Riley knew that Navy SEAL motto because of her brother.
Josh let go of her hand, causing Riley to jerk her head up to look at him. She was considered tall for a lady, but she wasn’t as tall as him.
“Riley.” His voice was husky, sending a gooey feeling straight south, not even stopping to tickle her stomach. “Liza called and told me you were on your way.”
Any reaction she had to his voice went poof. “Really? She had her assistant call me.” Riley shouldn’t have been hurt that Liza hadn’t bothered to call, or maybe she had. Riley had traveled through one or two cell dead zones on her way there. Yet she didn’t have any messages on her phone.
He waved a hand toward the wicker-framed loveseat. Riley didn’t hesitate as she commandeered an edge of the cushion, and set her purse on a matching wicker table that a Reel Life pamphlet on it. At first Riley thought it was an advertisement on fishing. But a quick scan of the brochure explained how Reel Life was the new social media network for sharing photos and videos.
Riley was about to pick up the pamphlet when Charlie came up to her and sat on his hind legs. It was then she noticed the service dog insignia on his harness. Riley was aware of Josh’s story. He’d been on a mission in Afghanistan when an explosion rocked the building he was in. According to Liza, he was lucky to be alive.
Josh wheeled Riley’s suitcase over and folded his body into the chair on Riley’s left. “Don’t be too upset with her. She’s been burning the midnight oil.”
While she was a little put out by the sudden change in plans, Riley knew stuff happened. She considered herself adaptable. She didn’t get upset at much unless someone was hurting her family and friends, and she always looked on the brighter side of things.
Her grandma was a firm believer in things happening for a reason. “You may not know what that reason is, but nine times out of ten, good always comes in the end.”
Maybe the good from this would be that Liza would get a raise.
As for Riley, she was sitting with a gorgeous man who, upon closer inspection, was even more beautiful than she remembered seeing in photos. A hot guy, a cool dog, a beautiful place, and nowhere to be the next morning—a girl couldn’t ask for more than that. “I’m good. So is there a room available for me?” Riley scanned the lobby.
Voices filtered out of the restaurant. Pictures of celebrities like Clint Eastwood, Bill Murray, and others hung on the walls around her.
Josh cleared his throat. “I’m working on that.”
Her gaze rounded on him. “You mean you’re booked.” She shouldn’t have assumed she had a room since she was supposed to be staying with Liza. She shouldn’t have been surprised either. After all, the parking lot was full when she’d pulled in. “I can find another hotel.”
He grinned as he finally moved that loose hair away from his forehead. “That’s the thing. There’s not a room within a thirty-mile radius.”
Maybe she should plant herself on Liza’s doorstep and wait for Liza to get off work. The problem was, Riley wasn’t in the mood to get in the car. Her body was shutting down fast.
Josh studied her as though he were trying to get in her head. His green eyes were roaming up, down, and all around.
Riley lowered her gaze to her red-painted toenails and tucked hair behind her ear. She normally didn’t shy away from a man giving her the once-over. But with Josh, she found herself giddy and flirty like a teenage girl in high school.
As she stole a look at the man who was suddenly making her insides pitch, rattle, and roll in a good way, Riley remembered what Liza had told her about Josh’s hearing. Riley should have remembered sooner, but she chalked up her forgetfulness to exhaustion and the handsome man in front of her.
“You can hear me?” she asked.
He chuckled, a sound that gave her goose bumps. Or maybe she was just chilled with the cross breeze blowing in from the open doors that spanned the length of the restaurant.
“I had some hearing return to my right ear, but it’s not that good. I can hear if the sounds are loud enough, and when it comes to voices, the person has to be close to me. Or if you’re my father, then shouting works too.” One side of his mouth turned upward. “Your voice”—he licked his lips—“is melodic.”
Heat pinched her cheeks. No one had ever told her that her voice sounded melodic. She’d had guys tell her she had nice breasts, curves, and legs, but never voice. She was tempted to ask him if that was his pickup line for all women, but he sounded genuine. Riley wasn’t a smarty-pants either, although she could be with Liza and Ross and those she knew well.
“No hearing aid?”
“Hearing aids don’t work on me. Anyway, I’ll check to see if we have any cancellations.”
Quick on her feet, Riley said, “I’ll call Liza and head to her apartment in the city.”
He dragged a hand over his rugged jaw that needed a shave. “Absolutely not. It’s getting late, and you’re here now. Let me see what I can do. In the meantime, why don’t you grab a bite in the restaurant and relax.”
She was famished, and she could use something cold to drink.
He and Charlie escorted her into the restaurant. It was then she noticed a slight limp in his gait.
Nevertheless, the short distance was painful on her feet. Riley was wearing mid-size high-heeled sandals, compliments of Liza. Since she worked for a swanky fashion company, Liza sometimes shipped Riley new product samples. The designer sandals were stylish but not meant for a fourteen-hour day.
Riley groaned as Josh pulled out a chair for her.
Again, he let out a low chuckle, or maybe he groaned with her.
“Sorry, my feet hurt,” Riley said.
“Charlie, stay,” Josh commanded.
The golden retriever obeyed and lay down near her.
As Josh left, a waiter took her order of lemonade and a nacho appetizer. Then she called Ross and filled him in on where she was. After she hung up with him, she called Liza.
Liza answered on the first ring. “Sorry, bestie.”
Riley could hear the anguish in Liza’s voice, so she couldn’t get mad. Besides, the ocean view Riley had at the moment with the full moon shining over the water was far better than staying in the city with horns blowing and the din of traffic outside a window. If Josh couldn’t find her a room, she was tempted to sleep in one of the rocking chairs on the veranda that Liza had bragged about.
The waiter set down her lemonade.
Riley took a gulp. “When are you getting here?”
“Not until tomorrow,” Liza said. “I have to finish something for a client. I should be out of work by noon.”
Riley ran a finger along the glass that was sweating a little. “Why did you send me here and not your apartment? Are you dating someone that I don’t know about?”
Silence reigned over the line before Liza sighed. “Josh will take care of you. Relax. I’m sure you’re tired. I’ll fill you in soon.”
Riley took the answer as a yes. She couldn’t help but wonder why Liza hadn’t said anything about a new boyfriend.
She’s working. She doesn’t have time right now.
That was the reason. They would have plenty of time to catch up starting the next day.
“You didn’t tell me your cousin is drop-dead hot. I mean I saw pictures, but wow!”
Liza giggled. “He needs a good woman like you. And you could use a good man who will treat you like royalty and not trash like your ex.” Anger filtered through her tone.
“Is Josh the reason you sent me here? Are you playing matchmaker?”
“I got to run. I should be at the inn by one tomorrow.” Then she was gone.
A shiver zinged down Riley’s spine but quickly vanished when Josh returned.
His five o’clock shadow was getting darker. “Are you cold? I can get you a sweatshirt from the souvenir shop in the lobby.”
Rescuing Riley: The Gold Coast Retrievers, Book 2 Page 2
