Andie bustled past the group and hurried toward a set of french doors. These ones, she could see, led to the breakfast nook. A soft wave of adrenaline washed through her as she considered what the meeting might be like. Would Trenton have Betty do most of the talking for him, or would he have things he wanted to say too?
Andie had a list of questions in the notebook she’d tucked into her jacket. And of course, Richard—her adrenaline kicked up a notch as she considered what he might bring to the table. More specifically, thewayhe’d go about it. He never had learned that honey, not vinegar, caught the fly. She’d hate to see him and Trenton start off on the wrong foot.
It was the reason she’d sent both Richard and Emmitt a warning text on their new and hardly used cell phones. Cell phones that oddly had only one another’s numbers in them thus far. Oh, and the number to the inn, of course. Richard’s had the detective’s number stored in his too, in case they needed to touch base with him.
The text had perhaps been more of a plea than a warning, actually:please be nice tonight.
Richard never replied. Emmitt had, but only with a snarky line:I’m guessing you meant to send this to Richard only.
Andie admired the small library once more before spotting the short hallway off to the side. In addition to leading to the office—an open door with a plaque that readStaff Only—the hallwayled to two restrooms as well.
The office was larger than she’d guessed it might be. Two oak desks were tucked into opposite corners, while a sofa and two reclining chairs centered the room on a plush, colorful rug. Side tables held warm, glowing lamps and potted plants, but her gaze was quickly drawn to the dog sprawled on the rug and the man seated on the floor beside it—Trenton.
“Come on in,” he said with barely a glance in her direction. He set his eyes back on the dog as he ran fingers along the back of its floppy ears.
“What kind of dog is that?” It was the question she asked anyone who owned a dog. Not because she knew the difference between one breed or the next, but because she was so unfamiliar with dogs that she didn’t have much else to offer.
“A Bedlington Terrier,” he said. “This gal is Betty’s baby. Her name is Lucy and she’s more spoiled and happy than any dog you’ll meet. Aren’t you, Lucy?” The dog twisted onto her back and let her paws flop while he rubbed her belly.
A trail of warmth skittered through her insides at the sight. “Cute,” she said, hoping he’d assume she meant the dog. And it was cute too, she supposed. But the interaction between them had stolen the show.
“Looks like you’ve got yourself a fan club,” Trenton said. “Hope you’re not letting that go to your head.”
Andie stepped further into the room and took a seat in one of the lounge chairs. “You mean cute little Annette?”
“Cute little Annette too,” Trenton said with a laugh. “But I was talking about smelly little Dirk and Lee.”
Andie couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, I’m letting it go to my head, all right.” The truth was, Andie wasn’t used to men finding her so…approachable. She wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or flattered. An image of Lee’s wide grin came to mind.Flattered,definitely.
“They are pretty cute,” she said. “I have to say, I admire their confidence.”
“Oh, they’ve never run short in that department. They’re pretty good guys though.”
The conversation had Andie recalling Trenton’s redheaded fan. “Speaking of fan clubs, I think there’s a parent in our class that’s interested in more than her boy learning to ride…” She let the word drift as Trenton grinned knowingly.
“Yeah. And she’s getting a little touchy-feely, I’m afraid.” He cringed.
Andie’s smile grew. “So you admit that you’ve noticed?” She was surprised that he’d guessed it so quickly.
He chuckled some more, the sound of it low, raspy, and wonderful. “How could Inotnotice?” He lifted his gaze back to her, the smile slowly fading. A moment lapsed as she held his gaze, sparks of intrigue and attraction kindling in a quiet place in her heart.
She gulped, a sudden urge coming over her. The urge to go to a deeper, more meaningful place with him. A place where she could talk of her recent pains and fears. A place where he could share his too.
“Well, it looks like you’ve met Lucy,” Betty chimed as she joined them in the office. “I picked up a bit of riffraff of my own along the way,” she drawled.
Andie turned to see both Richard and Emmitt at her heels.
“I’m surprised you didn’t notice Emmitt out there playing the guitar as you passed by,” Betty added.
Andie’s eyes went wide. She shot a look at Emmitt, who flashed her a gleaming grin.
“Ofcourseyou were out there playing the guitar,” she said with the shake of her head. It was such an Emmitt thing to do. Join in on whatever fun was happening around him, taking center stage without a care.
“You should join us next time,” Betty suggested, looking first to Richard, then to Andie. “We’ve got a small shindig of sorts happening nearly every night. But Friday’s the one that really gets hopping. The inn’s packed, and everyone’s just ready to let go and have a great time. There’s live music, dancing, and plenty of food and drinks too.”
Andie tried to imagine herself mingling among the guests—a bunch of strangers, in truth—and bristled.
“If shedoesgo, she already owes one cowboy a dance,” Trenton reminded.
