“I haven’t really thought about getting extra help, no,” Ellie replied.“It’s not really necessary.But it would be nice to have someone who can be there if I need to go somewhere.For instance, I urgently need to get to Bozeman to do some shopping.I’ve left most of my stuff in storage back in Phoenix, including my summer clothes.”
“Well, tell you what,” Janice said.“I don’t have anything to do tomorrow afternoon.Why don’t I play shop and you go to Bozeman?”
“Janice, really?I could also just close the shop…”
“I’ve offered.I’ll enjoy it.”
“Monday afternoons are usually quiet.And if anyone wants to buy anything and you don’t feel comfortable using the payment system, let them take it, just make a note and tell them I’ll contact them.”
“And if there’s a huge crisis, Craig, Aiden or Riley would be more than happy to help.My godchildren are always happy to help.It will also give me a chance to actually sit down and read.At home I’m always pottering around.”
As they reached Vivian’s house, Ellie stopped.She wanted to go back to the B&B.It had been a lovely day, but she was feeling slightly overwhelmed.On top of deciding to buy a house, she’d also agreed to go on a date with Becket Weston, whose own mother had warned her he was a heartbreaker.
“Come on, I’ve called ahead, Aiden has made coffee,” Vivian invited.
“Vivian, thanks, but I’m heading back to the guesthouse,” Ellie said.“My head is spinning; I need time to think.”
“Of course.I’ll see whether I can get hold of Gloria tonight.Thanks for joining us today, it was lovely to have you.”
“Thanks for inviting me.One of these days maybe I’ll be able to reciprocate.Goodbye, everyone!”she called out and with a wave, she turned to leave.Becket was waiting for her.
“I’ll walk you home.”
“You really don’t have to.She quickened her steps, but he easily kept up.
“I want to.”He cleared his throat.“So you’re going to Bozeman tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yes, but I’ll be back by…”
“I also need to go to Bozeman tomorrow.The tractor is down, we need parts.What if we go together?Once we’re done with our errands, we can find a place where we can have dinner?”
“You mean in Bozeman?”Ellie asked.
He grinned.“Yes.For one thing, it’ll probably mean it takes another day before Aurelia Hill finds out about it.”
Ellie couldn’t help laughing.Aurelia Hill was legendary.“Okay, it can work.But Becket…”
He lifted his hands.“Just dinner.I have a proposition for you, but we can discuss that during dinner.”
“What kind of proposition?”
“You’ll have to wait until tomorrow night.Here you are.”
Surprised, she noticed they’d reached the guesthouse.“Thank you.I’ll be okay now.”She took the key from her bag.
He held out his hand.“Let me unlock the front door.”
“I’ve been unlocking doors since I could walk.”
“My mama is going to want to know whether you’re safely home.I can’t answer that if I haven’t checked.”
Rolling her eyes, she groaned out loud.“Oh, you’re a sly one, bringing your mother into it.It’s a guesthouse.There are other guests.Maybe not right now, but they… okay, fine.”Aware of a car driving by, she slammed the keys into his hand.If they stood like this for much longer, the whole town would know about it by tonight.
Catching her fingers, he kept hold of her hand as he unlocked the door.
“Thank you.Goodbye.”She tried to pull her hand from his, but he wasn’t letting go.
He stepped inside with her and closed the door.“I have to check if you’ll be safe.”
