She finished her breakfast—which was delicious—and Della cleared her dishes away.
Mia answered Brooke’s text from late last night. She’d filled her friend in on her call with Jax. It was gratifying that she was as outraged as Mia at his response. And a text had come in from Lettie, who reminded her she was storming the gates of heaven on Mia’s behalf. She could always count on Lettie to have her back.
“Ready to go?” Levi wore a friendly smile and business casual apparel. The light blue polo bearing the inn’s logo matched his eyes and made his shoulders seem even broader.
“Sure.” Mia pushed back from the table, giving him a smile that felt thin.
As nice and well-meaning as the innkeeper seemed, she needed to keep her guard up. She didn’t know Levi or his sisters. They could turn on her just as easily as Jax had. She’d only be here a week anyway. What was the point in making friends?
Once she settled into the sedan he closed her door. She still felt ridiculous sitting in the back, but maybe having some boundaries was smart. Because if she were honest, she felt drawn to Levi.
It wasn’t just his good looks, though he had those in spades. It was something less definable. He was obviously a leader, professional and competent at what he did. She sensed he was a little tightly wound, but that wasn’t her problem.
He slipped into the front seat and started the car.
Mia pushed her sunglasses into place. “Where are you taking me?”
“There’s a trail on the north side of the lake,” he said as he pulled onto the street. “It goes onto state property and weaves back and forth on the way up to Summit Ridge. It’s 3.4 miles, all uphill, but the trail is well marked. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.”
“The more obvious choice is the trail up to Stone Gap Bridge. It spans a gorge and has great views. But it’s also popular with tourists, and on a morning like this you’re likely to find ten or twelve people up at the bridge.”
She didn’t need that. “Yeah, I should probably avoid the popular trails. Should I call you when I’m finished?”
“Reception’s pretty spotty around here. I’ll just wait for you.”
She was anticipating Nolan’s call, but she supposed it could wait a couple hours. “It’s going to take me a while.”
“No worries. Take your time. I brought some work to do.”
“Is it a lot of work, running an inn?”
He briefly met her eyes in the rearview mirror, and she felt the hum of attraction. Just as quickly he looked away.
“It has its challenges.”
She wanted to ask what they were. If he’d always wanted to run an inn or if his parents’ death had completely derailed his plans. But she didn’t need to get drawn into Levi’s life. She had enough problems of her own. So she stifled the questions and let silence fill the car.
***
Levi made himself comfortable on a shaded bench as he waited for Mia to return from her hike. No one had gone up the trail after her, so he hoped she wouldn’t run into anyone up there. The last thing she needed was to be recognized.
Time to get down to work. He used his phone to look over the proof of an ad he was running inBlue Ridge Country. He noted a few changes, all the while praying the fortune he was spending would pay off.
Deep South Magazinehad a write-up on the Bluebell Inn that was being published in July’s edition. It wasn’tSouthern Living, but he didn’t take the free publicity for granted. The inn had a unique and colorful history, and he was glad he’d been able to find one magazine that thought it was worthy of exposure.
He grabbed his phone to write the editor about the ad proof, and his eyes caught on the email from Thomas at FC. He’d have to write him back today and turn down their offer. The thought hollowed his stomach.
Couldn’t be helped though. While they’d all stepped up to the plate in running the inn, it was up to Levi to make sure the inn was solvent. Only then would it would be attractive to a prospective buyer. Then they’d have money to invest in Molly’s and Grace’s futures. And then Levi could return to his life in Denver, knowing he’d done his job.
A long while later Levi’s eyes caught on something red. Mia emerged from the heavily wooded trail. Her cheeks were flushed with a healthy glow, her long ponytail swinging with each step. She’d ditched the sunglasses and was carrying the water bottle he’d sent with her—now empty.
As she hit the level ground she searched him out and found him on the bench not far from his car. Twigs snapped under her light step as she approached him.
She seemed invigorated by the exercise. It was fair to say he’d been a little worried about her. He wanted all their guests to enjoy their stay even if, in her case, that might be asking too much. She still looked tired, but it was the good kind of tired.
He stood, smiling at her. “How was it?”
