“She’s nineteen, but yeah, I get it. She’ll be heading off for college in the fall and everything. Following her own dreams.”
“Will you hire someone to fill her spot?”
“Yeah.” He winced at the thought. He’d have to pay someone more than the piddly sum they were paying Grace, and he wasn’t sure where that money would come from.
“I’m glad you turned the place back into an inn. In a way, you’re keeping my grandparents’ legacy alive too.”
Levi hadn’t thought of it that way. But it made him feel good to please Mia. “The place has a rich history. I like sharing it with others.”
“It’s an awesome place. I’d be happy to recommend it to my friends and fans.”
He stared across the space between them, wishing he could read her features. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Of course. Although right now, I don’t think my recommendation is going to help your cause much.”
“This scandal must seem pretty awful at the moment, but I’m sure it’ll pass in time. People have short attention spans.”
“You sound like my agent.”
“Must be a smart guy.”
He felt, more than saw, her responding smile. “I hope you’re right.”
thirteen
After Mia finished breakfast she continued reading her grandmother’s journal. The small deliberate script was easy to read, as was her natural style of writing. Mostly she wrote about their guests, about her husband, about the daily life of an innkeeper. She obviously cared about people and even seemed to grow attached to her guests.
Although she had a positive attitude, there was an underlying sadness to her entries that Mia couldn’t put her finger on. Maybe her estranged relationship with her daughter? She hadn’t mentioned Katherine at all, but maybe it was too depressing to even journal about.
The page blurred as Mia’s thoughts turned to Levi and their late-night conversation. He’d opened up a little, and that felt good.
Her offer to endorse the inn had been spontaneous. She hadn’t realized it would mean so much until she heard the hope in his voice. The memory of his reaction made her uneasy. Was he only being kind in hopes of getting something in return? He was personally invested in this inn, after all. More on his parents’ behalf than his own, but still. It was reason for caution.
“Got you hooked, has she?”
Mia jumped as Levi appeared at her side. She closed the journal. “I’m only a little ways in, but I’m really enjoying it. It’s like getting a peek inside my grandmother’s mind.”
“She seems like she was a special woman.”
Mia tucked the journal into her purse. “I wish I’d had the chance to know her, but she died before I was born.”
“That’s unfortunate.” His eyes raked her form. “You’re dressed to hike.”
“I’d love it, if you have time to drive me.”
His eyes smiled. She’d never known blue could look so warm. “At your service.”
She stood, feeling the stretch from having sat on the wooden chair so long. “I need the exercise. And the change of scenery.”
“All right.” He started through the French doors. “Need anything from your room before we go?”
“I’m all set.” She put her sunglasses in place and tugged the brim of her cap down. Overly cautious was better than careless and caught.
She followed Levi out the door, which he locked behind them. Halfway to the car she bit her lip. After their talk last night, sitting in the back seat seemed silly. He was sort of a friend, albeit a short-term one.
When he reached out to open the back door, she set her hand on his arm. Warm flesh stretched tautly over hard muscle.
She drew her hand away. “Do you mind if I ride up front with you?”
