“Ooh, it’s just ‘Wyatt’ now, huh? And is he the reason you’re wearing makeup today?” Molly’s gaze sharpened on Grace. “Is that a trio palette you’re wearing?”
Grace rolled her eyes, making herself busy with the realty website. It was just a little neutral eye shadow and mascara. And okay, a little eyeliner. Also lip gloss.
“By the way, Levi was getting all up in your business last night, but I called him off. You’re welcome.”
Grace’s lips slid into a rueful smile. “One hot guest and brother dear gets all bent out of shape.”
A throat cleared.
Grace looked up, her smile falling flat.
Wyatt stood at the bottom of the steps. Of course he did.
Her face went nuclear. Darn the man. How did he get down those stairs without a single creak? It hadn’t been done since 1920.
“Good morning,” Molly said to Wyatt gleefully.
“Morning,” he said, but he was staring straight at Grace, that enigmatic expression present and accounted for.
“I think I’ll just...” Molly slipped past Wyatt and went upstairs.
Grace lifted her chin. “Do they teach that in security school?”
“Teach what?”
“How to enter a room without making any noise whatsoever.”
“It’s an important skill to master.”
No doubt he’d already learned all kinds of things about Grace and her opinions. She’d really thought she was better at that whole aloof thing.
He came closer, shrinking the space, making Grace glad for the desk between them. Whenever he was near the air seemed to cracklebetween them. She’d never experienced that with a man before. Most of her dates—and her boyfriends—had been a little lackluster. Had made her wonder what all the fuss was about.
She wiped her palms down her khakis, glad she’d taken a little extra time to get ready this morning. And yes, she could admit, if only to herself, that Wyatt was the reason behind the sudden concern with her appearance.
Since he was studying the map on a nearby wall, she took a moment to study him. He was dressed to hike in boots and sturdy jeans, a backpack slung over his shoulder.
Remembering she was the innkeeper, she wandered over. “Is there anything I can do for you this morning? Besides embarrass myself, I mean.”
His lips twitched just a little. “You seem to be making a habit of that.”
“Not my usual MO, I assure you.”
He turned to her. “What is your usual MO?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Hang around in the background, all low-key, feet on the ground instead of in my mouth.”
His gaze fell to her feet, and she was suddenly very glad Molly had talked her into a pedicure last week.
His eyes tracked back up to hers—those brown eyes. “Pretty feet, though.”
She realized they were standing close, that countertop nowhere near. “You are flirting with me.”
“If you couldn’t tell I must be losing my touch.”
She locked her gaze on the map, her heart having forgotten its usual rhythm. She’d always been direct. She just wasn’t used to getting as good as she gave.
“Do you, um, need help finding someplace? I know the area pretty well. Even the far-lying regions. Though the best hikes aren’t far atall. I guess that’s what makes Bluebell so popular. And like I said, you really don’t want to miss Stone Gap Bridge.” One handsome guest, and she’d turned into Molly. She closed her eyes in a long blink.
