“I figured your father would have convinced you to come work for him.”
She laughed. “He tried. But I was never interested in banking, which I told him ages ago. Much to his disappointment.”
“I’ll bet.” Harlan could see that really chapping the old man’s ass.
“It took him awhile but he finally accepted that I like my work and he doesn’t have a say in the matter.”
Harlan hid a smile. Somehow he didn’t think Taylor would be pleased about Whiskey River Construction’s new owner. He wished he could see the old man’s reaction when he found out his precious daughter was not only working with, but also workingforHarlan Sullivan, the kid from the Barrels he thought he’d gotten rid of years ago.
“Finally,” Savannahsaid when she heard noises at the door.
“Savannah, are you in there?” Avery called, pounding on the door.
“Avery, thank God! Yes. We’re locked in.”
Avery rattled the doorknob. “I’ll be back. I’ve got to find the key.”
“Hurry,” she said, struggling to get up. Being so close to Harlan after all this time was harder than Savannah would have imagined. The man had only gotten better with age.
Harlan had risen to his feet and held out a hand to her. She took it, thankful for the help. But once she was upright she stumbled and he caught her against his chest. His very hard chest.He must have muscles that don’t stop. She looked up into his eyes. Those beautiful dark green eyes.
“Sorry,” she said, moving away. She could have sworn she’d felt someone push her. Which was, of course, impossible since they were the only two people in the room.
“Do you smell—”
“Lavender?” he finished for her. “Yes. Again.”
“That is so strange.” She shook her head. “I thought it was the Lavender Dreams display at the silent auction at first, but it wasn’t. And this is the second time we’ve both smelled it in here. I can’t imagine why. There’s no way we should be smelling it in here.”
Avery swung open the door. “The key wasn’t hanging where I thought it was. I guess whoever locked you in moved it too. Who could have done that?”
“No idea, but thanks for rescuing us.”
“I couldn’t believe you’d run out on me. Is this why you missed the silent auction?” Avery asked Savannah.
“Of course. You know I wouldn’t have missed it otherwise. Did you find someone to take over the coatroom for me?”
“Yes. Regina will be here in a minute.”
“Regina? How did you manage to get her to agree?”
Avery gave her a mischievous smile. “I have my ways.”
Harlan got his phone out of his pocket. “Still dead, damn it. I can’t pull up the weather app.”
“No need,” Avery said. “Rachel left early. With Elijah Lane.”
“Eli? I didn’t know she even knew him.”
“I introduced them earlier.” She raised an eyebrow. “I guess they clicked.”
“Looks like.”
“Anyway,” Avery continued, “Rachel’s babysitter called and she took off. But she texted as soon as she could and said the weather service has issued a travel ban for all but emergency vehicles. The severity of the storm surprised them. Plus it came on very suddenly. Rachel and Eli made it into Whiskey River but she texted and said the highway department has closed all the roads. And the road from the inn to 2766 that Rachel and Eli left on is pretty well impassible now. Some of the guests who left just a short while ago turned around and came back.”
“2766 is closed?” Savannah asked. “The weather got that bad this quickly?”
“Look outside,” Avery said, waving at a window.
