“I’m curious is all. If you don’t want to answer my questions, I’ll stop. I’ll bet you date a lot of women.”
“I do. But dating someone a few times is different from having a girlfriend.”
Every comment he made reinforced what she already knew. He was a player. She wanted to smack herself in the head for kissing him. It wouldn’t happen again.
“My turn.” He glanced at her. “What’s your boyfriend like?”
She was insulted. “Do you think I would’ve kissed you if I had a boyfriend? I split up with the last guy I dated ages ago. You didn’t have to kiss me back.”
“You’re not easy to resist.”
She so wanted to believe him, but… “Stop it, Blake. I’m too smart to fall for that. It was a mistake, and we’re past it now. What’s on the agenda tomorrow for store two?”
“The new floor gets installed, then the painting begins. Ross, the guy I mentioned this morning who used to work for me,has agreed to interview possible employees at the same Hastings where I got our coffee and doughnuts. I’ll be checking in with him on and off. I plan to spend time at the first store, too.”
“You’re a busy man. Will you be able to manage both?”
“Not full-time. Danika is my second-in-command at the first location. She’s great, but I like to keep an eye on things. It’s one of the first pointers Grandpop taught me about running a business. I hope he and Caroline stopped yelling and started talking.” He turned into the bakery lot.
Vi saw the crowd through the large front window. “I can’t believe the people in there.”
“This is why they’re open seven nights a week. No problem—we’ll get our stuff to go and find a place to eat it.”
The line took forever, but at last they had a box of treats and coffees packed up.
By then, dusk had fallen. “Now to find somewhere to eat,” he said.
“Or you can drop me back at my house. It’s getting chilly outside, and I really don’t want to sit in the dark.”
“I wouldn’t mind eating at your place.”
Not quite what she had in mind. She was way too attracted to the man and wanted to get away from him, savor a cookie or two, and get to bed early. “I meant that you could—” drop me off on go on your way, she wanted to say, but his Bluetooth signaled a call from Malcom.
“Now that he’s had a few hours to cool off, he’s probably calling to apologize.” Blake answered. “Hey, Grandpop.”
“It’s Caroline. We’ve been in a little accident and are on the way to the Emergency Room.”
“What?” Blake frowned. “Why isn’t Grandpop calling? Is he hurt?”
“A little banged up.”
“A little?”
“What about you, Gran?” Vi asked, worried.
“I’m—oh, dear, I have to go.”
“We’ll meet you there,” Blake said, but she’d already disconnected. “I wish she hadn’t hung up like that.” He signaled, checked for traffic and executed a U-turn.
CHAPTER 9
In a hurry to reach the ER which was a mile or so from the 709, Blake sped up the highway. Traffic was light, which was normal on an April evening before tourist season picked up.
“Slow down,” Vi cautioned. “Otherwise, we could also end up as patients.”
She had a point. He eased off the gas pedal. “As far as I know, Grandpop has never been in a car accident. He’s a good driver, and it’s barely dark out.”
“It can’t have been too serious. Otherwise, they’d be in an ambulance and on their way to the hospital.”
