Page 24

It was finally time she ventured into town to make new friends. It was easier said than done because this inn seemed to take up all of her free time.

Speaking of which, she had two guest rooms to turnover before she cleaned out the fridge. Then she needed to go into town to get some groceries. Since the power was on and her phone was recharged, she’d gotten cancellations for today. But tomorrow was a different story. She had three rooms reserved.

With that thought, she headed for the stairs. She’d barely made it three steps when she heard her name called out. And then there was a wet nose pressed to the back of her hand.

She turned, and there was Mochi. Her tail was waving back and forth. Leah couldn’t resist pausing to pet her.

And then Shaun appeared at the bottom of the stairs. When her gaze met his, she felt this pull. It was a fuzzy, warm sensation that sent her heart beating faster.

She noticed that there was a wounded, guarded look in his eyes. She wanted to know what had put it there. As though he could sense that she read too much, he glanced away. The abrupt disconnect jarred her back to her senses.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” Shaun said.

“Oh, I was just heading upstairs to clean the rooms.” Mochi stayed by her side as Leah ran her fingers over his head. “But if you tell me what you need, I can get it for you.”

He shook his head. “I’m good. Did everyone leave already?”

“They did. Henry said to tell you that he’s looking forward to a rematch with chess.”

Shaun genuinely smiled. “I don’t think that’s ever going to happen.”

“Never say never.” She didn’t know why she’d said that. The chance of Shaun heading back this way was probably very slim—not to mention the chance of him being here at the same time as Henry was slim to none. “Anyway, if you don’t need anything, I should get to work.”

“I understand. I have some phone calls I should return.”

She continued upstairs. Mochi started to follow her, but then Shaun called the pup. Leah was disappointed when Mochi left her side. She warned herself not to get attached—to Mochi or to her owner.

So, this was Kringle Falls.

Shaun sat in the passenger seat of Leah’s car. He didn’t normally like being the passenger, but today was different. He wanted a chance to look around during the daylight hours.

When he got back to Kentucky, his father would have questions. He’d always been curious about the town where Candi Goodman had moved. She had worked at his father’s animal shelter before it had closed. His father never said it, but she had become much like a daughter to him. His father always did have a big heart for animals and humans alike.

“Is there any place you’d like to stop?” Leah’s voice drew him from his thoughts.

He gave her question a little thought. “Is there someplace I could pick up a few clothes? When I packed, I hadn’t planned on being gone so long.”

She nodded. “There’s His Closet.”

“His Closet? Interesting name.”

“Most of the shops in town have unique names. Anything else you need?”

“Actually, two more.” Realizing he was pushing the limits of her kindness, he said, “I’m sorry. This is your trip to town, don’t worry about me.”

“I don’t mind,” she said. “Where were those two other places?”

“The pet shop and the grocery store.”

“So, it’s really just one stop because I was already headed to the grocery store.”

As she pulled into a parking spot in front of Purr ’n Woof Supplies, she asked, “Is it strange not to have Mochi next to you? She seems to follow you everywhere.”

“It’s for the best that she stayed back at the B&B. I can’t have her getting too attached. Someday soon, she’ll get adopted.” He opened the car door before she could ask him any other questions, because it might not be only Mochi who was growing attached.

The sun was shining bright again, and it was above freezing, so the ice was melting. He made his way to the door of the pet shop and held it open for Leah.

When she passed by him, he got a whiff of...wait. Was that vanilla? Yes. At least he thought so. Whatever it was, it smelled good on her.