Page 67 of The Accidental Innkeeper

I turned to find Dust-guy standing just outside the dining room, confident, relaxed, and way too put together for this hour of the morning. Also way too sexy.

I closed my eyes for half a second.

He was going to be a much bigger problem.

14

ALEX

Iwatched New York push her chair back and stand. She moved with purpose, like someone who didn’t have the luxury of hovering.

She walked over to me, dressed all in black today, simple and elegant. Her hair was pulled half up, the loose strands already escaping near her temples. She wore no makeup to speak of, though her cheeks were flushed, accentuating her features. She looked… put together. Like a real inn owner.

“Hi,” she said when she reached me. “You’re back.”

My eyes lingered on her red lips for a beat, long enough to register, not long enough to matter. I shut the thought down and looked away. “I said I would.” I slid my gaze past her shoulder to where Lola and Helen sat at the table, their heads together and eyes very obviously on me.

Yeah. I knew what that was about. Fucking gossip.

I brought my attention back to New York. She’d crossed her arms over her chest, like she was bracing—for news, for cost, for something else to add to her list.

“Right,” she said, letting out a breath.

Before either of us could say anything else, the front door swung open.

A black lab burst inside like it owned the place, his nails skidding on the wood floor and leash pulled tight. His owner followed half a step behind, a short woman in her sixties with cropped white hair, her cheeks already flushed red, laughing as she tried to regain control.

“Oh, Boomer, no…sorry…he gets excited,” she said, breathless.

New York pivoted instantly. The innkeeper smile snapped into place, calm and friendly.

“Good morning,” she said, already moving toward the desk. “You must be Mrs. Colton?”

“That’s me,” the woman said, still wrestling the leash. “He’s usually better behaved. I swear. Boomer. Sit!”

Boomer’s rear hit the floor, his tongue lolling over to the side, looking pleased with himself. His tail started drumming.

I crouched without thinking and gave him a quick scratch under the chin. Solid dog. Good eyes. Big square head. He leaned into it like we’d already come to an agreement.

“Good boy,” I told him, scratching behind his ears. I loved dogs, which was exactly why I didn’t have one. They needed time, routine, and someone around more than I was. I wasn’t the right owner. Too many late nights. Too many days gone. Dogs didn’t sign up for that. They deserved better.

Mrs. Colton relaxed visibly. People always did once the dog did.

New York glanced over, surprise flickering across her face for half a second before she smoothed it away. “Well,” she said, keys already in hand, “we’re happy to have both of you.”

Boomer wagged harder.

I snorted.

New York shot me a quick look before turning back to the guest. “I’ll get you checked in.”

“I’ll be on the roof,” I said, already shifting the toolbox on my shoulder.

She nodded, eyes dropping to the clipboard in her hands like she needed to anchor herself back in the task. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”

I almost said something though I didn’t know what. I didn’t say it.

New York was already moving, her voice warm and efficient. The bell rang softly as another guest stepped inside behind Boomer.