Page 9 of Knot Convenient

“Hello, I think I have a room reserved under my name? Summer Olsen?” Emma had dropped me off outside the small inn and left pretty quickly, citing another appointment she had to get to.

Edie didn’t miss a beat. “Of course. I only have you pair checking in today. Now, what’s this little man’s name?” She stepped forward, tilting her head to meet Milo’s eyes with a bright smile.

“Milo,” I told her.

“That’s a good name. You’re lucky to have such an adorable baby.” As she spoke, she returned to the reception counter. “My son has yet to give me any grandbabies! He’s said he wants them, though. If he didn’t, that would be a whole other story and totally okay, but I’m getting older!” Her eyes narrowed at me. “You don’t happen to be single, do you? No, there’s no way. You’re far too pretty.”

My face heated. Somehow in the space of two hours, I’d had two women offering up their sons to me. Was this what small towns were like?

“She is single!” a familiar voice said behind me. Turning, I smiled at Hattie. “Hello again, my dear. I had no idea you were staying here.”

I smiled, chewing on my lip. “I didn’t know until a few minutes ago.”

Hattie nodded. “My poker club meets here.”

“Poker club?” I asked with a choked laugh.

Hattie nodded. “Edie and I are founding members. Every Wednesday, without fail, we meet.”

“Don’t let my friend’s innocent face fool you. She’s a complete card shark,” Edie growled, but there was a smile on her face.

Hattie waved off her comment. “You’re just losing your touch. Now, Summer here has been traveling for hours—make sure you give her one of the rooms with the nice tubs.”

Edie nodded, looking at her computer. “I have her set up in room twelve. My son’s packmate recently installed a tub in that one. There’s also a crib there for this little guy.” She nodded at Milo as she rummaged around behind the counter, bringing out a key.

She handed it to me, and I smiled politely, glad that there would be someplace to lay him down.

“As for your bags—Chester!” She shouted the name, and a tall blond man stuck his head around the door.

“You called, my master and overlord?”

Edie snorted, and I rolled my lips between my teeth, trying to hold back a laugh and failing.

“Take these bags upstairs, please. Room twelve.”

Chester turned to me with a smile. “Right away, ma’am!”

I followed him up the stairs as he carried my case with shocking ease. I wasn’t used to this kind of treatment, but with a baby in my arms, it was appreciated.

“You’re going to love it here. Edie is a wonderful woman, and she’s obsessed with feeding everyone. She makes these buttermilk pancakes that are to die for.”

“I’ll remember that for the morning.” I smiled, more tired than hungry at the moment.

“Here you are.” Chester gestured at the door, and I held up the key card, letting us in. I asked him to set the bag down on the little rack near the foot of the bed, and he left me to it.

The room was immaculate. Bright and airy. The large window was cracked open, allowing a cool breeze to filter in. The bed was easily twice the size of my bed at home and piled high with a variety of pillows and blankets.

Next to the bed, an adorable little crib had been placed, perfectly sized for Milo.

Pacing around the room, I couldn’t help the overwhelming emotions that hit me. I had never stayed in such a nice room. Usually, I was in a run-down student apartment or a cheap motel. This was in a league of its own, the cute, country ambiance making me feel warm and cozy.

I got our things settled in the room, and before I knew it, Milo was yawning again. I knew his nap schedule would be a bit off because of the bus. I shook up a bottle of pre-measured formula and laid him down in the crib with a light blanket, turning off the lights.

Playing soft music on my phone to relax both of us, I waited until he was asleep before slipping into the bathroom and turning on the tub. Every muscle ached from that uncomfortable ride, and I needed a soak. I left the door cracked so that I could hear him and the music, and I stripped down, getting into the deep, warm tub.

All right, Summer. You’re here. You did it. And tomorrow… Pack Winters.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Hopefully, I wasn’t the complete opposite of the guys, as our names suggested, or this was never going to work.