Page 5 of Take Me Down (The Knight Brothers 2)
“How’s your dad?” Harper asked, ignoring Emily’s comment.
Harper was still trying to fix her up with people – not an easy feat in their small town where Emily knew everyone, thank goodness. Harper even gritted her teeth and pretended she was okay with Emily going out on another date with Matt Banks.
He asked her fairly often, as Emily was in town every day since she brought her baked goods to Harper’s Coffee Shop on a daily basis and he owned the gas station and repair shop across the street. Problem was, Harper had had a thing for Matt since forever and the man was oblivious. Emily’s first and only date with the man had been before she’d known Harper liked him that way.
“Dad’s good,” Emily said. “Still ignoring me when I try to talk him into moving to Florida.” Near her sister, Amy, and her family. “It’ll be good for him to stop worrying about this place. It’s a money pit.” She loved her dad and wanted him around for a long time to come, not worrying himself to death about how he could make this place succeed and fulfill her mom’s dream. “Anyway, the winter is almost over, so I have the spring and summer to convince him to move there by next fall before the weather turns brutal again.
“Do you really want him to leave you here alone?” Harper asked.
Emily shook her head, a lump in her throat. “But I worry about him and the memories here as well as the cold, the hard work…” Ever since losing her mom, she was ultrasensitive and worried about her father.
“I get it. I really do. But you won’t be able to stay here if he leaves. He’ll have to sell and–”
“I’ll rent a place. Somewhere with a kitchen so I can still supply you with baked goods–”
“Hello?” a male voice called out from the front entryway.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Harper asked.
Emily shook her head. “Dad didn’t mention anyone coming by, either.” But they did occasionally get people who needed a room who would stop by. And they let them stay although they never operated at full capacity. There were too many fixes and problems that needed taking care of before they could be a full-fledged B and B. They just didn’t have the money for the repairs they needed.
“Coming!” Emily yelled out. She wiped her hands on the apron she’d tied around her body, protecting her clothes, and headed out to the main part of the house, where people would congregate … if they were a fully functional bed-and-breakfast.
Emily walked into the room and came to a stop, Harper barreling into her from behind.
A man stood in the doorway, suitcase at his feet. From the designer shoes with the Gucci buckle to the obviously expensive jeans to the shearling-lined jacket, everything about him screamed city slicker. Just like Rex.
Her gaze came to his revealing blue eyes in a drop-dead gorgeous face, strong jaw, full lips, and distinctively handsome features. But his good looks didn’t erase the fact that he was everything she’d come to distrust in a man.
“Can I help you?” she asked coolly.
He met her gaze with a friendly one of his own. “I’m looking to rent a room.”
“I’m sorry but we’re not open for business.”
“Yeah, Matt mentioned something about that but–”
“You came here anyway, hoping to charm me into giving you a place to stay,” she said as if it were a crime.
“Hey!” Harper nudged her in the back. “No need to be rude to the man. He’s hot.” She whispered the last part in Emily’s ear.
He narrowed his gaze, probably not understanding her chilly tone. “Actually my car broke down and it needs a part. Matt has to order it and I need a place to stay while I call the rental place and figure out what happens next.”
“No.” Emily was adamant. This sexy, good-looking man wasn’t staying in the room next to hers.
“But you’re the only inn within hours and I’m shit out of luck if you don’t help me. Please.” He treated her to what she supposed would be a panty-melting grin that worked on any woman who hadn’t been subjected to a con man’s charm before. She didn’t trust his good looks or smile.
“Emily–” This from Harper behind her.
“Hey, darling daughter of mine. What’s going on?” Emily’s father joined them, walking down the stairs from where his bedroom was located. Emily’s large room and the other guest rooms were on the opposite side of the house.
James Stevens was in his late fifties, he was strong, fit, and he liked to do more than he should around the house. He and Emily looked nothing alike. She’d gotten her blonde hair from her mom, God rest her soul. Her dad had brown hair and a scruffy beard. And he loved having guests. The bed-and-breakfast had been her parents’ dream – until her mother got sick and things fell apart during her illness.
