Page 46 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
Hunter’s shocked face came to mine. “He can play tic-tac-toe?”
My mouth spread in a proud-mom grin. “I taught him a couple of months ago. He’s getting the hang of it.” I leaned in closer to whisper. “But he always needs the middle square.”
“Middle square. Got it.”
Hunter and Coby played a few games, Coby always the victor, until our waitress brought over a kids’ menu and crayons. With our orders placed and Coby contentedly coloring a dinosaur picture, Hunter and I caught up on the crazy that had been my last seven days.
“I thought you said tourist season normally didn’t start until the middle of May.”
I sighed. “So did I. But I’ll get caught up. I always do.” I might not sleep much this week, but I’d get through my list. “How about you? How was your week?”
“Good.”
I smiled on the outside though his one-word answer made me cringe on the inside. If our friendship developed into an actual relationship, I’d have to tell Hunter how much I hated one-word answers. But as it was, my mouth was staying shut. If he wanted to say “good” and leave it at that, I’d suck it up.
The decision I’d made last week at Wade Lake was still holding strong. I would not be nosy. I didn’t know what Hunter did for a living. I didn’t know if he’d gone to college. I didn’t know if he preferred grape jelly over strawberry. The questions were right on the tip of my tongue but I swallowed them down. When Hunter wanted to share, I’d be all ears.
For now, I’d let conversation about my life monopolize our time.
“Is your housekeeper feeling better?” he asked.
I nodded. “She is, thank god. She’ll be back tomorrow and is going to pick up some extra hours this week. I need it too. I’m still one room short because I’m trying to get the remodel finished.”
“Which room?”
“Seven. Right next door to you. I’m painting it tonight after Coby goes to bed.” Michael had already volunteered to come over and sleep on the couch so I didn’t have to worry about Coby.
“You’re painting it tonight?” Hunter asked. “Why not wait for tomorrow?”
“My fault. I put it off for too long. I have to paint it tonight because the carpet gets installed tomorrow with the trim. Then once that’s all done, I still need to get it furnished, decorated and cleaned.” It would be hectic but if I could punch out that room, it would take a huge weight off my shoulders.
“Can I help with anything? I’ve got good furniture-moving muscles.”
That was no joke. I could see the contours between his biceps and triceps underneath the fitted quarter-zip he was wearing.
I smiled to myself, noticing that we nearly matched today. Jeans. Gray quarter-zip. Tennis shoes. At least my shirt was light while his was nearly black and his shoes weren’t lime green like mine.
“Maisy?”
“Huh? Oh, sorry.” I blushed and smiled at my water glass. “I was just noticing that our clothes kind of match today. Anyway, I’ve already recruited my brothers to help with the furniture. Thank you, though.”
Hunter was still a paying guest, and although he was doing my photos, I couldn’t bring myself to ask for more help and risk taking advantage.
“How did your meeting with your contractor go yesterday?” I asked.
He’d texted and said they were doing a walk-through of the remaining construction items. I was secretly hoping it would take longer than he’d guessed just so he would be at the motel a little longer. Even if I didn’t get to see him much, it was comforting just to know he was there, sleeping right underneath my loft.
“The meeting was okay. Just like I’d guessed, it’s going to be another month at least.”
“Bummer.” I sipped my water to hide my grin.
“It’ll be worth the wait. Did I tell you my property is right in the foothills going up the road to Fan Mountain?”
I shook my head. “No, but I’d kind of guessed. There isn’t a lot of new construction in Prescott. There are some pretty big houses up that way.” I had narrowed his house down to one of two that were currently being built in that area. One was massive and the other was big but tasteful. I really hoped his was the latter.
He nodded. “Yeah, some are huge. I think mine will be the smallest for miles.”
Yes! I fist pumped under the table, glad that Hunter wasn’t the type to go for gaudy extravagance just because he had money.
