Page 47 of Unexpected Entanglement

“I’m the executive sous-chef at Clover in Portland,” Alex replied.

Rowan was impressed Gibbes recognized Alex’s restaurant, one of the top five restaurants in the city, and managed to temper his shock.

“What are you doing in this unknown old small-island inn if you have such a lucrative job like that?” Gibbes questioned.

“I don’t think Bright Head will stay unknown for very long,” Chris added. “With Rowan’s vision, Alex’s cooking, and my help, Bright Head Farm & Inn will be a great holiday destination.”

Shit.

Rowan noted the calculating glimpse in Gibbes’ eyes and realized she’d lost her lead on the conversation. She didn’t want to provide fuel to Gibbes’ subtle attempt to derail the Bright Head opening.

“But we’re far from that,” Rowan jumped in. “There’s still so much to do. We’re just focusing on the wedding for now.”

“Ah yes, the wedding. That’s coming in two weeks?” Gibbes asked.

“A little less than two weeks.”

“I trust you have the licenses you need for that?” he questioned with narrowed eyes.

“Of course.” Rowan glared back at him. “I handled that months ago. Contrary to your beliefs, I know what I’m doing, Mr. Gibbes.”

“I’m only looking out for the interest of the community, Rowan,” Gibbes said, as if her reaction wasn’t warranted. “As the head of Vinalhaven Chamber of Commerce, I have to make sure the businesses on this island are doing their part by the book.”

“You don’t have to worry about Bright Head,” Rowan told him. “We’ve been a part of this community for generations.”

“Not in the past decade,” Gibbes said pointedly, with an undertone that Rowan took as a dig at her father’s failure to continue the family’s legacy.

“We are fixing that,” Rowan proclaimed. “I appreciate you checking on us, Mr. Gibbes. We are doing fine.”

Finally, Gibbes nodded. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, Rowan. I watched your grandparents struggle to maintain this inn in their last decade. The upkeep and taxes on this propertyalone are high. Plus, I see you’ve added on a lot more. I don’t see how one little woman like yourself can manage this.”

Even though Rowan expected the dig from Gibbes, she still bristled at the comment. And apparently, Alex and Chris did, too. They both jumped to her defense almost in unison, but Chris was the only voice Gibbes seemed to hear.

“Rowan is a capable woman, Mr. Gibbes,” Chris said.

“And how would you know that, Mr. Sullens?” Gibbes eyed him. “That name sounds so familiar.”

“Of course, it’s familiar. Even if you’ve lived in Vinalhaven all your life, you’d have to bury yourself in a cave not to have heard of The Sullens Hotels,” Alex threw before Rowan could stop her.

Gibbes’ gaze lasered in on Rowan, and she knew she was fucked.

“What is going on here?” Connor Gibbes questioned Rowan. “Are you bringing an international hotel chain onto this island?”

Shit, Chris cursed internally.

Rowan didn’t need his family background to create more problems for her with the locals. Chris was about to interject, but Rowan beat him to it.

“No. Bright Head is a family business and always will be,” she stated.

“Then what is a Sullens doing here with you, helping you with the inn?” Gibbes glanced between Chris and Rowan.

“I am a Sullens, but I’m not here on behalf of my family business,” Chris said.

“Then what are you doing here, Mr. Sullens?” Gibbes zeroed in on him.

“It’s none of your business, Mr. Gibbes,” Rowan stepped in.

“It is my business when a hotel conglomerate is lurking around my island,” Gibbes claimed.

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