Page 93 of Unexpected Entanglement

Kieran and Rae had said nothing after Chris had sent Rowan off with a kiss. He’d brushed it off as keeping up with the ruse for the inspector. But Kieran and Rae were not stupid.

“Boss!” Walt’s voice, calling out from the ferry’s gangway, got Chris’ attention.

In their chic outfits, his energetic assistant and club event manager stood out among the day visitors. Though dressed in relatively simple black traveling pants folded at the cuffs, a white oversized box T-shirt, and pristine white sneakers, anyone could tell Walt wasn’t from around here. Jane, also dressed down from her usually elaborate style, still oozed Manhattan just from the edgy accessories she wore.

Chris laughed and wondered what he’d been thinking about bringing in these New Yorkers. It was bad enough Rowan had declared her fiancé was Boston born and bred. And who did the Mainers dislike more than people from Massachusetts, if not New Yorkers?

“Didn’t I tell you to tone it down?” Chris said when he reached the duo.

“We are toned down,” Walt protested. “Not everyone can slip off their designer suit to shorts and T-shirt and maintain their sex appeal like you do. Some of us have to work it a little.”

“You’re not here to appeal to anyone,” Chris pointed with a grin.

“You’re saying there aren’t any hot, young, beefy lobstermen around here to entice us?” Jane asked, pushing her sunglasses to the top of her head.

Chris laughed. “I’m not sure they’re equipped to handle either of you.”

“Well, we can handle them instead.” Walt winked.

Chris could only shake his head as he chuckled. Then he eyed the baggage Walt and Jane had brought. “Hand me some of those. Thanks for getting here on such short notice.”

“This is like a paid vacation, right?” Walt said, then patted his luggage. “I got your suit and extra clothes here.”

“Here are the decor items.” Jane pointed to a box, which Chris put straight into the back of the truck, along with the rest of their stuff.

“I also have that other thing you asked me to get from your safe.” Walt patted the bag he wore across his chest.

“Great. Thanks. Give that to me later when we get to Bright Head.” Chris nodded and opened the driver’s door. “Let’s go.”

Walt looked at the old truck. “Are we all going in there?”

“We’ll fit.”

They all piled in without another question.

“Okay, Boss. Spill. Why are we here?” Walt asked, as Chris pulled out from the lot.

“Long story short, you’re here to help me run a wedding,” Chris said. “And I’m engaged.”

Rowan waved at Bruce as he drove away. She finally could take a deep breath after Bruce told her the Bright Head Inn’s license was safe. They’d gone through everything he’d asked to see and addressed all of his questions. She assured him the inn met every health requirement to a T. She suspected someone had pressured Bruce to reassess his recommendation for the Bright Head Inn. But in the end, Bruce couldn’t find any fault with the inn.

Rowan took whatever time was necessary to make Bruce content and avoid further issues. As Chris had advised, building a relationship with the inspector paid off. Inspections would happen regularly and were part of doing business. Though this one had come at the most inconvenient time.

“Glad that’s done,” Alex said and started back toward the house.

Following her, Rowan replied, “Me, too. What a crazy Monday.”

“Right?” Alex laughed. “Secret half-sister showed up out of nowhere, check. Surprise health inspection, check. What else is coming? The day’s still young.”

“Please don’t jinx it.” Rowan checked the time: 3:43. “We have Chris’ people coming, too. They should be here soon. I hope he got the rooms done.”

“He did. He asked Bobbie and her team to help. I saw her briefly when you took Bruce to the cottages,” Alex informed.

“Good call,” Rowan nodded. “I would’ve done it myself and taken a couple of extra hours.”

“The guy knows how to delegate.” Alex said. “Glad he’s around to share the load, huh?”

Rowan agreed. She wouldn’t have been able to handle today without him. Well, she probably would, but with more worry and less focus. But knowing Chris had her back had really eased her mind. She knew he would handle the other things. His simple words earlier had calmed her entirely.

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