Page 92 of Unexpected Entanglement

“How can I help you?” Rowan asked. “Is there something wrong?”

“I received a report that made me believe we might have given the inn’s license prematurely.”

“Excuse me?” Rowan questioned. “What report?”

“It has come to my attention that the inn might not live up to the safety standards required by the state of Maine,” Bruce said.

“What are you talking about?” Rowan said. “Nothing has changed since your last visit a month ago. If anything, some things have been improved.”

“That’s why I’m here. I need to make sure that you haven’t violated anything—”

“Who’s put you up to this, Bruce?” Rowan cut in. “It took me a month to get an appointment with you. And suddenly, you just show up out of nowhere because of a report? How convenient.”

Bruce reddened as his eyes darted from Rowan to Chris. “Nonetheless, I’m here. I need to do a check.”

Rowan looked like she was about to blow, and Chris quickly pulled her aside and excused them to Bruce.

“If Gibbes has something to do with this, I swear to—” Rowan seethed.

“I don’t doubt you, but what can we do about it?” Chris asked quietly. “Inspectors can come and check whenever they want. You’ll need to deal with this. Don’t let Gibbes win.”

Rowan glared at him, but he knew the anger wasn’t directed at him. “It has to be today? And this close to the wedding?”

“That’s why you need to deal with Bruce. Get him on your side. You’ll need to build a good working relationship with this guy,” Chris reminded her.

“I know, but…” Rowan glanced back at where Rae was sitting.

“Kieran and I will deal with Rae,” Chris said. “Today, we’ll need to divide and conquer. Take Alex with you. He will want to ask about the kitchen and food service.”

Rowan nodded. “I hope this won’t take long. I still have to deal with the rooms for our additional guests.”

“I’ll take care of it. You just focus on the inspector, okay?”

“Okay.” Rowan met his gaze. “This is why I need you to stay. You just know what to do.”

Though it wasn’t the reason he wanted to hear from her, Chris smiled because that was what she needed from him right now. And as she asked, he’d stay for another week.

“We got this,” he told her and bent his head down to kiss her on the mouth.

If he stayed for the week to play the role of her fiancé, he might as well enjoy what she willingly gave.

When he pulled up, Rowan’s eyes were huge, and her eyeballs slowly moved to the left toward the sitting area. Chris had forgotten entirely they had an audience.

Fuck.

thirty

Rowan and Alex had to take Bruce through the inn all over again. While that happened, Chris felt it safer to remove Rae from the inn’s vicinity. He’d suggested Kieran to give Rae the property tour, starting with the farm, and explain what had happened in the past week.

Trusting Rae could handle Kieran on her own, Chris had focused on adjusting the room assignments for guests and the extra incoming help. Bobbie had come with a small cleaning crew, and they immediately got busy, turning several rooms ready for occupancy. It cleared Chris to pick up Walt and Jane at the ferry.

As he parked Rowan’s truck at the ferry service lot, he felt good about the morning’s accomplishments despite the surprises. Everybody pulled together to get tasks done. Even Oliver had assisted with the housekeeping job. The chef never minded helping, but Bobbie was the real motivation this time. Chris couldn’t help but notice how Oliver became chattier when he was around her. Bobbie didn’t seem to mind the attention.

Was romance blossoming there? Chris wondered. Though, where could it go? A widow with a young son and a chef who was only in town for another week. It’d be over before anything could happen. Not unlike Rowan’s and his arrangement, really.

Chris had gotten upset earlier when he’d overheard Rowan telling Alex what they had was temporary. That was what they’d agreed on, and if he was being realistic, that was all it could be. It wasn’t her fault he caught feelings for her.

What the fuck am I doing with Rowan?

---