Page 92 of Hendrix

“It just seems overwhelming, Hendrix,” I murmured. “I also need to find somewhere to live.”

He grinned. “Got ya covered there, too. The hotel has staff accommodation in the grounds. Fender has the old caretaker's cottage, and there are a few other houses dotted around. My aunt and her husband had a place on the river. It’s about a five-minute drive from the hotel. It’ll need a full refurb and a new kitchen and bathrooms, but I reckon if we get the boys on it, we can have it finished in a few weeks.”

The tightness in my chest immediately loosened. “Really?”

He grinned. “Yep. Been thinkin’ about it for a while. Didn’t wanna pressure you into making any decisions.”

“Look at you being all considerate.” I nudged him with my shoulder. “I’m beginning to think you’re right for once in your life.”

“About what?” he asked.

I smiled from ear to ear, enjoying the warmth filling my belly. “Looks like you really are becoming a new man.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ANNA

“That’ll be nine hundred forty-three dollars and eighty-eight cents,” the manager ofMiss-tiqueannounced with a beaming smile.

I winced but then relaxed when I remembered the joyful expression on Addie’s face when we took the huge pile of clothes, underwear, nighties, PJs, and footwear to the counter.

The girls had been trying on clothes and giving me a fashion show for the last hour. Thank God we’d had a drink and a snack at the tea shop across the street before we came in because I was exhausted.

Arrowhead Point was a pretty town. It was bigger than Hambleton, and it had a few of the bigger chain stores, but it was still charming, with lots of character and friendly people. I suspected they were more used to strangers because it was a resort of sorts, so nobody gave the girls or me a second look when we walked down the street toMiss-tique, a cool kids' clothing store that catered up to about the age of around fourteen.

Addison was kitted out for a year. Lulu, the owner, had even rummaged in the back of the store for some winter clothes that were left over from last season, and then she’d thrown in some free hair barrettes, ties, and clips with butterflies and flowers on them and even a cute little girl pink coin pouch and purse. Hendrix had stuffed a wad of bills into my hand when he dropped us off at the tea rooms further up the street, so most of the bill was already covered.

It wouldn’t have mattered to me anyway.

The joy a few clothes brought to a little girl who’d been robbed of her mother was worth way more than a thousand bucks.

It was worth everything.

“My friend from school just walked past with her mom,” Gigi called from the window. “Can I go outside and talk to her?”

“Of course,” I agreed. “But don’t wander off.”

“I won’t,” she promised, the bell over the door tinkling as it closed behind her.

I handed Lulu Hendrix’s cash, then grabbed my wallet and slid my debit card out while I waited for the due amount to appear on the card reader. After slotting the plastic in, I typed in my PIN and waited for the transaction to complete before taking my card out and putting it away.

“Thanks so much,” Lulu said, the gratitude in her tone matching her words. “Small businesses like mine rely on customers like you to keep our heads above water. I’m not exactly living on the breadline, but a big sale like that takes the pressure off.”

“You’re welcome,” I replied, sliding my wallet inside my purse. “I was a business owner myself until recently when I sold my salon, so I know how up and down finances can be.”

“Did you sell because you’re having a baby?” she asked, glancing at my stomach and smiling.

“I sold up before I got pregnant,” I explained. “I moved out of town. In fact, I’m looking for a job after I’ve had the baby. Is there a salon in town that might need a stylist?”

Lulu leaned against the counter. “No. The salon we used to have closed down about ten months ago. The closest place is the next town over, but Betty, who owns it, is part of the blue rinse era, so I drive over to Alexandria to get my hair done.”

Something pinged in the back of my mind. “Do you know why it closed? Was business slow?”

“The place was always busy,” she relayed. “Things started to go wrong for the owner when she got mixed up with one of the bikers who lives over at the hotel.”

My stomach sank. “Really?”

“Look,” she murmured. “I’m not a judgy person, and those guys are always respectful and no trouble. I’ve spoken to a few in passing, and one of them comes in here every week to buy a gift card, so I’m not complaining.”

---