Page 13 of The Guest Cottage

“The burgers are good. Fries, too.”

Peeking back at the table he’d left, she met the gazes of all three elders watching her with keen interest. With an exaggerated wince, she apologized. “Sorry if I was rude. I find everything about the tavern interests me, including the people here.”

Leaning forward, he called down the bar to Herman. “You have a customer.”

Herman hurried their way, and once he reached them, muttered, “Thanks, Cort. I couldn’t get away. You know how Leo is. Doesn’t even take a breath.” He smiled at Marlow. “Back for more, huh?”

“I couldn’t resist.”

He puffed up with pride, then said to Cort, “She was here last night, too. Had everyone entertained. Girl knows how to tell a joke.”

Cort’s brows lifted.

And of course, that made her face heat again. “I was just getting to know the other customers, not really entertaining them.”

Herman snorted. “She did a great impersonation of you.”

Oh God. Fire burned in her face. Even her ears felt hot. “I didn’t, that is . . .”

“Show him,” Herman urged.

Someone ought to muzzle the man! “Oh, um . . . I have groceries in the car.”

“Again?”

“Forgot a few things yesterday.” She could handle CEOs, so surely she could handle one tavern owner. “I’d like a loaded burger, please. And Cort recommended the fries.”

Laughing, Herman clapped Cort on the shoulder. “I’ll get it going right now. Probably’ll take twenty minutes or so.”

As he walked off, Cort asked, “Will your food keep that long?”

She had no idea. She’d never left groceries in a car while she visited a bar and chatted with her landlord. New experiences were fun. “The few cold things are packed together, and it’s not that hot outside.”

“Should be fine.” He left his stool. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to a few other people.”

Glad of the reprieve, she quickly gathered her purse. “You don’t mind?”

“No.”

Deciding to clear the air, she said, “That.”

He paused to stare down at her. “That, what?”

“That’s how I impersonated you. With one-word answers and teeny tiny smiles that only lasted a heartbeat. I swear it wasn’t anything mean.”

Light brown eyes seemed to warm before he said, “Sounds accurate.” With that easy comment, he moved forward again.

Marlow couldn’t tell if he was offended or not, and as he wouldn’t say, she just let it go. At the table he’d left, he said, “Wade, Gloria, Bobbi, this is my new tenant at the guest cottage. Marlow, meet three originals, all siblings.”

Glad that he hadn’t given her last name, Marlow held out a hand. It might not be an issue here, but many people had heard of the wealthy Heddings family, and Dylan’s sudden death had caused a stir in certain circles. She’d had enough of snoopy reporters and gossips to last her a lifetime. “Nice to meet you.”

Wade immediately stood and offered his seat. “Here, you can sit with the girls, and I’ll finish explaining to Cort what I want.”

“No fair,” Bobbi immediately protested. “You just want to dictate everything.”

“And you don’t?” Gloria asked. “This isn’t a dictatorship, and Wade, sit down! Just because you’re a guy doesn’t mean you get the say-so.”

“Don’t I know it,” he snapped right back. “You two always gang up on me.”

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