Page 35 of The Guest Cottage

Curling her fingers to hold onto that kiss while ignoring Herman’s wide-eyed wonder, she headed back out. Everyone looked away from Sandra and Aston and transferred their curiosity to her. Fine. Let them look.

Though her in-laws had never seen her so disheveled, and they’d definitely never seen her waiting tables, she held her head high and pasted on a smile while dusting her hands on her apron. Yes, she wore an apron, and Sandra appeared apoplectic at the sight of it. Aston merely looked disgusted.

And shedid not care.

Breezing forward, aware of the ripe anticipation in the room, she asked, “What are you two doing here?” with a show of enthusiasm she was far from feeling. She embraced Sandra in one of thosetouch-as-little-as-possible-type hugs and then did the same to Aston.

Neither of them made an attempt to return the gesture.

Undaunted, she kept her smile in place. “I’m surprised to see you.”

“We shouldn’t be here,” Aston growled. “Sandra insisted.”

Sandra snapped, “Becauseshewon’t listen to reason.”

Keep smiling, Marlow told herself.It’ll confuse them. “If you mean I have no intention of returning to my old job, you’re correct.” She lifted her brows in mock confusion. “We settled that on the phone, Sandra. Surely, you didn’t make the trip here just for that.”

A murmur went through the tavern, causing Aston to scowl. “We need to speak somewhere private.”

“Sorry, I’m on the clock.”

Sandra gasped. “You don’t mean . . .” She lowered her voice to a dismayed whisper. “. . . you workhere?”

Showing a bit of a mean streak, Marlow said, “Yup.”

Nostrils flared in outrage, Aston glared at her. “I don’t believe you.”

“The shirt doesn’t lie.” Proudly, she pointed at the logo across her chest: Dry Frog Tavern.

Covering her mouth with a trembling hand didn’t quite muffle Sandra’s sob. “You want to ruin us.Why?We’ve been so good to you.”

Ah . . . she could disagree but wouldn’t. “Sandra, that’s not true.” Marlow rubbed her shoulder. “I care about both of you. I would never deliberately hurt you.”

“Then come home,” she pleaded.

“This is my home now.” She heard another murmur and quickly corrected herself. “I’m not a permanent resident because that’s not allowed, but I will be a longtime renter and I plan to work here as long as Herman will have me.”

Proving he’d heard every word, Herman gave a not-so-subtle “Cough,forever, cough,” making her heart happy.

“I like this job, and I love these people.”

Another murmur swept the room, this time one of appreciation.

“You can’t mean that.” Aston’s gaze passed over the customers with disdain—but then suddenly froze.

Without looking, Marlow knew he’d just noticed Cort. She could easily envision Cort standing there, tall and proud, arms crossed, gaze unwavering.

Yes, Aston, he’s on my side. She thought it but didn’t say it. “I’m sorry you went out of your way to see me.” And now she needed the visit to end. Sandra was getting overset, and Aston was growing angry. Nothing good would come of extending the visit. “Unfortunately, there’s nowhere to stay here in Bramble—”

Aston made a rude sound. “We have no intention of staying here.”

“Then that settles that.” She tried for a gentle smile. “I want only the best for both of you, but I won’t be returning to my old job.” Or my old life.

“We lost our son. You lost your husband. Doesn’t that mean anything at all to you?”

So unfair! Sandra had made no attempt to lower her voice as she spoke those awful words. The silence had been terrible before, but now it seemed everyone held their breath.

Angry words flooded to Marlow’s tongue, but she didn’t release them. She gave herself a few precious seconds before reacting, long enough to find some grace.

---