Page 52 of The Guest Cottage

“Also,” Cort said, “I can sit with the baby while Pixie sees the doctor.”

With another show of panic, Pixie said, “I can take care of him.”

“And you have,” Marlow assured her. “But you came to me, and I have a way of doing things, of tackling problems. First, I need to know what I’m dealing with, and that means taking you to a doctor. Cort’s suggestions are great, and he’s being generous with his time—something he does often, by the way—so we should probably just thank him.”

Dutifully, Pixie whispered, “Thank you.”

He accepted with the barest of smiles. “And my other suggestion?”

“I think it’s brilliant, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”

“It’s empty now anyway. Of course I don’t mind.”

Confused, Pixie glanced between them but wisely didn’t ask.

It was turning into quite an eventful day.

And Marlow was still determined to work her shift.

CHAPTER7

Cort dropped by the tavern near closing. He’d spoken with Marlow on each of her breaks. The wealth of compassion she’d shown flat out astounded him. It cost her, he saw that multiple times, but she hadn’t turned Pixie away—thank God.

The young woman looked like a child, petite and far too thin, her eyes bruised with illness and her shoulders rounded by loss of pride. He believed her assertion that she’d had nowhere to go and no one to help her.

Coming to Marlow might have been the best decision she’d made in a year. His faith in Marlow surprised him, too, but he didn’t have a single doubt that she’d get the girl on the right track, whatever it took. She was that amazing.

Going straight to the bar, he flagged Herman and immediately asked, “Where is she?”

Herman nodded to the back corner, where Marlow was taking orders from a group of four outsiders, all of them young men. “They’ve kept her jumping.”

His gaze never strayed from Marlow, but Cort’s tone lowered and his eyes narrowed. “Meaning what, exactly?”

“Look at her. She’s cute as hell and smart, with quick comebacks, and those young fools have all asked her out, several times each. Doesn’t seem to matter how many times she dismisses them. I think they’ve eaten and drunk more just to get her back to their table.”

“Excuse me.” Cort started toward her. Herman was right—she was extra cute tonight with her tawny hair in a thick braid over her shoulder, jeans hugging that lush behind, and her Dry Frog Tavern T-shirt filled out in all the right ways. Even her method of tying her apron showed flair, crossed over her waist once and in a fancy little bow near her hip.

Herman was at his side in an instant. “Now, Cort. Don’t go causing any trouble.”

That unnecessary request stopped him in his tracks, and he slowly turned to face Herman with a frown. “Have I ever?”

“No.” Shifting his feet and running a hand over his face, Herman said, “But we’ve never had anyone like Marlow here, either, so I think you could, given how you’re looking at her.” When Cort just stared at him, he groused, “Never saw you look at anyone like that before.”

Damn. He hadn’t meant to alarm Herman. Briefly clasping his friend’s shoulder, Cort said, “I wouldn’t, unless it was absolutely necessary. You have my word.”

Herman’s attention shifted to Marlow, and he nodded. “If it was necessary, I’d do it myself.”

Huh. She’d definitely won over Herman, and probably a dozen other originals. Marlow had that way about her, a genuine kindness no one could dismiss. “Good to know.” And with that, Cort moved on, making his way around occupied tables, greeting familiar faces with a nod and ignoring the wary looks from outsiders.

He reached Marlow in time to hear one guy say, “Come on, give me a shot. I swear I’ll show you a good time.”

Apparently fed up, she replied succinctly, “You’re a child.”

“I’m not!” he said, sounding very much like an insulted boy.

“Of course you are. A man would understand the wordno.” She pulled the bill from her pad and laid it on the table. “Now, if you children don’t need anything else, we’re ready to close.”

Struggling to hide his amusement, Cort slipped his arm around her. Instantly, she stiffened, then turned on him with umbrage.

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