Page 5 of Stuck with my Mechanic Daddies

The Medford Inn was just as picturesque as the rest of the town, if a little worn around the edges. A historic two-story building with white siding, dark green shutters, and a wraparound porch lined with rocking chairs. A hand-painted wooden sign swung gently in the breeze, the wordsThe Medford Inn – Est. 1902carved into the wood.

I pushed through the front door and warmth wrapped around me instantly, carrying the scent of something sweet. Vanilla, maybe cinnamon.

The front desk was empty, but the lobby was inviting. A fire crackled in a stone hearth, and the furniture was antique and well loved, the kind of pieces that had stories to tell.

Before I could call out, a voice drifted in from the back.

“Well, now, you must be Aurora Bennett.”

I turned as a woman stepped out from a side room, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. She looked to be in her late fifties, with silver-streaked auburn hair pulled into a loose bun and kind brown eyes that studied me with quiet interest. She was dressed in a soft sweater and jeans, but there was something about theway she held herself that told me she was the kind of person who saw everything without making a fuss about it.

“How did you know that?” I said, setting my bag on the counter.

She smiled. “Small town. We don’t get many strangers.”

I resisted the urge to sigh.Of course they don’t.

“Plus, Owen Grady called ahead and said you might need a room.”

My eyes popped wide.He did?

“I’m Nancy Hayes. Welcome to Medford.” She extended a hand, and after a brief hesitation, I shook it. Her grip was warm, firm. “You must be tired after your trip. Your room’s all ready for you.”

I nodded, suddenly aware of how much I wanted a hot shower and a real bed. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Nancy studied me for a beat, like she was debating whether to say something else. Then she tilted her head toward the side room.

“You hungry?” she asked. “I just made some apple cobbler. Still warm.”

I blinked. That was… not what I had expected.

“I’m fine,” I said automatically.

She lifted an eyebrow, unimpressed. “That wasn’t the question.”

A small huff of laughter escaped me. I didn’t even like sweets that much, but the idea of sitting in a quiet inn with something warm and homemade was more appealing than I wanted to admit.

I hesitated—just for a second—before shrugging. “Sure. Why not?”

Nancy’s smile deepened, like she had known I’d say yes all along.

“Good,” she said, already turning toward the kitchen. “Come on, then. You can tell me what you think of Medford so far.”

I followed her, a little wary, a little intrigued.

Because so far? Medford was nothing like I had expected.

CHAPTER TWO

Ethan

Someone could have died today.

The thought pounded through my skull as I yanked off my work gloves and slammed them onto the counter. The force rattled the row of tools in front of me, but I didn’t care.

“Owen, you torqued the wheels on the F-150 yesterday, right?”

Across the garage, Owen looked up from where he was wiping grease off his hands. His brow furrowed. “Yeah. Why?”

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