Page 49 of Hibiscus Heights

With a sigh, Deb gathered her notes and swatches. “I’ll be back in twenty minutes, so please take a break. We have another room to sort out, too.”

As she made her way through the hotel’s grand corridors, Deb admired the work Knox’s crews had already completed. The restored crown moldings gleamed against freshly painted walls, and new carpet runners over the refinished hardwood floors muffled her footsteps.

When she reached the lobby, Whitley stood behind the reception desk, his bright banana-yellow jacket standing out like a beacon. He smiled when he saw her, then nodded discreetly toward two familiar figures seated in the lobby’s seating area.

Mason and Teddy.

Her heart leapt at the sight of the boys. They spotted her and jumped to their feet, breaking into broad grins.

“What are you two doing here?” Deb glanced around. “And where’s your father?”

The boys exchanged a quick look that aroused her suspicion.

“He’s taking a nap,” Mason said. “We were bored in the hotel room.”

“So, you just wandered off?” Deb raised an eyebrow.

Teddy nodded eagerly. “We left a note. And we know the hotel pretty well now.”

Whitley joined the conversation. “I’ve been assisting our young guests. They asked if I could help them find you.”

“We wanted to ask you something,” Teddy blurted out. “Will you have dinner with us tonight? Dad said we’re eating at the cafe, so we thought it would be fun if you came, too.”

“Since you’re already here,” Mason added.

A flutter of unease filled Deb. “Does your father know about this plan?”

The brothers exchanged an uncomfortable look.

Mason’s face flushed. “I don’t think he’ll mind. Aunt Jen said he used to like you a lot.”

“He still does,” Teddy added. “Can you bring Duke to the beach? We saw some people with dogs there.”

Deb narrowed her eyes, growing increasingly suspicious of their motives. As the boys launched into an animated discussion about what games they could play with Duke on the beach, Whitley leaned closer to her, and she stepped aside.

“If I may add some context,” he whispered, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I believe they’re undertaking some innocent matchmaking efforts.”

Heat rose in Deb’s cheeks. “They have no idea about the history between their father and me.” Whitney had been there when Grant stood her up years ago.

“That makes their instincts all the more remarkable, doesn’t it?”

Before Deb could respond, Teddy tugged at her sleeve. “Will you come? We could have ice cream for dessert.”

Her heart twisted at his hopeful expression. These boys seemed to want maternal warmth in their lives, and they’d latched onto her. It was touching yet concerning.

“That’s very sweet of you to invite me, but I?—”

“There you are.” A woman’s voice interrupted.

Deb turned to see an attractive woman about her age. There was something in her features that reminded her of Grant.

Mason ducked his head. “Aunt Jen. I didn’t know you were here.”

“Obviously,” Jen said, her gaze assessing Deb with undisguised curiosity. “I’ve seen you around the hotel. At the spa, I think. You’re the designer with the dog, right?”

Mason beamed. “We told her about you.”

“I’m Jen, their aunt. I was supposed to be watching these two while my brother napped, but they slipped away while I was on the phone.”

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