Page 29 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

“A whirlwind romance, then.” Jill beamed, accepting the answer without question. “I could not be more excited for you two!”

Hunter smiled; it was bright and comforting. She remembered that smile. “Thank you, Jill.” He stepped back to Daisy, wrapping his arm around her shoulder again. A gesture she would probably never get used to as warmth spread beneath his palm. “Daisy and I are planning to renovate the old house as soon as we can. But, in the meantime, she’ll need a place to live. Any chance the upstairs apartment is still available?”

Before Jill had a chance to respond, the door opened behind them, a gust of fall air breezing through, and in stepped another woman. She looked to be in her fifties, with silver-blonde, shoulder-length hair. She wore a pair of surprisingly trendy straight-legged jeans, a navy striped sweater tucked in around her trim waist, her sage green jacket hanging open. She was the picture of sophisticated aging.

The woman’s eyes touched on Hunter’s arm around Daisy’s shoulder, and she felt it drop away.

“Oh, Tara, hi,” Jill said brightly. She gave Hunter’s shoulder another squeeze and hurried back around the counter. “What can I get for you?”

The woman shot Hunter a strained smile, strolled past him to the counter, and set her purse down, fishing for her wallet. “Chai latte, please.”

Jill rang up the order and quickly went to work. She glanced at Hunter over the counter while heating milk. “Daisy is more than welcome to stay in the apartment.” She turned her gaze to Daisy. “I can take you up there in a few minutes.”

“What’s this?” Tara asked, turning toward them.

“Oh, sorry,” Jill said, now combining the steamed milk with tea concentrate. “This is Daisy, Hunter’s fiancée.”

Tara blinked in surprise but recovered quickly, a gentle smile spreading across her face, not quite reaching the corners of her eyes. “That’s wonderful, Hunter. Congratulations.”

Hunter stiffened visibly. “Thank you, Mrs. Chamberlain.”

Daisy got the feeling she was missing a crucial piece of information. What was going on here? Who was this lady? And why did she draw such a reaction from him?

Tara gave them another polite smile before retrieving her drink from the counter. “It was really nice seeing you, Hunter. You two take care.” The bell rang on the door again as she stepped back onto the street.

“Okaay then…” Jill blew out a long breath. She gave Hunter a sad smile and then turned back to Daisy. “How would you like to see the apartment?”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

“Great, let me grab the keys. I’ll be right back.” Jill ducked into the back, and Daisy rounded on Hunter.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly.

The moment her fingers touched him, Hunter stiffened. “I’m fine,” he said, pulling away, his face set into perfect indifference.

Right. Fake engagement. Fake tolerance for her existence. Got it.

Jill popped back to the front, jingling keys. “Follow me!” she said and strode toward the back of the shop.

The apartment was cozy. A perfect little studio that overlooked Main Street and the lake behind that. The blue of the water met the sky and Daisy didn’t know which was which. If she had endless time and resources, she would have found a way to feature every nook and cranny of this little town in her show. As it was, she’d have to settle for the priceless heirloom Victorian.

“Thank you again, Jill. I’ll try my best to stay out of your hair,” she said, standing in the middle of the carpeted room. A small bed, already made up with a lacy white quilt and mismatching pillows, sat to her right, a desk and chair to her left, and that was it. “What can I pay you for rent?”

Jill scoffed. “I’ll tell you what, business is slow this time of year. You keep buying coffee every morning, and we’ll call it good.” She gave Daisy a wink.

“I couldn’t do that!” Daisy protested.

Jill waved her off. “It’s really no problem. It was just sitting empty.” She fished the keys off her key ring and cupped Daisy’s hand as she pressed the key into her palm. “I have to get back, but there’s an exterior exit just over there. It leads to the alley out back.” She pointed toward the door in the far corner as she retreated in the opposite direction. “I’ll leave Hunter to help you get settled in.”

And then she was gone.

Hunter stood beside the small kitchenette, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, his jaw working through waves of tension. That woman had really gotten to him.

Daisy wanted to reach out, the way she might have when they used to know each other, but that look in his eyes told her to keep her distance. She was an unwelcome guest inside his world right now. She stepped back, turning to look around.

“This place was a great idea, Hunter. Good thinking.” She sat down on the desk chair and spun toward him. “What should?—”

“I take it you can get yourself settled?” His voice had turned hoarse.

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