Page 15 of Hearts on the Line
“Me? I was nice to him. Promise.” She narrows her eyes.
I get ready to slip back into the kitchen when his gaze shifts from Ms. Connor and locks onto mine. My breath catches. His intense green-gray eyes are arresting, bright with curiosity. They narrow and his brow lifts just a bit. Then his lips curve up.
“You must be Maddie Carter.” He steps forward and extends his hand. His grip is firm but not overbearing, his touch soft, surprising me.
“And you’re Wes.” Heat rises to my cheeks. “A friend told me all about you.”
“All good things, I hope.”
“Mostly.”
Approval flashes across his face. “I like her already.” He looks over his shoulder at Ms. Connor. “Nathan always said his sister was a spitfire.”
The mention of my brother catches me off guard. “You knew him?”
His expression shifts, the charm giving way to sincerity. “Yeah, we worked together while he was exploring The Great Blue Hole in Belize. Had some beers—played pool. Got into all kinds of trouble. Brilliant man. He was one of the good ones.” His voice softens. “I’m sorry about what happened.” His eyes gleam with a hint of moisture.
He pauses, then continues. “He talked about you sometimes—how you put yourself through school.” His expression turns serious. “He shared all sorts of embarrassing photos.” I cringe.
“I heard about what happened to your mom and how you stepped up to care for her, putting your own life on hold. You’re the person who does anything for the people you love.” Leaning in a little closer, he lowers his voice. “That’s a trait I admire, Maddie. Deeply.”
He stares at me in silence.
My throat tightens. “That sounds like him. He loved me too much to be objective.”
We chat a few more minutes before his focus drifts. Then his expression darkens. “Are you in touch with his girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?” I frown. “No, I didn’t know he was seeing anyone. Who is she?”
He shrugs. “Nathan mentioned her to me a few times. It seemed he was in deep the last time we talked in Belize. He never talked about his personal life, ever. But he told me he had someone in his life. Someone permanent. Sorry, I don’t know much else.”
Before I press further, Hannah appears in the doorway, her flame-colored hair catching the light. She’s wearing a sexy blacksilk dress. I glance down at my simple blue cotton one and wince.
She gasps and clutches at her neck. “Wes Harrington.” Wes looks her way, his gaze starting with her face and working down.
“Guilty as charged. And who are you, sugar?” he asks smoothly.
“Hannah Rodriguez.” She bites down on her bottom lip. This makes him catch his breath. He opens his mouth, then closes it. He shakes her hand.
“I’m a lucky guy, meeting two beautiful women in one night. I think I picked the right inn.” He turns to Hannah. “Are the rumors true that this is the best bed-and-breakfast in Maverick Key?”
“Rated the best B&B on this coast. Ten years in a row.” Hannah launches into her sales pitch. “Ms. Connor’s dinners are legendary, and you won’t find better amenities on the island. She’s a beast.”
“Is privacy a problem?”
“Well… you’d better be on your best behavior. She’ll set you straight if there are any crazy shenanigans in this place.”
“I wouldn’t dream of stepping out of line,” Wes says lightly and turns to me. “And what about you? Are you going to keep me in line, too?”
I laugh nervously, heat creeping to my neck. “I think Ms. Connor’s got that covered.”
“Hmm… maybe.”
Ms. Connor claps her hands from the kitchen. “All right, that’s enough of you for now. Go clean up before dinner. Your room is ready. It’s the second one on the right.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As Wes heads upstairs, he calls, “Raincheck on that next story. I’ll see both of you lovely ladies at dinner.”
