Page 2 of Return to Lovett Cove
Jasmine’s mine returned to R. Scott’s last email. The condescending tone boiled her blood. “Can you believe he called his town charming?”
“It could be.”
“He insinuated I’d like it. Who does he think he is? He doesn’t know me. Mom was a city girl. Charming was an adjective she used to describe the ambiance in her favorite restaurant.”
“Jasmine,ifLovett Cove is charming, no need to hurry back. I have things under control.”
Jasmine heard the blare of a car horn in the background. “Where are you?”
“Out to lunch. Talk to you soon!”
Before Jasmine could chastise her for even suggesting she stay a day longer in Lovett Cove, Kennedy disconnected the line. Jasmine appreciated her assistant’s concern, but now was not the time to slow down. Sure, Jasmine’s small ulcer would grow with any more stress, but she was days away from the VP announcement. Once she secured the VP promotion, then a staff would be assigned to her and she could slow down.
Her GPS spoke. She was one minute away. “Looking forward to meeting you soon. Yeah, right,” Jasmine mumbled.
Jasmine turned onto a gravelly road. She spotted a couple of steeples in the distance. The inn sat on the outskirts of town, apparently in acharmingsection of forest that would provide visitors lush scenery as well as privacy. A perfect vacation oasis. Or so her mother had described.
Jasmine spotted a black truck in front of the home. According to her GPS, this was her mother’s inn. Was someone living in it?
“Now I have to deal with squatters.” Jasmine shoved her door open and marched up the porch steps. She ignored the broken porch swing to her left and the busted downspout on her right and stomped right past the open front door and into the foyer. “Hello? Whoever you are, you’re trespassing. I’m calling the cops.”
Heavy footsteps landed on the wooden floor. A shirtless man rounded the corner. Sweat glistened across his abs and matted the sandy-colored hair that fanned across his sculpted chest. Dusty light-wash jeans sat low on his hips, where he rested his hands. “Who are you?” he asked gruffly.
“I’m the one evicting you.”
The bronze god smirked.
CHAPTERTWO
River Scott took in his evictor’s rigged jaw and stiff, full lips, her narrowed eyes full of irritation and scorn for a person she’d never met before. Her dark pantsuit gave off a masculine, executive energy, but it couldn’t hide the curve of her hips. He appreciated the ruby-red heels she wore, even if they were totally inappropriate for a home on the brink of condemnation and in serious need of repair.
He watched her struggle to keep her gaze lifted. Her early once-over had brought a softening of her gaze and a slight parting of her lips, but she had recovered quickly behind an armor he figured was purposefully impenetrable.
He had asked who she was, knowing exactly who she was.
Jasmine Grove.
She looked the spitting image of her mother, Lily, only years younger. The woman was too busy to travel to Lovett Cove to see her inheritance. Lily had anticipated as much, and hired him to draw up legal papers making it almost impossible for Jasmine to get out of signing via email. She probably could’ve fought him if she had taken the time to find an attorney?—
But that was her point. She didn’t have the time.
And yet, here she was. The oh-so-busy marketing executive of Philadelphia’s largest marketing firm. Lily had told him all about her. How much work she did and how little time she made for herself.
I’m trying to get her out here, Riv. I feel it in my bones. If she just took a chance to slow down and enjoy life, she could be happy. I want that for her when I’m gone.
It was eerie remembering Lily’s impassioned declaration in his office because a week later, Lily was gone. As a former partner at a law firm, River dealt in facts and not the fantastical. He didn’t believe in coincidences or serendipitous encounters.
Not fate.
And certainly not destiny.
But for someone who appeared young and ready to spend decades in retirement running an inn in Lovett Cove, Lily prepared her will and last wishes. Did she know she’d die?
But looking at this nettled woman before him and recalling their tense email exchanges (which he couldn’t help. Riling her up was so much fun!), he doubted Jasmine was looking to slow down—or if she even could. He had been lucky to find Lovett Cove and escape the rat race that had cost him his marriage.
And Lily wanted that for her daughter, Jasmine.
We have to convince her, Riv. Jassy is stubborn, like me. She won’t break down easily.
