Page 6 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
“Yup. Growing like a weed.” The man chuckled, and what a great laugh it was. “She’s six going on eighteen.”
Bill turned around and smiled at her. “Ms. Ross, your ride is here.” He made a sweeping gesture toward the man. “Kaiah Ross, meet Reid Turner.”
Kaiah crossed to the counter and found herself face-to-face with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome once again.
Maybe this day wasn’t so bad after all.
Chapter 2
“Kaiah,” the handsome stranger said as he held out his hand. “I didn’tthinkyour name was Cayenne.”
She shook his hand. “I may be a little spicy, but no, I’m just Kaiah,” she joked, and he laughed again. “So you’re Reid?”
“Reid Turner, at your service.”
“Actually,” Bill began, “Reid’s real job is at Coral Cove’s Fire Station Number 1. He’s one of the lieutenants.”
Impressive. That explained why his biceps were straining the sleeves of that blue T-shirt. Now she pictured Reid in his uniform, those biceps picking her up and cradling her against his brawny chest, and she was almost certain someone had turned up the thermostat in the shop.
Stop it, Kaiah!
Reid pointed to her laptop bag at her feet. “Can I carry that for you?”
Kaiah shook away the thought and painted on a smile. “Thanks, that’s so nice.”
After retrieving her suitcase from Daisy, Kaiah and Reid headed to his black Chevy Suburban, where he loaded her luggage into the back. Bill stepped out of the shop.
“Ms. Ross, I’ll be in touch after I check in with a few parts dealers.” He shook Reid’s hand. “Good to see you.”
“You too, Bill.” Reid opened the rear passenger side door and held out his hand to Kaiah. “Climb on in.”
She took his hand and stepped up on the running board before settling into her seat. Her phone dinged with a text, and she pulled it from her pocket.
Kam: Update on Daisy?
Kaiah: Car’s dead. I’m stuck in Nowheresville.
Kam: What???
Kaiah: I’ll call you when I get settled. And by the way... my Uber driver is Mr. TDH.
Kam: Get out! You HAVE to sneak a photo for me.
Kaiah snickered to herself while Reid buckled into the driver’s seat.
His dark eyes focused on her in the rearview mirror. “You still headed to the Sunshine Inn?”
“I’m actually not sure. Bill recommended to stay there while I was in town, and I guess he plugged that into the address. I don’t even know if they have room for me.”
He swiped a hand over his five o’clock shadow, thinking. “I know the owners. Want me to call them for you?”
“Yes, please.” She held out the piece of paper with the phone numbers on it. “Bill gave me their number.”
“I got it.” He pulled out his phone, and when he touched the screen, she spotted a photo of an adorable little girl with dark brown hair and a cheesy grin serving as his screensaver. Could she be his little girl? Or maybe his niece? Maybe he was married. And if he was, Kaiah imagined that his lucky wife cherished both him and that cute little girl.
Reid dialed and held the phone to his ear. “Hey, Cade,” he said. “It’s Reid Turner. How’s it going? Is there any chance you’ve got a room for the weekend? I have a passenger who needs a place to stay until at least Monday.” His handsome face clouded with disappointment while he listened, and Kaiah slumped back on the seat. “I understand. Thanks so much. Tell Everleigh I said hi. Bye.”
Reid angled his body toward her. “They’re full at the Sunshine Inn. Hosting a wedding. There’s also the Rosewood Inn. I’ll try them.”
