Fated Hearts (Southern Bride 8)

I nodded and forced myself to give Patty a smile. Michael Montclair had lived in New York City for a number of years while he went to culinary school, and then worked in a few of the nice restaurants in Boerne. He’d always dreamed of opening his own restaurant and had finally launched the grill near the inn just six months ago.

“I’m sure they have a lot in common since they both lived in New York,” Patty said as she smiled and took my arm. “I’ll walk with you next door.”

A part of me wanted to turn and leave. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to see Annalise right now. But at the same time, I didn’t want her to think I was avoiding her. Then again, if she liked Michael in the least bit, maybe I was doing us both a favor.

I growled internally. Michael wasn’t nearly good enough for her.

Patty cleared her throat while she waited for me to start walking.

“Sounds like a plan.”

We headed out to the front porch and turned right toward River City Grill, which was located on the far west end of the hotel. The moment we stepped inside, I saw Annalise, and my breath was yanked right out of my chest. Could it be possible she was even more beautiful than the last time I’d seen her only hours before? She sat at the bar with Michael standing beside her—a little too close if you asked me.

Annalise laughed and Michael winked at her. I wasn’t positive, but I thought I heard a growl come from the back of my own throat.

“Seems Michael and Annalise are getting along.” Patty looked at me and then back to them.

“So it does,” I stated dryly, making my way over to them. As I got closer, I could hear Michael talking.

“You’ve got to let me take you. I have a feeling you’ll love it there.”

Annalise gave him a polite smile. “That’s sweet of you, but I don’t think I’ll have any free time to start. I’ll be pretty busy with the hotel and all.”

Michael leaned in closer and went to say something but stopped when I stepped up.

“I see you’re already making friends, princess.”

Annalise jumped while Michael took a step back.

Her face went from confused that I was there, to pissed I had called her princess, to relief that she had an escape from Michael. “Roger, I…I…wasn’t expecting to see you.”

“Tonight or ever?” I asked with a wicked smile.

Before Annalise could respond, Michael faced me and extended his hand. “Roger, I haven’t seen you in some time.”

I shook his hand. “It’s been a while, Michael. How’s the restaurant business treating you?”

He looked around at the crowded establishment and smiled. “As you can see, pretty damn good. I’m excited to have a place right inside my folks’ hotel.”

I nodded as I gave the bar and restaurant a quick once-over. “You’ve done a lot. I like it. Looks good.”

Michael rocked on his expensive dress shoes and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Thanks, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.”

Annalise cleared her throat, drawing our attention back to her.

Motioning between us, she said, “You know each other, I see.”

Michael grinned. “Ever since what, middle school?”

I gave a half-shrug. “Something like that.”

“Wait, how do you two know each other?” Michael asked.

Oh, this was going to be fun. I gave a saucy grin and started my tale. “We met in Chicago. Both of our flights were delayed because of the snowstorm up there, and funnily enough, we were both—”

Annalise slid off the barstool. “It’s been a long day. I think I’ll turn in. Thank you for the recommendations, Michael.” Turning to face me, she said, “Good seeing you again, Roger.”

I touched her arm. “If you’ve got a few minutes, I was hoping we could talk.”

I wasn’t sure what expression just crossed her face—it was gone as soon as it appeared.

“Um, sure.” Annalise looked at Michael. “Have a good evening, Michael.”

He gave her a resigned smile as he glanced between us. “Thank you, you as well.”

I stepped to the side to allow Annalise by, then followed her out of the restaurant, across the front porch, into the lobby, and out into the back courtyard. It had been years since I’d stepped foot inside The Montclair. Never really had a reason to be here unless there was a meeting I was attending, or someone I knew from out of town was staying here and we planned on meeting at the bar in the restaurant.

Annalise walked through the garden and up the small porch of the church that sat on the back of the property.

“Are we going to confession or something?” I asked as I followed her.

Glancing back over her shoulder, she smirked. “Ha-ha, this is my room.”

The structure was one of the many stand-alone buildings that the hotel had, and it sat at the back of the courtyard. Other outbuildings—mostly old log cabins and a schoolhouse—surrounded the church, making it feel like the centerpiece on the back half of the hotel property. The courtyard separated the historical main structure from the free-standing ones.