“About a month.” Audra bit into the wheat toast. The bread tasted homemade. “Delicious.”
Doreen flushed with pleasure.
“A month?” Ramona’s eyebrows rose. “That’s some vacation.”
“Ramona, are you prying into someone else’s personal life?” Another tall, dark, and handsome stranger materialized.
Ramona gasped. “Hardly. That’s Darius’s job.”
The new arrival walked to the counter and leaned forward. Megan met him halfway. They exchanged a quick kiss over the salt-and-pepper shakers, sugar packets, and napkin holders.
He then stepped behind the counter to kiss Doreen’s cheek. “Hi, Mom.”
Doreen cupped his jaw. “Would you like some breakfast?”
He shook his head. “Just coffee, please. I’ve already eaten.”
Was she watching a Saturday-morning tradition? The camaraderie among these friends was so natural. They were more like an extended family. In contrast, the people in Los Angeles she considered friends were more like well-acquainted strangers. Was this what small-town living was like? If so, she envied them.
Megan took Ean’s hand as he started past her and nodded toward Audra. “Ean Fever, this is Penny Lane.”
Ean shook her hand. “Welcome to Trinity Falls. I’m glad Jack’s finally renting out his cabins.”
Audra frowned. “Jack? Do you mean the desk clerk?”
Doreen laughed. “And handyman, janitor, and whatever else. Jack owns Harmony Cabins.”
Audra’s jaw dropped. “I thought he was an employee.”
Quincy shook his head. “We shouldn’t be surprised that Jack didn’t introduce himself.”
“He probably didn’t see a reason to.” Megan poured herself a mug of coffee.
“That’s no excuse.” Ramona turned to Audra. “He didn’t tell you who he is?”
Audra frowned. “He just said his name was Jack.”
Quincy put his hand on Ramona’s shoulder. “Ramona, Jack probably didn’t want to make a big deal about it.”
Ean sat on the other side of Quincy. “It’s not like Jack to call attention to himself.”
“In what way?” Audra’s curiosity had ballooned.
“You have to tell her now.” Darius shook his head. “You’ve made it worse by bringing it up.”
Ramona grinned like the cat that swallowed the canary. “Jack is Jackson Elijah Sansbury.” She paused, drawing out the suspense. “He’s the great-great-grandson and sole descendent of Trinity Falls’ founding family.”
Audra nearly choked on her coffee. The man she’d thought of as the rental cabins’ front-desk clerk was actually a member of the town’s founding family?
“Wow.”
CHAPTER 3
Who was knocking on his private cabin’s front door? Jack pushed himself from his armchair. He tossed the book he’d been reading onto the coffee table and padded barefoot across his great room.
He eased his frustration by yanking open his front door. Then he froze. His cabin guest stood on his porch. She wore the same green top and orange capris from this morning. He missed the trash bag.
Her presence on his property was putting him through a range of emotions he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in almost two years. Amusement when she’d strutted to his registration counter, wearing nothing but a garbage bag; surprise at finding her standing on his porch; and, judging by the stirring in his shorts, desire at the sight of her.