Take Me Down (The Knight Brothers 2)

Which was fine with him. Anything about Emily, he intended to learn from the woman herself.

“We were just discussing the heat,” Parker said.

“Is the boiler out again? I woke up freezing.” She held up her hands, which were covered by fingerless gloves.

She was bundled in a pair of leggings, a long sweater, and a scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hair was once again pulled into a messy bun, and she had on no makeup, which didn’t detract from her beauty. She was naturally pretty, so unlike the women he met on a daily basis in Manhattan. He couldn’t help but be struck by her looks … and prickly personality that was obviously a cover for something that had happened in her life.

Color him curious.

“I have a call into Timmons Heating and AC. He’ll get back to me.”

She nodded. “Soon, I hope. I can’t move my fingers but I wanted to be able to make coffee and start my baking, so I didn’t put on my full gloves.”

Parker rose to his feet, headed for the cabinet where he’d seen James pull mugs from before, and proceeded to take one out and pour Emily a cup of coffee. “Milk and sugar?” he asked.

James was watching them carefully, something Emily must have realized because she put on a sweet but obviously fake smile. “Both, but I can get them myself. But thank you.”

She made herself her coffee, pouring enough milk in to lighten it to the point where he cringed. Ditto on the sugar.

“What?” she asked, obviously catching his wince.

“Want a little coffee with your milk and sugar?”

“So I like it sweet. Shoot me.”

He chuckled and took a sip of his own drink.

“Black?” she asked with a knowing grin.

He nodded. “One step short of mainlining my caffeine.” He drank what was left in his cup, placed it down on the counter, met her gaze, and winked.

She blushed, a sexy shade of pink staining her cheeks. “Dad. Are you too cold? Do you want to go stay with Aunt Rhonda?”

James, who had been watching them with an interested look on his face, glanced at Parker. “My sister,” he explained. “And no. I can handle the chill. I want to be here when Timmons arrives. I want a fix, not a whole new boiler, no matter what he tries to sell me. We can’t afford the replacement right now.”

Parker listened to the man’s words, his mind whirling. He wanted to help them. They were good, hardworking people who deserved a break. And if anyone understood grief and heartbreak, it was him. But he sensed he had two proud individuals on his hands and they wouldn’t accept a handout, no matter how easily he could afford to fix their boiler … and other things around the inn.

Especially Emily, who had distrusted him on sight.

He placed his mug down on the table and drew a deep breath. “Let’s see what the repairman says before you go making any decisions. Sometimes repairing is only prolonging the issue, putting money in that could be put to better use.”

“Says the rich man?” Emily asked, her tone one of utter disdain.

He shook his head. “Says the practicalities of the situation. It’s obvious to me that this place means a lot to your dad. I’m just thinking of the best way to get it up and running the way he wants.”

“I think we know what we can afford to do better than you.” She slammed her mug down. “Dad, I need to start baking,” she said, turning her back on him and taking items out of the pantry.

Parker followed her moves, his gaze on her ass, as was becoming his favorite pastime. But knowing her father was in the room, he jerked his head to the other man before he realized what Parker was up to. “Sorry to cause trouble.”

James shook his head. “She’s stubborn like her mom. She has it in her head that I’m too old to run this place by myself. I just need a plan, that’s all. And for things to stop breaking so I can get ahead of myself.”

“I can hear you,” she reminded them.

James chuckled, as did Parker.

“Are you still doing taxes?” he asked the man.

“I got out of the business when we opened the inn and it’s been five years. But I could start again. Take a few refresher courses online. It might help bringing in money here to fix things.” He tapped his fingers on the counter in thought.

Parker nodded, his mind suddenly inundated with ideas to help them … that would do nothing but piss off Miss Emily. He needed to think through what kind and how much help he really wanted to offer. But he knew he could help. If they were willing to accept.

His cell phone, which had been sitting on the counter, rang and Ethan’s name flashed on the screen. “Excuse me,” he said to James and answered the phone. “Hello.”