“Do you really think you’ll sell it?”
He still wasn’t sure. And he still wasn’t sure how he felt about it. Being able to logically understand Josh’s point of view didn’t squash the emotional attachment he felt to the old place. “I don’t know. Maybe just having a choice will be enough for him. Maybe, if he can stick it out until the ATV crowd discovers us, we can hire a manager. We wouldn’t want Rosie there alone. Or we might sell it.”
“None of you want to run it?”
“I’ve got my hands full with my own company. So does Ryan. Sean never liked living in an inn with strangers coming and going, plus Emma—his wife—owns a landscaping design business that’s pretty successful.”
“What about your sister? Couldn’t her boyfriend do his art here?”
“I’m not sure if Liz will ever come home to stay. I doubt it. Maybe if she ever smartens up and dumps the deadbeat loser, but he won’t move back here.”
Paige poked him with her elbow. “Gee, I wonder why.”
“We’re her brothers. It’s our job to not like deadbeat losers who work her into the ground so he can afford to sit on his ass all day, staring at three pieces of scrap metal, and call it ‘contemplating his art.’”
“She’s been with him a long time. She must like him.”
“I guess she loves him. But we don’t.”
“So…not much chance of them running the Northern Star, then.”
“Her? Hell yes. Them? I’d burn it down first.”
“We should talk about something more cheerful.”
“If you had a television, we could watch cartoons.”
“You’re a funny guy.”
Mitch slid his hands down her stomach, then moved them just a little lower. “How about we go in the bedroom and come up with fun stuff to do.”
They had no trouble doing that. Paige was an incredibly fun lover and he didn’t think he’d ever get tired of feeling her touch or watching her face or hearing her laugh.
Tonight she was in a particularly tender mood, so he took his time, savoring every inch of her body before making slow love to her. He loved the way she said his name, her body arching under his as she begged him for more.
Afterward, he held her in the position the size of the bed forced on them, but that he didn’t mind. Lying mostly on his back, with Paige on her side. Her head rested on his shoulder and he ran his hand lazily up and down her back.
He was comfortable and tired after the night before with Drew and he liked the feel of Paige pressed up against him. “Hey.”
“Mmm?” She was already half-asleep.
“I’m pretty beat. Do you mind if I stay tonight?”
She burrowed a little closer to him. “Stay.”
To hell with the rules. Just this once wouldn’t change anything. It was late and he’d battled a hangover all morning, that was all. The fact Paige’s body molded so perfectly to his had nothing to do with it.
Chapter Seventeen
Katie had only been three or four when Rose had given up on the idea of dressing her daughter in pink bows and fancy shoes. Jeans, T-shirts and ball caps. She’d played baseball with the boys in the park and the only thing she’d ever used her Easy-Bake oven for was a failed attempt to melt down some silverware she nicked from the kitchen so she could make BBs for her slingshot. Katie was born a tomboy and she’d never outgrown it.
She’d even taken over the barbershop that had been Earle’s pride and joy, working hard to maintain the high standards her father had set. That’s why, when Rose looked out the window and saw her daughter’s ancient Jeep coming up the drive in the middle of a Wednesday, fear gripped her. Something had to be wrong.
Rose made it to the front porch just as her daughter climbed out of the Wrangler. “Hi, honey.”
“Hi, Mom. Thought I’d stop by and visit for a few minutes.”
“Just like that?” Something was wrong. She could sense it, despite Katie’s carefree tone.
“Just like that.”
“What about the shop?”
Katie shrugged. “I put the Closed sign up with a note I’d be back in an hour or two. It’s a slow time and if I miss somebody, he’ll get over it or drive at least fifteen minutes in some other direction to get his hair cut.”
Rose led the way into the kitchen, which was where she did most of her visiting. Once she was there, she’d intended to offer Katie some lunch, but she couldn’t stand not knowing what had prompted the impromptu visit.
“Tell me why you’re here, honey.”
Katie twisted her key ring around her finger and didn’t quite look her in the eye. “Why do you hate Andy Miller so much?”
Rose’s body stiffened and her mind whirled, trying to remember the words she’d used in the past to pacify her daughter’s curiosity. “I don’t hate him. We’re just not friends, that’s all.”
“Why?”