Luck of the Draw Read Free Page A

finished organizing. No, it hadn’t really needed it, but it felt good to do something. She had to keep herself busy. What good was a bed and breakfast if it wasn’t always in the best condition just in case a guest came by? Not that she’d had many of them. Which made her a little nauseous, but things like this took time, right? Destiny Knocks was her dream and it wouldn’t magically be successful overnight.
    She hoped it would only take another night or two, though. Actually, she didn’t have many more nights to wait. Money didn’t grow on trees.
    She turned just as her phone rang and she reached for it. Her heart leapt; this could be a possible guest.
    Unfortunately, caller ID showed the number for her friend Jace’s office, where he’d been working as a lawyer ever since he moved back to Shamrock Falls. She thought about skipping the call, but it was probably his assistant, Betsy. She didn’t want to miss a call from one of her girlfriends.
    “Hello.”
    “Hey, Row. It’s Jace. Oh…hold on a second.” There was a rustling on the other end of the phone, as though he covered it. “Thanks, Betsy, these look incredible. You’re a lifesaver. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
    Rowan cringed at his words. Betsy was probably the sweetest, shiest woman she’d ever met, and Jace? Well, he liked women and he liked them a lot. Unfortunately, it was pretty obvious Betsy nursed a crush on him and while words like that meant nothing to him, Rowan had a feeling they meant a whole lot of something to Betsy. Her friend would never admit it, because she just wasn’t that kind of person, but that didn’t mean Rowan didn’t worry about her.
    “Hey, sorry about that. I have a favor to ask you.” Jace’s voice was smooth as honey. No wonder women had a hard time saying no to him.
    “You’re not messing around with her, Jace, are you?” she interjected.
    Jace groaned. “Why the hell do people keep asking me that? We work together. That’s all.”
    Rowan guessed he was right. She hadn’t seen Jace show her any real interest, but she needed to ask. “Just making sure. So, about that favor?” Jace didn’t come to people for help very often, so she was curious what this was all about.
    “Right. I have an old buddy from college who’s looking to get away for a while. I mentioned you have the B and B and he wants to stay. It’s not going to be a short visit. Probably about six weeks, which is why I wanted to ask, but—”
    “Absolutely!” She cut him off. “However long he needs. I have the space and to be honest with you, I could really use the money.”
    That hurt to admit, but she knew Jace would understand. He’d never hurt for money himself, but despite his womanizing ways, he did have a big heart.
    She didn’t know why, but this made Wilder and his big blue eyes pop into her head. That easily, her cheeks warmed. But then she remembered the connection must have been the “womanizing” thread in her mind and she shut the door on all thoughts of him.
    “Are you there, Row?” Jace’s voice snapped her out of it.
    “Yeah, did you say something?”
    “I asked if you’re okay. Do you need anything?”
    Funny. Even though she was close with Jace now, she never would have thought she’d be good friends with him. He’d been a couple years ahead of her in school and he’d moved away for college as soon as he graduated. He was close with her best friends Kade and Sidney and by default, became friends with her, too.
    It seemed like everyone was coming back home. Sidney and Kade had both left after high school—Sidney to be a star in Hollywood and Kade to Seattle, but now they were home for good and head over heels for each other. A little pang of jealousy hit Rowan, which immediately made her feel guilty. She loved having her friends back in Shamrock Falls again.
    “Yeah…yeah, I’m okay. I don’t need anything.” Geez. What was wrong with her? She suddenly felt all weepy.
    “Okay. I have a