Rose Harbor in Bloom Read Free Page B

mixing bowl and the other ingredients I’d need for the muffins.
    I had the cookbook open in front of me and brought out the necessary ingredients when I heard a noise outside. I paused, but I didn’t investigate right away. I had a sneaky suspicion it was Mark.
    When I peeked out the foyer window, I saw that I was right. Mark stood looking down on the grass he’d dug up in order to plant the rose garden. My guess was he felt as bad about our disagreement as I did and wanted to set matters straight. Most likely he’d just begin working again and pretend yesterday had never happened.
    I wouldn’t ask for an apology, although I felt he owed me one. For that matter, I probably owed him one, too. My shoulders relaxed, and I hesitated. I didn’t realize how tense our disagreement had made me, nor did I want to admit how glad I was to see him.
    I decided to play it cool. I’d wait a few minutes, pour him a cup of coffee, and tell him I intended on baking muffins and see how he reacted. I watched the clock, and after five very slow minutes I brought down a coffee mug, filled it, and carried it outside. I hesitated on the top step.
    Mark was nowhere in sight.
    I couldn’t imagine where he’d gone but then noticed the door to the large tool shed was cracked open. I walked down the steps to the shed, opened the door, and turned on the light. Mark wasn’t there. In that short amount of time, just minutes, Mark had come and gone, taking with him the few items he’d stored at my place.
    It looked like he was serious about breaking the contract. He’d had all night to think matters over. If he felt the same in the light of a new day, that told me he didn’t have any regrets. Well, so much for that.
    I heard the phone ring in the distance and hurried back into thehouse. I dumped the coffee on the lawn, rather than risk spilling it in my rush to get to the phone.
    “Rose Harbor Inn,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound as breathless as I felt.
    “Good morning,” a cheerful male voice greeted me.
    “Morning,” I replied.
    “I’m calling to see if you have any more rooms available starting tomorrow and through the weekend.”
    I didn’t need to check my reservation book to know that I did. “I only have one room left.”
    “Great; book it. I’ll be driving Kent and Julie Shivers from Portland. My name is Sutton, Oliver Sutton, and I’m a longtime family friend. I’ll be in town for their anniversary party.”
    “Yes, yes, I have their reservation right here,” I said, glancing down at the book. The family would be gathering in Cedar Cove. I had to wonder why they would choose to come all the way from Oregon to our sleepy town, but I figured I’d find out soon enough.
    “Would it be possible to give the Shivers a room on the bottom floor?” he asked. “I’m assuming there are stairs from the photo of the inn I viewed online?”
    “Actually, the inn has guest rooms on three floors, but fortunately I do have a room on the main level.” It was my favorite one, larger than the other rooms, with a love seat and fireplace. It had a beautiful view of the cove, and when the weather was clear the Olympic Mountains shone as a backdrop. Some days they were so breathtakingly beautiful it was all I could do not to simply stare at them.
    “Is it available?” Oliver asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Wonderful. I’m afraid stairs are a bit much for Kent these days, although he’d never admit it.”
    “I can switch rooms without a problem, but there’s a slight price difference.” It was only fair that I tell him that.
    “No problem. Just add that to my bill, if you would.”
    “Okay. Do you have a preference when it comes to your room?” I asked.
    He hesitated. “Annie Newton has also booked a room at the inn, is that right?”
    “Yes, as a matter of fact, she has.” I’d met Annie a couple of times, although only briefly. She was the Shivers’s granddaughter and the reason I knew that the Shivers were celebrating their