The Inn at Dead Man's Point Read Free

an hour later. He wasn’t working, as usual, but with him it was by choice. His parents supported him between jobs, which was most of the time. They were the ones who paid the child support, because Brian spent his money on other things, like clothes and cars and women.
    “Did your girlfriend take you back, Brian?”
    “I don’t want her back. Why can’t I move in with you?”
    Because she didn’t want him. If not for Katie, she wouldn’t have anything to do with him. “You want to live here? Fine. You can move in tomorrow. I have to move out to the inn for a few weeks.”
    “No.”
    “Yes. Aunt Mattie broke her arm, and I have to take care of her.”
    “Hire someone.”
    She itched to wrap her hands around his neck and shake some sense into that empty head. “With what , Brian? I know money has never been an issue for you, but for me, it’s work or do without.” She shoved a box into his hands. “You can help me pack.”
    “Come on, Jenna. Be reasonable.”
    “Either help or get out of my way.”
    He grumbled, but he helped her pack.
    <>
     
    Jenna picked Katie up from pre-school and took a load of boxes out to the inn. Brian followed with more boxes in his SUV.
    There were four men on the roof of the inn, prying off the old shingles and tossing them over the side. She opened the car door and stepped out.
    Brian walked over and asked, “Who’s paying for this?”
    “Not me. The boxes go upstairs, if we can get to the door.”
    A man stepped onto a ladder and backed down to the porch roof. He had a great looking ass, wide shoulders, and strong arms. He stepped off the ladder and turned to face her. “Jenna, I didn’t expect you today.”
    Brian gaped. “Al Donatelli?”
    “I hope you’re not planning to move in, Brian.”
    “He’s not,” Jenna said.
    Brian stared at Al. “What in the hell are you doing up there?”
    “Replacing the roof. Watch your step and keep Katie inside.” He unhooked a water jug from his belt and took a drink. His long legs were covered with faded denim and knee pads, and he wore a tool belt slung low around his waist. Strong muscles rippled under his T-shirt. The more Jenna saw of this guy, the better he looked. But if he remembered the awful way she and her friends had treated him in high school, he wouldn’t have anything to do with her now.
    Jenna carried Katie through the debris and into the house.
    Brian followed with a big box. He wrinkled his nose. “This place is a dump.”
    Yes, it was. She should have moved back when Katie was a baby. If she had, she could have gotten the inn running again, paid the taxes, and taken care of these repairs herself. Now it was too late.
    Alessandro Donatelli owned her inn.
     
     

 
    Chapter Two
    A s Jenna and Brian picked their way through the old pieces of roofing to carry in boxes, Al called down to them. “The two clean rooms upstairs are mine.” He’d slept here last night, but he didn’t have his office moved yet because the men in his family showed up to help him tear off the old roof. Since he couldn’t turn down free labor, he changed his plans. It was just as well that they get the work done before Mattie came home from the hospital. The noise would probably drive her crazy.
    “What in the hell,” said Brian. “Since when are you living here?”
    “Since last night.” Al ripped shingles off the porch roof and tossed them over the side. Why in the hell did she have to bring that creep out here? Bad enough to have her here, accusing him of stealing the inn.
    Blade came down to help Al rip off the old porch roof. “What a great spot, Al.”
    “I got a good deal on it. The old lady who owned it needed money, and I needed a quiet place to work. Another week with Vincent and DeeDee the Ditz and I would’ve moved onto the boat. She doesn’t do anything but listen to loud music. The neighbors are revolting. Ma would have another stroke if she saw the house now.”
    “So instead of Vincent and DeeDee the Ditz,