The Red Door Inn (26 page)
Authors: Liz Johnson
Tags: #FIC042040, #FIC027020, #Bed and breakfast accommodations—Fiction, #Man-woman relationships—Fiction
He had poked his head through the back door, holding the screen with one hand and his leather jacket in the other, one foot on the ground and the other on the outside step.
The planes of his face didn't shift, and the muscles at his throat stood in sharp relief to his otherwise relaxed pose. Which she only just realized blocked the bag she'd seen him carrying earlier. His deep brown hair was ruffled, standing on end above his right temple like he'd fallen asleep with his fingers combed through his hair and his head resting in his hand, and his jaw was darkened with at least a day's worth of beard.
“Are you Marie Carrington Sloane?”
Caden glanced over her shoulder, half expecting to see Marie materialize, but she remained alone. Alone with a man who knew Marie's maiden name. No one used her maiden name.
Especially not Marie.
“No.” She dragged the word out, still jerking at the knot at the back of her waist, desperate to be free of her apron. “Can I help you with something?”
“This is Rose's Red Door Inn.” And then, like he wasn't quite sure, “Isn't it? They said it was the big blue house between the boardwalk and the water.”
She nodded slowly. “Yes. The one with the red front door. And a sign out front.”
That earned a quarter smile as he let go of the door, holding it in place with his shoulderâa rather broad shoulder at thatâand grabbed a brown leather journal from the back pocket of his jeans. It wasn't much bigger than his palm, but as he thumbed through several pages, she could see that tiny scribbles filled every crevice and corner. Folding the notebook at the spine, his finger ran the lines until he nodded and looked up. “Rose's Red Door Inn. North Rustico, Prince Edward Island. Marie Carrington Sloane, proprietor.”
He offered only the facts and no commentary. Who talked like that?
“And Seth too.” The words popped out before she'd really considered them, but something about the way he kept saying Marie's full name made her insides churn and the hair on the back of her neck jump to attention.
He wouldn't be a guest. They only arrived between three and seven. They never used the back door. And they most certainly never invaded her kitchen.
His forehead wrinkled as he gave his book another once-over, so she expounded. “Seth Sloane. Marie's husband. Co-owner.”
Squinting harder at the page in his hand, he shook his head.
Well, he could shake it all he wanted. That didn't make Seth's presence any less real. Or Caden any more inclined to let this guy loiter on her back stoop. She pressed her hands to her waist and pulled herself up to her full height. Which wasn't considerable. But what she lacked in height, she made up for in breadth. And she used all the generous width of her hips as she marched toward him, praying that he would just back away.
Then she could go tell Marie about this strange visitor.
But he didn't budge. He just closed one eye in an almost wink and stared up at her. “Sorry. I didn't get that note. My editorâGarrett de Rootâhe made the arrangements.”
“What arrangements?”
His gaze suddenly jumped over her shoulder, and she followed it.
“Caden? Is everything all right?” Marie's hands were full of empty breakfast dishes, which she carried like she'd spent her college years in the service industry. Although that was far from the truth.
“This guyâ” She flung a hand at the mystery man, who promptly stepped inside and reached out his hand.
“Adam Jacobs.”
Marie looked at the stacks in her arms and managed only a shrug. “Adam?”
“Yes, ma'am. I believe Garrett de Root contacted you about reserving a room for me.”
Marie's half smile turned into a frown. “I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow. I don't have an open room tonight.”
T
he characters on these pages aren't the only ones who helped get this book in your hands. Please let me thank just a few in real life.
Katie Schroder, Amy Haddock, Ashley Hendley, Kristi Smith, Ruth Anderson, and Kaye Dacus. Thank you for forgiving all the times I disappeared into my writing cave and failed to keep in touch. When I crawled out, you were always there cheering me on. True friends are hard to find, and I'm grateful for each of you.
Michelle Ule, early reader and red-pen wielder. Your feedback on the first draft of this book was invaluable. Thank you!
Todd and Mel Hirte. Thank you for your endless support and many prayers. You've waited for this book almost as long as I have, and now I'm so happy to share it with you.
Karmen Leggett,
English and literature teacher extraordinaire. You selflessly poured into me during my school years,
encouraging my love of literature and pushing me to truly grasp grammar. Thank you for your encouragement.
Vicki Crumpton, Jessica English, Michele Misiak, and the whole Revell team. What an honor it is to partner with you on this publishing adventure.
Rachel Kent, the best agent a gal could ask for. Thank you for never giving up on this project. Your prayers, advice, and support mean the world to me. I'm so glad you're in my corner.
Julia, Emily, Rachel, Jacob, and Caleb. I'm honored to be your aunt. You are my favorite characters!
Micah and Beth and John and Hannah. Thanks for cheering me on all these years. I'm lucky to be your sister.
Mom. Because of your love, I never feared taking a leap of faith. This book is evidence of that.
Dad. Thanks for being a shining reflection of our heavenly Father. It's hard to imagine God could love me any more than you do.
And, of course, the Great Storyteller. God, your story blows me away. I'm honored to be a tiny part of it. All to your glory.
Liz Johnson
fell in love with Prince Edward Island the first time she set foot on it. When she's not plotting her next trip to the island, she works as a full-time marketing manager. She finds time to write late at night and is the author of nine novels, a
New York Times
bestselling novella, and a handful of short stories. She makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee, where she enjoys listening to local music, exploring the area's history, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her five nieces and nephews.
