Room at the Inn for Christmas (Second Chance at Star Inn)(9)

She thought of all the over-stressed people, always in a hurry, coming and going from the Halston Beverly where she worked. Guests here were different. Oh, maybe they’d be the same in a big city with big plans and connections to be made and the constant crowds and rushing traffic. But the whole point of the Star Inn and Heywood was to get away from all that. Here folks had come to relax, to enjoy pretty scenery, the beauty of Mount Hood, and the Christmas decorations that adorned the town. Everyone had time to ask for help. The folks all thanked her so nicely when she assured them things would be seen to.

And knowing Cart would come in for a while after his morning chores meant she didn’t have to stretch the truth or reply with vague promises she wasn’t sure she could keep. Things really would be seen to right away.

Through all this she was on her feet, serving meals, plating food and bussing tables. She was also answering questions, extolling the beauty of Heywood, handing out brochures from a rack by the front door to town attractions and giving directions. There were questions she couldn’t answer because of course things had changed since she’d been gone. But she was surprised how many old traditions had survived.

This was very different from the hotel business she was used to. Better in many ways, but also hard work that was testing some muscles—both physical and mental—that Mandy hadn’t used in a while.

As Mandy began rinsing off the plates from the last guest to add to the dishwasher, Angel came out and stopped short.

“You’re done.” Angel raised her arms in dismay. “I hoped I could do some of the work.”

“It’s fine. I enjoyed meeting all the folks staying here.”

“Well, you’re a blessing to me. Thank you so much. Toby’s used to doing a lot for himself when he stays with Grandma, and he’s very capable of it. But I enjoyed spending some time with him this morning.”

“Plan on doing it every morning he’s here.”

Angel’s eyes went wide and she smiled with obvious delight. “You’re staying then!”





Chapter Four

Cart came in and heard Angel’s excited announcement. He laughed out loud. “That’s great, Mandy. You decided after just one morning?” He rushed up to her, smiling.

“No!” She stepped back, sounding horrified. “I have not decided. I meant I’d help every morning while I’m here.”

That shrunk the smile off Cart’s face. To hear her say it so adamantly might’ve shrunk his heart a little, too. It was a bad way to start the day and it hit him as all wrong. “You don’t have to get so upset just because someone is happy to have you here.”

“No, Cart,” Angel cut in. She knew him well and heard his temper building. And it didn’t happen often. “That’s not how it was.”

“Don’t do my talking for me, Angel. If Cart wants to walk in here and start right in being grouchy, well, it’s good to know. It’s part of what I’d have to handle if I did stay, and I need all the information I can get.”

“In other words, you’re looking for a reason to leave and you’re happy to use me as an excuse.” He couldn’t remember her being so beautiful. Cute, she’d been so cute back then when he was struggling with the heavily indebted ranch he inherited after his father’s death and she was the sassy, sweet daughter of a rich innkeeper, the richest inn in three counties.

He’d taken this job back then to eke out the payments on his place. He kept it even now that his ranch was on solid footing, because he loved this old inn.

And if back then he’d harbored a quiet crush on the girl he often worked with, a girl way too good for a heavily mortgaged rancher, it was nothing compared to what this mature woman did to him.

“I just want to know what I’m getting into. Feel free to be completely honest with me.” Mandy gave him a look so cool it made the outdoors in Oregon in December seem toasty.

It helped him forget about how pretty she was and how much he’d liked grabbing her and twirling her around last night. That one perfect moment of reunion, right before she started talking.

He clamped his jaw tight and when he had his temper under control . . . and he usually didn’t have any trouble with that . . . he changed the subject. “I’ve got work to do. I’ll get on with it.”

“What have you got planned?” That cool, authoritative voice reminded him that she was in charge of a big hotel in Beverly Hills with a future so bright someone oughta toss a tablecloth over her head so the rest of the world could look at her without going blind. “I have a few repair jobs for you.”

After one night? He didn’t say that out loud. “The water heater has been acting up. I bought a new heating element for it, and I can get it installed as soon as the dishwasher quits running. By the time I get set up, it’ll be time.” He looked away from Mandy and only now realized how closely he’d been watching her. Which annoyed him.

He said to Angel, “The cold water will stay on and I’ll holler when I’m going to turn off the hot.”

He stalked out of the room.

“Wait a minute.” Mandy caught up with him just as he reached the basement door. “I have a list of things you need to do.”

Again he bit back a sharp response. Her horrified reaction about staying irritated him until every word she said set his teeth on edge.