The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(71)

Heath leaned against the door frame of the coffee room. “I just want a nice, normal woman who wants to have a happy, regular kind of life. Minimal drama, lots of laughs and if she liked gardening, that would be a plus.” He looked at Declan, his expression hopeful. “Think that’s possible?”

“I’m sure it is. You just have to get out there again.”

“So says the guy who’s never been out there.”

“I was. In college.”

“That doesn’t count. You should start dating. Even if you don’t find someone for yourself, you can give me a few names.”

Declan immediately thought of Sunshine. She was everything Heath had said he wanted and more. She was beautiful and nurturing and pretty much the sexiest woman ever known to man, and she was looking for a normal relationship.

He opened his mouth to mention her, then decided he couldn’t. If that made him a jerk, he could live with the label. There was no way he could stand to have his business partner dating Sunshine. He didn’t want to think about them together. It would make him crazy with jealousy and he was already on the edge where she was concerned.

“I met a single mom who seems nice,” he blurted out of guilt. “Phoebe. Her son and Connor are friends. She’s pretty and has a good job.”

“Then why don’t you go out with her?”

“It’s too soon.”

Heath shook his head. “It’s not too soon, Declan. It’s time. You need to get yourself out there. We both do, but your need is greater. Not every woman is Iris.”

“I know that.”

“You sure?” Heath waved his coffee mug. “Come on. Let’s go figure out how to make our hotel clients happy.”

“That’s not possible.”

“You’re right, but we have to at least try.”

  Margot signed her name and took the package from the UPS guy. The small box had an international label and a customs sticker, making her wonder if it was more ancient documents for Alec to sort through. The last group had been fascinating. He’d even let her help him remount a few of them.

She let herself into the house and left the package on his desk, then headed upstairs. She dropped her tote in her room and went to see if Bianca was back. The large guest room at the end of the hall was empty and there was no sign of the occupant.

Bianca had said a couple of days, she reminded herself. Today was only day one. Hopefully they would resume their work tomorrow.

Margot took the stairs to the main floor and turned into the kitchen. She came to a stop when she saw Alec dicing tomatoes while humming along to jazz music. He looked up and smiled.

“Oh good. You’re back. I was in the mood for a steak tonight and was hoping you’d join me.” He pointed to a paper-wrapped package on the counter. “I went to the butcher for filets and I’ve made salad. Edna defrosted a potato casserole for us and there is a very nice bottle of cabernet, if you’re interested.”

He looked good, she thought, letting the tension from the day flow out of her. Handsome and sexy and just plain easy to be with. She needed more of that in her life. A good guy who got her insides buzzing and her mind relaxing. It was not an easy combination to find.

“Sounds great,” she told him. “What can I do to help?”

He motioned to the stools by the island. “Keep me company. Oh, and if you want a drink, help yourself.” He nodded at a glass by the cutting board. “I poured myself a Scotch.”

She went to the wet bar and quickly mixed up a vodka and tonic, then returned to the kitchen and sat at the island. Alec had moved on to slicing a cucumber.

“Thank you for this,” she said, pointing at the dinner fixings. “It’s a great end to my day.”

“Tough one?”

“Just complicated. You know your mother took off.”

“I suspected. When the going gets tough, she often disappears, although I’ll admit I’m surprised. I didn’t think she was upset about last night.”

“She wasn’t, but that’s okay. I was upset enough for both of us.”

He added the cucumber to the salad. “Why were you upset?”

“Because the training is supposed to be helping and it’s not. I can’t believe she actually thought letting some guy touch her bare ass was okay. But according to her it’s just who she is. I don’t know. I wonder if I’m the right person for the job.”

Something flickered in Alec’s eyes. Before she could figure out what it was, it was gone.

“You don’t think she’s better than she was?” he asked.

“She’s made a lot of progress, but I really thought I understood her and last night proves I don’t.” She thought about the pictures in the various newspapers and had to hold in a groan. “I went and saw my boss this afternoon.”

“For advice?”

“Yes, and to discuss bringing in someone else.” Margot smiled at him. “I don’t know if this counts as good news, but you’re stuck with me. Apparently Bianca has been giving me rave reviews and she flat out told them she wasn’t interested in working with anyone else.”

“What happened with my mother isn’t your fault.”

“I know that in my head, but it sure feels like my fault. I don’t get it. She was doing incredibly well at the event. She talked to a lot of people, she was funny and charming. Then it all went to hell.” She sighed. “Enough of that. How was your day?”