Love Inn by Smith Kim

Author:Smith, Kim [Smith, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Kim Smith
Published: 2015-02-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

The Inn smelled like home baked bread with a touch of cinnamon and the coffee pot bubbled happily as it finished its work of making coffee. Ben finished tying the string around the last bundle of roses and sat it on the table closest to the kitchen.

The back door opened and Nikki came in, arms laden with grocery bags. “Hey there,” she said, breathless.

“Here give me those,” he said, taking a bag from her. “I didn’t expect you.”

“Yes, well, it was a surprise to me too.” Her face darkened. “My patient, the one I told you about, died this morning.”

“Oh.” He didn’t know what to say. What did you say to a doctor who was supposed to be trained for those events—but you knew her well enough to know she was never that prepared?

She began unloading the bags. “Yeah, oh. Oh, and oh again. It hurts sometimes, you know?”

“I do.” He spoke truthfully and she gazed at him, pain etched her face, mirroring his own.

“How’s the guest?” She turned away, refusing to talk. “Has she finished her book yet?”

He took bananas from her and set them on the counter. “No. In fact, I sort of wonder if she has even gotten started. She seems like the kind who needs to work up to the real heart of the situation. Writing a novel must be killer.”

“I’ll bet it’s you. You’re distracting her.”

He started to answer but Kitty entered and the words died on his lips.

“The smell coming from the kitchen is enough to bring a woman floating along with no need for feet,” she said, a wide smile lighting her face. Then, she caught sight of Nikki. “Miss Butler, how wonderful to see you again!”

Nikki grinned. “Thanks, great to see you too. How’s the writing going?”

Her expression changed. “Not so good.”

Ben wanted to laugh. “Why not? You had an awe-inspiring lunch from the most scenic spot in Mississippi.”

Nikki looked from one to the other, waiting on someone to explain the joke.

“I need a library, I’m afraid. Nothing like being surrounded by tomes to help create one,” Kitty replied, cutting a slice of the bread Ben sat on a platter nearby.

“Come on, let’s sit down, have some coffee and bread, and figure out how to help you,” he suggested.

While they carried dishware to the nearest table, he poured the coffee. “The library here in our county is pretty small.” He joined them, juggling the cups, sloshing the drinks. “Drat.”

She took one and held out a napkin. “Here do be careful not to burn yourself.”

Nikki watched them. “There’s always the main library up in Memphis. It’s a massive building which houses enough books to keep the most vested writer busy for days.”

Ben set the other cup down in front of Nikki and took a napkin to the floor with him. “That’s true,” he said, his voice muffled.

“Ben, you need to tag along though,” Nikki announced. “I wouldn’t want her to maneuver her way there and back. Too much traffic. And it’s sort of a long drive.

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