Return to Pelican Inn (Love by Design)

Author:Dana Mentink [Mentink, Dana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-06-30T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“MISS?” A QUIET VOICE called out in her dreams.

Rosa pulled the afghan tighter around her shoulders and willed away the interruption.

“Miss?” the voice came again. Rosa opened one eye and a slender woman with a neat bob haircut swam into view.

The dream woman held up a cardboard tube. Strange dream.

“I just wanted to say, Miss, that we’ve used the last of the toilet paper.”

Even stranger. Rosa’s other eye snapped open and she observed a younger version of the woman staring at Rosa’s flying-pig pants.

“Pardon?” was the best Rosa could manage. “Did you say something about toilet paper?”

The woman broke into a shy smile. “Yes. We’ve used the last of it. I just thought you’d want to know. Thank you.”

And with that, she handed the empty roll to Rosa and exited via the front door. Rosa tried blinking hard and shoving the hair out of her face, which did nothing for her mental clarity. Thinking perhaps she was still dreaming, she tossed aside the afghan, noting that Baggy had headed for parts unknown. The clock chimed 7:00 a.m.

“So much for getting an early start,” she grumbled. She’d padded halfway across the floor when the front door eased open and a red-cheeked man holding the fists of two little boys pushed through.

“Hello?” Rosa said. “Can I help you?”

“No, thanks,” he said. “We’re self-sufficient. Bradley, stop yanking Christopher’s hair or you’re going to have a time out.” He hustled them off down the hall.

“Um, sir?” she called after him, but he did not turn around.

Bitsy warbled a cheerful good morning from the kitchen. Rosa hastened in. “I’m glad you’re here. There is a guy with two kids roaming the house.” Rosa gestured toward the hall with the empty cardboard tube. “They went that way.”

“And we’re probably out of toilet paper.” Bitsy grabbed a six pack from the closet and hastened after the man and his sons. “Can you stir the cocoa?” she asked, before disappearing.

“What is going on here?” It was a rhetorical question, as Bitsy was long gone. Rosa did as she was told, finding an enormous kettle of cocoa simmering on the stove.

A set of knuckles rapped on the kitchen door. Rosa yanked it open to find Julio and what appeared to be three miniature versions of him milling around. They immediately thrust out their hands.

“Morning,” Julio boomed. “I hope you’ll stop by and see the historical society exhibit at the town hall. Mrs. Mendez and I are really proud of it. Mr. Herzberg’s letters are going to be a big draw. The power of the written word.” He grinned.

“Er, yes, I’m really excited about that, Julio, but, uh, what are you doing here now? I mean, so early in the morning.” She stared down. “With children.”

He blinked. “We’ve come for the cocoa, of course, and unless you want my three nephews doing a self-service, you’d better get cracking, young lady.”

The sight of the nephews threatening to breach the barricade of the kitchen doorway spurred Rosa into action. She grabbed

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