Sandcastle Inn--A Hope Harbor Novel by Irene Hannon

Author:Irene Hannon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance;Christian fiction;Romance fiction;Novels;FIC042040;FIC027020;FIC027270
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2024-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

15

Practical justifications aside, this was probably a huge mistake.

Vienna eased back on the gas pedal as she passed her mom’s apartment complex, laptop on the seat beside her, her two suitcases in the trunk.

If Matt hadn’t caught her in a frazzled state last night after she’d battled yet another round of fog on her drive back to Bandon, she might have mustered the resolve to decline his invitation to stay on-site as token compensation for all her work on the project.

But it wasn’t too late to back out. He wouldn’t care if she changed her mind. She could give Mom’s couch a shot instead, see how that worked out.

Except what excuse could she use after subtly wrangling for an invitation before common sense prevailed? A sudden case of cold feet? Worries about another electrical storm? Fear?

Accurate as those were, admitting such qualms would raise all kinds of questions. Ones she couldn’t answer without adding a whole new layer of awkwardness to the situation.

Flipping on her blinker as she approached the drive to the inn, she faced the truth.

She was stuck.

If staying here proved too uncomfortable, though, she could always find an excuse to leave. Too much noise. Too much dust. Lack of privacy. A change of heart about staying with Mom. Something. Anything.

But there was safety in numbers, and if she focused on the task at hand, stayed hunkered down in her room at the inn, or took her laptop to The Perfect Blend or Mom’s apartment and worked there during the day should both Andrew and Paige be off-site, she ought to be able to avoid too many one-on-one encounters with Matt. Especially now that she and Kay had touched base via email to discuss decorating ideas.

She maneuvered around a pothole.

Everything should work out fine. And if it didn’t, she’d vacate the premises on a trumped-up excuse.

She finished the drive and parked beside a pickup truck as the woman from the bench on the wharf appeared in the doorway of the inn, followed by Andrew. He spoke to his wife, and they approached as she set the brake.

“Nice to see you again, Andrew.” She greeted him as she slid from behind the wheel.

“Likewise. Since we’re all going to be roommates for a few weeks, let me introduce my wife.”

Vienna shook her hand as he did so. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The too-thin brunette returned the sentiment. “We just finished putting our stuff in our room. Can we give you a hand with your luggage?”

“Thanks, but all I have is a laptop and two suitcases. I can manage.”

“Why don’t you let me take one of the suitcases?”

“I can do that, Andrew.” Matt appeared from around the side of the house, wiping his palms on his dirt-smudged jeans. “I heard the car pull up, and I have to show Vienna her room anyway.”

“Okay. I’ll see Paige off, then get back to work.”

The two of them walked hand in hand to the truck.

Vienna gave Matt a sweep. “Whatever job I interrupted must be messy.

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