The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor by Anna J. Stewart

Author:Anna J. Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“WELL, THERE’S SOMETHING I didn’t think I’d ever see.” Holly watched her father and son head out the diner door with Luke a little while later. They couldn’t have captured Simon’s attention any better than if they’d tied him to his stool.

“You worried?” Paige popped up behind her as they stared out the blinds.

“No.” Holly shook her head. “For the first time in a long time, I’m not.” And what a joy that was. She pushed open the door. “Hey, Twyla.”

“Sorry I’m late.” Twyla grabbed an apron from behind the counter before heading into the kitchen. “I had to walk this morning,” she called. “Someone siphoned off the gas in my car last night.”

“What is going on around here?” Holly muttered. Who stole gasoline out of cars anymore?

“Things are strange everywhere these days,” Paige agreed. “Is it okay if I go check on Charlie? I could call if you’d rather—”

“No, go ahead. Oh! Hang on.” Holly dashed into the kitchen to grab a set of keys. “Twyla? Can you keep an eye on things for about fifteen minutes?” She pointed up and Twyla stretched her overpainted red lips into a wide smile.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Thanks. Paige, I have something to show you.”

She led the way outside and around to a staircase at the back of the building. “I know you like the Chrysalis Motel.” Holly unlocked the dead bolt. “But that’s got to be racking up some serious rent.”

“It is what it is. Nothing’s free.”

“Well, I know it’s not much, but—” Holly pushed open the door and waved Paige inside. “It’s yours and Charlie’s if you want.”

“Wh-what?” Paige stepped forward with such a look of wonder it was as if she’d stumbled into a magical kingdom instead of a one-bedroom apartment. “Holly?”

“It’s small, but it’s clean. And it’s private.” Holly was more than pleased with the cleanup she, Abby and Ursula had done. “I’d been using it as a storeroom the past couple of years, but all it took was some of my grandmother’s furniture. Abby donated the linens and Ursula fixed up the kitchen, stocked the pantry for you. Just don’t start outdoing her in the kitchen more than you already have,” Holly warned with a teasing wag of her finger.

Delicate lace curtains draped the single-paned windows where a scarred desk sat. A daybed took up most of the far wall to be used for either seating or sleeping. The small bedroom was large enough for the double bed and nightstand, along with a bookcase and small dresser, and the bath, well... As long as they didn’t try throwing any parties, the place should be more than serviceable. Personally, Holly envied the old-fashioned claw-foot tub outfitted with a modern hand-held shower wand.

“So.” She slapped her hands together and looked at Paige. “What do you think? Paige?”

Her friend was sitting on the sofa, her pale face streaked with tears.

“How much?” Paige whispered.

“What?”

“How much is the rent?”

“What rent?”

Paige blinked, as if the question held no meaning.

“Paige, you’ve more than paid me with the work you do in the diner.

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