The Innkeeper's House by Elizabeth Bromke

Author:Elizabeth Bromke
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sweet romance, clean romance, clean and wholesome romance, small town romance, contemporary romance, southern romance
Publisher: Elizabeth Bromke
Published: 2020-05-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11—Greta

“What was all that about?” Maggie asked once Greta and Ky were safely back to the table. Greta had lost her appetite during the whole ordeal, her stomach flip-flopping in confusion.

Maggie sent Rhett, Ky, and Dakota back to the line to get platefuls for the girls. Once they were gone, Greta replied, “Did you tell Miss Fern that I needed a place to stay?” She pressed the heel of her hand to her head, willing away the threat of a headache.

Shrugging, Maggie took a sip of her lemonade and picked up the Barbie that Briar had dropped. “We were just talking. That’s all.”

“Well, Fern told Liesel Hart. And Liesel is Luke’s aunt.”

“Who’s Luke?” Maggie frowned.

Greta assumed Gretchen would have gossiped with her mother about their awkward conversation from before. Apparently not. “He’s a P.E. teacher at the school. He was on the interview committee. He’s... well, he’s really hot.”

“Oh, Coach Hart. Of course I know him. He’s the high school football coach, too. He’s always at the diner with another one of them teachers, a whistle around his neck and playbook sprawled out across the table. It’s adorable. He’s like a little old-fashioned gym teacher who moonlights on the sidelines.” Maggie paused, studying Greta as though through new eyes.

The image clung to Greta’s brain like syrup, dripping down and making her feel woozy and flirty. “Well, it was awkward.”

“What do you mean it was awkward?” Maggie pressed, furrowing her brow. “And what does Coach Hart have to do with you needing a place?” The frown turned suspicious.

Greta let out a dramatic sigh. “Well, apparently Luke’s grandmother passed away. And, if I’ve got this right, her house is available for rent. But it seems to come with a catch.”

“That’s right. June Hart. So sad. She was a good woman. So, what’s the catch?” Maggie took another sip, and Greta suspected she was only drinking in order to hide her reaction.

Shrugging, Greta’s face fell. “That’s just it. I don’t know.”

***

Southern small towns being what they were, Maggie promised Greta they’d get to the bottom of the matter. Though, Greta was beginning to suspect that in all likelihood it was as simple as southern charm. A kindly neighbor—or kindly co-worker—who offered a well-timed opportunity.

Coincidence. No catch.

And yet, Maggie had spent the remainder of the evening flitting about the fish fry, bouncing from Father Van to Rhett and his friend Jake, landing finally among the coaches’ wives.

It was a brilliant move, actually, and Greta studied her carefully. Gretchen and Theo had slipped off into the woods, which left Greta in the position of tending to little Briar. Greta could just steal the little girl away. To have a child of her own felt like a faraway dream, something that could so easily disappear on her tongue like cotton candy. The anticipation and taste were so sweet, but the reality left her wanting. Greta feared she was on the edge of the end of her opportunity, even despite modern technology and other options. For

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