“For years, the senior Hunnicutts lobbied to get a historical designation to keep Fall River from becoming a ghost town. That way we can get funding for renovations that draw tourists, plus they’ve thrown in a lot of their own money for the cause. Their sons have taken up the reins and are trying to build momentum. The Miners Tavern is a good example of that revival.”
Hailey finished off her pastry and licked her fingers. “Fall River’s revival will be well underway before I have enough saved up to pull off opening a shop.” At least opening itherway, which meant without taking on a ton of debt.
“It’s something to consider, though.” Amy stood and stacked her mug on top of Hailey’s empty plate. Her head snapped as the front door rattled. “Hold on to your snow shovel. Here comes a Hunnicutt, and I’m sure he’s here for you.”
Hailey whirled, and her eyes landed on Noah banging his knuckle against the glass. Any leftover doubts from the night evaporated as her heart went into a sprint. Here was her chance to apologize. But when Amy unlocked the door and Hailey glimpsed his stormy expression, her galloping heart came to a screeching halt.
Amy’s eyes widened an instant before the door to the coffee shop whipped open, and Hailey’s jaw fell. Noah stood in all his Hunnicutt glory, his eyes lasered in on her. A pair of black heels dangled from his hand.
“Hey, surfer girl!” he barked. “You left these behind.” He closed the distance to the table, his dark expression transforming into something resembling a shit-eating grin that made Hailey want to throttle him.
Amy’s mouth dropped open. Quickly recovering herself, she gathered up the dishes, seeming to fight a laugh. “I’ll just leave now. I have some things to take care of in back. Holler if you need anything.”
Hailey wanted to holler all right—that she hadn’t spent the night with Noah and left her borrowed CFMs behind. Instead, her cheeks flared. “Um, can I keep my cappuccino? I wasn’t quite done.”
“Oh! Of course.” The cup and saucer rattled as Amy returned them to the table. She darted a glance Noah’s way. “Help yourself to some coffee, Noah.” With a secret wink aimed at Hailey, she scurried away.
Noah thanked her and laid the heels in the middle of the table. Pulling off his coat, he hung it on the chair Amy had vacated, hismovements a study in deliberateness. He sat, resting his forearms on the table, clasped his hands, and leaned forward. Smoky smudges beneath his eyes broadcast his lack of sleep, but they didn’t dull his glittering emerald eyes as they bored into hers. “I’m surprised you’re still here. Thought you had to leave early.”
Amy’s voice floated from somewhere in back. “Her plans changed. She’s staying.”
Something akin to surprise flickered in his orbs.
Hailey fired a glare in that direction, then squeaked, “How did you know I was here?”
“I have eyes and ears all over this town, though my intel must be lagging because I didn’t know you were staying.” Was he joking? His expression gave nothing away.
“What are you doing here?” she blurted. “You look … tired.”
He fingered the strap on one of the shoes. It was a simple move, but something about it was seductive as hell. “You left your heels behind.”
“You said that.” She took a swig of her drink to avoid the intensity of his gaze. It made her twitch, and she let out a hyena laugh. “Don’t tell me this is a Cinderella moment where you’re looking to cram them back on. I left them with Dixie on purpose. They about killed my feet.”
He sat back. “That’s a shame because they looked damn good on you.” One corner of his mouth hitched, and his eyes twinkled. The combination made her glad she was sitting down.
“You’re such aman,” she huffed.
“Is that a bad thing?”
Dear God, no. Hallelujah for men.“Maybe, maybe not.” She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest—a move to batten down her hatches. “Therealreason you’re here?”
He reached into a coat pocket and brought out a fat envelope, which he held in his hands like a platter as he offered it to her. “This. I also want to know what Ursula said that made you ignore me after that smoking-hot kiss.”
Chapter 17
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go
Hailey swallowed, shipping alittle knot down the smooth ivory column of her neck, drawing Noah’s eye. The desire to taste the skin along her throat surged inside him, rekindling his frustration over last night’s lost opportunity. When Charlie had told him this morning she had asked for a few extra days at the Loose Moose, Noah’s hopes had picked themselves up and dusted themselves off. He had another shot.
She uncrossed her arms and reached for the envelope. Tapered fingertips danced across its surface. “What’s this?”
“What I owe you for last night. Along with the tips Dixie saw you stuff into the jar.”
She pushed away the envelope and his hands with it. “I can’t accept this.”
Why was he not surprised at her reaction? “Yes, you can.” He pushed back.
She stubbornly folded her hands together and rested them on the edge of the table, out of his reach. “No, I can’t. I just now found outfrom Amy that you paid for the new battery in my Toyotaandthe tow. Between that and sending Dixie over with food and wine the first night after you saved me from freezing to death, I really can’t do it. I should be payingyou.”
