“Does Ash own the town?” Isaiah’s voice wasn’t harsh. Sofia thought it was surprisingly gentle.
Sofia contemplated his remark for a moment. She hated to admit it, but he was right. And with the way Emerald Hollow had been starting to get national fame as a festival destination, Sofia agreed that maybe it could be a good marketing tactic.
“I’ll think about it,” she said, not wanting the idea to go to his head. For a man who didn’t know who he was, he sure was confident.
Their eyes met for a moment, and Sofia realized they’d been sitting in her car for a few minutes as they talked. She quickly opened her door, breaking their eye contact. “I don’t know about you, but all that research made me hungry.”
“Same,” Isaiah said, closing the passenger door carefully. “I’d offer to buy you lunch for babysitting me at the library, but…” He indicated his empty pockets.
Sofia laughed. “Well, it’s a good thing I work here, and Ash said your meals are on the house until we figure out who you are. So it looks like neither of us has to buy.”
“About that,” Isaiah began, following Sofia up the steps of the Emerald House. “I feel bad. They’re being really generous.I don’t know what my financial situation is, but I’ll pay them back.”
Sofia waved a hand. “Ash loves to help people like this. Holly too. They have big hearts. I find it’s best not to rain on their parade and just say ‘Thank you.’”
Isaiah nodded. “Okay. Welcome generosity. Thanks for the tip.” He opened the door for her and held his hand out as if he were a butler ushering her into his castle.
Sofia shook her head, but something in her chest relaxed ever so slightly.
Chapter Sixteen
ISAIAH
Over lunch, Isaiah couldn’t help dwelling on Sofia’s comment about being a shameless flirt.Is that true? Or do I just enjoy flirting withher?
They ate lunch at the counter in the Emerald House restaurant, Sofia stealing a fry off his plate, since she’d ordered a side salad instead. The tiny intimacy delighted him.
“So, let’s talk about Esmeralda. That woman is like a shark. If you told her you’d volunteer at the animal shelter, she’s going to collect.”
Isaiah rolled his shoulders back and spun on his bar chair, angling himself toward her. Their knees brushed slightly, and Sofia twisted away.
“I guess I don’t have anything else to do around here. Aside from researching at the library. I might as well find something productive to fill my time.”
“Well, don’t you sound saintly,” Sofia said, stealing another fry.
He grinned. “What? Do you have something against animals?”
Sofia looked aghast. “Absolutely not. I had a dog until a couple of years ago, but… Well, I haven’t wanted to make thatcommitment again yet. Comet is like a community dog here at the Emerald House, though. So I can get my canine fix with him.”
Isaiah’s heart lurched as he realized her dog must have died. That was one of the hardest things about having animals. Their lifespans were just so short compared to humans’. Isaiah wondered if he had a dog or other pet at home, wherever home was. The thought made his heart sink. Sofia looked like she could sense what he was thinking.
“Maybe working at the animal shelter is a good idea after all. Perhaps it will spark your memories. Anything that has a chance of doing that is a good thing, right?”
“True,” Isaiah admitted then ate the last bite of his club sandwich. He was trying not to be disappointed at the lack of results from the library, telling himself that Sofia was probably right. He hadn’t even been in Emerald Hollow for forty-eight hours. Something would pop up online in the next day or two, at most.
“Well,” Sofia began, standing up and stacking her dishes. “My shift’s about to start. Oh, and look who just arrived.”
Isaiah followed her gaze toward the lobby, where he recognized Esmeralda, president of the chamber of commerce.
“Good luck, Saint.”
Isaiah grinned but didn’t comment on the nickname. He much preferred Saint to Lingerer.
“Don’t need it, Wrecker.”
Sofia raised her eyebrows then swiped his empty plate, stacked it on top of her own, and disappeared into the kitchen. Isaiah watched her go, the floral spicy scent not quite disappearing with her.
Chapter Seventeen
