And I didn’t owe him any.
“Welp, bad news,” Cal said. He came out of the back room holding his hands up, the very picture of a man who’d given a task his best effort. “Paul’s not home. He’s in a meeting.”
Gideon frowned. “A meeting? What meeting? Where?”
Cal’s eyes widened. “And important one. Obviously. He’s out for the rest of the day.”
“So, there’s not a single notary available in this entire town?” I looked at Gideon, who looked even less pleased by this development than I was, if that were possible. “Is there another town nearby?”
“I mean, youcould…but why bother running all over the place when Paul will be around tomorrow?” Cal said reasonably. “Just stick around for the night, and get it done first thing in the morning.”
I sighed and ran a hand over my forehead, pondering. “I guess there’s not much difference between spending the night in Syracuse and spending it here.”
“But were gonna swim at the pool at the hotel in Syracuse,” Hazel reminded me.
“But if you stay in O’Leary, you can have breakfast here. And if you thought the cookies were good, you have noideahow good the frosting on my cinnamon rolls is,” Cal told Hazel with a wink. “In fact, I can make a special one, just for you, withmountainsof frosting.” And just like that, Hazel was committed.
“I think we should stay here, Daddy,” she announced with a decisive nod. “People are sonice.”
I snorted. “Fine. So, where’s the closest hotel?”
“Hotel?” Henry piped up. “Nonsense. Why waste your money on a hotel when Gideon’s got that big ol’ house of his with all those spare rooms?”
“Absolutely not,” Gideon and I said at the same time.
Henry looked back and forth between us, then shrugged. “Suit yourselves.”
“Crabapple Bed and Breakfast’s two blocks down on the left. We’ll meet back here at nine tomorrow.” Gideon nodded once. “Now if you’ll excuse me—”
“You mean down the street on the right,” Ash said.
Gideon scowled. “No, I mean the left.”
“Well now, it depends which way you’re coming, doesn’t it?” Henry pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Right, left? Could be both, or could be neither.”
“It’s the left,” Gideon insisted. “You walk out the door and take a right—”
“See!” Ash said triumphantly. “Itisthe right!”
“But it’s on your left—”
“But it’s confusing the way you’re explaining it, Gideon,” Henry said. “Maybe you should show him the way. Imagine if he took a left and then went right?”
“Why would he—?”
“He’d end up bunking with Julian Ross, and I think Daniel would have a thing or two to say about that.” Jess snickered.
“Are you peopletryingto make me insane? It’s one street. It’s a left and a… I mean, a right and a left!” Gideon said. “Just…” He blew out a harsh breath. “Come on. I will personally escort you to the motherfu—” He looked down at Hazel and swallowed. “The, ah, mother of all bed and breakfasts.”
Hazel smiled angelically. “That sounds delightful.”
Gideon shook his head but sounded amused when he said, “Come on, Hazel G. McKnight.” He put his hand on her little shoulder and led her out of the bakery.
“See you tomorrow, Cal!” she called over her shoulder.
I trailed behind them wondering when my simple plan had gone so wrong…
But I was pretty sure it was the day I’d met Gideon Mason.
