Read Online Miz Scarlet and the Bewildered Bridegroom by Sara M. Barton - Free Book Online

words again. I stifled a smile and left him to his
explanation. “In fact, I think I’d like to be a guest at the Four
Acorns Inn. From this moment on, I’m Milton Worman from the Garden
State. I’m here on business and I would like a room for the
night.”
    “But you already met
some of the guests,” I pointed out.
    “Not all of them,” he
reminded me. “It was just the ones at dinner last night and with
the exception of Ms. Vinson and the doctor, they’re leaving
today.”
    “Actually, Ms. Vinson
had a change in plans; she’s trying to book a flight as we
speak.”
    “Milton Worman? Aren’t
you funny!” the teenager snorted, with the enthusiasm of a
ten-year-old who just found out the Boogey Man wasn’t under the bed
after all. “You don’t look like a Milton. You look more like a
Lance or a Brad.”
    “I may be funny, but
I’d like that room. Is it available?” He took my hand and gave it a
squeeze. As our eyes met, I saw the raw determination in that gaze
and realized he was serious about keeping watch over the
inn.
    “Well, we have the
Black Oak Room, because the Johnsons checked out earlier this
morning or, when Ms. Vinson vacates hers, you can have the Red Oak
Room.”
    “Perfect. I’ll go with
the Red Oak. It’s a little more private. Let me go brief Poup on
the plan and I’ll just run home for a suitcase.”
    The Wilkies came back
from their hike on White Oak Hill after all the fuss was over. I
left Bur to explain things to them, while Jenny and I got lunch
started.
    Half way through our
preparations, Florence came into the kitchen to say farewell and to
settle up her bill. I could see Dave and Diana right behind her, so
I put on a good show.
    “We’re so sorry to hear
you have an emergency back in Minnesota, Florence. Perhaps you will
come back and visit us again.”
    “You’ve been so kind.
I...I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.” She grew
teary-eyed. It must be hard for her to see her romantic dream
crushed in such a public fashion, especially after her mammoth
effort to snag the bachelor.
    “Not at all. I’m
crediting your account for the unused night. You have a safe trip
home.”
    When Kenny returned
thirty minutes later, overnight case in hand, he actually signed
the guest register as Milton Worman. Jenny pretended not to know
him as she escorted him up to the Red Oak Room, just in case
someone was watching.
    I got to work in the
kitchen, making a pie. Under the wistful gaze of Huck, January, and
Mozzie, I rolled out the crust, washed my fruit, and threw together
my spice mix. They waited patiently at my feet, hopeful I might
drop something tasty onto the floor. I almost did when the front
door burst open and I heard someone calling my name. The three
little dogs made a mad dash down the hall to greet
Lacey.
    “I’m back! And I’ve got
a scoop for you, Scarlet Wilson! You’re not going to believe
this!”
    She came through the
door, escorted by the canines, and settled herself on a counter
stool. I grabbed the blueberries and sorted them into a large,
stainless steel bowl, while she spilled the beans about Florence’s
unfortunate crush. According to our departing guest, Thaddeus had
been quite the handsome, chivalrous healer fifteen years ago.
Although happily married, that didn’t deter a number of nurses,
physical therapists, and other female hospital personnel from
setting their sights on bagging the trophy.
    Florence herself had
had a number of affairs with married doctors over the years and all
the affairs had ended badly. Once or twice, Thaddeus had lent her a
shoulder to cry on, a sure sign in her mind that he was interested
in her. She convinced herself he was a man of honor who didn’t wish
to break his marriage vows. If only he had been free, they would
have had a passionate romance. When Thaddeus’s daughter recently
mentioned his upcoming appointment in passing to another member of
the retired nurses’ circle, the news made its way through