Read Online The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Nora Roberts
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door.
He wore a suit, of course, pearl gray for summer. The tie, with its perfect Windsor knot echoed the exact same shade and a contrasting stripe in rich crimson.
He was bronzed and gold, tall and lean, classically, glossily handsome.
And completely unwelcome.
With reluctance, Hope unlocked the door, opened it. “Jonathan. This is unexpected.”
“Hope.” He smiled at her, all easy charm—as if hardly more than a year before he hadn’t dumped her like last year’s fashion. “You look wonderful. A new hairstyle, and it suits you.”
He reached out, as if to embrace her. She stepped back in firm rejection.
“What are you doing here?”
“At the moment, wondering why you don’t ask me in. It’s odd to find the door locked on a hotel in the middle of the day.”
“It’s policy, and we’re a B&B. Our guests enjoy their privacy.”
“Of course. It looks like a charming place. I’d like to see more of it.” He waited a beat, then pumped up the smile. “Professional courtesy?”
Slamming the door in his face would be satisfying, but childish. In any case he might interpret it to mean he mattered.
“Most of our guest rooms are occupied, but I can show you the common areas if you’re interested.”
“I am. Very.”
She couldn’t see why. “Again, Jonathan, what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you. My parents send you their best.”
“And you can take mine back to them.” She took a breath. All right, she thought, what the hell. “This is our reception area.”
“On the small side, but it’s cozy and has character.”
“Yes, we think so.”
“Is that the original brick?”
She glanced toward the long, exposed brick wall. “Yes, and those are old photographs showing the inn and Main Street.”
“Mmm-hmm. The fireplace must be welcome in the winter.”
She struggled with the resentment of having him here, having him make observations about
her
place.
“Yes, it’s a favorite spot. We have an open kitchen,” Hope began, leading the way—and wishing she’d had five minutes to freshen her makeup and hair. Just on pride points. “Guests are free to help themselves.”
He scanned the bold iron lights, the stainless steel appliances, the rich granite counter. “Honor system?”
“We don’t charge. All food and drink is included. We want our guests to feel at home. The central lobby is this way.”
He paused at her office, gave her that smile again. “As tidy and efficient as always. You’re missed, Hope.”
“Am I?”
“Very much.”
She considered various responses, but none qualified as polite. And she was determined to be.
“We’re especially proud of the tile work throughout the inn. Here you can see the details of the tile rug under the main table. The flowers are done by our local florist to reflect and celebrate not only the season, but the style and tone of the room.”
“Lovely, and yes, beautiful details. I—”
“As is the woodwork.” She plowed right over him. Politely. “The framing of the old archways. The Montgomery family designed, rehabbed, and decorated the inn. It’s the oldest stone building in Boonsboro, and was originally an inn. The Lounge, just down here, was once the carriageway.
“Hope.” He trailed a fingertip down her arm before she could shift away. “Let me take you to lunch after the tour. It’s been much too long.”
Not long enough. “Jonathan, I’m working.”
“Your employers must give you a reasonable lunch break. Where would you recommend?”
She didn’t have to dig for the cold. Her tone simply reflected every sensibility. He expected her to agree, she realized. More, he expected her to be delighted, flattered, maybe a little flustered.
She was happy to disappoint him on all counts.
“If you’re hungry, you can try Vesta, right across the street. But I’m not interested in having lunch with you. You might want to see The Courtyard before the rest of the main floor.” She opened The Lobby doors,
He wore a suit, of course, pearl gray for summer. The tie, with its perfect Windsor knot echoed the exact same shade and a contrasting stripe in rich crimson.
He was bronzed and gold, tall and lean, classically, glossily handsome.
And completely unwelcome.
With reluctance, Hope unlocked the door, opened it. “Jonathan. This is unexpected.”
“Hope.” He smiled at her, all easy charm—as if hardly more than a year before he hadn’t dumped her like last year’s fashion. “You look wonderful. A new hairstyle, and it suits you.”
He reached out, as if to embrace her. She stepped back in firm rejection.
“What are you doing here?”
“At the moment, wondering why you don’t ask me in. It’s odd to find the door locked on a hotel in the middle of the day.”
“It’s policy, and we’re a B&B. Our guests enjoy their privacy.”
“Of course. It looks like a charming place. I’d like to see more of it.” He waited a beat, then pumped up the smile. “Professional courtesy?”
Slamming the door in his face would be satisfying, but childish. In any case he might interpret it to mean he mattered.
“Most of our guest rooms are occupied, but I can show you the common areas if you’re interested.”
“I am. Very.”
She couldn’t see why. “Again, Jonathan, what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you. My parents send you their best.”
“And you can take mine back to them.” She took a breath. All right, she thought, what the hell. “This is our reception area.”
“On the small side, but it’s cozy and has character.”
“Yes, we think so.”
“Is that the original brick?”
She glanced toward the long, exposed brick wall. “Yes, and those are old photographs showing the inn and Main Street.”
“Mmm-hmm. The fireplace must be welcome in the winter.”
She struggled with the resentment of having him here, having him make observations about
her
place.
“Yes, it’s a favorite spot. We have an open kitchen,” Hope began, leading the way—and wishing she’d had five minutes to freshen her makeup and hair. Just on pride points. “Guests are free to help themselves.”
He scanned the bold iron lights, the stainless steel appliances, the rich granite counter. “Honor system?”
“We don’t charge. All food and drink is included. We want our guests to feel at home. The central lobby is this way.”
He paused at her office, gave her that smile again. “As tidy and efficient as always. You’re missed, Hope.”
“Am I?”
“Very much.”
She considered various responses, but none qualified as polite. And she was determined to be.
“We’re especially proud of the tile work throughout the inn. Here you can see the details of the tile rug under the main table. The flowers are done by our local florist to reflect and celebrate not only the season, but the style and tone of the room.”
“Lovely, and yes, beautiful details. I—”
“As is the woodwork.” She plowed right over him. Politely. “The framing of the old archways. The Montgomery family designed, rehabbed, and decorated the inn. It’s the oldest stone building in Boonsboro, and was originally an inn. The Lounge, just down here, was once the carriageway.
“Hope.” He trailed a fingertip down her arm before she could shift away. “Let me take you to lunch after the tour. It’s been much too long.”
Not long enough. “Jonathan, I’m working.”
“Your employers must give you a reasonable lunch break. Where would you recommend?”
She didn’t have to dig for the cold. Her tone simply reflected every sensibility. He expected her to agree, she realized. More, he expected her to be delighted, flattered, maybe a little flustered.
She was happy to disappoint him on all counts.
“If you’re hungry, you can try Vesta, right across the street. But I’m not interested in having lunch with you. You might want to see The Courtyard before the rest of the main floor.” She opened The Lobby doors,
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