Read Online The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson - Free Book Online

Marie had disappeared—“this isn’t like you. You’re a better man than that. She’s a guest in this house, and you’ve treated her worse than an enemy. How are you going to make it right?”
    He could just avoid her for the rest of his time on the island. They were under one roof, but it was a pretty big one. With a little planning he might be able to dodge her for a few months.
    Like a coward.
    â€œI haven’t told you enough since your dad died, but you know that I love you like my own son. If Rose and I had been able to have a kid, I’d have wanted him to be like you.”
    The old man had never strung so many consequential words together in one conversation.
    Jack cleared his throat, staring hard into Seth’s eyes.
    Seth’s stomach flipped, and he picked at the paint stain under his thumbnail, fighting the urge to escape to the bathroom on the second floor in need of a mirror. Those nice words were just a setup. He was about to get hammered. He’d seen that look in Jack’s eyes before. He’d been a boy then and deserved everything Jack had said.
    But he wasn’t a kid anymore.
    Which made this infinitely worse.
    Jack jabbed his crooked finger again at the spot where Marie had disappeared. “I know you’ve been hurt. Understand that Reece hurt you.”
    Seth flinched at the mention of her name. She’d stolen everything. Including—apparently—his mind.
    â€œI’ve given you leeway to be cranky and unpleasant, but we’re all that girl has.”
    â€œHow can you be so sure?”
    â€œShe’d have bolted if she had any other option.” Jack took a steady breath, then let it out like an angry steed.
    Seth prayed the worst was over.
    â€œRose had big plans for this house. She’d have taken in every single stray on the island if she could, so don’t you dare dishonor her memory by running off our first one.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    A wrinkled hand clapped him hard on the back. “Fix it so it’s sweeter than a lobster tail covered in butter ’round here. And take her back to the antique store to get started picking out decoration pieces like she was talking about.”
    Seth stepped back, crossing his arms again. “I’ve got lots of things to do around here. That sink upstairs isn’t going to fix itself, and I still need to install that closet rod, put up the shelves, and hang that door.”
    Jack turned to the counter next to the double-sided sink, collecting a handful of paint samples and ignoring the excuse. Which is exactly what it was. “And buy at least one of those quilts while you’re there.”
    God help him, he had to apologize, or Jack would send him back to an apartment filled with nothing more than lousy memories and condolence cards. And most of those were probably from wedding guests who had missed the chance for a party more than the opportunity to see him marry the woman he’d loved.
    â€œI have a few errands to run this afternoon, so don’t expect me back early.” Jack stopped at the laundry room door, tucking the money Marie had given back to him into his pocket. “Make it right.”
    Seth glared at the clock on the microwave as though he could turn back the time. A year might just do it. That was enough time to get back his life and livelihood. If he’d never met Reece, never gone to that party, never popped the question, he wouldn’t be where he was.
    He wouldn’t be stuck in small-town Prince Edward Island, trying to figure out what to say to a woman he wasn’t ready to trust. Jack might think she was a lost puppy in need of a home. Seth wasn’t convinced. She was more than the down-on-her-luck kid that Jack saw.
    And he’d have to stick close to her side to figure her out before she could do any real damage. But he’d have to earn her trust in order to do that.
    His stomach growled, and he pulled open the