Read Online Warrior at Willow Lake by Mary Manners - Free Book Online

Hunter smoothed a hand over the paint. “This looks great.”
    “Thanks.” Maci’s denim eyes sparkled as she crossed to the changing table. “I brought something for you.”
    “I’m afraid to ask.”
    Maci laughed and handed him a thermos. “It’s coffee, Hunter.”
    “Oh.” He took the silver-toned container, twisted off the cap and sniffed. “It smells good.”
    “It’s from the bakery down on Magnolia. I picked it up on the way over. It should still be warm.”
    He filled the cup, drew a sip. “It’s perfect. Would you like some?”
    Maci wrinkled her nose. “No thanks. I’ll stick to tea.”
    “Right. You enjoy a kinder, gentler hit of caffeine.” He nodded toward the to-go cup she’d already drained. “Well, I brought something for you, too.”
    “More tea?’
    “No.” He delved into his pocket and withdrew a small box tied with a thin, yellow ribbon. “I stopped by Posts and Pages this morning to pick up a newspaper, and when I saw this I thought of you.”
    “Hunter, that’s so sweet.” Maci gave a small, delighted clap. “What is it?”
    He handed her the box. “Open it.”
    Maci loosened the bow and lifted the lid. A gasp escaped her lips. She pressed a finger to the tiny violin on a silver chain. “Hunter…it’s lovely.”
    “Try it on.” He took the necklace from the box and waited while Maci turned her back to him, lifting her hair while he slipped the necklace over her shoulders, clasping it so the delicate violin settled over her collarbone. When she turned around, Hunter smiled appreciatively. Small, blue gemstones along the length of the violin’s arm made her eyes pop. “Wow, beautiful.”
    Maci’s eyes twinkled. “Me or the necklace?”
    “Both.” He pressed a palm to the nape of her neck and drew her close, kissing her again. It felt so right to hold her safe in the crook of his arm. “It’s fun…buying little things for you.”
    “This is hardly little.”
    “It’s just a necklace, Mace.”
    “You shouldn’t have, Hunter. It’s too much.”
    “It’s just perfect.” He kissed her again, grinning. “You should paint more often. Mint looks good on you…tastes good, too.”
    “The room is almost done, but you can help hang the wallpaper chair rail if you’d like.” She motioned to a pile of paper rolls stacked on the dresser in the corner of the room. “Ali chose that border weeks ago. I know she’d be thrilled if we got that up, as well.”
    “We’ll have it done in no time.”
    “Hope you brought a change of clothes.” She skimmed his pressed khakis and navy polo with her gaze. “The glue can get messy.”
    “I sure did.” He patted the small knapsack slung over one shoulder. “It’s so nice of you to do all this work, Mace. I know Ryder and Ali both appreciate it.”
    “I don’t want them to come home to a lot of chores. Running the inn will be more than enough with a baby to take care of, too. Ryder would have had the nursery finished if Rory hadn’t come early, so it’s the least I can do to help out. Everything will be in order here by next week, and I think Ali even has a few guest reservations penciled in on the schedule.”
    “I know. She told me when I stopped by the hospital after my meeting with the town council—”
    “It went OK?”
    “Yeah. The new emergency management plan goes into effect next month. Everyone is on board.”
    “Good. Willow Lake is growing and you’re working so hard to implement necessary changes.”
    “Just doing my job. I love living here again.”
    “You do?”
    “Yes, I do.” He leaned in to gather a wisp of her hair and tuck it behind one ear. “And you’re a big part of why.”
    “That makes me happy, Hunter.” She pressed her palm to his cheek, smiling through the smudges of mint-green. “Truly happy. How about if I get the border finished while you wash up and then we can sit on the back deck and have a glass of sweet tea while we wait for Ali and Ryder to get home.”
    “Now,