All They Ever Wanted by Tracy Solheim Read Free Book Online Page A

Lori and I will handle things here at the B and B.”
    Not surprising, Cassidy had given herself a larger role thannecessary. Like Bernice, the teenager liked to be in the thick of things.
    â€œI’m happy you’re so willing to pitch in more, Cassidy,” Miles said, a trace of humor in his voice. “You’ve done a great job manning the Patty Wagon and handling the occasional tweet or Facebook post on the inn’s social media account.”
    The teenager pulled a loaf of crusty bread out of the bread box, a slight blush staining her cheeks at Miles’ praise.
    â€œI take it you’ve both heard by now that my mother is coming home?” he asked.
    Miles’ eyes actually lingered a moment on Lori and she felt their heat burn a path straight to the parts of her that hadn’t seen any action in months. This distracting man was the last person Lori wanted her body reacting to. The feeling of needing to flee began to eat at her again. She pulled out a container of chicken salad from the fridge.
    â€œYep,” Cassidy replied. “It’ll be good to have her home again. I know she’s anxious to get back to her inn.”
    â€œJust because she’s on the premises doesn’t mean she’ll be assuming her duties around here right away,” a voice said from the back porch.
    Lamar Hollister, the sheriff for Chances Inlet, stepped inside the screen door, twirling his campaign hat between his fingers as the two dogs took turns snaking between his long legs. Somewhere close to the age of fifty, the sheriff was ruggedly handsome, like one of those virile guys cast in a pickup truck commercial. The military veteran was taller than the McAlister brothers, with broad shoulders, sandy hair that was graying slightly at the temples, and a very serious chin. His eyes gave nothing away—unless he was gazing at Patricia McAlister. Then the love he so obviously felt for her shone brightly, often making Lori feel like a voyeur whenever she was in the same room with the engaged couple.
    Out of the corner of her eye she watched as Miles stiffened defensively. If Miles had reservations about Lori, his mistrust of the sheriff was just as vehement. In this case, though, Lori knew there was at least a reasonable explanation behind Miles’ animosity toward Lamar Hollister. Patricia’s son wasobviously having a lot of trouble adjusting to the fact that his mother was moving on after her husband’s sudden death. The fact that the sheriff was a newcomer to Chances Inlet likely didn’t help matters. Lori knew firsthand about that.
    Miles eyed the older man with a cool, steady gaze. “For once we agree on something, Sheriff.”
    â€œOh, I’m sure there are a lot of things we agree on, Miles,” the sheriff drawled. “The least of which is the fact that your mother needs to recuperate fully before she returns to running this place full-time.”
    â€œI have no intention of jeopardizing my mother’s recovery. You needn’t worry, Sheriff. The inn is in good hands.”
    â€œI’m not worried about the B and B, Miles. I’m worried about your mother.”
    â€œThat makes two of us,” Miles said stiffly.
    The two men exchanged a silent stare before the sheriff glanced over at Lori, who was doing her best to ignore their exchange while scooping chicken salad onto slices of the bread.
    â€œI was wondering if you had anything left over from the afternoon tea that I could take to the rehab center. Tricia hasn’t been eating well since the accident and I know she’d enjoy one of your special cupcakes.”
    â€œI’ll make up a plate.” Lori grabbed a paper plate from the pantry, glad to be out of the line of fire between the two testosterone-charged men. Miles had practically vibrated away from the counter at the pet name the sheriff used to refer to his mother.
    His hand was steady now, though, when he slid a plastic