Kristi Gold - Hotel Marchand 04 by Damage Control Read Free Book Online Page B

“I told you and the kid from the beginning, I’m not getting a fake tattoo. You two are on your own.”
    “Spoilsport.” With that, she took Adam by the hand and walked to the booth.
    Pete sat back on the seat and watched as Renee and the artist discussed the location of the tattoo. She rolled up her jeans, then rolled her eyes when the guy went to work on her ankle, making Pete laugh.
    No doubt about it, she’d surprised him on more than one occasion that morning. Surprised him with her enthusiasm when she’d guided them around town after seeming reluctant to join them. And she’d definitely surprised him with the ease with which she handled his nephew’s demands—she had more patience that most people possessed. These were the kinds of surprises he definitely valued.
    After the tattoo application was complete, and paid for by Pete, they proceeded up the street past myriad shops, restaurants and the occasional bar, sure signs that the city had begun to completely recover from Katrina’s devastation, at least when it came to the business district. Neighborhoods were still in the process of being rebuilt, but the citizens were survivors, and Pete could appreciate that kind of spirit.
    When they stopped in front of one souvenir shop, Adam pointed at a purple T-shirt displaying a few words he was fairly sure the little boy hadn’t heard yet. Or at least he hoped he hadn’t. “I want one of those.”
    Renee and Pete exchanged a look before Renee said, “I think that’s made for an adult, sweetie. Why don’t we check out some of the other shops to see if we can find something you might like better?”
    Adam stuck out his lip in a pout. “But I want that one.”
    Renee knelt at his level and tugged at the bill of his baseball cap. “Tell you what, I know a place that makes special shirts where you can pick out any picture you’d like. How does that sound?”
    Adam’s eyes went wide. “Can I put a bear on it?”
    “I’m sure we can find a bear. Or maybe even a bat.”
    “Okay.” Adam gave her a wide grin and a hard hug. “I like you, Renee.”
    “I like you, too, sweetie.”
    Pete considered chiming in, but he had a hard time believing that Renee hadn’t already figured out that he liked her, too. He liked that she was wearing jeans and a peach sweater that complemented her pale strawberry-blond hair, fair complexion and light blue eyes. He liked that she seemed to be relaxing around him. And he really liked seeing this softer side of her, the one she’d always kept hidden behind her controlled exterior, at least during business dealings. On the off chance she hadn’t realized how much he liked everything about her, Pete planned to try some more convincing before the end of the day, if not well into the night.
    After they picked out Adam’s special T-shirt and left the shop, Pete told Renee, “You’re good with him.”
    She raised one shoulder in a shrug and smiled. “I’ve had some practice lately with my niece, Daisy Rose. She’s a little younger than Adam.”
    Little by little, he was finally learning more about Renee’s personal life. “Which of your sisters is her mother?”
    “Sylvie, the one you haven’t met yet. She runs the art gallery at the hotel, but right now she’s in Boston with her fiancé, which is why we’ve been taking turns taking care of Daisy Rose. Speaking of the art gallery, if you’d like, we can stop in later. Adam might enjoy that.”
    Pete took a quick glance at his watch. “First, we need to meet up with Ella and Evan for lunch. Some café they found on Bourbon Street. Ella says we can’t miss it. Red-and-blue-striped awnings and an outdoor patio.”
    “I know exactly which place they’re referring to. It’s called Notable, and it’s very good.”
    “Yeah, that’s it.” He offered his arm even though he doubted she’d accept the gesture. “Shall we?”
    Again she astounded him by hooking her arm through his while Adam held her hand. To any passersby,