The Welcoming by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

pay.”
    â€œTypes like Mary Alice always land on their feet. Wouldn’t surprise me if she moved in lock, stock and barrel with that Perkin boy, so don’t you be worrying about the likes of her. Didn’t I tell you she wouldn’t last six months?”
    Charity pushed more cake into her mouth. “You told me,” she mumbled around it.
    â€œNow then, what about this man you brought home?”
    Charity took a gulp of her milk. “Roman DeWinter.”
    â€œScrewy name.” Mae glanced around the kitchen, surprised and a little disappointed that there was nothing left to do. “What do you know about him?”
    â€œHe needed a job.”
    Mae wiped her reddened hands on the skirt of her apron. “I expect there’s a whole slew of pickpockets, cat burglars and mass murderers who need jobs.”
    â€œHe’s not a mass murderer,” Charity stated. She thought she had better reserve judgment on the other occupations.
    â€œMaybe, maybe not.”
    â€œHe’s a drifter.” She shrugged and took another bite of the cake. “But I wouldn’t say aimless. He knows where he’s going. In any case, with George off doing the hula, I needed someone. He does good work, Mae.”
    Mae had determined that for herself with a quick trip into the west wing. But she had other things on her mind. “He looks at you.”
    Stalling, Charity ran a fingertip up and down the side of her glass. “Everyone looks at me. I’m always here.”
    â€œDon’t play stupid with me, young lady. I powdered your bottom.”
    â€œWhatever that has to do with anything,” Charity answered with a grin. “So he looks?” She moved her shoulders again. “I look back.” When Mae arched her brows, Charity just smiled. “Aren’t you always telling me I need a man in my life?”
    â€œThere’s men and there’s men,” Mae said sagely. “This one’s not bad on the eyes, and he ain’t afraid of working. But he’s got a hard streak in him. That one’s been around, my girl, and no mistake.”
    â€œI guess you’d rather I spent time with Jimmy Loggerman.”
    â€œSpineless worm.”
    After a burst of laughter, Charity cupped her chin in her hands. “You were right, Mae. I do feel better.”
    Pleased, Mae untied the apron from around her ample girth. She didn’t doubt that Charity was a sensible girl, but she intended to keep an eye on Roman herself. “Good. Don’t cut any more of that cake or you’ll be up all night with a bellyache.”
    â€œYes’m.”
    â€œAnd don’t leave a mess in my kitchen,” she added as she tugged on a practical brown coat.
    â€œNo, ma’am. Good night, Mae.”
    Charity sighed as the door rattled shut. Mae’s leaving usually signaled the end of the day. The guests would be tucked into their beds or finishing up a late card game. Barring an emergency, there was nothing left for Charity to do until sunrise.
    Nothing to do but think.
    Lately she’d been toying with the idea of putting in a whirlpool. That might lure a small percentage of the resort-goers. She’d priced a few solarium kits, and in her mind she could already see the sunroom on the inn’s south side. In the winter guests could come back from hiking to a hot, bubbling tub and top off the day with rum punch by the fire.
    She would enjoy it herself, especially on those rare winter days when the inn was empty and there was nothing for her to do but rattle around alone.
    Then there was her long-range plan to add on a gift shop supplied by local artists and craftsmen. Nothing too elaborate, she thought. She wanted to keep things simple, in keeping with the spirit of the inn.
    She wondered if Roman would stay around long enough to work on it.
    It wasn’t wise to think of him in connection with any of her plans. It probably wasn’t wise to think of him at