Unraveled by Heidi McCahan Read Free Book Online

both hands around her coffee mug and sipping it slowly.
    “Get used to it, I guess.” Dang. Forgot the bacon. The package sat on the counter next to the stove, still unopened. Might have to skip that this morning.
    “Knock, knock.” Blake stood in the doorway of the kitchen, rapping his knuckles on the doorframe.
    Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. She dropped the measuring cup in the pancake batter. “Good morning, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Baird.” He leaned across the table, giving the man a hearty handshake. “Blake Tully. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    “Todd Baird and this is my beautiful bride, Melissa.” He slipped his arm around his wife and gave her a tender kiss.
    “Congratulations. We hope your honeymoon in Alaska is unforgettable.” Blake smiled and raised his insulated coffee mug toward Lauren. “Good morning. Mind if I get a refill?” He paused next to the coffee maker.
    “What are you doing here?”
    He smirked as he tipped the carafe into his mug. “Believe it or not, I’m helping you out.”
    She furrowed her brow. “Really? How so?”
    “It seems your folks include complimentary transfers with all their reservations. I thought you might need an extra driver this morning.”
    She poured the pancake batter onto the griddle and tried to avoid Blake’s gaze. His eyes matched the blue polo shirt that hugged his broad shoulders and she couldn’t afford to be distracted. She wanted to be annoyed.
    “I am quite capable of driving my guests wherever they need to go,” she said, heat rising on her neck as she noticed the Bairds had stopped talking. They sipped their coffee, watching the conversation over the rims of their coffee cups.
    Blake leaned back against the counter and crossed one long, lean leg over the other. “My mom works nights in the ER. She told me your grandmother was admitted. This seems like a lot for you to take on your second day back.”
    She resented his implication that she couldn’t handle a challenge. On the other hand, she’d made a real mess of breakfast. Two guests generated at least one load of laundry, not to mention the cleaning and vacuuming. If Blake handled the driving she might finish the chores before lunch and have the afternoon to visit Granny.
    “Looks like Blake will handle your transportation this morning.” She glanced at the Bairds, then back at the pancakes bubbling on the griddle. “Remind me of your plans?”
    “Helicopter ride this morning and sea kayaking after lunch,” Melissa said.
    “Perfect. No rush. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be on our way.” Blake remained propped against the counter, casually sipping his coffee. The weight of his expectant stare propelled her around the kitchen; serving the pancakes, loading the dishwasher, and wiping down counters. She needed to thank him. She owed him at least that much for helping her and her family out in a crisis.
    But a trace of annoyance niggled its way up into her gut, sifting in with the shame and guilt she already carried. He waltzed in like he owned the place, calling the guests by name and playing tour guide. Did he not remember her cruel words and thoughtless actions? Why was he showering her with kindness?
    “So, Lauren. What does your father do for a living?” Melissa forked another bite of pancake and waited for an answer.
    “He’s a State Trooper.”
    “Hey, isn’t there a show about those guys on TV?” Todd nudged his wife and smiled.
    “How long has your family run the B & B?”
    Geez. What’s up with the inquisition? “Um, they started the year after I was born. So this is their twenty-sixth season.” Lauren opened the cabinet, reaching for a clean mug. If she didn’t get some coffee in the next fifteen seconds, her head just might explode.
    “And did your dad build this place himself?”
    Blake cleared his throat and slid a napkin next to her elbow. Lauren glanced at the message he’d scrawled in all capitals: TRAVEL WRITER. PLAY NICE!
    Oh no. She raised her