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“I get that.” He offered another smile. “Noel hates being so far from his sister. But she also fell in love with an American. And decided to stay there. I miss my friends, to be sure, but I love my husband so damn much—”

“They’re super sappy.” Frida pointed her pen. “Which is a joke because Noel was never like that before this guy showed up.”

Aaron chortled. “Ah, the joys of small-town living. Wait thirty seconds, and someone will say something that makes it clear how long they’ve been here.”

“And you’re mere moments in the grand scheme of things?” I was curious.

“Something like. When I arrived, this place—” He gestured around him at the hotel lobby. “—was a disaster and now it’s a stunning masterpiece.”

Frida snorted.

Her boss placed a hand across his heart. “You wound me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Well, I wouldn’t have stepped foot in the place the way it was, so consider yourself lucky.”

“To have the best assistant hotel manager in all of Mission City—” He gazed at her expectantly.

She cleared her throat.

“—Cedar Valley…?”

She shook her head.

“Oh, right. All of British Columbia.”

She polished her nametag.

I laughed. “Okay, you two are a hoot.” I signed the paper Frida put before me. She handed me a couple of keycards. I nearly turned down the second one, but decided a spare never hurt. I pivoted to Aaron. “Anytime, okay? Just let me know.”

“We’ll buy you dinner.”

“I won’t saynoto that.”

“How about White Spot on Tuesday night? Tomorrow is Canada Day, and we’re going to be busy. By Tuesday, I’ll be ready for a break.”

“Sure. Sounds lovely.”

“Perfect. I can’t wait to tell Noel.” He waved as he headed toward a door markedPrivate.

Frida beamed. “I like you.”

“The feeling’s mutual.” I snagged my suitcase and headed for the elevator. A quick ride up to the top floor, and soon I found myself in a scrumptiously appointed room with everything I could possibly need.

After I unpacked, I opened the curtains. Directly below me, just past the street, was a rail yard.

Yay. Good thing I can sleep through anything.

Beyond that, though, was a stunning view of Cedar Valley as well as Mount Baker—the dormant volcano in Washington State.

For just a moment, I considered moving the desk to place it just in front of the window.

You’d sit staring at the view and never get any work done.Alas, that was true. My home office was in a small nook in our condo because, as long as I didn’t have any view of any kind, I could focus. Something pretty to look at—even wayward squirrels—and I was liable to get little accomplished.

My stomach rumbled.

I eyed the bed.

Keegan had been up most of the night stressing.