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CHAPTER EIGHT

Declan

“Morning, Declan! We’ve got an assortment of cinnamon rolls, lemon-raspberry scones, and blackberry tarts ready to go.”

Jasmine Price set a big box emblazoned with the Hot Buns Bakery logo on the glass counter for me.

“Perfect.” I set the box I’d brought in beside it, this one brimming with freshly picked strawberries from the garden. “And I’ve got a little gift for you, as promised.”

I’d spent my early morning hours in the garden, carefully plucking strawberries from their stems. This was only the first batch I’d had time to harvest. I’d pick more for Pearl and Ruth Marie at the Outdoor Market. Pearl made jams while Ruth Marie sold brandied fruits—both of which I supplied in some of my B Just The Sip, sending the group into more stitches over Danny’s naming conventions; and a few less touristy spots like The Dirty Hoe garden store and the Red Hot Cod Pieces food cart.

I hadn’t planned to share breakfast with the guests, but with Cash playing host, it was easier to join them. I’d forgotten the way he drew all attention to himself. All those mornings he’d joined a guest at the table I’d been too annoyed to think about the fact that I didn’t have to fumble through small talk.

Cash charmed everyone he met.

I took a tart from the platter and bit into its flaky crust, eyes slipping closed as the sweetness of the fruit coated my tongue. Abe had really outdone himself with these.

There was a brief lull in the conversation. I opened my eyes to see Cash watching me. I dabbed at my mouth with a napkin, concerned I’d smeared the fruit filling over my lips. A quick glance at the napkin showed nothing but a few crumbs.

“Where is your favorite place to take a date, Cash?” Tom asked. “Ellen and I are celebrating twenty-eight years tonight.”

Cash blinked, seeming to come back to himself. “Wow, twenty-eight years. Congratulations. That’s impressive.”

Janice added her congratulations, and after a pause, I did the same. “Right, yes. A big milestone.”

“It is,” Ellen said, smiling at Tom with blazing hearts in her eyes, and he enfolded her hand in his with a sappy smile.

The display made my chest hurt.

“So, a good place for a date?” Tom asked again, looking to Cash. Because I obviously wasn’t the guy offering helpful tidbits of information. I certainly knew the town well enough, but I didn’t know how to inject irreverent stories into my recommendations.

I was like a prickly bush blending into the background of the garden, while Cash was the brilliant splash of flower petals.

“Cash doesn’t go on dates,” I said, the words slipping free without my permission. “He just hooks up .”

“Appropriate for a fishing town,” Janice joked.

Cash flashed her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Now you’re getting the hang of the lake town puns.” He shot me a pointed look. “Declan’s right. I haven’t dated since high school. Not that I wouldn ’t go on a date for the right person.”

My face heated. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound…”

Judgmental? Jealous? Petty? Maybe all three.

“It’s fine,” Cash said, though it really wasn’t. “Luckily, I have some very sappy friends. So, most people will tell you to go to The Savory Swallow. It’s our high-end fine dining option, but it’s run by a real snob. If you want a real life at the lake experience, you should book a sunset dinner cruise.”

Ellen brightened. “That sounds lovely.”

“Is it too late to get a cruise for tonight, though?” Tom asked.

“You know, I might be able to pull a few strings for you. Let me make a call.”

Cash pulled out his cellphone, stepping out of the room to call in his favors.

Janice turned to me as soon as he was gone. “Where on earth did you find such a charming man?”

“He really is lovely,” Ellen chimed in.

“Hey now,” Tom said with a chuckle. “Don’t leave me on our anniversary.”

Ellen giggled, cheeks flooding with color. “Oh, you!”

Everyone looked at me, waiting for an answer. I shifted uncomfortably. “Oh, Cash is a friend. He’s here to help me with a project at the B&B.”

Cash leaned back into the room. “Tom, you’re set. Just go down to Swallow Adventures over at the resort near dusk. They’ll take care of you.”

“Thank you so much.”

He turned. “Declan, you ready to get to work yet?”

“I’ve been ready,” I grumbled as I pushed back my chair and crossed the room toward him. “You were too busy charming everyone to notice, I guess.”

Cash grinned, gaze panning to the guests. “Don’t mind him. He likes to pretend to be grouchy, but he really loves me.”

Janice chuckled. “How could he not?”

“I know, right? I’m awesome.” Cash grasped my arm and tugged me from the room. “Hope you don’t mind me cutting your breakfast short?”

“Please, I wanted out of there before breakfast started.”

We re-entered the kitchen, heading for the back door. There was a path that led through the gardens and over to the outbuildings. That was where the majority of work needed to be done.

“Maybe you should be running a B&B,” I said as we walked. “You play host pretty well.”

“I guess I’ve picked up a thing or two working at the resort.”

No one picked up social skills like that. Cash was a natural people person, just like my Aunt Millie—except flirtier. That reminded me of how I’d put my foot in my mouth at breakfast.

“I’m sorry about that crack about dating,” I said. “It was a stupid thing to say.”

“Especially since you won’t date me,” Cash said, arching a dark eyebrow.

I winced. “I don’t remember you ever asking me on a date.”

“Would you say yes if I did?”

“No.”

“Well, there you go.” He swept his gaze over the landscape, which included the cabin, the Tree Hut, a garden shed, and an overgrown gazebo that had seen better days. “Show me what we’re working with.”

“All right,” I said grimly. “Don’t forget that you asked for this.”

He grinned. “I never turn down a challenge.”

Somehow, I got the sense he was talking about more than renovations.