CHAPTER TWO

 

Sebastian pulled his BMW 7 Series black sedan into the parking lot of the Sweet Magnolia Inn. It’d been two weeks since he’d landed in the emergency room. He was concerned about his health, of course. But his primary reason for taking a sabbatical was to delay the implementation of the conglomerate’s misguided changes. Camping out in Magnolia Lake would provide the rest the doctor insisted he needed and a quiet place to plan his next strategic move.

 Sebastian stepped out of his car and inhaled the exhilarating mountain air. The landscaping included a mix of young and mature magnolia trees, pruned crepe myrtle trees, and a variety of bushes—some still bearing flowers in mid-October. The trill of sparrows nestled in the pine trees along the edge of the property announced his arrival.

Sebastian retrieved his luggage from the trunk and made his way toward the inn’s bright orange front door. He followed the welcoming path framed by bales of hay; assorted gourds; and overflowing ceramic pots filled with pansies, violas, and mums in vibrant pops of orange, yellow, and red. Their sweet scents mingled, drifting on the subtle breeze.

He stepped inside, greeted by the aroma of freshly baked sweet bread, homemade cookies, and mulled cider with a hint of cinnamon. Sebastian’s eyes drifted closed momentarily, and the tension in his back and shoulders seemed to ease. Nolan had practically blackmailed him into spending the next three months here in town. But perhaps his brother was right. Magnolia Lake was a good place for him to get some much-needed rest.                                   

“Sebastian?”                                   

He opened his eyes and stared, blinking. Was the woman standing before him real? Or was she a figment of his imagination, where she seemed to reside since their meeting a year ago?                                   

“Evelisse?”                                   

“You remembered.” She offered a playful smile, her brown eyes twinkling.                                   

He studied the plump lips painted a deep shade of pink. Scanned the black ribbed turtleneck sweater and tan leggings that hugged her curves. The briefest image flashed through his brain of those black knee-high riding boots dangling over his shoulders.                                   

“Of course, I remember you,” he said incredulously.                                   

How on earth could he forget Evelisse Jemison?                                   

He’d met her at a soiree hosted by his cousins Duke and Iris Abbott more than a year ago. And he’d often thought of her and that incredible evening they’d spent getting to know each other.                                   

But his response evidently hadn’t landed quite as he’d intended, because her countenance fell, as did her slim shoulders.                                 

Shit.                                   

He’d uttered four words, and already he’d insulted her.                                  

Why does every word you utter make the rest of us feel like incompetents who don’t deserve to occupy space in your world?                                   

His ex-wife’s refrain echoed in his head.                                   

Should he apologize? Or maybe just explain that what he meant was that how could he possibly forget someone as fascinating and beautiful as she was?                                   

“So you’re the SBV on the register.” Evelisse scanned her phone before returning her gaze to him. Her polite tone was devoid of the genuine eagerness to see him that had been there before. She regarded him with curiosity. “Why so mysterious?”                                   

“I didn’t want my sisters getting wind of me coming to town.”                                   

“We don’t typically divulge our guests’ names in the local newspaper.” She folded her arms, and her nostrils flared.                                  

“But your sister is friends with my sisters.”

“So you thought my sister would violate your privacy and tell your sisters that you’d booked a room with us.” The flare of her nostrils widened, and the warmth was gone from her maple-syrup-brown eyes.                                   

“No, of course not. I just... I...”                                 

Evelisse wasn’t buying his story. Fair. It was complete bullshit. He had been worried Kayleigh would blab to Chandra and Naya about him coming to town.                                   

Sebastian groaned quietly. He’d never claimed to be a people person. But his interpersonal skills were particularly inept today. He could hear his younger sister Naya’s voice echoing in his head.                                   

Take it down six notches, Sebastian the Grouch. And for God’s sake, would it kill you to smile?                                   

“My apologies if I’ve offended you. That wasn’t my intention.” Sebastian forced a smile that felt unnatural, though it was sincere. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “It’s just... I love my sisters, but they can be a little intense. So I didn’t want them to know I was coming.”                                   

“Apology accepted.” Her steely gaze made him doubt that she actually did accept his bungling apology.                                   

“Welcome to the Sweet Magnolia Inn, Mr. Valentine. We’ll take good care of you during your stay. You can leave your luggage there. I’ll have it delivered to your room as soon as we get you all checked in.”                                   

“Why?” Sebastian had made Nolan promise not to divulge his health scare to their family unless it became absolutely necessary. Let alone to relative strangers—not even extremely beautiful ones. “Did my brother indicate that I required special care?”                                   

Evelisse stared at him as if he’d suddenly grown horns and a tail. “No. Should he have?”                                  

“No.” Sebastian gripped the handle of his luggage. “And I can handle my own bags, thanks.”                                   

“Whatever you’d prefer.” Evvy shrugged, her irritation with him barely concealed.

They went through the steps of registering him at the inn. Then Evvy walked him up the elegant stairwell and to a room at the end of the hall.                                   

“Since you’ll be with us for a while, we wanted you to be comfortable. This is one of our larger, deluxe rooms.” Evvy opened the door for him.                                   

Sebastian followed her inside, taking in the brand-new room that boasted top-notch furnishings and a lavish, spa-like bathroom. The room smelled like apples and cinnamon.                                   

“There’s a basket filled with luxurious toiletries and sumptuous Egyptian cotton spa towels in the bathroom. You have a small refrigerator and microwave here and a work desk there with lots of outlets and a charging station. This room has a gas fireplace that’ll keep the place warm during cold winter nights. The switch is on the wall there. And this—” she gestured toward a chaise and small coffee table “—is one of my favorite spaces in the entire inn. It’s the perfect place to sip your morning coffee while you pore over your latest memoir.”                   

Sebastian set his luggage in the corner. “You remembered I’m an avid reader.”

“I did.” Evelisse’s cheeks flushed as if she was embarrassed by the admission. “Probably because I’m a big reader, too. But you’re into nonfiction, memoirs, and the occasional legal thriller, while I’m into—”                                   

“Suspense, thrillers, and cozy mysteries...but only if they have a healthy dose of romance.” Sebastian quietly regarded Evelisse. She was even more beautiful than he remembered.                                   

“That’s right.” A genuine smile lit her deep brown eyes and stirred something in Sebastian’s chest.                                   

“I’ll be going into Gatlinburg once a week. So if you need anything from the bookstore, I... I mean, we...would be happy to pick it up for you.” Evelisse scanned the room, seemingly eager to look anywhere but directly at him.                                   

“I brought a stack of books, so I think I’m all set.” Sebastian patted the leather satchel sitting atop his rolling luggage. “I plan to get plenty of reading done during this trip.”                                   

“Then I’ll see to it that you’re not disturbed, Mr. Valentine.”

“Time out.” He formed a T with his hands. “I appreciate the professionalism, but how about if you go back to calling me Sebastian instead?” He made the effort to smile, aware that his sisters accused him of having RGF: Resting Grouch Face. Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed. “And as I recall, you go by Evvy.”                                   

“Yes, but either Evvy or Evelisse will do.” Her eyes followed him as he sank onto the mattress. Her gaze shifted toward the pile of pillows at the head of the bed, and then to the floor. The flush of her cheeks deepened. “Again, welcome to the Sweet Magnolia Inn... Sebastian. We’re glad you chose to make our home yours during your stay.”

Sebastian sighed quietly as Evvy turned to leave. He’d liked her the moment they’d met. There had been harmless flirtation on both sides, but nothing had come of it. They’d both been in town for only a week, and he’d had bigger fish to fry. Like talking his father out of selling their family’s textile firm and making it his life’s mission to convert a broken-down old winery into their new family empire.                                   

Sebastian had failed on both fronts, but at least his father seemed happy.                                  

He hadn’t seen or spoken to Evvy since then. But he’d thought of her often. Now that she was standing in front of him, he was apparently incapable of stringing together a single coherent sentence that didn’t make him seem annoyed.                                   

“I thought you went back to Cali,” he said.                                   

Evvy turned to face him. “I did.”                                   

“When’d you return to Magnolia Lake?” He stood, taking a few steps closer.                                   

“A week ago. My sister broke an arm and a leg in a mountain biking accident. She’ll be fine,” Evvy added in response to the look of alarm on his face. “But she asked if I’d serve as innkeeper until she’s back on her feet.”                                  

“How long will you be in town?”                                   

“Until the end of the year.” Evvy shrugged. “Same as you.”                                   

There was an awkward silence, their gazes locked.                                   

“Sorry to hear about Kayleigh’s injuries,” Sebastian said. “But it is really good to see you again, Evvy.”                                  

“You, too.” Evvy’s smile was reserved. “What brings you to town for such an extended stay?”                                   

Pressure rose in Sebastian’s chest at the thought of everything that had brought him there. He rubbed his chin. “Long story.”                                   

“Well, whatever the reason, I hope you enjoy your stay.” Her tone had gone flat. She reached for the knob. “If you need anything, please let me know.”                                   

“Have dinner with me?” Sebastian jammed his hands into the pockets of his gray chinos. His heart thumped wildly when she turned back to him with widened eyes.                                   

“Tonight?”                                   

“I was thinking more like this weekend.” Sebastian laughed nervously. “I’ll be here for a while, so there’s no rush.”                                   

“I’m flattered that you asked me out...a year later,” she muttered the last part. “I would’ve gladly said yes then. But now, I’m the acting innkeeper. I’ve already turned down a couple of other offers because dating the clientele doesn’t set the right precedent for my staff. So I’m afraid I can’t accept your offer. I hope you understand.”                                   

“No need to apologize.” Sebastian stepped backward, offering a cursory smile. “I should’ve asked you out when I had the chance. Have a good evening, Evvy.”                                   

“Same to you, Sebastian.” There was a hint of sadness behind her smile. “But if you need dinner recommendations, I’d recommend the King’s Finest Family Restaurant. And I hope to see you at breakfast. It’s served from six to eleven each morning, and the coffee station downstairs is available all day.”                                   

Sebastian thanked her, then watched the gentle sway of her hips as she sashayed away. He sank onto the bed again, inhaling the remnants of her subtle floral scent.                                  

He’d blown his chance with Evvy, but it was probably for the best. He already had enough on his plate. Getting involved with Evvy would only further complicate matters. He should be glad she’d turned him down.                                   

So why was he anxiously looking forward to seeing her at breakfast?