The Perfect Hope Part 45

He narrowed his eyes at her. "I bet you were a Girl Scout."

"You'd lose. I didn't have time for scouts. Listen, I have all this food. Avery made this wonderful food so I'd just have to warm it up. You could at least have a drink and a meal."

d.a.m.ned if he wanted to go home and scrounge something up. "I need a shower."

She smiled at him. "Pick a room-except for W&B."

"I'll just take the one down here-it's the farthest away from ... guests."

"Good choice. I'll get the key."

"I've got a change of clothes in the truck."

He walked out before she could tell him to take the dog. "Stay right there," she ordered D.A., then went to her office for the key. Hoping the dog listened, she went to Marguerite and Percy, opening the door, turning on the lights, giving the room a quick innkeeper's scan.

When he came back with a small duffle, she offered the key. "You know how everything works?"

"Everything but you, but I'll figure it out."

"It's not that complicated."

They stood together in the doorway a moment. "You know, you could just put out a sign. Leave them Vesta's number and a six-pack."

"Yes, that's the kind of service we pride ourselves on at Inn Boons-Boro." She touched a hand to his arm. "I have tomorrow off. I could be off-campus until nine, maybe ten. I could come to your place."

"That should work. I don't allow walk-in guests."

"Consider this booking a reservation." She stepped back so he could close the door.

He'd taken it better than she'd expected. And, truth be told, better than she had herself initially.

She went back into the kitchen, took out the food Avery had prepared. She'd just put it on low so they could eat whenever it suited him. Then she opened a bottle of wine, let it breathe.

She deserved a gla.s.s of wine.

Tomorrow, she promised herself. She'd focus on personal business, including driving over to Ryder's. That was probably better anyway. No chance of interruptions, problems, no ghost who might decide to play games.

Just the two of them. She glanced down to where D.A. snoozed on the floor.

Well, the three of them.

She got two gla.s.ses from the cupboard, was about to pour her own when she heard feet on the stairs.

Naturally, she thought, and put the gla.s.s down again.

Chip Barrow's sandy hair stood up in mad spikes. Along with his tattered jeans he wore the faded Foo Fighters T-s.h.i.+rt he'd worn for check-in. Only now he wore it inside out. She doubted he realized it.

He gave her a sleepy, s.e.x-drugged smile she envied bitterly.

"Hey." He cleared his throat. "Sorry to bother you."

"You're not. What can I do for you?"

"Me and Marlie were wondering about maybe some dinner. Like I could get takeout so we could just ..."

"Couldn't be easier." Though there would be one in their room packet, Hope opened a drawer for Vesta's menu. "They're right across the street, and they'll deliver if you like."

"Really? Awesome. Pizza's like just right. It's good, right?"

"It's very good. I'd be happy to call the order in for you when you decide."

"I know what Marlie likes." His face shone as he said it. "We could do a large, with pepperoni and black olives. And some of this dessert here. This Chocolate Decadence. Sounds awesome, too."

"I can tell you it is."

"Um. Can they maybe bring it up to the room? Just like knock on the door?"

"No problem. Would you like a complimentary bottle of wine?"

"Seriously? Yeah, that's great."

"Red or white?"

"Um, why don't you pick? Ah, could we get a couple of c.o.kes, too?"

"Give me one minute."

She got a tray, an ice bucket, screwed two c.o.kes into the bed of ice. Added the wine she'd opened for herself, the two gla.s.ses.

"This is so cool. Marlie's blown away by the room. We even turned on the fireplace. It got pretty warm, so we opened the windows, but it's, you know, romantic with the fire going."

She bit down on the inside of her cheek. "I'm sure it is. I'll-Oh, Ryder. This is Chip."

"Hey," Chip said.

"How's it going?"

"Awesome."

"Would you like me to take that up for you?" Hope offered.

"No, thanks. I got it. And you'll order the pizza and stuff?"

"Right away. Give it about twenty minutes."

"Cool. Marlie's going to dig on the wine. Thanks."

"You're welcome."