Island Refuge (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 1) (13 page)

She still couldn’t believe that Mr. Trask would, number one, offer her a position after what he’d said, and number two, send Autumn here to convince her to say yes. “Please drop it. I have to get up very early to prepare breakfast for guests. I can’t be out until midnight and expect to give one hundred percent to this job too. It’s more than I can handle.” Inquiring about a position at the restaurant had been a colossal mistake. Nick made it clear that he wanted her around, and his display of concern a moment ago was even more evidence.

Her friend’s shoulders drooped a little. “I hear you. But I don’t understand. You were the one who asked about working at the restaurant. I thought that’s what you wanted.”

Zoe motioned for Autumn to follow. “So did I, but then I thought about it again. I really like working here. Sure I do the same old thing every day, but it’s fun meeting the guests, and I’ve come to think of this place as home. I don’t want to jeopardize all that I have here.”

Autumn’s face softened. “I get that. Home is important.”

“Come on, there’s a spot with a million-dollar view that you must see.” She led Autumn across the stone pathway and settled into her favorite spot. “Well?”

“It’s amazing. I see why you like it here. You could have it all, you know.”

“Huh?” Her new friend must have had too much sun today. She made no sense.

“Hear me out. You wouldn’t have to give this up. You’d only work three nights a week at the restaurant.”

Zoe shook her head. Why wouldn’t Autumn let this drop? It’s not like the restaurant didn’t have a chef already. Why did they suddenly want her so badly? “Give it a rest already. I told you—”

“I know. I know. I’ll tell Mr. Trask that you need time to think without being pressured.”

“But—”

“No. You owe it to yourself to give this serious thought considering what he offered to pay you. Plus I don’t see how someone with your background could be satisfied working at a B&B long term.” Autumn grinned. “I know we don’t really know each other, but anyone around here will tell you I mean well.” A guilty look crossed her face. “But I need to be honest about something. Mr. Trask offered me a week off with pay if I could get you to say yes.”

“I—”

“Wait before you say anything. I honestly meant what I said about someone with your background. Take all the time you need, and give me your answer. But if you could decide in the next week or two that’d be great.”

Zoe laughed. “You’re unreal. I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”

“I get that a lot, actually. Umm, there’s something else you should know, but keep it to yourself because I’m not supposed to tell you. Mr. Trask’s change of heart was brought on because the chef quit this morning. He was offered a position in Tacoma and will be gone in two weeks.”

“Now I understand. Thanks for telling me.” Zoe leaned her head back and looked up into the clear sky. Was this offer really something she should consider? “I’m so confused.”

“When I’m confused and don’t know what to do, I ask God.”

“You’re kidding?” She cast Autumn a sideways glance.

“Totally serious. You should try talking to Him. You may be surprised by what He says.”

“Does God actually talk to you?” She used to go to church when she lived with her foster family. She’d even been plugged into the youth group and committed her life to God one night during a youth rally, but after she moved out on her own she’d gradually stopped attending church and reading her Bible. God had disappeared. Hmm—weird. She hadn’t even realized she’d cut Him from her life until now.

“Yes, God talks to me. Not like you and I are, but I do get a sense of what He’s saying, and sometimes it’s like I hear Him in my head.”

Zoe grinned. “So, you hear voices. I don’t know, that sounds a little sketchy to me,” she teased.

“Oh stop.” Autumn giggled and shoved at her arm. “I’m not crazy.”

“I’m teasing.” Zoe chuckled then sobered. “I’ll think about what you said.” She knew God spoke to people. Many times her foster mom had said that the Lord said this or that to her. But Zoe had never heard anyone else talk about God like that.

“That’s all I ask.” Autumn learned forward and pushed up. “I should head home. It’s been a long day. Thanks for hearing me out.”

Zoe stood and walked with her friend to her car. “Sure. Feel free to stop in again.” She hesitated. “Maybe next time we can have a less intense conversation.” Zoe much preferred peaceful afternoon walks along the beach to intense debating.

“You got it. Bye.” Autumn waved and drove away.

Zoe groaned and headed for the house. She had a lot of thinking—and praying—to do. But for now she needed to find Nick. She didn’t have far to look, since he stood at the reception desk talking with Rachel. “What’s going on?”

Dark circles shaded Rachel’s eyes. “Nothing much. Did your friend leave?”

“Yes. She works at the Wildflower Golf Club and stopped in to say hi on her way home.”

Rachel yawned. “I think I’ll take a nap. See you later.” She trudged up the stairs and disappeared down the hall.

A frown marred Nick’s face. “Zoe, would you mind taking a walk with me?”

Zoe’s breath caught. What could he possibly want now? She’d come looking for him, but upon seeing him, the reason immediately escaped her. “Okay.”

Nick rested his hand at the small of her back and guided them out the front door.

“Who will watch the B&B while we’re gone?”

“We aren’t going far.” He held up the cordless phone from reception. “I wanted to let you know that I’m giving you a raise.”

“A raise? Why?”

Nick looked at her as if she’d grown a second head. “Most people would say thanks and leave it at that.”

“I’m not most people.”

“Clearly. I’m giving you a raise because you’re worth it, and I heard a rumor that the Golf Club restaurant made you an offer. I don’t want to lose you.”

Zoe’s heart thrummed too fast. Had he been eavesdropping on her conversation with Autumn? “How did you hear that? You rarely leave home.”

“Chase. He did some work over there and thought I would want to know. He called while you were visiting with your friend.”

“Oh. You’ll be happy to know I didn’t accept the position.” At least not yet. But she would do as Autumn requested and pray about it. It was time to get her relationship with God back in order. It wasn’t like she had deliberately cut Him from her life—it simply happened.

Nick stopped and searched her face. “Does this mean you’re staying?”

Zoe gazed at him, mesmerized by the hopefulness in his brown eyes that drew her in like fine chocolate. It felt good to be wanted, needed. “I don’t want to leave. I like it here.”

He grinned. “That’s a relief.”

“Actually, I am considering doing both.”

“Oh.” His smile wilted. “How?”

“That’s the part I’m still working out. It’s not a matter of money, although I won’t turn down the raise.”

He chuckled. “I don’t imagine anyone would, but I’m glad you’re not leaving. I like having you around. Besides, your cooking is the best.” He stopped at the wooden shed and yanked open the door. “I’ve been giving thought to Rachel’s ring situation, and I have an idea. Between the three of us we’ve scoured the house top to bottom. What if the ring is out here?”

“Hmm. I suppose that’s possible.” She peered into the darkened space. Spider webs and bugs littered the overly full structure. “I’m not going in there.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t like spiders.” She shivered. Actually spiders terrified her, but he didn’t need to know that. She ran a hand over her stomach where she still had a scar from the bite of a brown recluse spider.

“They are more afraid of you than you are of them.”

“That’s doubtful. And digging through the shed will chase them from their hiding places. I’d like to help, but count me out.”

Nick closed the doors. “Okay. We won’t search the shed today, but I have no idea where else to look. Maybe I’ll check the shed another time.”

“Wait. You mean because of me you’re not going to look?”

“You’re clearly afraid of spiders, and I don’t want to upset you. Are you allergic or something?”

“Or something.” She shivered again.

He rested a hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. “It’s okay. The chances of the ring being in the shed aren’t great. It was probably a bad idea anyway.”

Zoe’s heart hammered in her chest, and it wasn’t because of the spiders. Nick had to be the kindest, most considerate man she’d ever met, and she’d known a lot of men from working in the restaurant business. “No. It’s actually a great idea. Rachel’s husband probably played out here as a child. It’s the perfect hiding place.”

Nick’s face brightened, and he removed his hand from her shoulder. “Really? You think so?”

She nodded then faced the shed. The space was cluttered with more than tools. Boxes were stacked four high and looked to be a few deep. “I wonder why the previous owners didn’t take this stuff with them?”

“Beats me. I haven’t had the time to see what’s in the boxes. Running this place consumes most of my time.”

Zoe knew that was true, so why was he taking so much time to help Rachel? Surely he had better things to do. Her gut told her that was simply the kind of person he was. He wanted to help people. “Let’s do this. I have a pair of gardening gloves I use in the herb garden—”

Nick’s eyes widened. “You mean you’ll help?”

“I can’t let you have all the fun now, can I? That wouldn’t be fair.” She turned and jogged to the house before she could change her mind. What possessed her to do this? She didn’t have to think for long. Her answer stood in the form of a tall hunk. She burst through the kitchen door and yanked open a drawer she reserved for gardening supplies.

She slipped on the gloves, grabbed a can of bug spray from under the sink, and then jogged back to the shed. Nick held a box, and his face lit when he spotted her. A tingle zipped up her spine. What was she doing? Was Nick her rebound guy?

“That was fast.” Nick placed the box on the grass. “Want me to open it and make sure there are no surprises inside?”

Zoe held up the can of bug spray. “I’m armed and ready.” She gulped—what if there was a dead rodent or something equally disgusting? “But maybe you should open it to make sure there’s nothing living inside.” She watched as he pulled up the top. Her breath came out in a whoosh—old canning jars.

He chuckled. “Looks safe.” He turned and reached for another box.

Zoe dug through the quart size canning jars and found no surprises.

Nick opened the next box –more jars. After going through the remaining boxes, which all contained canning jars, Zoe stood. “I guess that answers that question. The old owners canned a lot.”

“Yeah.” Nick tossed a look her way then his eyes widened with alarm.

“What is it?” She glanced over her shoulder toward the house.

“Hold still.” He reached toward her head and quickly brushed his hand against it.

She held her breath. “Is it gone?”

“Yes. You had an eight-legged visitor in your hair.”

“Eww!” she squealed, bent over and frantically ran her hands through her hair. “Get it out!”

“Relax. I already got it.”

“What if there are more?” Her whole body shook. “I have to go.” On wobbly legs she darted for the house. A shower was the only thing that would help.

“Zoe, wait!”

She didn’t stop. Some things couldn’t wait.

Twenty minutes later she stepped out of her room into the kitchen where Nick sat at the counter. He’d clearly been waiting for her.

“Are you okay now?”

Zoe’s cheeks started to burn. “Yeah. Sorry for freaking out. You might as well know so you’ll understand why I lost it. When I was a kid I was bitten by a brown recluse and nearly died. I’ve been terrified of spiders ever since.”

He nodded. “That makes perfect sense. You can rest easy, that wasn’t a brown recluse. Just your average barn spider.”

“Oh.” Her stomach sickened at the visual his words created in her mind. Some of those things were as big as silver dollars! Her breathing came out in short bursts, and her vision spotted. Everything went black.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

N
ICK LEAPED FORWARD AND DREW
Z
OE
to his chest before she fell to the floor. He hoisted her into his arms, carried her into the sitting room and placed her on the sofa. Never in his wildest imagination did he think she would pass out at the mention of a barn spider. Especially since she’d actually
had
a spider in her hair and hadn’t responded so dramatically.

He knelt beside her and brushed her damp hair away from her face. “Zoe, wake up.” Her long dark lashes rested peacefully on her peaches-and-cream face. “Hey.” He gently patted her face and breathed in the delightful citrus fragrance that scented her hair.

Her eyelids fluttered open. “What happened?”

“You passed out.”

She groaned and draped an arm over her head. “I’m so embarrassed.”

“No need. You have a severe phobia. I should’ve known better than to…” He ran a hand over his face. He almost mentioned the kind of spider again. Good thing he caught himself since he didn’t want to risk a repeat fainting spell.

Zoe shifted and sat up, but didn’t leave the sofa. “How’d I get in here?”

“I carried you.”

Her cheeks turned rosy. “Oh. Thanks for being there for me.”

“You’re welcome.” He liked being there for her. Nick studied her face. Her color had returned to normal and her eyes were alert. “You okay now?” He realized he still knelt in front of the sofa, and stood.

“I think so, but I’m embarrassed.”

“Hey, we covered that already. Besides, everyone is afraid of something.”

“Oh yeah? What are you afraid of? Seems to me you’re about perfect.”

“Thanks for noticing,” he teased, but inside the truth of his lack of perfection hurt. If he was perfect, his wife would still be alive. Zoe should know better too, considering he’d told her about his wife. “You know I’m really not all that great.”

Zoe stood and patted his arm. “Could’ve fooled me.” She tilted off balance.

He grabbed her arms. “Steady there. Are you sure you’re okay?”