Page 10 of Daddy's Pride

I push the quilt and pillow aside and pat the space between them and me. After a moment’s hesitation, he joins me. His thigh brushes against mine, sending tiny pulses of electricity zipping between us.

“Why did you buy this place?” Do I sound breathy?

Miles clasps his hands between his splayed knees. “I was restless after leaving the army. I flitted from job to job for a while, but nothing really grabbed me. I saw this place, had savings, and thought, why not?”

“You bought a business on a whim?”

“Pretty much.” He rubs his neck. “It was probably a huge mistake.”

“Don’t say that,” I whisper.

He glances at me. “So far, it’s been nothing but a money pit.”

“That’s because it’s not open for business yet.”

“I’m not sure it ever will be.”

I frown. “Why?”

“I’m not business-minded. If I were, I wouldn’t have bought one on a whim.” He winks at me.

My knees turn to jelly. “Impulsive decisions can lead to wonderful things.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” The room is getting smaller, or we’re leaning toward each other. “Would—would you tell me about your vision for this place?”

“I don’t know. I figured I’d run team-building courses for businesses. Maybe schools could bring kids here for day trips. That sort of thing.”

“Is there accommodation?”

“In theory, there’s hostel-style accommodation out back, but the building’s so dilapidated it probably wants knocking down and rebuilding. That’s not something I can afford, so I’d be targeting schools and businesses within easy travelling distance.” He sighs. “As I said, buying this place was a mistake.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“No offense, but it’s going to take more than wishful thinking and a bit of marketing to turn this into anything profitable.”

I sweep my arm to gesture to as much of the property as possible. “You haven’t given up on this place.”

“What makes you say that?”

“You’re doing it up. Will you show me outside in the morning? Uh, while I’m waiting for a tow. I don’t want to outstay my welcome.”

“I’d love to show you around.”

Wow, it’s got hot in here. “Great. Thank you. In the meantime, I’ll put my thinking cap on and develop some ideas to get people fired up about coming here.”

“Thank you.” His lips remain parted for a second as though another word is on the tip of his tongue.

He looks into my eyes, and I’m helpless to do anything other than return his stare and smile.

“Do you need anything before bed?” he asks.

You?

“Food?”

“No, I’m good.”