Page 18 of Charm Me
I took a bit and I let out a low growl as it nearly melted in my mouth. “You mean to tell me these will be out every morning?”
“Yep.” Her smile grew.
“Damn, I may never leave.”
Zoe’s dad walked into the room, hanging his hat on the hook by the door. “You might not want to say that too loudly or Sarah will turn that into reality. Nothing makes that woman happier than feeding a man who enjoys good food.”
“Morning, Daddy.” Her father kissed her top of the head before taking the seat on the other side of the table from me.
“So, what’s the agenda today?” he asked.
“I figured I’d show Wyatt a couple of the rental units you have open right now and go over how you manage them. After that I’d like to take him into town so he can meet some of the collaborators you work with.”
“Sounds good. You still want the horses tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’d like to show him some of the trails, interactive signs, and take him to the lake. That should give him a good idea of how hands off the activities can be for guests. Do you still have time to meet with him Friday morning to go over the back of the house management?”
“Yep, it’s on my schedule.” Mike stood up to get a cup of coffee just as Sarah walked in with the plates of eggs.
“Here you go, Wyatt.” Sarah sat the plates down in front of us then added bacon and sausage to each. Everything looked and smelled delicious and even though I’d already eaten a cinnamon roll, I was still hungry.
“Thank you. This looks great.” I glanced up at Sarah and the pleased look on her face told me just how much she enjoyed running the bed and breakfast. Mike slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close before pressing his lips to hers. They had the same kind of love and respect for each other that my parents had. The same kind I hoped to find one day.
“Zoe, before you head out to see the property, stop by the barn and say hello to Princess Aurora. She misses you.”
“Princess Aurora?” I raised a questioning brow in Zoe’s direction.
She rolled her eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh just like I’d expect to see from a little girl who thought she was a real princess. “Yes, Princess Aurora is my horse.”
She grasped the locket she wore around her neck and opened it. Holding it out for me to see, there was a picture of her parents on one side and a horse on the other. “This is Princess Aurora.”
I snorted. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
Her mouth fell open and formed the cutest little O expression. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I nodded and glimpsed toward her boots. I surveyed her attire, my eyes lingering over her body before meeting her stare. “For one, you’re wearing pink boots, so princess is kind of fitting.”
“Wait ‘til you see her hat.” Her dad said.
I glanced over at Mike, and he was watching me closely with his arms crossed over his chest. His lips were turned up slightly, and the curious look in his eyes told me he didn’t miss a beat when it came to his daughter. I tipped my head ever so slightly and he unfolded his arms. I didn’t date much, but I recognized the unspoken understanding between a father and a potential suitor for his daughter.
“Don’t tell me its pink too,” I said.
Mike’s grin grew and he shifted his eyes to Zoe. “Oh yeah, with a sparkling band that says princess.”
We all laughed, including Zoe. I liked her parents and her family dynamics. They were exactly the kind of people that would be friends to my family given the opportunity. In truth, I was being given that opportunity by being here. All I had to do was decide if I wanted it.
***
I HOPPED UP INTO THEtruck’s cab and tossed a smile in Zoe’s direction. “So where to princess.”
She rolled her eyes and let out a playful groan. I’d lost count at how many times she’d rolled her eyes at me since breakfast, but I couldn’t help myself. She may act like I was annoying her, but I could tell she liked it.
She rotated toward me, and pinned me to the back of my seat with her stare. “Are you enjoying making fun of me?”
I leaned onto the console so my eyes were level with hers and we were no more than a few inches apart. Her pale blue eyes darkened as they widened. I also didn’t miss that she’d sucked in a breath and held it. “Never. I’m tryin’ to decide which name I like better for you, princess or puits d’amour.”
“You could just call me Zoe.” Her voice was no more than a whisper.