Her Unexpected Hero Read online

  Brent chuckled. “Looks like we’re about to find out.”

  She came to a stop a few feet back, her peaches and cream complexion flushed from exertion. “Hey, hi. Cole, right?”

  The men exchanged a glance. Brent offered him a victorious smirk.

  “Yes, ma’am. What can I do you for?”

  “Ma’am? Good grief, I’m not ninety. Even if I do feel that way sometimes. It’s Maddie. Just Maddie.”

  She put a hand to her chest. Cole’s gaze followed the movement but he did his best not to let it linger there. He’d admired her curves from a distance many times, but never this up close. Today, her top was unbuttoned farther than it usually was on Sundays…

  She cleared her throat and brought the hand down to plant on her hip. “You still looking for work?”

  Cole stared at her, momentarily dumbstruck.

  “Work.” She waved a hand in front of his face. “Are you still looking for work?”

  He blinked, trying to clear the fog of surprise from his mind. “Yes, ma’am—I mean, Maddie. Did you need help moving something? Or lifting?”

  “No. More like washing dishes. You got two working hands and arms?”

  “Yes, ’um.”

  “Then you’ll do. Please tell me this was your last run of the day.”

  “It is.” More like his only run of the day. Probably wasn’t even necessary, but Old Tom hated to see him sit around bored on the days he filled in at Granville’s Hardware. Not that he’d ever complain—those days were what graciously supplied the roof over his head until Cole got on his feet financially.

  “Perfect. You finish with Brent, I’ll call your grandfather.” She hurried back toward the inn, leaving the men to themselves once more.

  “Come on,” said Brent with a grin. “I’ll help you unload so you can get to our queen bee.”

  Cole smirked. “Thanks.”

  “I hope you didn’t have any plans tonight. Big gathering up there, lots of old biddies. They stay longer than you’d expect.”

  “Nah, no plans.” Cole looked back toward the inn, seeing it for the first time as a possible ticket to success. Who knew? If washing dishes paid a decent wage, maybe he’d find a way to stay longer than expected. And a cash advance.

  In fact, his dream studio was counting on it…

  Chapter Two

  Maddie hung up with one surprised but approving Tom Granville, then set out to find Cole an apron before her nerves got the best of her. Because now, in the pre-chaos quiet, it was all starting to sink in.

  Her and Cole Granville. Working together. All evening long.

  She’d always found him cute in a country star wannabe kind of way. Between the frayed-bottom jeans, always worn in all the right places, the cowboy boots, and the wavy, nearly shoulder-length dark blond hair, he’d fit in on any Nashville stage. His bright blue eyes too often claimed her gaze, which would then inevitably shift to his lips. Because, oh, did she love the velvety voice that poured from them.

  Lord almighty, the man could sing.

  But singing and looking like a celebrity weren’t what she needed from him right now. There were dishes to be washed and her sanity to be saved. Nothing more, nothing less.

  A rap sounded at the kitchen’s side door, one that few guests noticed as they passed it on their drive to and from the parking lot. Maddie hurried to let Cole in, fussing with the ties on a plain black apron swiped from their reserves. She shoved the door open with her hip, still focused on the blasted knot in one tie.

  “Come on in. I’ve got an apron for you, keep ya—” She looked up as he brushed by, the scent of his musky aftershave momentarily scattering her thoughts. “Dry.”

  “’Preciate it.”

  He began stripping out of the blue-gray flannel he’d been wearing, a fitted white tee coming into view underneath. And darn if she wasn’t suddenly tempted not to give him the apron…because a shirt like that all wet would show off the washboard stomach she suspected he was hiding underneath.

  Oh my gosh, Maddie. Stop it. Stop. It!

  She thrust the apron at him and looked away, mortified. Having Sarah in the kitchen had never messed with her libido. But having someone as delicious as Cole in here, only an arm’s length or two away all night, might prove to be a little more…distracting.

  Hmm, yet another reason she needed to hurry up and ask out Cute Guy. Clearly, she was in need of more attention from the opposite sex than she’d realized. Though, she’d never admit it around here—the Mastersons would jump all over that. Probably never let her live it down, either, since she was the resident bah-humbugger when it came to dating.

  Only because her own track record had been so abysmal.

  She started for the refrigerator, eager to put some space between her and that alluring scent of his. And view. And voice.

  “So, uh, there’s the sink.” She waved in its general direction. “And the dirty dishes. Wash, dry, stack. Don’t worry about putting things away—most nights I’m dirtying the same bowls several times. Over here is where we store the towels. Use as many as you need, we have a washer and dryer in the back corner. I’ll start a load of wash before I go.”

  Maddie turned to make sure he was paying attention, as he’d remained silent as a church mouse. Sure enough, his gaze was focused on her, the apron now in place and tied back to front around his waist. And darn if he still didn’t look good enough to eat.

  “Any questions?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Ugh. I’ll break you of that habit soon enough.” Cackling sounded from nearby, reminding her that time was short. Thanks to Sarah, she’d be scrambling all night. “You keep busy and stay out of my way and we’ll get along just fine. Got it?”

  He tucked some loose strands of hair behind his ear and grinned. “Got it.”

  “Oh! Your hair—we’ve got to do something about that.” She looked around for something to hold it back. A hair net, a rubber band. Good gravy, she couldn’t have one of Ruby’s friends find a hair in their food!

  “Will this do?”

  Cole tugged a rolled-up ball cap from his back pocket and gave it a shake, then smoothed it down over his hair, backward. In an instant, he went from kitchen help she’d be struggling not to stare at all night, to man who was sure to star in a future fantasy. Because Cole Granville was far too sexy to be in her kitchen. Funny thing was, he didn’t seem to notice.

  Which to Maddie was the sexiest part about him.

  He stared at her expectantly now, waiting for an answer. “Oh. Yeah. Sure.” She brushed past him and began re-stacking a pile of dirty dishes at the sink. “What’s the ‘T’ for?”

  “Texas Rangers. Grew up a fan.”

  “Texas, huh? Explains the cowboy boots you’re usually in. On Sundays. Not that I…” Grr, could she dig this hole any deeper? She didn’t dare look at him, just shuffled over to the island kitchen and waved for him to take his place at the sink. “Well, anyway, don’t let Miles see you in that, the crazy Yankees fan. He’ll think you’ve sided with Brent and the Tigers.”

  Cole chuckled. “I doubt he’ll get the two confused, but thanks for the heads-up.”

  Good lord, even his chuckle is silky smooth.

  One shift. All she had to do was make it through one shift with him here. Tomorrow, she’d ask Miles to find her a suitable replacement for Sarah, someone a lot less fun to look at. Maddie closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, and got her head back in the game. She had a room full of her boss’s friends expecting perfection.

  Because while Maddie absolutely stank at the dating thing, perfection in the kitchen she could do.

  …

  Cole toweled off the last mixing spoon and set it in the drying rack, surprised at his level of exhaustion. Who would have thought washing dishes could be so tiring? He’d worked his tail off, trying to impress his temporary boss. Because if his dream studio was to become a reality, he needed this job to last more than one night.

  He twisted slowly from
side to side, then bent to reach for the floor, trying to knock loose the kink that’d settled into his back the last half an hour or so. Seems he wasn’t used to standing so long in one place. Heck, he wasn’t used to being in one place so long period. Upside down, he chanced a brief look at Maddie, who’d finally slowed from breakneck speed to something more along the lines of a leisurely jog. He’d never seen anyone so focused on their work, her brows frequently drawn low in concentration. When she’d been pleased with something, she’d start to hum a little tune—nothing recognizable, as she seemed to be rather tone deaf, but a happy humming all the same. If something didn’t go her way, expletives followed and not always quietly. It was those times he found it wise to keep his eyes on the dishes, rather than the chef.

  Though, the chef sure was fun to admire. She seemed completely unaware of how adorable she looked smattered with flour, her pinned-back hair loosening with every brush and nudge she gave it with her forearm or the back of her hand. Back home, the boys would have scooped a woman like her up in no time. Sexy and she could cook? It was every homeboy’s dream.

  “Sore?”

  Cole bolted upright and felt the room swim around him. He reached for the nearest counter to steady himself, light-headed from the sudden movement. “Nah,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’m good.”

  “You’re too skinny is what you are. Here.” Maddie slid a plate full of ham and potatoes toward him. “My way of apologizing for working you through dinner. I tend to get pretty wrapped up in my work.”

  He stared down at the meal, a lump forming in his throat. Simple acts of kindness weren’t something he’d experienced much over the years. “Thanks.”

  “Don’t thank me, Skinny, just eat. Before some breeze kicks up and knocks you over like a bean pole scarecrow.”

  He dug in, too hungry to argue the point that he was not too skinny, or that he’d never been knocked over by Mother Nature. Though, eating meals like this? Now that was a rarity. He might never have tasted anything so delicious in his life.

  “You like?”

  Cole nodded, unwilling to stop shoveling long enough to speak. Man, he could get used to eating like this. Ham that didn’t require a steak knife to cut? Creamy, cheesy potatoes that melted in his mouth? It’d be worth the wait every time. He set the fork down and swiped the edge of his apron across his mouth.

  “I never knew ham could taste so good.”

  “Well, then you’ve never had my ham before.”

  She went back to her work, which appeared to be prepping a future meal. But he didn’t want her to go back to work, not when he was still dying for some reassurance that he’d get to come back tomorrow. “So, uh, is this your own recipe then?” He cringed. Man, could you sound any lamer?

  “Yep.”

  “Seriously, it’s delicious. What’s in it?”

  She shot him a wary look. “Why do you want to know?”

  “Just curious.” He shrugged. “And trying to make small talk now that you’re not, you know, cussing out the beets anymore.”

  “I cuss out a lot of things,” she grumbled, a flush creeping up her cheeks. “Would have cussed at you if you’d gotten in my way one more time.”

  “One more time?” Cole grimaced. He’d tried so hard to do everything right. The first hint of doubt cast its shadow over his future at the inn.

  “Yeah, well, Sarah and I had our timing worked out. If I was in the oven, she was drying dishes to leave me more room. If I was chopping vegetables, she was over there putting glasses away.”

  “You told me not to put anything away.”

  “Because I didn’t want you dropping anything.”

  “Oh.” She didn’t trust him. He’d remedy that soon enough. “Well, you shouldn’t worry about that. I’ve got unusually steady hands.”

  Maddie looked up with one brow arched. “Unusually steady?”

  “Yep.” He raised his hands and wiggled his fingers. “Years of practice.”

  “And I’m sure those hands are far too expensive for my measly budget, so you might as well save your energy.”

  Crap. That wasn’t the direction he was trying to steer her. The resolved look on her face suggested steering might not be an option with Maddie.

  “Tough to say, as I have no idea what wage you’re offering.”

  “Two bucks over minimum wage is what Sarah was making. Which reminds me—if you swing by tomorrow before the lunch rush, I’ll make sure Miles pays you for tonight.”

  Two over? He wouldn’t be raking in the dough, but it might help tide him over until he filled his student roster. Heck, he’d take anything he could right now…but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try for more.

  “You give me five over and I’ll come back as many nights as you need.”

  “Five over? Are you nuts?”

  Nope, just itching for my own run at the American dream. “Four over, that’s my final offer. Unless, that is, you’d like to work solo for a week or more while you run an ad in the paper?”

  She froze in mid-chop and met his gaze. “A week or more?”

  Ah-ha—she did need help as badly as he’d hoped. Cole worked to keep his features cool, calm, and collected. “Sure. The paper’ll take a few days to list anything. Applicants will have to send in their resumes. That is, unless you have an online application.”

  “Well, no…”

  “See? So there’s a few more days. And then there’s interviewing, background checks…”

  Maddie cursed and looked to the ceiling. Cole watched her stew in silence, hoping he’d painted a bleak enough picture for her.

  “Heck for that price, you ought to be working two jobs for me.” She set her knife down—which was more than fine with him—and gave him a wary look. “How are you with relationships?”

  “Come again?”

  “Relationships. And dating. If I’m going to pay you that much, you’re gonna earn it.”

  “Oh. Uh…” Okay, this was so not where he thought the conversation would head. Surely she wouldn’t want to get mixed up with someone like him. Someone with a history lurking in the shadows, ready to spring out and bite him in the butt. “You know, I’m flattered and all, but—”

  “Not date me, for me.” She shook her head, hands on the counter for support. “Here’s the deal. There’s a charity gala coming up and—”

  “Gala?”

  “Party, Cole. A fancy party. And I don’t have a date lined up for it yet, even though Ruby thinks I do and if you tell her I lied I will hunt you down and—” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Just…don’t tell. Anyway, there is a guy I’ve been thinking of asking. I just…need a little guidance on how to actually do it.”

  “I see.” Cole nodded, mentally breathing a sigh of relief while ignoring his stinging ego. But it made sense—a woman like Maddie would never go for a mess-up like him. He pushed that aside and tried to focus on the positives, like how her predicament gave him more leverage.

  Leverage he planned to take advantage of. “Well, relationship coaching isn’t something I’ve done on a professional level before, but yeah, I could definitely give you some pointers on what might turn a guy’s eye, win them over.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure. I’m a guy—kinda comes with the territory.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “Look, if you’re going to make light of it just forget I asked.”

  “No, no, no—not making light, just being honest. Us guys? We’re not so complicated.”

  “Uh-huh.” She studied him for a long moment. “So if I can somehow pull off the request of the year from our finance guy, you’ll wash dishes and help me get this date for the gala?”

  “Absolutely. In fact, I’ll do you one better. You give me two hundred cash by the end of the week, and I’ll work for three dollars an hour over minimum instead of four.”

  “By the end of the week?” She barked a laugh. “Are you high?”

  “Nope, just need some fast cash. And it’s a win-win for us
both. I did all right in here tonight, didn’t I?”

  She frowned, her gaze on the floor while her gears were clearly turning. Cole felt sweat bead at his hairline. If she didn’t come through with the cash, he’d have to hit the streets tomorrow and hope for the best. He couldn’t ask his grandfather for it—he already felt like a big enough burden as it was.

  Maddie straightened, looking anything but pleased. “I’ve got some thinking to do. Come back tomorrow and we’ll see.”

  “But—”

  “Be here by four tomorrow, do as good a job as you did tonight, and I’ll think about it. That’s my final offer.”

  Darn it, what was there to think about? Either she needed the help or she didn’t.

  Then again, Maddie was the inn’s chef, not its banker. Maybe she needed time to round up the money. Cole ran a hand over the back of his neck. He hated gambling on his future like this, but Maddie didn’t strike him as a cheat.

  He prayed this time he’d be right.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, stripping out of his apron. “But if that money’s not in my hands by Friday at noon, I’ll have no choice but to be moving on.”

  Chapter Three

  Maddie climbed the steps to her apartment, wrestled the door open with what energy she had left, then closed and locked it behind her. What a day. While she was used to frequent surprises working where she did—especially from feisty innkeeper Ruby Masterson—today had been nuts. Like, nuts nuts. That harmless fib to Ruby must have ticked off the relationship gods or something because the rest of the day had gone downhill after that.

  Lucky her.

  “Hey, Fido, I’m home.”

  Her goldfish perked up as Maddie flipped on the kitchen lights, drifting to the water’s surface in anticipation of his late evening meal. She shook a few flakes into his bowl, watched him inhale them in his usual nom-nom-nom style, then turned and grabbed a glass from the cupboard. There was a new box of Chablis in the refrigerator calling her name tonight. Working at the Checkerberry might be physically exhausting, but her mind had a habit of kicking into high gear after the dinner rush, consumed by ideas for the next meal, or how to make the last one better. Ideas, ideas, ideas. And now Cole.