Clearwater Romance Read Online Free Page B

though noticing the sun shining in the window. “What time is it?”
    “A little after eight.”
    “Oh.” He dragged his hand over his face. “Give me a minute and I’ll be down.”
    * * *
    Jordan joined her downstairs a few minutes later. She set a platter of pancakes on the table.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was so late.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Sit down and start. I’ll grab the coffee.” Joining him at the table, she nodded to the papers beside him. “What are you working on?”
    His lips curled into a smile and he shoved another bite of pancake into his mouth. “I couldn’t sleep and you mentioned drawing up plans for the other two guest bedrooms. I hope you don’t mind, but I drew up some ideas for you to look at.”
    “You did?”
    “Yeah, don’t look so surprised. I had nothing else to do and didn’t want to wake you. I used to work at my father’s construction business before I enlisted. I worked with him all through high school, and when I was on leave. If you don’t like them, you don’t have to use it. It was just my way of trying to pay you back—make up for what I did last night. Plus it got my mind off…things. I forgot how much I loved doing that.”
    “I’d love to see.”
    He wiped his hands on his napkin and handed her the papers.
    She looked over the documents, the designs were more than she imagined. The ideas looked so warm and welcoming. Beautiful…
    “Wow, they’re perfect. I love this one.” She tapped the larger bedroom design. “The ideas for all of it is wonderful, but I especially like the idea of adding a large window to that room and taking advantage of the views.”  She nudged her plate aside, spreading the design out in front of her. “I didn’t mention a design for the bathroom, but thank you. I planned to do that later. Why did you take out the tub?”
    “Winterbloom is a bed and breakfast, and three of the rooms share that bathroom. I don’t think the guests would appreciate it if another guest took a long bath while they waited to shower. The guest room you finished already has a bathroom, and if they really have to have a bath when they come, they should book that room. If you don’t like it, I can change the design to allow for a tub.”
    “No, you’re right—we’ve had that problem before. I love it and the large walk in the glass shower. It makes me want to redo my quarters.” She smiled at him.
    “If you want, I can look at it and give you some pointers on the best use for your space.”
    A forbidden thrill raced through her at the idea of him in her bedroom. “Thank you. But that isn’t in the budget at this time. I would love for you to look over the cabin if we can get to them before you leave. With all this snow, I don’t know if it will be something we can do. If not, I can get a local to come in and look at it. But I have to say, you seem to have eye for detail. These designs are wonderful. Have you thought about getting back into that?”
    “Yeah, this morning while I drew these up. I loved doing it and it was always my plan after the Marines but then the service became my life and I forgot about it. Dad sold his business a few years ago because Mom wanted to travel, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t start my own business.” A glimmer of hope peeked from beneath his fatigue.

Chapter Six
     
    “I noticed you have a lot of the supplies already that I would need in one guest room. I could get started on it.” He loaded the last of the dishes into the dishwasher.
    “Oh no, I couldn’t.”
    “I offered. It’s not like there’s anything else for me to do. You want the place in order so when the official papers come through you can reopen. Let me do this.” He dried his hands on the dishtowel. “I’m not one for sitting around doing nothing. I’m going stir crazy. Let me do this for you.”
    “I don’t know. You’re my guest, and I don’t want to impose.”
    “You’re not. I’d actually consider it a