Island Refuge (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 1) Read Online Free

. Somehow she always knew when to call. “Hi, Mom.”
    “I stopped by your apartment this afternoon.”
    Zoe winced. The woman she’d called mom since she was thirteen deserved better. “I’m sorry. I should’ve called.”
    “Where are you, sweetie? Tara didn’t know, and all she would tell me is that you moved out and quit your job. Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine.”
    “What’s going on? For years, all you talked about was how you were going to run your own kitchen at a fancy restaurant. Did you get a better offer?”
    Zoe laughed drily. “Not exactly.” She ran her fingers through the tiny gravel pieces along the shoreline. “Kyle cheated on me with Tara, and they’re engaged.”
    “I warned you about that man. He’s a player.”
    Zoe’s stomach tightened. “I’m sorry for letting you down.” Michelle and Richard Brown had taken her in and treated her as their own. They deserved more, but maybe she was no better than her birth mom who taunted that Zoe would never amount to anything.
    “Nonsense. You haven’t let me down. I wish you had heeded my advice, but you are a grown woman and more than capable of making your own choices. You’re better without him. I’m glad you discovered his true colors before you married him. So, what’s next for my favorite daughter?”
    In spite of the circumstances, Zoe laughed. Michelle didn’t have a daughter of her own and had never taken in another child after she arrived. Her foster parents had talked behind closed doors about adopting her, but her birth mom wouldn’t allow it. Zoe had lived in constant fear that she’d be sent back, but thankfully that never happened. “I’m living on Wildflower Island in Washington State.”
    “What on earth are you doing there?”
    “I’m a cook and housekeeper in a bed-and-breakfast.”
    “Oh, Zoe.” Disappointment laced her voice.
    “I couldn’t stay at the restaurant. Not with Tara and Kyle both working there.”
    “So you should have fired them! You were in charge! I will never understand why you allow people to walk all over you.”
    Zoe blinked back tears. Mom was right. She should’ve fired them. In fact she would have if she hadn’t feared a lawsuit since everyone was so sue-happy these days. But there was no going back now. “It’s complicated, but the place where I’m at now is…” What could she say? Dilapidated and grossly beneath her skill level.
    “Is what?”
    “Quaint.” Where that word came from she didn’t know, but it fit. The Wildflower was charming in its own way.
    “Do you need your dad and me to come?”
    “I’m thirty years old and more than capable.”
    “I know, dear. But I’m worried about you.”
    “And I love you for that. No, I don’t want you to come. I’m still getting settled. Maybe later you and Dad could visit, though.”
    “Okay. Let us know. I love you and will be praying for you. Bye.”
    Zoe pocketed her phone and let the tears of regret slide down her face.
     
    ****
     
    T HE FOLLOWING MORNING Zoe covered her eyes with her arm and winced at the bright sunshine filtering through the blinds. “Oh no!” She flung the sheets back and vaulted for the restroom. After throwing her hair into a clip atop her head, she splashed water on her face, applied a coat of lipstick, and tossed on the first thing she grabbed from the tiny closet.
    She yanked her door open and scurried into the kitchen. Cereal boxes littered the counter as well as a pitcher of orange juice and a basket of leftover muffins.
    “Oh good, you’re up.” Nick motioned to the toaster. “Mind buttering the toast?”
    Zoe snapped her jaw closed and quickly washed her hands. “I overslept.”
    “I noticed.” A frown puckered his brow.
    “I’d planned French toast, bacon, fried potatoes, and scrambled eggs.”
    “Sometimes our best laid plans are thwarted. How’s the toast coming?”
    She reached for a knife and buttered the lightly browned bread. “Done.”
    “Good. Let’s get this to