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

the table.”
    Zoe wrapped her arms around several boxes of cereal and pushed through the door into the dining room. “Good morning, everyone.” She lowered the boxes onto the table then turned toward the kitchen and wove around Nick who followed with a tray filled with everything else.
    Twitters of laughter in the other room brought a smile to her face. At least their guests were enjoying the simple meal. She reached into the fridge and pulled out a bag of peaches she’d thawed the night before and poured them into a glass bowl.
    Nick pushed through the door and stopped. “I’ll take that. You might want to go change.” His eyes gleamed, and he fingered his collar.
    “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
    “Did you get dressed in the dark?”
    “Of course not.” She didn’t mean to snap but couldn’t help it. She’d worked so hard to prove herself to her boss and now apparently she couldn’t even dress right.
    He held up his hands. “I’m no fashion expert, but you might want to rethink that look.”
    She dashed into her room and looked in the mirror. For starters her top was on backward. How had she not noticed? But to make matters worse the top was sheer and she’d forgotten to remove her nightshirt, which now hung beneath the hem of her white top. A groan escaped her lips. Of all days to forget to wear her chef’s jacket.
    After making things right she took a little extra time to fix her hair and make sure she was put together properly. Satisfied, she re-entered the kitchen. “You know, you could’ve said something before I went into the dining room.”
    Nick looked up from wiping the counter. Appreciation shone in his eyes. “Honestly, I didn’t notice until one of the guests pointed it out. I may look cool under pressure, but I was stressing. Sorry.”
    “No, I’m sorry.” Zoe skimmed past him and into the dining room. “Can I get anyone…” Where had they gone? She noted the wall clock and pursed her lips. Everyone was finished eating. It didn’t take twenty minutes to down a bowl of cereal.
    Nick strolled into the room with a tray. “They all had plans for their day. Rachel and her mother went for a walk. Rachel asked me to let you know.”
    Sounded like that was a polite way of telling her to clean Rachel’s room. “I’ll clean up breakfast then take care of her room.”
    “I’ve got this. Go ahead.”
    Zoe reached for a coffee mug and placed it on the tray. “I can do my job, Nick. I just overslept. It won’t happen again.”
    “I’m glad to hear that, but I’d rather you take care of Rachel’s room, and let me do this.”
    “You’re the boss.” Zoe bit her bottom lip and tromped up the stairs. Her stomach roiled at the thought of losing her job, but she wouldn’t blame Nick if he let her go. She’d messed up.
    She had worked hard to get her life together after Children’s Protective Services removed her from her home. That first year with her foster family had been rough, but mostly because she didn’t trust them. Gradually, the trust grew and their nurturing helped heal the wounds her birth parents had inflicted.
    Cooking had been her catharsis—the place where everything was always okay. Her birth parents had loved her cooking and always mellowed when they smelled the aroma of a homemade meal. But when there was no money for food, things got rough. She exhaled and yanked the closet door open. No good came of reliving bad memories.
    If Nick let her go, she’d find another job—one where she didn’t need to clean bathrooms or bedding. But she rather liked living on this beautiful island where life lacked complications—like boyfriend-stealing roommates.

CHAPTER THREE
     
    “ I DON’T KNOW, M ITCH. T HE ROOF is a big job.” Nick rubbed the back of his neck. “There are several guests here and I—”
    “The roof needs replacing. I have this week off. I’m coming. Give them a discount or something.”
    Nick had taken ownership two weeks ago. Surely the