The Inn at Rose Harbor Read Online Free

life.
    Stepping away from the window, Josh didn’t bother to unpack his bag. He took out his cell phone and logged on to his email account to collect his messages, hoping for word on the next job. He hadn’t even seen Richard yet and already he was planning his escape.
    The first one that popped up was an email from Michelle Nelson, Richard’s next-door neighbor. She’d sent it only a couple of hours earlier.
    Josh read the message.
    From: Michelle Nelson ([email protected])
    Sent: January 12
    To: [email protected]
    Subject: Welcome Home
    Dear Josh,
    I’m expecting you to arrive in Cedar Cove anytime now and I wanted to make sure we connected first thing. My parents are visiting my brother in Arizona—he’s a new father—and I’m staying at their home to feed the dog and keep close tabs on Richard. I’m off work the next couple of days so give me a call once you’re settled in at the B&B and I’ll go with you to see Richard if you’d like.
    Michelle
    360-555-8756
    Josh settled against the back of the chair and folded his arms over his chest. He remembered how Michelle’s obvious infatuation with Dylan had been an embarrassment to his stepbrother. Still, Dylan had never been cruel to Michelle like some of the other boys in school had been, taunting her with names and off-color remarks and jokes.
    He appreciated her offer to accompany him when he went to visit Richard for the first time. It would be great to have another person there to act as a buffer. Josh punched out the phone number Michelle had listed, and she picked up almost right away.
    “Michelle, it’s Josh.”
    “Oh Josh, my goodness, it’s so good to hear your voice. How are you?”
    “Good.” Michelle’s enthusiasm felt like a balm. He hadn’t expected anyone to be pleased that he was in town. While Josh had had plenty of friends in high school, he hadn’t kept in touch withany of them. Following his high school graduation he’d joined the army and headed almost immediately for basic training. Then he’d linked up with a construction company and worked his way up to project manager. He didn’t mind the travel, so he bounced from town to town and from job to job, never staying longer than a few months in any one place. He’d seen a good part of the country and hadn’t put down roots anywhere. In time, he’d settle down, he supposed, but he didn’t feel the burning need for that to happen anytime soon.
    “You sound wonderful,” Michelle continued, her voice soft with what seemed to be remembered affection.
    “So do you,” he murmured. Josh had always liked Michelle, even though he’d felt sorry for her because of the extra weight she carried. “I suppose you’re married by now with a passel of kids,” he joked, confident that she’d found someone who would appreciate her. He remembered her as being generous and kind. It didn’t come as any surprise that she’d become a social worker, looking after others.
    “No, unfortunately.” Her voice echoed with regret and a tinge of sadness.
    Josh was sorry he’d asked.
    “What about you? Did you bring your wife and children with you to see your old stomping grounds?”
    “No, I’m not married either.”
    “Oh.” She sounded surprised. “I asked Richard about your family and he didn’t know.”
    No reason he would—they hadn’t spoken in years. “How’s the old man faring these days?” he asked in order to change the subject.
    “Not so good. He’s both stubborn and foolish. He insists he doesn’t need any help from anyone, although he’s willing to let me take him meals and check in on him every now and again.”
    Same old Richard: unreasonable, cantankerous, and constantly in a bad mood. “Does he know I’m coming?” Josh asked.
    “I didn’t tell him,” Michelle said.
    “Would your parents have mentioned it before they left for your brother’s?”
    “I doubt it. None of us were sure whether you’d show or not.”
    Apparently the Nelsons knew him