Carolina Breeze Page 2

  Mia’s father had left when she was five and, especially after her mother died, Mia craved those familial roots everyone else seemed to have. Maybe her grandparents were gone, but she’d always wanted to visit Bluebell, where they’d lived until they passed away. Imagine her surprise when she found out that the inn they’d owned was still there.

  When the topic of the honeymoon had risen between Wes and her, she’d pushed the issue. And since Mia had graciously conceded to Wes’s mother in almost every aspect of the wedding plans, Wesley let her have her way.

  Bluebell Lake was tucked away in a quiet little town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the perfect spot for a honeymoon. And the perfect place to disappear to. How would it feel to go to the place where she and Wes were supposed to honeymoon? Not good, she was sure. But at this point she really didn’t have the luxury of avoiding pain and regret.

  “I’ll need a flight,” Mia said.

  “Mia.”

  “Do you have a better idea?”

  “What about your clothes and things?”

  “I’d rather buy new than go back home and become bait for those vultures.”

  “I could send my mom to get them.”

  “I’m not having Lettie deal with all that.”

  The idea was making more and more sense. Maybe going on her honeymoon alone was a strange idea, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was also the right idea. There was something about the dot on the map that had always felt like home.

  “It’s settled then,” Mia said with more bravado than she felt. “I’m going to North Carolina.”

  three

  Levi Bennett stowed the lawn mower in the shed and locked up. The sun was setting across the lake, swathing the sky in hues of pink. The last light of the day lit his way up the sloped lawn toward the inn. The property looked nice, the grass spring green, the flowers lining the walkway in full bloom. Overhead the trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the sweet scent of lilacs wafted by.

  Memorial Day weekend—the official start of lake season—was always a busy one, but this one had been off the charts. He could hardly believe his baby sister Grace had graduated high school yesterday. It had been bittersweet without their parents. Levi had felt the need to make everything perfect for her, but try as he might, he could never fill their parents’ shoes.

  He’d had that same frustration since they’d died a year and a half ago: trying, and failing, to be everything Grace and Molly needed. He was the oldest, after all. The “man of the house.”

  He slipped in the back door, his stomach growling. The lawn had taken the better part of the afternoon, and he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. The inn was quiet, the last of their guests having checked out this morning, and the scent of lemon cleaner filled his nostrils. He found his sisters in the dining room, huddled over the pizza he’d ordered thirty minutes ago.

  “Hope you saved some for me,” he said.

  Grace’s long blond hair hung over her shoulder in damp strands. She plated a slice of pizza, the cheese stretching temptingly. “Better hurry.”

  Levi grabbed a chair and tore off a slice, giving silent thanks as he bit into the heavenly mound of meat and cheese.

  “What a weekend, huh?” Molly brushed her dark ponytail over her shoulder. “Full house and a graduation to boot. We survived.”

  “It’s not over yet.” Levi was thinking of the honeymooners arriving tonight and staying a week.

  “Who rents out an entire inn just for themselves?” Grace asked.

  “Rich people,” Molly said.

  “You would know.” Grace gave Molly a droll look.

  Molly’s boyfriend, Adam Bradford, was a hotshot author. He’d recently moved from New York to Bluebell just to be near Molly.

  “You’d think they’d just rent one of the McMansions if they wanted privacy,” Grace said.

  “Houses don’t come with live-in help,” Levi said. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you guys about. They’re paying a lot of money for this week, and I’m sure they have rich friends they can recommend us to. So let’s be on top of all the details, all right?”

  Grace rolled her eyes. “Aren’t we always?”

  “Relax,” Molly said. “The honeymoon suite is perfection itself.”

  “And we’ve been cleaning downstairs all afternoon. Didn’t you notice the gleaming floors?”

  “It looks very nice. What about the other rooms?”

  “We’ll clean them tomorrow,” Molly said with a shrug. “It’s just the two of them; they won’t need all seven rooms.”

  “True.” He was less than pleased with that answer. But maybe he was overthinking it. He had a tendency to do that sometimes, as his sisters were quick to point out.

  “Is the Fusion cleaned out?” Molly asked.

  Levi finished chewing. “What does that matter?”

  Molly gave him a sheepish look. “Did I forget to tell you? I may have offered the couple your chauffeur services.”

  “My what?”

  “They requested a driver.” Molly shrugged. “What did you want me to say? They’re paying a premium.”

  Great. Just great. He had a list of things to do this week. And driving around a couple of rich lovebirds wasn’t on it. “Is there anything else you might’ve forgotten to mention?”

  “Breakfast in bed? But I already notified Miss Della. She’s on board.”

  “No blue M&M’s or imported water?” Levi asked.

  Molly’s eyes gleamed over a slice of pizza. “Now, now, that’s no way to talk about our guests.”

  “You’d be a much better tour guide,” he said to Molly. “Why don’t you do it?”

  “Are you going to clean the rooms and do laundry?”

  He pressed his lips together. She knew he’d rather wear a tutu in the Fourth of July parade.

  “Besides, I promised Adam I’d help research his next story. I’ll be at the library every spare moment this week.”

  Levi turned to Grace, looking at her beseechingly.

  “Consider it done.” She smiled sweetly. “I’d be happy to help out.”

  “You would?”

  “Of course. It’s the least I can do.”

  Wait a minute. What was she— “Oh no, you don’t. You promised you’d finish your college apps this week, and that’s exactly what you’re going to do.”

  She’d procrastinated the whole school year, reminding him that her preferred colleges had late application deadlines.

  Grace gave him an innocent smile, wide blue eyes blinking. “Have fun chauffeuring.”

  “Relax,” Molly said. “It won’t be that bad.”

  “Yeah,” Grace said. “They’re honeymooners. They probably won’t even leave their room.”

  Levi shot her a look. Maybe she was nineteen now, but he didn’t want to think his baby sister knew much about honeymoons or the things that went on during them.

  “What?” She flipped her damp hair over her shoulders. “You know I’m right.”

  Their entry alarm dinged, no doubt announcing their guests’ arrival.

  “Speak of the devil,” Grace whispered.

  Levi wiped off his hands and pushed back. “I’ll get it.” Might as well get used to being at the couple’s beck and call.

  * * *

  Mia stepped into the inn and pushed the door shut behind her, cool air brushing over her skin. The foyer smelled pleasantly of lemons, and the plush rug cushioned her steps. Other than the scrape of a chair from another room the inn was silent.

  She scanned the small lobby, her eyes going to the grand staircase opposite the door. She wondered if her grandparents had been the ones to restore the railings. Their mahogany tones gleamed under the light from the antique chandelier.

  The inn was located on the edge of town. It had been almost dark out as the driver had navigated the windy shoreline, but Mia could see the moonlight gleaming off the water and the silhouette of mountains around the lake. It was hard to imagine that her mother’s childhood h
ad been anything other than idyllic.

  Mia’s gaze swept to the right where a living room was situated, a set of French doors beyond it. To the left a darkened hallway extended past the check-in desk.

  “Hello?” she called.

  Her heavy purse tugged at her shoulder. It was filled with toiletries she’d purchased at the airport. It had been a long day, and she had a raging headache. There was no easy way to get from LA to Bluebell. There’d been a layover in Dallas with Charlotte the final destination. She’d taken a long Uber to reach the inn, and had she mentioned her head was killing her?

  She took off the ball cap she’d been wearing all day, dragged the ponytail holder from her hair, and massaged her scalp. Ahhhh. Much better. Now she just needed a soft bed and eight hours of sleep. Maybe more.

  At least she’d managed to avoid attention as she traveled. She looked different without makeup, and most fans didn’t expect to see her schlepping through the airport in yoga pants and tennis shoes.

  She gave a weary sigh, stepping closer to the desk and scanning it for a bell. She was ready to put this long day behind her. Two long days.

  “Mrs. Hughes?”

  Mia flinched. A man strode across the living room in slim-fit khakis and a black polo bearing the inn’s logo. He was several inches taller than her five-foot-ten frame. He was also not hard on the eyes, with dark hair and tanned skin setting off his clear blue eyes. He put her in mind of Liam Hemsworth.

  He offered a smile and a hand. “Welcome to the Bluebell Inn. I’m Levi, one of the owners.”

  “You can call me Mia.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mia. How was your trip?”

  “It was fine, thank you.”

  Fine. A knot tightened in her gut—something about having been called the name that was supposed to have been hers. She’d spent the past two days avoiding people and in frantic discussions with her agent. She hadn’t had time to process the wedding that had never happened, but coming here brought equal parts relief and dread.

  She swallowed against the lump at the back of her throat. And now is not the time for that, Mia.

  Levi was clicking and clacking at the computer. “If I could just have a credit card for incidentals. Your stay is already paid for, of course.”

  She slid her Visa across the desk, hoping he wouldn’t recognize her name.

  “Perfect.” Click, click, clack. “Our honeymoon suite is tucked away upstairs in the corner of the inn, so it should be nice and quiet for you.”

  “Great.” Mia signed the paper work he slid across the counter.

  “Here are two keys. As soon as Mr. Hughes comes in, I’ll show you around, then take you up to your room.”

  “Oh . . .” This was where she was supposed to tell him it was just her. That there was no groom, no husband, no wedding. But she was afraid that darn sting behind her eyes was holding back a flood of tears and saying those words would release the dam.

  “Would you mind if you and I just went on up? It’s been a very long day.”

  Levi blinked. “Of course. Whatever you’d like.”

  He led the way up the stairs, making small talk and giving further information on the inn and the area, little of which registered. The room was, indeed, tucked away in the corner. For that she was grateful.

  “Here we are, room one. If there’s anything you need, feel free to call down.”

  “Thank you.”

  As he walked away Mia slid the key into the lock and turned the old glass doorknob. The inn had oodles of character, and she’d be glad to appreciate every last detail—tomorrow. For now, the bed beckoned. She flipped the switch, lighting two bedside lamps.

  Her eyes fell on a vase burgeoning with red roses, then on a bottle of champagne chilling on a rolling stand. Only then did they finally settle on the luxurious king-size bed, strewn with hundreds of red rose petals.

  Her stomach clenched hard as she imagined, just for a moment, the way this moment was supposed to have played out. Wesley carrying her over the threshold. She was in his arms, laughing at his silliness and swooning over the romantic setup. He would set her on her feet and pull her close, whispering words of love in her ear.

  She reached for her phone, the urge to Google him again strong. What was he doing today? Was he sad at the thought of their canceled wedding? But the last time she’d looked him up she’d seen a picture of him and some European model at a premier.

  It was the last part that gave her the strength to resist temptation. That and the fact that Wesley had never loved her at all. He didn’t deserve her longing, and he didn’t deserve a starring role in her daydreams.

  Her gaze returned to the romantic touches, to the big bed she’d be practically swimming in all alone.

  She didn’t want to sleep here tonight. She just wanted a regular old room. But she didn’t have the nerve to go back downstairs and face the handsome innkeeper. To admit she was here, on her honeymoon, all alone.

  Her gaze slid to the bedside phone. She could simply call down. Surely they had another vacant room. Something smaller, something less . . . this.

  Before she could stop herself, she picked up the phone and dialed. It only rang once before it was answered.

  “Front desk,” the familiar male voice said. “How may I help you?”

  “Um, hello, this is Mia in room one. I was wondering if you might have another room available.”

  There was a brief pause. “Is there something wrong with your accommodations?”

  “No, no, it’s wonderful, I just . . . Perhaps another one would be more . . .” She couldn’t find the word to complete the sentence.

  “I’m so sorry, but our other rooms aren’t available at the moment. Is there something specific I could do to make your room more comfortable?”

  “No, no. That’s all right. It’s fine. I’m sorry to have bothered you.” She hung up and covered her heated face. The room was beautiful, scrupulously clean, and full of Southern charm. The canopied bed was high, the duvet thick and luxurious-looking. He must think she was a spoiled brat.

  She was going to have to explain the situation tomorrow. Maybe by then she’d be well rested enough to maintain her composure.

  four

  Levi wandered back into the dining room, his mind on their new guest. The new Mrs. Hughes was a natural beauty with dark-blond hair that tumbled over her shoulders in long waves. It had been impossible to ignore the perfect planes of her face, her high cheekbones, or her almond-shaped green eyes.

  His sisters were chatting over the pizza box as he dropped into the chair opposite Molly. There were three slices left, but he seemed to have lost his appetite.

  “What’s wrong?” Grace asked. “We left you plenty.”

  “Something’s not right.” Levi spoke in a low voice, even though their guest couldn’t possibly hear them.

  “With the guests, you mean?” Molly asked.

  “Guest, singular. She checked in alone with no luggage . . . and no new husband in tow.”

  Grace’s forehead crinkled. “That is weird.”

  “I’d assumed her husband was parking the car and bringing in the luggage. But he never came in. And anyway, if they hired me to be their driver for the week, they wouldn’t have a car with them at all.”

  “Are you sure she’s our honeymooner?” Molly asked. “I hope you didn’t just accidentally let out their room to a guest off the street after they rented the whole place.”

  “Of course not. The name on her credit card was Mia something—her maiden name I’m sure. And to make things weirder she just called down and asked if we had another room.”

  “For her?” Grace asked.

  “Yes, for her.”

  “That’s our best room.”

  “Well, get the other rooms cleaned tomorrow,” Levi said. “I’ll offer her one of those tomorrow if she still wants to switch.”

  Molly bristled at his bossy tone.

  They couldn’t afford to lose the money this couple had paid. And
they sure couldn’t afford a bunch of negative publicity from a rich power couple.

  “If the suite isn’t good enough,” Grace said, “she’s not going to be satisfied with the other rooms anyway.”

  Levi shook his head. “Something strange is going on. Did you handle all the special requests?”

  Molly gave him an affronted look. “Of course I did. The room is perfect. These aren’t our first honeymooners.”

  “Maybe her groom got detained back home by an emergency or something and will be joining her later,” Grace said.

  “Or maybe he’s coming later tonight,” Molly said. “Maybe he just had to stop at the store for something.”

  “Well . . .” Levi said, still trying to shake the memory of the woman’s vulnerable eyes. “It’s really none of our business anyway.”

  “What about the breakfast in bed?” Molly asked.

  “What about it?” Levi pushed back, thinking of the pile of bills he needed to sort through. “They paid for it, so we need to follow through.”

  Especially since the money the couple had paid for the stay was long gone.

  five

  A sound woke Mia. It took her a moment to realize where she was, and when she did her heart sank. Morning light filtered through the slit in the heavy drapes. The bucket of champagne and vase of roses were still in place, their floral fragrance perfuming the room. But the velvety red petals now lined the bottom of the bathroom waste bin.

  The smell of cinnamon in the air made her stomach give a hearty growl. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast yesterday.

  A tap sounded on the door, and she realized that was the sound that had woken her. It seemed too early for housekeeping. She’d just ask them to return later.

  She crawled from bed, grabbed the thick white robe from the armoire, and slipped it on. She caught a glimpse of herself as she passed the mirror. Her long thick hair was a snarled mess, and she had a pillow crease running across her cheek. Surprising, since she hadn’t thought she’d lain still long enough for one to form.