“What? You can’t! She’s finishing all her work and doing everything you ask! Besides, that patronizing little twit’s terrific with the guests.” She shot up from the step. “I mean it, Kevin. You should make her cover up her hickeys, but you can’t fire her.”

He didn’t respond.

Molly grew alarmed. “Kevin …”

“Relax, will you? Of course I’m not going to fire her. That’s why that old biddy drove off in a huff.”

“Thank God. What was her problem with Amy?”

“Apparently Amy and her daughter went to high school together and never got along. If her daughter’s like her mother, I’m on Amy’s side.”

“You did the right thing.”

“I guess. But this is a small town, and I’ve reached the end of a very short list. The college kids have all gone to work on Mackinac Island for the summer, and the kind of person I need to hire isn’t interested in taking a job that’s only going to last through September.”

“That’s your answer, then. Keep this place and make the job permanent.”

“That’s not going to happen, but I do have another idea.” He stood and looked down at her, his eyes doing a sexy dance and his mouth curling in a smile. “Did I mention that you look real good naked?”

She shivered. “What idea?”

He spoke lower. “Do you have any animals on your panties today?”

“I forget.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to look.”

“You will not!”

“Yeah? Who’s gonna stop me?”

“You’re lookin’ at her, jock boy.” She jumped from the top step and raced across the Common, glad for the excuse to run off her turmoil. But instead of heading toward the B&B, where the presence of the guests would keep her safe, she darted between the cottages and toward the woods where she’d be … unsafe.

Roo loved this new game and scampered after her, yipping with excitement. It occurred to her that Kevin might not be following, but she needn’t have worried. He caught her at the edge of the path and pulled her into the woods.

“Stop it! Go away!” She slapped at his arm. “You promised you’d carry those card tables out to the gazebo.”

“I’m not carrying anything until I see what’s on your panties.”

“It’s Daphne, okay?”

“I’m supposed to believe you’re wearing the same underpants you had on yesterday?”

“I have more than one pair.”

“I think you’re lying. I want to see for myself.” He dragged her deeper into the pines. While Roo circled them barking, he reached for the snap on her shorts. “Quiet, Godzilla! There’s some serious business going on here.”

Roo obediently quieted.

She grabbed his wrists and pushed. “Get away.”

“That’s not what you were saying last night.”

“Somebody’ll see.”