The Inn on Harmony Island (Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman #1)(8)

The annoyed look in the woman’s eyes faded as she glanced over at Belle and then back to me. She shook her head. “And I was too focused on which cereal to buy to realize I was standing in the wrong lane.”

I glanced around the aisle. “Wrong lane?”

“You know.” She moved her hands in each direction like a stewardess signaling where the exits were.

“Ah.” Then I chuckled. “I guess I’ve never adhered to the rules of the road here at Godwin’s.”

Her smile was soft as she shrugged.

I glanced around. “Are you new here? I’ve never seen you around.” And then I felt stupid. That sounded like an extremely cheesy pickup line. Which was ridiculous because I was in no shape to date anyone.

She nodded. “I’m here visiting my aunt.”

“Your aunt?” I furrowed my brow. “Who’s your aunt?”

She reached out and pulled a box of Raisin Bran down from the shelf. “Betty Lou Thompson.”

I nodded. “I know Miss Thompson. She tried to swindle me into buying her antique table set.” I leaned forward. “I know a knockoff when I see one.”

The woman dropped her jaw as her eyes widened. Her eyes sparkled as she let out a soft gasp. “Are you calling my aunt a swindler?”

Heat warmed my cheeks. “No, no…” I swallowed. “That’s not what I meant.”

The woman chuckled as she stepped closer to me. “That’s okay. I once found an IKEA sticker in her garbage, so…”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Really?”

She pinched her lips together and nodded as she pulled back. “But you didn’t hear it from me.” Then she pretended to lock her lips.

“Mum’s the word,” I said as I brought my finger to my lips.

A silence fell between us, but neither of us moved. I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I had no interest in dating anyone right now. But there was something about being noticed by a woman that had me glued to my spot. My life had become taking care of Belle and the inn. I was slowly losing myself and the things that I liked.

I wanted to feel like a man again, and the way this woman was looking at me made my heart pound in my chest.

“I didn’t catch your name other than you’re Miss Thompson’s niece.”

She dropped her box of Raisin Bran into her basket and then stepped forward, extending her hand. “Laura Smith,” she said.

I took her hand. Her skin was soft and warm, and it shocked me. It had been years since I’d touched a woman…and I missed it. “Miles Lachlan,” I replied when she raised her eyebrow as if she were expecting a response.

“It’s nice to meet you, Miles.” She slipped her hand from mine, and then I felt stupid when I realized I hadn’t let it go. Luckily, she had already turned her attention to Belle. “And who is this?”

Belle was halfway through eating her banana, but the sudden attention from a stranger had her lifting her arm up and shielding her face. She turned her body away from Laura.

“This is Belle,” I said when Laura turned to look at me. Her eyes were wide with worry, and I didn’t want her to think she’d done something wrong. “She’s my suddenly shy daughter.” I reached out to poke Belle in the rib. She squirmed but remained hidden.

“Oh, your daughter?” Laura asked, her gaze dropping down to my ring finger.

“I’m not married,” I blurted out. Then I mentally punched myself. Might as well have loser at love tattooed on my forehead.

Laura met my gaze and smiled. “Ah,” she said. Then she leaned closer. “Neither am I.”

There was a softness to her features and a look in her eye that got my heart racing. I raised my eyebrows, not sure what to say. And then, “Oh, nice,” emerged before I could police it.

Laura giggled and straightened. “Maybe two unattached people can meet up for drinks sometime?”

I wanted to say yes. I wanted a night away from the inn. To feel like myself once more. But I knew that was a pipe dream. I was a father and a business owner. I didn’t have time for dating.

“I’m super—”

Laura held up her hand. “Don’t finish that sentence.” She set her basket down on the floor and opened her purse. “Here’s my business card. If you decide that you’re tired of saying no, give me a call. I’m around for the week and would love to help you relieve some stress.” Her gaze raked down my body. “Whatever that might take.”

My brain fell into autopilot. Somehow, I managed to grab her card, slip it into my back pocket, mutter something halfway intelligible, and head down the aisle without much thought.

Once I rounded the corner, I blew out my breath. Belle had emerged from her hiding place and was staring at me. I was pretty sure she had no idea what had just happened, but I couldn’t help but feel like she was judging me. I squeezed the shopping cart handle with both hands and rolled my shoulders.

It had been a while since any woman had shown me that kind of attention. Once I moved in with Charlotte, most of the women I talked to were silver haired. They always told me, “I have a granddaughter I’d love for you to meet.”

But to be here, in Godwin’s of all places, flirting with a woman?

It shook me.

“All done,” Belle said as she dropped the rest of her banana, which had turned to mush, onto the ground.