An Unexpected Suitor Read Online Free PDF

to cover the open roofs on the cottages and get going on the inside work.”
    “They might have extras down there at the cabaret construction site. You headed there now?”
    “Later. Right now, I’m going to have a little chat with Miss Nola.”
    Harry headed straight for the tearoom and this time, the fact the place was closed for the day did not stop him. He knocked on the frosted etched glass of the double front door and, because he was impatient to get this matter settled, rapped again louder.

Chapter Three
    “W hat on earth?” Judy huffed as she opened the door, but the minute she saw Harry she smiled. “Why, Harry Starbuck, did you come for tea?”
    Harry grinned and sniffed the air. “Why, Mrs. Lang, is that your sweet lemon bread I smell?”
    “Fresh from the oven,” she replied. “Come on back to the kitchen and I’ll cut you a slice.”
    “Maybe later,” Starbuck replied, then glanced at the wide circular staircase that wound its way up to the vacant rooms Jonah had mentioned. “Is Miss Nola here?”
    On cue, as if she’d been standing just offstage awaiting her entrance, pocket doors leading to the parlor slid open to his right and there stood the woman herself. As usual her lips were pursed as if she had just been sucking a lemon and not yet quite gotten past the startling sourness of it to enjoy the unique tart flavor. Her spine was as stiff as her starched apron, and her hair was pulled so tight he wondered how she could work up the frown that creased her forehead. “May I help you, Mr. Starbuck?”
    “I’ve come to discuss a business proposition. A different proposition,” he added with a grin. “Truth is, I need to ask a favor.”
    Instead of replying, Nola turned to Judy. “Thank you, Mrs. Lang. Mr. Starbuck and I will continue this conversation in my office.”
    How could Starbuck have momentarily forgotten Judy Lang’s love of gossip? She stood there looking first at him and then at Nola, curiosity making her eyes fairly dance as she sopped up every nuance of the exchange.
    “Sorry, Miz Lang,” he said, ducking his head and looking at her with eyes that both apologized and flirted with a single blink. “Could I take you up on the offer of lemon bread another time?”
    Her eyes narrowed. “Now, don’t you go causing trouble for Miss Nola here, Harry Starbuck,” she warned. “She’s already given you her answer about selling this place so just see to it that you mind your manners, young man.” And with that she turned on her heel and marched back to the kitchen.
    Harry faced Nola. She indicated the room beyond the pocket doors. “Won’t you come in?” she invited, her voice cool. “I have a few minutes.”
    Starbuck took heart. At least she hadn’t thrown him out. Yet. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you,” he said and stepped into the inner sanctum of her private quarters.
    The parlor that doubled as her office was surprisingly spare in its furnishings. Despite the preference many women had for filling every square inch with doodads and furniture, Nola’s place was light, airy, inviting. The sea breeze stirred the lace curtains that covered open windows. The wood floors were polished to a high sheen with only a single,pastel-colored Oriental rug interrupting their flow. There were library bookcases to each side of the Carrara marble fireplace. Instead of being crammed with volumes they featured a selection of books interspersed with a few of the most impressive seashell specimens Harry had seen on the island. Her desk was positioned near the large bay window, carefully placed at an angle to take maximum advantage of the view. In front of the fireplace were two matching chairs, their armrests covered with dainty lace doilies that matched the curtains, and a single large ottoman.
    In spite of its sparse furnishings, the room was cozy and welcoming. It felt peaceful, nothing at all like what he would have expected from the very prim Nola Burns.
    She took the chair at her desk,