An Unexpected Suitor Read Online Free PDF Page B

leaving him little choice but to stand, hat in hand, the inviting chairs being turned away from her position at the desk.
    “Now then, what is this all about?” she asked.
    “Jonah Lang tells me that you have rooms upstairs to let.”
    “Exactly how is that your concern?”
    “I’d like to rent them.”
    He could not help but be fascinated by the range of emotions that flashed across Nola’s features at that simple admission. Surprise was followed by wariness, followed by the sheer will to maintain control and reveal nothing. “It’s true that on occasion I rent out the upstairs rooms, but I only do so at the height of the season when the hotel is fully booked and then only to people of unimpeachable character,” she replied evenly.
    Starbuck saw a potential opening. “I would only need the rooms for a short time now at the start of the season, before the real crowds arrive.”
    Nola frowned and her eyes narrowed. “If this is a ploy tooffer your city friends a preview of the luxury inn you hope to create here…”
    “I wish to rent the rooms to house my troupe of performers until such time as the cottages I secured for them can be repaired. A month—perhaps less.”
    “I’m afraid, Mr. Starbuck, that you…”
    “Will you stop with the Mr. Starbuck? It’s me—Harry. I went to school with your brothers. You were no more than what? Two years behind me?”
    “Three,” she replied.
    “Exactly. We grew up on this island and as you pointed out the other day, you know exactly who I am, Nola.”
    “But you have little knowledge of who I am,” Nola said as she rose and came around the desk. “I am sorry that you have run into a problem of housing your company, but I’m quite sure with your considerable resources you can find a solution.”
    “I’ll pay you well, Nola, and in light of recent developments with the employment agency going out of business and all…”
    She arched one eyebrow as she passed him on her way to the door. “This is not about money,” she said. “Besides, I should think that having heard about my staffing shortage, you would see an opportunity to acquire my property.”
    “I’m not following you, Miss Nola. I simply need to rent some rooms. You have rooms to rent. I’d pay you, which adds to your business income. How exactly does that help me in getting you to sell?”
    “I should think it’s obvious. You would have your people here in residence, watching, listening, snooping about.”
    “I’m not that devious and my friends don’t stoop to such tactics, either. Now will you rent me the rooms or not?”
    “No. And I will not be selling you this property. Now,may I suggest that we both get on with finding alternate solutions to our business difficulties?”
    “This isn’t over, Nola,” he murmured as he headed for the door.
    “Yes, it is. Have a good day, Mr. Starbuck.”
     
    On Sunday, as always, Nola was up with the sun but she could not seem to decide on her costume for church. She was well aware that Harry Starbuck was the reason for her hesitation. The man made her painfully conscious of her plainness, although why she should care one iota what his opinion might be, she had no idea. Well, she had some idea.
    After his visit a few days earlier, it had dawned on her that Harrison Starbuck was not going away any time soon and for the time being the two of them were locked in battle. In her view he could afford any piece of land he wanted, so why set his sights on her property? The answer was as clear as the cloudless sky and calm sea outside her bedroom window. He didn’t give one minute’s thought to the fact that this had been her family’s home for decades. Well, if Harry Starbuck wanted a fight, then she was prepared to give him one.
    After finally settling on her standard Sunday garb, Nola took one last look at herself in the gilded mirror that dominated the entrance to the tearoom. You look fine, she thought to herself. Now go to church.
    It was her habit