She sat there grinning while Colin introduced himself to Gina, who totally ignored Nate’s subtle head shake and told the older couple who she was and why she was there.
“Aww, the poor wee mannie,” Mrs. M said.
“Hold your sympathy until after you meet the poor wee mannie,” Nate said.
Mrs. M ignored him. “You’ve made the right decision, dear. We’ll all be there to help the lad and to support Nate. Your boy will love the inn.”
“Ah, Mrs. M, we’re not staying at the inn. Ellie’s got enough on her plate. She doesn’t need—”
“She does, but that’s why this is the perfect arrangement. You can help her with the inn, and she can help you with Ryder.”
“She’s getting the short end of the straw if you ask me,” Nate muttered.
“How do you figure that? Richard and Miranda haven’t given up, you know. She’ll need your help dealing with those two. Besides, you’ll be renting the two-bedroom suite, and they can use the money. I’m sure Ellie will give you a good rate if you help her around the inn though.” An alarm went off on her phone. “We have to skedaddle. There’s a special meeting of the town council. It was nice meeting you, dear. And don’t you worry about your son. He’s in good hands with this one.” She patted Nate’s cheek and slid out of the booth.
Colin joined her. “Nice meeting you, Gina. We’ll see you around, son,” he said to Nate, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Of course Colin was laughing at him. Nate had done it again. He’d walked straight into Mrs. M’s matchmaking trap. But this time, he couldn’t blame it on sleep deprivation or craving some lighthearted fun. He needed somewhere to stay with the kid, and Mirror Lake Inn, basically stuck in the middle of nowhere, was as good a place as any to keep Ryder out of trouble.
Nate couldn’t say the same about himself. In his head he might have put Ellie in the friend zone, but there were other parts of him that weren’t on board with the plan. A fact that would no doubt have the matchmakers of Highland Falls cheering, including his best friend, he thought, when his phone vibrated on the table with an incoming call from Chase.
Nate declined the call and scrubbed his hands over his face, looking over the tips of his fingers at Gina. “Don’t you dare say she’s sweet. She’s not sweet. She’s a manipulative busybody.”
“Who obviously loves you.” Gina glanced out the window. “Wow, she got Ryder out of the truck, and he’s actually smiling.”
“How can you tell? You can’t see past his hair to his face.”
“So what exactly happens when Granny MacLeod shakes someone’s hand?” Gina asked instead of answering his question.
Nate pressed his face to the glass and swore. Pulling a few bills from his wallet, he tossed them on the table and said, “Nothing good. Come on.”
By the time they reached the truck, Mrs. M and Colin were getting into a cherry-red convertible. Ryder was staring after them. “That was way freaky.”
“What did she say?” Nate asked.
He shrugged. “Something about me being lost, but the old guy pulled her hand from mine before she finished. That was some weird shit, man. Her eyes were wonky, and she spoke in a creepy monotone voice.”
“Language,” Nate said.
Ryder snorted. “Yeah, like you haven’t heard it before. You swear all the time.”
Colin beeped the horn as he pulled out of the parking lot. Mrs. M, with a kerchief over her hair, waved.
The kid smiled and gave them a two-finger salute. Better than one, Nate thought.
“The old lady said I’m staying with you at some inn.”
“She has a name, and it’s not old lady.”
Ryder rolled his eyes. “Whatevs. Am I staying at the inn or not?”
Nate was tempted to say not, but Gina intervened. “You are, and I expect you to behave yourself, buddy. Remember, this is your last chance. The judge will place you in foster care if this doesn’t work out.”
Apparently Gina hadn’t told him everything. She wouldn’t meet his gaze. Tough. Whether she liked it or not, she needed to be up-front with him. He needed to know exactly what he was dealing with.
“That’s a pile of bullsh—crap. I’m almost sixteen. No one’s going to want me.”
“I do. I want you.” Gina pulled him in for a hug. “And so does Nate.”
“Yeah, sure he does.” But he didn’t miss the tentative glance the kid slid his way. Gina was right. Ryder wasn’t balking at the idea of staying with him. If anything, it seemed like he wanted to.
“I’m here, aren’t I? Say goodbye to your mother. We’ve got things to do before we head to the inn.”
Ryder’s eyes narrowed. “Like what?”
“Getting your hair cut for one. You can’t stay at the inn looking like that.”
“How come you can?”
Nate swore under his breath. “I’m getting mine cut too.” He hugged Gina goodbye, saying so only she could hear, “You and I need to talk. I’ll call you tonight, and you can tell me exactly what trouble Ryder has gotten himself into.”
She nodded and said a tearful goodbye to her son.
Nate walked to his bike, giving them a moment alone.
“Cool bike. Can I like drive it? Just in the parking lot,” Ryder said as he joined him, a backpack slung over his shoulder.
“Not a chance.” Then, noting the light dim in the kid’s eyes, he said, “We’ll see how this week goes. Toe the line, and I’ll think about it.” The inn was off the beaten path. He wouldn’t have to worry about Ryder running into a car. He handed the kid a helmet and then put on his own, swinging his leg over the seat. “Get on, and hang on.”
An hour later, the two of them freshly shorn, Nate pulled into the inn’s parking lot. Except for a red truck, the lot was empty.
Ryder got off the bike, took off his helmet, and looked around. “There’s nothing here.”
“Don’t worry. There will be plenty for you to do.” He kicked the stand into place and swung his leg over the seat. “Come on. We’ll get settled, and then I’ll show you around.”
“That’ll take about five seconds. What am I supposed to do for the rest of the day?” Ryder muttered, following him up the stairs.
“Read a book.” Nate laughed when the kid groaned. Joe and the judge were on their hands and knees, looking under the reception desk, when they walked into the inn. “Hey guys, everything okay here?”
“No. We lost the dog.” The judge helped Joe to his feet.
“Ellie will have our hides if we don’t find him,” her grandfather said.
Nate looked around. “When did you get a dog?”
“Bri foisted it on us this morning. Thought it would be good for me, or so she says. It’s probably part of my daughter’s plan to drive us from the inn.” Joe scratched his head. “I thought you left.”
“I did, but I’ve had a change of plans. Any chance I can book a room for a couple of weeks? The two-room suite if it’s available. Ryder’s staying with me.” He introduced him to the older men.
“Sorry for your loss, young man. From everything we’ve heard about your father, he was a good man.”