Eclipse Bay

shapes, a bottle of twelve-year-old balsamic vinegar, and a package of capers preserved in salt. There was also a supply of dried herbs and chiles and some French lentils.
    Hannah closed the pantry door very firmly. “You’ve certainly made yourself right at home.”
    “Why not? Half this place is mine now.”
    “Lillian was right,” she said tightly. “I can’t imagine what Isabel was thinking when she made out her will.”
    He poured boiling water into the pot. “You know damn well what she was thinking.”
    “Romeo and Juliet.”
    He set the kettle down. “With a more upbeat ending.”
    “I am prepared to make you a fair-market offer for your share of Dreamscape.”
    “Forget it.” He smiled slightly. “I’m not interested.”
    She met his gaze across the width of the kitchen. There was steel in her eyes. “Do you intend to make me an offer for my half?”
    He lounged against the counter. “Are you open to one?”
    “No. I have plans for Dreamscape.”
    “What a coincidence. So do I.”
    She gave him a speculative look. “Looks like we have a problem.”
    “Think so?”
    “How long are you going to stay here in Eclipse Bay?”
    He shrugged and turned back to finish the coffee. “As long as it takes.”
    “You can afford to just drop everything and move back here to Eclipse Bay for an unspecified period of time?”
    “Nothing holding me in San Diego.”
    “That’s where you’ve been all these years?” Her tone was one of unwilling curiosity.
    Just had to ask, he thought. As if she couldn’t help herself. Good sign. Maybe.
    “For the most part,” he said easily.
    He pressed the plunger down to trap the grounds in the bottom of the pot. Then he glanced at Hannah over his shoulder. She was watching him with an enigmatic expression.
    “What about you?” he prodded softly. “How long do you intend to stay here in Eclipse Bay?”
    Her brows rose. “For as long as it takes.”
    “There are three floors. Plenty of bedrooms and baths. Take your pick.”
    “You’re staying here?”
    “Sure, why not?”
    “Then I think I’ll use my folks’ place,” she said coolly.
    What had he expected? That would have been too easy, anyway. Nothing ever came easy to him. He had a talent for doing things the hard way.
    “Suit yourself,” he said. “But this is Eclipse Bay. You’re a Harte and I’m a Madison, and by now everyone knows Isabel left Dreamscape to both of us.”
    “So?”
    “So, people are going to talk, regardless of where you choose to sleep.”
    She watched him pour the coffee. When he handed her the mug, her fingers brushed against his. He savored the small thrill, wondered if she felt anything at all.
    She turned away a little too quickly and paced to the far end of the counter.
    “Let’s go back into the solarium.” He led the way out of the kitchen. “We can sit down out there.”
    Hannah said nothing, but she trailed after him. He watched her settle neatly onto a cushioned white wicker lounger. Winston sauntered into the sunroom, found a satisfactory place near the window, and flopped down on his belly. He rested his muzzle on his front paws and watched Rafe through feathery brows.
    Hannah turned the mug between her palms. “What exactly do you plan to do with Dreamscape?”
    “I’m going to open an inn and restaurant.”
    Her mouth fell open. She stared at him, her eyes widening in astonishment.
    “You’re going to do what ?” Somewhere between a screech and a choking sound.
    “You heard me,” he said mildly.
    “You can’t be serious,” she sputtered. “That’s my plan. At least, the inn part is my plan.” She hesitated, frowning. “I hadn’t thought about adding a restaurant.”
    “You should have thought about it. The reputation of any hotel is greatly enhanced by a high-quality restaurant.”
    “No offense, but as I recall, your idea of a high-class establishment when you lived here was the Total Eclipse Bar and Grill. I seriously doubt that any place that uses the slogan Where the sun don’t shine is going to show up in your better grade of guidebook.”
    “The Total Eclipse has its place in the grand scheme of things.”
    “I’ll take your word for it.” She eyed him. “Just what do you know about running an inn and a restaurant?”
    “I worked at a five-star place down in San Diego for a while.”
    “Terrific.” She gave him an icy look. “You’ve worked in a hotel, so you think you can run one?”
    “I’ll admit I’m stronger in