After feeding Lucy, and shooing her outside and locking up the house, she drove into town to leave the key with the letting agency. Then she stopped in a local café. Christmas decorations hung in a jaunty display of festivity in the window, and the sound of carols greeted her as she went inside. Feeling more like a modern-day Scrooge than anything approaching Christmas cheer, she ordered coffee and a slice of quiche to eat while she searched on her smartphone for local accommodations.
Starting with Penny’s place, she began calling around. Half an hour later she was no nearer to finding a roof to put over her head. Everything in town, and beyond—even the local motor camp—was booked solid. At this rate she’d be sleeping in her car.
At least the rental car company hadn’t canceled her contract on that, she thought cynically, using her fork to push the now-cold quiche around her plate. She knew she should eat, but her appetite had deserted her.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”
Finn towered over her table, forcing her to crick her neck to look up at him.
“What, not finished lying to me yet?” she replied, determined not to show any sign of weakness to this man who’d proven as two-faced as all the rest of them.
“I heard what Lorenzo did. I want you to know I didn’t have anything to do with that.”
“You really expect me to believe you? Goodness, and when you’ve been so honest and forthcoming with me already.” The sarcasm fairly dripped from her tongue. “You’ll have to excuse me. I’ve had my full quota of unpleasantness today.”
She picked up her bag, grabbed her car keys and rose to her feet, determined to head back out to her car and put a decent amount of distance between her and Finn. She’d no sooner gotten out of her chair when a wave of dizziness hit her, sending her straight back down again. She rested her head in one hand, her elbow on the table, as she waited for the world to right itself again. Finn’s hand descended on her shoulder.
“Are you all right?”
She gave a strangled laugh. “Of course, I’m fine. I have a mother who is determined to hide from me, a friend who betrayed my trust, a landlord who’s evicted me and a dearth of places to stay tonight. Things couldn’t be better, thank you.”
“Come with me. Stay at my house.”
She lifted her head and stared at him incredulously. “You have to be kidding me, right?”
His eyes bored straight back into her. “Why not? I have plenty of room. I won’t touch you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Of course she wasn’t worried about that. There was no way she was letting Finn Gallagher touch her ever again.
“I’d rather sleep in my car.”
She got up to leave again, but that same dizziness sent her reeling, making her drop her keys. Finn’s hand shot out to steady her.
“You’re in no condition to drive anywhere. What were you thinking of doing? Settling down for the night here on the main street?”
She shot him a malignant glare. “If I must.”
“Not happening. You’re coming with me. We can pick your car up tomorrow.”
He swiped her keys from where they’d fallen on the table and called out to the man behind the café counter. “Hey, Bill, could you park the blue hatchback around the back for me for tonight? We’ll be back tomorrow for it.”