Forever and For Always (The Inn at Sunset Harbor-Book 2)

CHAPTER ONE

"Good morning."

Emily stirred and opened her eyes. The sight that greeted her was the most beautiful she could ever have hoped for: Daniel, framed by the crisp white bedding, a halo of morning sunshine kissing his tousled hair. She took a deep, satisfied breath, wondering how her life had aligned so perfectly. After so many years of hardship, it felt like fate had finally decided to give her a break.

"Morning." She smiled back, yawning.

She snuggled back down under the covers, feeling cozy, warm, and more relaxed than ever. The quiet calmness of a Sunset Harbor morning was in such stark contrast to the busy bustle of her old life in New York City. Emily could certainly get used to this, to the sound of breaking waves in the distance, to the smell of the ocean, to the gorgeous man lying beside her in bed.

She got up and went over to the large French doors that led out onto the balcony, opening them so she could feel the warm sunshine on her skin. The ocean sparkled in the distance and rays of light illuminated the master bedroom behind her. It had been a dusty ruin when Emily arrived six months ago. Now it was a beautiful cove of tranquility, with white walls and bedding, soft carpeting, a gorgeous four-poster bed, and carefully restored antique bedside tables. With the sun on her face, Emily felt that for once everything was perfect.

"So are you ready for your big day?" Daniel said from the bed.

Emily frowned, her head still too muggy from sleep to comprehend.

"Big day?"

Daniel smirked.

"First customer. Remember?"

Emily's thoughts took a moment to click into place. But then she remembered that she had her very first guest, Mr. Kapowski, sleeping in the room down the hall. The house she'd been restoring for six months had been transformed from a home into a business, and that meant she had breakfast to make.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Eight," Daniel replied.

Emily froze.

"Eight?"

"Yes."

"NO! I overslept!" Emily cried, running back inside from the balcony. She grabbed the alarm clock and shook it angrily. "You were supposed to wake me up at six, you stupid thing!"

She slammed it back down on the bedside table, then rushed to the chest of drawers to find some clothes, flinging sweaters and pants all over the place. Nothing looked professional enough; she'd thrown out all of her office wear from her old life in New York, and everything she owned now was practical.

"Calm down," Daniel chuckled from the bed. "It's okay."

"How is it okay?" Emily cried, hopping around with one leg in her pants. "Breakfast started at seven!"

"And it only takes five minutes to poach an egg," Daniel added.

Emily froze on the spot, half dressed, her face drawn like she'd seen a ghost. "You think he'll want his eggs poached? I haven't a clue how to poach an egg!"

Rather than calming her, Daniel's words only panicked her further. She wrenched a crumpled lilac sweater from the drawer and pulled it over her head, the static making her hair instantly frizz.

"Where's my mascara?" Emily cried as she rushed around. "And will you stop laughing at me?" she added, glaring angrily at Daniel. "This isn't funny. I have a guest. A paying guest! And nothing but sneakers to put on my feet. Why did I throw out all my heels?"