All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

New Hope was one of McKenna's favorite towns. Situated on the Delaware River, it was picturesque and beautiful, with art galleries tucked in among tattoo and piercing shops. The Logan Inn was at the far end of town, on West Ferry Street, and McKenna smiled as she opened the door to their room. “Isn't this beautiful?”

She tossed her purse on the king sized sleigh bed and moved to the windows overlooking Main Street, where she drew back gauzy white draperies. “I’ve always wanted to stay here, but never had the chance.”

Loki closed the door. “It’s small.”

“It’s not small,” she turned to face him and shook her head. “It’s cozy. You’re just a spoiled Asgardian prince.”

He grinned. “Is that so?”

“At times.” She crossed over to him and caught him by the hands. “And yes, it’s small, but it also dates back to the eighteenth century. Rooms were smaller then and this place has been operating as an inn since the beginning.”

He didn’t look convinced, but stroked his thumbs along her hands. “Very well. If you like it, it’s fine with me.”

“It’s only for a few nights, Loki.”

“I just said it was fine.”

She sighed softly. “You can be real patronizing when you want, you know that?”

With that, she slid her hands from his and turned away to go back to the windows. New Hope was one of her and her mother’s favorite places to spend an afternoon, and each time they came to town, they had lunch at the Logan. Once, when McKenna was about seventeen, she’d read in a ghost hunting book that the Logan Inn was supposedly haunted. The next time she and Momma Carlin had lunch there, McKenna mentioned something to the hostess about what she’d read and that led to a delightful conversation with the older woman about the Logan’s history and the haunted wedding portrait at the top of the stairs. She also allowed McKenna into the room that was supposedly haunted. Unfortunately, if there was a ghost in that room, it kept to itself.

Still, when Cynthia told her they’d be coming to New Hope, McKenna looked forward to sharing her love of the town with Loki. She didn’t expect him to be agog at it, especially considering he came from a place as beautiful as Asgard, but she certainly didn’t expect him to be quite so dismissive of it, either.

She peered down at the busy street below. New Hope was always bustling, even in the middle of the week, and considering it was a beautiful day, she wasn’t at all surprised to see so many people out and about. According to Cynthia, Agent May wouldn’t be here until dinner, so that meant she and Loki had a free afternoon. And she’d looked so forward to showing him around.

“Love,” his voice was soft at her ear and she sighed again as he slid an arm about her waist, “I’m not trying to patronize you. It simply is not what I was expecting. That’s all.”

“It’s a pretty little town, Loki. And we only have this afternoon to enjoy it.” She leaned back against him. “Tonight, everything changes again.”

“Only for a little while.”

“You don’t know that.”

Her eyes closed as he kissed the top of her head. “No,” he said softly, his chin coming to rest against the top of her head, “I don’t. But I hope it is only for a while.”

He wrapped both arms around her, pressing her into him, as he added, “So, what did you wish to show me here?”

“I don’t even know where to begin. There’s the gargoyle store and the crystal shop and the incense place.” She pulled away and craned her neck to smile up at him. “If you’d like, we can even get tattoos.”