Free Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber Page B

man climbed out, and with his hands at his waist, he twisted left and then right as if to settle his bones.
    This had to be Kent and Julie Shivers, the anniversary couple.
    With Rover straining against the leash, I hurried my steps. “Hello,” I called out as I approached. “You must be the Shivers.”
    “That’s us,” Kent said.
    “Jo Marie Rose.” I extended my hand to Kent first and then Julie. “And you’re Oliver?”
    “Oliver Sutton,” he confirmed.
    “Welcome.”
    “Thank you,” Julie said, and her gaze went to the inn. “What a lovely place you have here.”
    “Thank you. I like it, and I hope you will, too.”
    “Are the rooms ready?” Kent asked. “I could use a nap.”
    “You napped on the way here,” Julie complained, frowning at her husband of fifty years.
    “I most certainly did not.”
    “Then you snored all the way here,” she returned.
    “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you I don’t snore.”
    Oliver went around to the back of the vehicle and opened the trunk to get out the suitcases.
    “You’d think we planned a six-week vacation for all the luggage Julie packed.” The comment was directed at me.
    “I only brought what was absolutely necessary.”
    “Were those ten books necessary?” Kent demanded.
    “That’s why I asked Oliver to drive us. You’re always complaining about one thing or another. For once in your life could you kindly keep your comments to yourself?”
    Kent made a huffing sound and started toward the house withJulie following behind at a slower pace. I tried to help Oliver with the luggage, but he refused.
    “I’ll get it, no problem.” He closed the trunk and looked toward the inn. “When do you suppose Annie will arrive?”
    “Oh, she’s here now.”
    “Already?” His eyes widened with surprise.
    “Not here here,” I answered, which probably only confused him more. “She arrived last evening and stayed the night.”
    “Then she’s in town.”
    “Yes, but she is currently out.” I checked my watch and was surprised to notice it was already after eleven.
    Oliver looked like he couldn’t be more pleased. “Any idea when she’ll be back?”
    “She didn’t say, but I don’t imagine she’ll be long. You’re a bit early, aren’t you?”
    “A bit,” he agreed. “Kent and Julie are early risers.”
    Julie rolled her eyes. “That’s because Kent can’t seem to stay awake past nine o’clock these days. I miss all my favorite television shows because of him.”
    “That doesn’t mean you have to go to bed when I do,” Kent muttered, taking each of the porch steps one at a time. “Ever think I was looking to get away from you?”
    “Fine, then you can sleep by yourself for the rest of your life if that’s the way you want it.”
    I hurried ahead to give Kent a helping hand in case he needed it. Rover raced to the top of the steps and waited anxiously for me to join him. I tucked my hand under Kent’s elbow. He smiled and whispered, “I can do these stairs just fine, but if you want to hold my hand, I won’t object.”
    Following us, Julie took hold of the railing. “Don’t listen to him. Kent needs his knee replaced, but the fool man refuses.”
    “I’m not letting any doctor cut me open,” Kent sputtered.
    “Stubborn old fool.”
    “I heard that,” Kent said, and, glancing over his shoulder, added in a lower voice, “Meddling old woman.”
    “He has selective hearing as well,” Julie told me.
    I looked to Kent, who seemed not to have heard that last comment.
    Once they were both inside the inn, I watched as Oliver unloaded the last of the two large suitcases, a cosmetics bag, and two smaller travel-size quilted bags.
    I led the way into the kitchen, after releasing Rover from his leash. He went straight to his bed but kept a close eye on our guests.
    “Where do I sign?” Kent asked, looking a bit flustered as he reached inside his rear pocket for his wallet.
    “Oh, not to worry, Annie took care of