Free Seducing the Innkeeper (At First Sight Book 3) by Janet Lane-Walters Page B

his home, friends and routine?
    Christa joined them. “Lunch now. You’ll enjoy the food.”
    “More than at the inn?”
    She tapped his arm. “No food snobs allowed. We’re not talking gourmet but the burgers are a higher level than fast food or the take-out you used to order.”
    "Still do.” They entered the diner and found a table. A short time later their order arrived.
    Mark savored the bacon burger topped with caramelized onions. He watched his son devour not only a cheese burger but half the family-size platter of onion rings. He clanked at Christa “After the breakfast he downed I can’t believe he’s eating this much.”
    She laughed. “His appetite for food is almost as big as his father’s for other things. Are you sure you want to consider feeding him when he hits his teens?”
    “I can afford that. You ready to say yes?”
    “Perhaps.”
    Davy looked up. “What are you talking about?”
    Mark looked at his son. “That’s your mom’s and my secret. When the time’s right you’ll know.” He reached for the check.
    Davy finished the last of his chocolate milkshake. He slid toward the edge of the booth. “Come on. I want to try my new bike. Can I call Sammy and see if he can come over.”
    “Sure,” Christa said. “Maybe he can spend the night if you promise to behave.” She winked at Mark. “By Monday everyone in the area will know about the bike and you.”
    Mark handed Davy the tip money. “Don’t forget this.”
    “You learn fast,” Christa said.
    “Looks that way.” He stopped at the cash register to pay. Davy dashed outside. Mark reached for Christa’s hand. “See if you can find a sitter for tonight. I want to shop for a ring.”
    “Aren’t you jumping ahead?”
    He grinned. “I want to take you to dinner and spend quality time with you at the cottage. I need you.”
    “Again?”
    “And again. And forever.”
    “I’ll see what I can do about a sitter.”
    “Not your half-sisters.”
    “Never on a bet even if they’re available. Weekends are their fun times.”
    “Wouldn’t want them to act responsible.” He paused. “They won’t be living with us.”
    “I’ve already decided that. I told them to find a place and a job and I would give them three months seed money.”
    “Would you hurry up?” Davy called.
    “On our way.”
    When they reached the inn Mark lifted the bike from the Jeep. Davy walked around his new set of wheels and then ran to the inn. A short time later he returned. “Sammy can stay over. He won’t be able to come for an hour. Can I ride the trails?”
    “To the lake and back. You should be here when Sammy arrives.” She ruffled his hair. “Would you mind if Mrs. Lowry watches you this evening?”
    “Why?”
    Mark put a hand on Davy’s shoulder. “I want to take your mom on a date. We have matters to discuss.”
    “More rules?”
    “Possibly. Also to decide when you can meet all your new relatives.”
    Davy’s eyes widened. “Are there a lot?”
    “Definitely. I have a brother and two sisters. Allie and Meg are getting married in December. There’s your grandfather and his wife plus my aunts, uncles and cousins.”
    “Cool. There’s just Mom and me and the half aunts. See you.” Davy waved and rode off.
    Mark reached for Christa. “That went well.”
    “You’re a novelty. He does like you.  About this date.”
    “You can choose the restaurant and give me directions to the jewelers. You are going to say yes.”
    “Do I have a choice?”
    He ran a hand over her belly. “With our luck the answer is no.”
    She moved into the circle of his arms. “We’ll go to the Mall for the ring. You’re not choosing alone.”
    “And the restaurant?”
    “There’s a German one with sauerbraten that’s wonderful.”
    He chuckled. “If the food is as outstanding as at the inn, I’ll let Allie know.”
    They walked to the inn. The young woman behind the counter waved. “Christa, could we talk about more hours?”
    “There’s a