You have Sarah to help you.
She stays out of guilt.
Why?
The tradition is that the inn is passed along in a persons later years, almost like a job for retirement. I got it about thirty years early because my father and stepmother wanted out.
What about your mother?
They divorced when I was ten, he said. My mother never wanted the whole inn-keeping life. Its a twenty-four-hour-a-day job. The demands never go away. He sighed deeply, then rubbed his eyes. Im sorry. I shouldnt complain. Hell, I have a job and its not like Im digging ditches for a living. Sam pushed back from the counter. Im just going to leave you to your pie.
Dont, she said, reaching out to grab his hand. I like the company.
The grumpy company?
Youre not grumpy. She smiled. Well, maybe a little bit. But thats what the pie is for. Pie always brightens ones spirits. Look at that cabinet over there. Its quite a wonderful piece. A Colonial-era pie safe.
Youve been examining our antiques?
I cant help myself, Amelia said. Its what I do. And I can tell you that I wish I had that pie safe in our collection. Its gorgeous.
It was a wedding present from my seventh great-grandfather to his new wife. Theres an inscription carved in the back.
Thats amazing, she said. Do you have more? Id love to go through the inn and see everything you have. Especially in the attic.
Ill take you on a private tour, he said.
Id like that, she said. Amelia looked and realized theyd made a big dent in the pie. I think Id come back here just for the pie.
Its an authentic Colonial recipe, he said. Right down to the lard. My sister believes that if youre going to stay in an eighteenth-century inn, you need to be prepared to eat like they did then.
I admire that youve dedicated yourselves to authenticity. Its honest and pure.
They stared at each other for a long moment. Amelia finally broke her gaze away from his and stood, placing her hands flat on the counter. I should go to bed.
When are you going back to Boston? he asked.
When my bed is packed in the trailer, she teased. Do you want to get rid of me? Thats how you can do it. Pack it up and Ill be out of here.
No, I dont want to get rid of you, he said with a grin. Im starting to like having you around. You make things interesting. Sam reached out and took her hand. Come on, Ill walk you up to your room.
They strolled through the dining room and the keeping room, the old plank floors creaking beneath their feet. When they reached the second floor, she had to walk ahead of him through the narrow hallway. They stood in front of her door for a long moment and Amelia noticed how dark it was in the hallwayhow private, intimate.
He placed his hands on the wall on either side of her head. Its been an interesting day, he murmured, his gaze scanning her features in the dim light.
Yes, it has, Amelia said.
Kind of a change of pace for me.
Really?
Sam nodded. Youre the most exciting thing thats happened to me in a long time. His gaze moved to her lips. Im going to kiss you now, he whispered, leaning close. His lips brushed against hers. It was so sweet, so simple, that she wanted it to go on forever. But Sam seemed determined to leave her needing more. He stepped back and smiled. Good night, Amelia. Sleep tight.
Sam? she called out.
He looked over his shoulder. Yeah?
Do you kiss all your guests good-night?
He chuckled softly. No. Youre the first.
He continued down the hall. Amelias knees started to buckle and she leaned against the door for balance. This was what Sam Blackstone did to her. He kept her completely off balance, until she really wasnt sure what was up and what was down. And she was starting to enjoy the feeling.
* * *
JERRY HAD CALLED early that morning with the news that hed spoken to Abigail Farnsworth and shed made a decision. Hed asked Sam to meet him at the warehouse. When Sam had asked about Amelia, Jerry had told him that hed contact her, as well, but Sam decided to take the initiative.
He climbed the stairs to the second floor, a mug of hot coffee in his hand, and walked down the hall to her room. He paused, his mind rewinding to the kiss theyd shared in the predawn hours.
Sam had never been an impulsive guy, especially when it came to women. But Amelia was unlike any other woman hed met. From the moment hed set eyes on her, hed felt as though a clock had begun ticking, measuring out the minutes and hours they had together.
He had no time to contemplate every move he made. When hed felt the urge to kiss her, hed had to act. To his surprise, shed seemed pleased that hed kissed her. But he wondered if that feeling would survive the light of day. Well, he was sure he could find a pleasurable way to convince her.
Sam rapped on the door and waited. A few seconds later it swung open and Amelia greeted him with a soft, Hi. She brushed the dark strands of her hair out of her eyes and smiled.
Morning, Sam said, holding out the coffee. I wasnt sure how you took it. Black. I hope thats all right.
Perfect, she said.
Theres something I need to talk to you about. Do you have a few minutes?
What time is it? Amelia asked.
A little past eight. Sam paused. I just got a call from Jerry. He wanted me to meet him at the warehouse. He has news from Abigail.
How did he know I was here?
He didnt, Sam said. And he didnt specifically ask that you be there. But I think you should, since whatever he has to say will affect you as well as me. So, Im going to leave in about ten minutes. If you want to hear what he has to say, meet me down in the lobby.
I do want to know, Amelia replied. Thank you.
He shrugged. No problem. Sam stepped back into the hall and, when the door clicked shut, cursed himself softly.
He should have stepped into the room, wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her. It was the last chance hed probably have. Once Amelia found out that the bed was his, shed immediately head home to Boston.
Sam reached out to knock on the door again but pulled his hand away. Hed make sure thered be a quiet moment for them sometime before she drove off. Sam turned and walked downstairs. Sarah was just going through the reservations as he passed.
Youre up early, he said.
Weve got that wedding coming in this weekend and I wanted to get a jump on the preparations. I hope youre going to be around today. Our other guests are leaving in the next few hours. Im going to need your help.
Sure. I just have to run over and see Jerry about the bed. Then Im free. When Amelia comes through, tell her to meet me outside in the truck.
Yes, Sarah murmured. I will tell the piece of work that youre awaiting her in the truck.
He gave her a dismissive glare and she laughed. Was he that obvious? If Sarah had already picked up on the fact that there was something going on, then the whole town would probably have it figured out within a day. Even more reason to step up his plan to get to know Amelia more intimately.
Sam was still cleaning out the front seat of his truck when Amelia hurried down the porch steps. Yesterday shed been chic and aloof. Today, dressed in jeans and a fleece pullover, she looked relaxed...and beautiful.
Sam ran around to her side of the truck, opened the door and then helped her in. As he closed the door, Sam realized that hed missed another chance to kiss herand he had very few of those chances left.
Cursing softly, he got into the truck and turned to her. Slipping his fingers around her nape, he gently pulled her toward him. Amelia didnt offer any resistance, and by the time their lips met, hers were slightly parted.
She tasted like sweet toothpaste, cinnamon and coffee. His fingers tangled in her hair as he pulled her more deeply into the kiss. His mind spun and for several long moments he couldnt make himself think rationally. He wanted to stop; he knew he had to. But the kiss continued to spin out of control as they groped for closer contact.
He couldnt explain the attraction. It was part physical, part intellectual. Yes, she was out of his league, but that didnt seem to stop him. Maybe if he could understand what drew him to her, he could find an excuse to stop himself.
Finally Amelia pulled away. She stared out the front windshield, her breath coming in tiny gasps.
Good morning, Sam murmured.
A tiny smile quirked at the corners of her mouth. Good morning, she said. She opened the door and jumped to the ground. I think Ill drive myself.
You can ride with me, he shouted as she headed toward her Lexus.
No, Ill take my truck. Ill need the trailer for the bed.
He leaped out of the truck. You still believe youre going to get the bed?
Im hopeful, she called.
I think youre going to be disappointed.
Sam watched her start her truck, then hopped back into his own and turned the key in the ignition. He drove silently into town and within a few minutes pulled up in front of an old storefront on Center Street, on the north end of the business district.
Gold letters painted on the huge glass window identified the place as Benny Barnes Antiques and Auction Gallery. Benny, one of the towns more colorful characters, had added his own personal tagline to the window: I Buy Old Stuff.
Benny had agreed to take the bed, along with the other disputed pieces, and hold them until ownership had been determined. Ever the marketing genius, hed taken the opportunity to get some publicity out of it for himself, setting the Washington bed up in his front window with a lovely hand-painted sign and antique bed linens.
As Sam parked beside her, Amelia hopped out of the truck, not waiting for him to get her door. She stood in front of the wide plate-glass window and Sam joined her.
Nice to know I can keep an eye on it, Sam muttered.
A worried expression crossed her face and she gnawed on her lower lip. Right.
He rested his palm on the small of her back as he held the front door open for her and they stepped inside the dimly lit interior. Jerry was waiting for them, stretched out in a tattered wing chair, a mug of coffee in his hands.
Morning, he said, nodding to the two of them.
Morning, Jerry, Sam said. You remember Amelia Sheffield. She stayed at the inn last night, so I let her know about the meeting.
Jerry frowned, glancing back and forth between the two of them. Will you excuse us, miss? he said, getting up and grabbing Sam by the arm. He dragged him to a quiet corner of Bennys office. Youre giving aid and refuge to the enemy now?
Im confident well prevail, he said. And shes a paying customer.
Yeah? Well, youd best watch yourself. A woman that beautiful is nothing but trouble.
They walked back out to Amelia and found her inside the large display window, examining the details on the bed.
Well, Ive got good news and bad, Jerry began. Good news is theres no one else making a claim on this piece. Bad news is Miss Abigail has decided to leave the decision up to you two.
Hows that going to work? Sam asked.
Hell if I know. But youre going to have to fight this one out yourselves. When youve got it sorted, give me a call and Ill write up the paperwork. Until then, Benny says hell keep the bed here.
After he walked out, they stood next to each other, silently, both of them weighing their options. Amelia was the first to speak. She removed her phone from her purse. Where can I buy some bed linens? Sheets and a pillow?
Why would you need that?
Im going to stay here, live here in this bed, until you give up your claim. Unless you want to give up right now, which would save us both a lot of time and trouble?
Im not giving up. Its my bed. Its a family heirloom.
And you thought by seducing me, I might forget that point? Well, I havent. You can kiss me all you want, Sam Blackstone, and its not going to shake my determination. She sat on the edge of the bed.
You want to stay here in this dusty old window?
Yes. I hope the store has a bathroom. Why dont you go check on that for me?
Im not going to stay here, Sam said.
Then youre giving up already?
No. But this isnt the way to decide this. We could flip a coin. We could arm wrestle or cut cards. We dont have to live here.
Well, I am going to live here. Im going to sleep in my bed until its all mine.
He cursed beneath his breath. This was crazy. How was it that she was dictating the terms? Hell, they could take the bed back to the inn and live in relative comfort and seclusion.
Hello! Anyone here? A moment later Minerva Threadwell came around the corner. She wore a bright purple warm-up suit and had her gray hair pulled into a tidy bun at the top of her head. Rabbit-fur earmuffs covered her ears and she looked as if shed just happened in on her morning walk. Oh, here you are. I just got a tip that there was new development on the bed. I can get it into our Thursday edition. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her notepad and pen. Care to comment?
Sam groaned. Is this really what you consider newsworthy, Minerva?
Its a small town, she said in a clipped tone. I take what I can get. So, whose bed is it, yours or hers?
Amelia pulled a business card out of her pocket. Amelia Sheffield of the Mapother Museum. And it seems Miss Farnsworth left the decision up to us. So, Ill just be staying here, sleeping in this bed, until Mr. Blackstone agrees to let me take it to Boston for my exhibit.
Well, this is an interesting development, Minerva said. Kind of a John Lennon-Yoko Ono thing.
What?
Oh, right, Amelia said. A sleep-in.
So you two are going to sleep in the bed together?
Im not sleeping here, Sam protested.
Then whats to prevent her from taking off with your bed in the middle of the night? Minerva asked, an inquisitive arch to her eyebrow.
Sam cursed beneath his breath. I guess Ill be sleeping here with her.
Minervas smile widened. Now, that will make the story even more interesting. Youll be sharing the bed?
No, Sam and Amelia said at the same time.
Then Sam realized this could be the opportunity hed been hoping for. I mean yes, Sam said. Its only fair. It is my bed.