And tried not to notice the man looked d.a.m.n good wet.

"Sorry."

"Yeah, you said." Still watching her, he took the towel, scrubbed it roughly over his dark, wet, unruly hair.

Because she wanted, badly, to laugh again, she pumped a little more contrite into her voice. "I brought you a m.u.f.fin."

He eyed it, the towel slung over his shoulder. "What kind of m.u.f.fin?"

"Chocolate chip."

"Okay." He took it, and the coffee while she gave the dog his treat. "Is there a reason you're watering that stuff, and me, at seven thirty in the morning?"

"It hasn't rained in a few days, and I have guests so I need to start breakfast soon. They're family, and they were up late, so they'll sleep in a bit. I had some time, so-" She broke off, wondering why she felt compelled to explain everything. "Is there a reason you're coming here for coffee at seven thirty in the morning?"

"I forgot Owen wasn't coming in till later. He gets the coffee. I figured Carolee was dealing with the kitchen stuff. I need her key so I can get into her place and check her kitchen sink. It's not draining right."

She couldn't claim he wasn't a good nephew-or son, or brother. "She'll be here by eight. You can wait if you want. I could ... throw your clothes in the dryer."

"Your female guests wouldn't have a problem with a naked man hanging around?"

With this group? she thought. Probably not. "They might consider it a nice perk, but no one's in M&P. You could wait in there."

Naked, she thought. Surly and naked and built.

Oh, the desert was so d.a.m.n dry.

"I haven't got time to wait around. I've got work." He took an enormous bite of m.u.f.fin. "Not bad." D.A.'s tail thumped. He fielded the piece Ryder broke off and tossed without moving anything but his head.

"Thank you very much."

He studied her over the next bite. "Any more trouble with the lights?"

"No. But I had a couple in two nights ago. He proposed to her in T&O. They thanked me for scattering rose petals over their bed. I didn't."

She glanced toward the inn. "It was a nice touch. I wish I had thought of it."

"I guess you've got an a.s.sistant."

"I guess I do. Is it a problem if I go by Avery's new place later, see how it's looking?"

He kept his eyes on her face-a long, steady stare-then shielded them with his sungla.s.ses. "Why would it be a problem?"

"All right." Out of pique, she supposed, she denied herself that little pleasure. And had no one to blame but herself. "If you're done with the towel ..."

"Yeah." He pa.s.sed it to her. "Thanks for the coffee. And the shower."

Unsure, she manfully swallowed the laugh. "You're welcome."

He walked off. D.A. gave her his happy doggy grin before he trotted after his master.

"Who was that?"

The voice from above made Hope jolt again. She thought it was a d.a.m.n good thing she didn't still have the hose. She looked up, saw the woman in the bathrobe leaning lazily on the rail of the second-story porch. Hope flipped through her mental files.

Courtney, middle sister.

"Good morning. That was one of the owners."

"Yummy." She smiled sleepily down at Hope. "My ex is tall, dark, and handsome. I guess I've got a weakness for the type."

Hope smiled back. "Who doesn't?"

"You've got that right. Is it okay if I come downstairs in the robe? I don't think I've been this relaxed in six months, and I don't want it to end."

"Absolutely. There's fresh coffee in the kitchen. I'll be right in to start breakfast."

Courtney heaved a dreamy sigh. "I love this place."

So do I, Hope thought as she walked over to put away the hose.

And I feel a lot more relaxed myself, she realized. She'd had an actual conversation with Ryder without either one of them snapping at each other.

All she'd had to do was soak him to the skin first.

Laughing, she walked back into the inn to see to her guest.

CHAPTER FOUR

RYDER GRABBED A DRY, AND REASONABLY CLEAN, T-SHIRT out of his truck, dug out his emergency jeans. He thought getting blasted with a garden hose qualified.

He carted them over to MacT's.

"Women," was all he said, and D.A. gave him a look that might be interpreted as male solidarity. They walked into the job music-country on the radio, as he hadn't been there to switch it to rock-the whirl of drills, the whoosh, thud of nail guns.

He walked through the restaurant, past plumbers working in the restrooms, and into the kitchen.

Beckett stood at a prep counter consulting his plans.

"Hey. I thought since we were going down to a single door in here, we should ..." Beckett glanced up, lifted his brows as Ryder tossed clothes beside the big grill. "Run into a sudden storm?"

With a grunt Ryder bent to unlace his boots. "Innkeeper with a garden hose."