One Snowy Night (Sweet Home, Alaska #1) - Patience Griffin Page 0,32

To honor her. I figured I would need to get permission to serve alcohol.”

“From the town council,” Piney said.

Donovan had assumed the town council was defunct. But odd things happened in Alaska and who knew who or what the town council consisted of now. As an example, Donovan had read a funny tidbit that Talkeetna had repeatedly elected a cat as mayor.

“Do you know when the town council will meet next?” Donovan asked.

“I’m on the council,” Piney said without answering his question.

It wasn’t surprising that Piney was a council member. She’d been here forever and the Hungry Bear was a hub—especially now, with the hardware store closed. Certainly many town complaints were aired right here in the Hungry Bear’s aisles.

“Can you add me to the agenda for the next meeting?” He and Rick would have to draw up a proposal.

“Certainly.” Piney looked over at Hope with worry in her eyes, which made Donovan wonder if Hope had a drinking problem now and Piney was concerned for her sobriety.

“When is the next meeting?”

“The twenty-eighth,” Piney answered.

“Thanks. Just a couple more things.” Donovan retrieved the paper from his coat pocket, which had all his questions on it. “Oh, yes, I need an interior decorator, someone who has a good eye for what an Alaskan lodge should look like.”

“Hope. She’s your girl,” Piney answered quickly.

Yes, Hope had liked moving around furniture and fussing with pillow placement when they were kids, but that was then. He put both hands on the table and leaned forward. “Hope’s not my girl!” Not anymore.

There was a small gasp. Apparently, Hope was still nearby. But he didn’t care. He wouldn’t put himself through it—taking decorating tips from the person who’d killed Beau. But then he remembered his promise to Beau to at least try to forgive. Man, this is going to be hard. A process . . . not unlike AA. Beau couldn’t expect him to forgive overnight, could he?

Piney just sat there with a pleasant expression on her face, as if she were enjoying the show.

He decided he’d ignore all the women in the Hungry Bear and plow forward. “I need a housekeeper, too. Before you say anything, don’t suggest her.” He was sure Piney knew who he meant.

Piney nodded and motioned to the bulletin board on the wall. “In that case, put up a flyer. There’s bound to be someone in Sweet Home who would be happy for the work.”

“Thanks, Piney.” Donovan rose, only then remembering his last question. “Do you know who might have shoveled the lodge’s walkway and laid firewood by the fireplace before I arrived?”

“Probably Hope.”

Donovan frowned at Piney. “No disrespect, but you’re starting to sound like a broken record. I know for sure it wasn’t Hope.” He knew one thing: Hope wouldn’t go against his wish for her not to have anything to do with him again.

“It couldn’t have been Sparkle,” Piney countered. “She’s still healing from surgery. I could ask around.”

“No. Don’t. Thanks anyway. Boomer and I better get back to picking out the rest of the groceries.” He looked down at the furball cuddled in the crook of his arm. He really liked this dog and had to admit there was no way he could give him up now. Mr. Brewster was a sly devil, but that didn’t mean the old man was right about Donovan staying on in Sweet Home. He’d only be here long enough to get the work done on the lodge.

And when Donovan saw Mr. Brewster again, he was going to ask about the shoveled walkway and the dry firewood. Maybe he’d know who it was that Donovan should thank.

* * *

• • •

DONOVAN WAS WRONG. This one time only, Hope had gone against his wishes. She’d been the one to shovel the walk and to make sure that Donovan had good firewood. It was the least I could do. Besides, she hadn’t technically disregarded what Donovan wanted from her, which was nothing! He hadn’t seen her do it and he’d never know it was her. She’d done her elf’s work the night Piney told her that Donovan was returning to town. She hadn’t intended to slip out and go to the lodge in the dead of night, but after she woke up from her talk with Izzie, she couldn’t go back to sleep.

At the time, Hope wasn’t completely sure that Piney was right about Donovan coming home for a visit anyway. So she had nothing to lose, except a few hours of sleep. She loaded