From the Shadows (Buckhorn, Montana #2) - B.J. Daniels Page 0,51

was so thoughtful that she’d tried to remember the last time—or any time—Lars had done something thoughtful for her.

Looking at Benjamin, she’d seen that he’d been flirting with her. Or at least trying. She’d recognized the smile. Let Lars stew in his own juices. She’d put her phone away and smiled back.

Now at the motel, she checked to make sure everything was running smoothly. It was. Her friend appeared to be doing a fine job of taking care of the motel in her absence. It really was a no-brainer.

But she busied herself double-checking to make sure the register was up to date. She was at the desk when the door opened, and her lover’s baby mama walked in.

* * *

HER GRANDMOTHER’S LIST in hand again, Casey wandered through the hotel, feeling as if she was on a scavenger hunt. More and more, she suspected her grandmother had planned it this way. At the end of the wings of each floor there was a small garden room. She couldn’t remember what room had the antique Tiffany lampshade as per the neat script. You’ll know it when you see it, Anna had written.

Casey started on the north-wing ground floor, going through each garden room. Each had its own colors and designs, each more lovely than she remembered. Her grandmother had loved selecting fabrics and patterns over the years, keeping with the character of the hotel. She would spend months looking for a certain fabric or lamp or vase.

Casey had never appreciated how perfect each room was until now. It hurt to see that most were in excellent shape. She knew that all of the furnishings would be sold along with the kitchen equipment, which was nearly brand-new. She couldn’t bear to do it and was happy when Finn had added an amount to his offer for the contents of the hotel—minus the listed keepsakes.

She found the Tiffany lampshade late in the afternoon. The hotel had already filled with evening shadows. The hallways were dim. Some of the wall-sconce bulbs needed to be replaced. Not going to happen, she reminded herself. This was no longer her responsibility—as soon as she signed the papers to sell it.

It was no wonder that she’d lost track of time. She found herself pausing in each sunroom, taking in the decor, feeling her grandmother’s hand as if seeing each room through her eyes.

As she headed back with the lamp, she looked up and let out a startled cry. Lost in thought, she hadn’t heard anyone approach. She took an instinctive step back as, out of the shadows, an older, gray-haired mountain of a man appeared.

“Emery.” Her voice broke. It had been years since she’d seen him, but she recognized him at once. He had a craggy face and blue eyes that seemed bottomless. She’d heard her grandmother describe him as an overgrown kid more than once.

He smiled, clearly amused that he’d frightened her, even as he said, “Didn’t mean to startle you.” His hair was longer than she remembered but just as disheveled. He’d aged but still looked strong and fit.

She remembered all the times as a girl that he had sneaked up on her, laughing when she’d jumped. She’d told her grandmother about it.

“Emery has to have something to do,” she’d said and chuckled. “I clearly don’t keep him busy enough. He doesn’t mean anything by it. He just likes to get a rise out of you.”

“Emery,” Casey said now, “what are you doing here?”

“Heard you were back and that you had guests. Thought I might be of help. Didn’t Vi mention I’d be stopping by?”

“It must have slipped her mind,” Casey said, groaning inwardly. “Thank you, but we’re fine. I’ve sold the place. I believe everyone is leaving by Monday.”

“Is that right?” He rubbed his gray-stubble jaw and looked around with those watery, pale eyes. “Heard you were selling. Wouldn’t mind working part-time for the new owner. Maybe you could put in a good word for me.”

She noticed the man’s gnarled hands, his worn canvas pants, his faded flannel shirt. She wondered if he had fallen on hard times and that was why he’d come back from Arizona to live with his sister.

“I don’t think the new owner will be keeping the hotel open. I expect he will demolish it and do something else with the land.”

Emery didn’t look any more glad to hear that than his sister had. “Shame. Damn shame. I thought this building would always stay in the Crenshaw family. I know that’s