Chapter 19

I barely heard Wheeler when he said, “I missed seeing you out there,” since by now, I was vacuuming the carpet.

“Don’t see why that should stop you from running,” I replied when I turned off the machine. I stashedthe dirty linen on the cart, packed everything up and locked the door behind me.

As I headed back the way I’d come, Wheeler said, “Well, you inspire me, all that sweat pouring down your chest.” He was practically licking his lips.

This was too much. I’d put Wheeler Ridley behind me years ago, and he needed to stay there. I stopped the cart and turned to face him. “What do you want, Mr. Ridley?”

“You don’t like me, do you?” he asked, as if surprised by that reality. “Something I said?” Wow, soclueless.

“How does my liking you or not matter? What, you were hoping for a quick roll in the sand with the innkeeper?” The flush on his cheeks said it all.