Beret Bear (Rogue Bear Series 3) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers Page A

up, noticing the towel rack was full. She sighed. What was wrong with people?
    She closed the door to the suite behind her and started to head to the lobby.
    “There you are!”
    Avery jumped. “Dad, you scared me half to death. What’s wrong?” She spun around to face her father.
    Avery’s father wasn’t tall. They almost stood eye to eye. He had dark hair that was silver around the ears, and a small nose like hers. It was the only feature they shared. Everyone always told her how much she looked like her mother.
    “Nothing is wrong. I just need to discuss a few things. Are you headed downstairs?”
    She nodded. “I had to drop off extra towels.” She tapped the elevator button.
    They stepped inside. “Looks like I have to go to Seattle after all.”
    “Why?” She watched the floors pass them as the small carriage descended to the lowest level of the inn.
    “I can’t get the part for the furnace here. There is a dealer in Seattle. The delivery fee is as much as the part. It’s worth it to make the drive.”
    “Oh.” The lattice doors creaked open and they emerged into the lobby.
    The inn had been in Avery’s family for two generations. She made the third. One day her father would hand it over to her and Paul. Although, she still hadn’t convinced Paul that it was something he could do part-time once they were married. She knew with time he would love it as much as she did.
    “I was thinking about leaving this afternoon, maybe staying in the city for a day or two. I wanted to check with you first.”
    She walked behind the reception desk and listened to her father’s travel plans. “What do you need me to do, Dad?”
    “Nothing you aren’t already.” He smiled. “Any problems if I go?”
    “No. I think I’ve got everything covered. And Paul is here if I need anything.”
    Her father frowned. “You sure about that?”
    “Dad, he’s just busy. Of course he would help if I needed him here. He loves the inn too.”
    “Hmm.” He jingled the change in his pocket, hesitating by the desk.
    She knew when something was on his mind. She didn’t want to get into another argument about Paul. It was becoming a habit between them. She would try to defend Paul’s constant absence, knowing she didn’t have a good reason to give her father for why he was never around.
    “Avery?”
    She held her breath. Here it was—another lecture on how she deserved romance in her life. The kind her parents had found together.
    “Dad, we’ve talked about it. I don’t want to—”
    “Avery, I’ve met someone.”
    “What?” She had to close her jaw.
    “She’s in Seattle.”
    “Oh.” She didn’t know how to respond to his sudden confession.
    Her father tried to brush the silver edges of hair behind his ears. He was overdue for a haircut. “We met online on Silver Hearts.”
    “Oh.” She tried to steady her rapid pulse. Of course her father was lonely. Of course he would want to connect with someone. He had been doing this alone for ten years.
    Ever since her mother had died he had taken on dual parenting roles. He had become her cheerleader, mentor, and now business partner.
    He added, “And that’s the real reason for the trip.” He smiled. “I do need the furnace part before winter hits, but it seemed like we were both ready to finally meet in person. I’m taking her to dinner tonight.”
    Avery tried not to think ten steps ahead. Tried not to think how much life would change if her father married again. It had been the two of them for ten years. This was only a first date—not an engagement party.
    “I hope you have a good time. What’s her name?”
    “Shannon.”
    “Maybe I’ll get to meet her soon.”
    He held up his hands. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don’t put the cart before the horse. It’s just dinner.”
    Avery laughed. He might be her dad, but he was still a guy. A guy not ready to be committed past a dinner date.
    “Dad?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Don’t worry about anything here. Stay in Seattle