Bianca: Daisy Hills B&B, #2

By Kali Hart

Bianca

My sisters and I have many collective rules as the owners of the B&B. The most important: don't fraternize with guests. But when historian Jeremy Lanaster checks in, I'm not so sure I can abide by that rule. I'm a sucker for a history buff. And I do mean buff in every sense of the word. When I catch him poking around the attic, I don't have the good sense to be suspicious. Those lips can make a girl forget her name. Trying to keep our attraction under the radar from my sisters, I agree to help him with his research project. But Jeremy's keeping a secret. One I need to get to the bottom of if I have any hope of protecting my heart.

Jeremy

I'm a treasure hunter. I often travel under the guise of something else. In Daisy Hills, I'm a historian. I'm after a rare necklace my great, great grandfather gifted a woman he never married. One that was last seen in the very house that is now the Daisy Hills B&B. That a curvy beauty is waiting for me at the check-in counter is only an added bonus. The attraction is undeniable, but I don't do relationships. I'm never in one place long enough. When Bianca catches me snooping in the attic, distracting her backfires. I want her, and not just for the few days I'm in town. But if she discovers what I'm really after, it might ruin everything between us. I have to decide which treasure is more important: the necklace or Bianca.

Welcome to Daisy Hills. Where love is waiting around every corner for those who are ready to accept it. This small town has a little bit of something for everyone. Daisy Hills B&B is the first of many series to come, set in this charming world filled with guaranteed HEAs. All sweet & steamy short instalove romances. Come, stay awhile and make yourself at home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie M. Wallick
• Release date: Jan 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9798224634286

Book preview

1

BIANCA

You’re late. Isabella’s narrowed eyes follow me from the back door to the kitchen island, where the rest of my sisters are already assembled, munching on fresh scones.

I drop the package on the counter. "Sorry. There was a line at the post office. Not my fault they only have one window." Though we all grew up in Daisy Hills, I was one of the sisters who moved away to the big city. I’m still readjusting to small town life. Such as having to go to the post office to pick up a package that won’t fit in our mailbox.

Don’t be late again, Isabella warns.

Miranda and Celia exchange a look I don’t miss, both giggling into their hands. Isabella, the unanimously voted manager of the Daisy Hills B&B, takes her job a bit too seriously. Including the monthly meeting she runs. We swear she wasn’t this uptight until she officially stopped working at Dresses for Days.

You need to get laid, dear sister, Celia says, flashing her a mischievous smile.

Just because you’re getting some on a very regular basis doesn’t mean that’s the cure for all of us, Isabella says with an eyeroll.

"Not all of us. Miranda yanks a bite-sized scone from the tray. Just you."

Who’s the package for? Adriana asks. As the youngest, she’s the only one with a knack for breaking tension-filled moments like these. Like magic, she diverts the subject before things can get too heated. I’d say it’s her innocence, but we all know better.

You, I say to Isabella, sliding the box to her. I think it’s the brochures you ordered.

Temptation lingers in her eyes as she stares at the box. I know she wants to open it, but she’s so strict about these meetings and their agendas that she pushes it aside for later. Let’s get started, okay?

I swipe a mini white cranberry scone from the serving tray and wink at Celia. Perks of having a chef in the family—we never go hungry at these boring meetings.

Let’s start off with the rules, Isabella says.

The rest of us collectively grumble. Isabella is such a stickler for the rules and reciting them at every meeting, like they’re not already beat into our head every day. What’s the first one? She stares at me.

Don’t fraternize with the guests. I shake my head at the absurdity of the rule.

Why? Isabella presses.

Because we’re not running a brothel, Adriana answers with a giggle before I can.

Because we don’t want a bad reputation, Isabella rephrases. Next rule.

I tune out as she finishes going through the rules and moves on to numbers, projections, booking rates, and a bunch of other data that scrambles my brain. I’m an interior decorator—one without much of a purpose now that the B&B has been fully renovated and operational for over six months.

Each of us pitches in where needed; manning the front desk, booking guests, and other odd duties. But the rest of my sisters have talents that are still being utilized. I feel…lost.

Something wrong with my spreadsheet? Isabella asks, drawing me back to the conversation. She’s extra bitchy today. I think Celia’s right—Isabella needs to get laid. Since I don’t have any other purpose, maybe I should try finding her a date. Everyone would better off.

Nope.

"You were paying attention, right?" Isabella continues.

The creak of the front door fills me with instant relief. It’s my turn to man the front desk, checking in the new guests. It gives me the only acceptable excuse to dip out of a monthly business meeting. I’ll be back.

I hardly turn the corner before I nearly trip over my own two feet.

A tall, broad shouldered man closes the door behind him. With one quick sweep of his body, I notice all the bulging muscles in his tight fitted t-shirt and cargo shorts. The sandy brown hair. The two-day old stubble I hope he won’t shave while he’s here. He’s gorgeous.

Welcome to the Daisy Hills B&B, I manage to say without stumbling. It’s quite the feat considering how tongue-tied I feel.

Beautiful Victorian, he says, flashing me a