He shrugs, and I can’t help but think that he could be right. It would be nice to be able to take Sam to school, or sleep a little later, or just have my hands freed up to do other things. And the inn is busy enough now that an employee is completely affordable.

“I’ll look into it,” I finally reply, and Rhys’s eyes widen in surprise.

“You will?”

“Yes. You’re right, it would be nice to have some flexibility in the morning.”

“Wow. That was easier than I thought it would be.”

I laugh and kiss his arm as I pass by him. “I’m not unreasonable; I’m just stubborn.”

“You? No. I had no idea.”

“And you’re a smart ass.”

“Better than being a dumb ass,” he says with a wink and then frowns when he watches me pull drawers out, search through them, then push them back in. “What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to find my iPad.”

“Did you think you might have stored it with the freezer bags?”

“No, but I can’t find it. Anywhere. I mean, my phone was in the fridge, so you just never know.”

“Good point. Don’t you have that app that you can use to help you find it if it’s stolen or lost?”

“Oh, I think I do!” I reach for my phone and activate the app, then touch my way through the screens, until it shows me where my iPad is.

“It’s not in the house,” Rhys says grimly, again looking over my shoulder.

I make the map bigger and try to figure out how I know that address. “I’ve been there before. How do I know it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh my God!” I spin and stare at Rhys in horror. “I know where this is.”

“Okay, where?”

“It’s Cindy’s condo in the city. She must have taken it the other day when she was here. Why would she do that?”

“To make your life hell,” he replies grimly. “You know, I don’t condone violence against women, but I’d really love to wring her little neck.”

“I wonder if she changed my password to the program too,” I mumble, trying to figure out what to do.

“What do you mean?”

“I need the program on there for all of the inn scheduling. It’s my Bible. I can log into it from the computer too, and when I tried, the password wouldn’t work. I always use the same password, Rhys. The only explanation is that she changed it.”

“You need to report it stolen and file a police report.”

“What?” I shake my head incredulously. “That’s crazy.”

“No. She stole it, Gabby. Obviously with the intention of hurting you. She didn’t accidentally slip away with it. She’s not your friend. Let the cops get it back for you.”

“I can afford to replace it.”

“That’s not the point.” His jaw is firm. “She took something that isn’t hers.”

He’s right.

“Okay. But to do that, I have to go into the city.”

“We’ll go right after breakfast.”

“Guests—”

“Won’t arrive until late afternoon, and the ones who are staying over will have keys to get in if they come back before us. We’ll be gone a few hours.”

I really need to hire help.

And stop choosing thieving friends.

“Okay.” I nod and pull the rolls out of the oven. “Hungry?”

“Yes.” I turn to see his green eyes on my ass.

“For food?”

“Sure, if that’s all you’re offering.”

***

“So, we filed a police report,” I say while nibbling on chips and salsa. Rhys and I met up with Kate and Eli for lunch. Eli is currently glaring at Rhys because Rhys has his arm around my shoulders.

God save me from overprotective brothers.

“I can’t believe she stole it right under your nose,” Kate says, shaking her head, also munching on chips and salsa. “What in the hell is her problem?”

“I wouldn’t sleep with her,” Rhys replies. “And Gabby stood up to her, told her off, and kicked her out of her house.”

“Actually,” I say, looking up into Rhys’s face, “I think it was you who finally kicked her out.”

“Either way, she got kicked out.”

“Good, but you should have called me,” Eli says, then sighs when Rhys kisses my hand. “Are you going to continue to touch my sister for all of us to see?”

“Yes,” Rhys replies simply, making Kate grin.

“I’m not sure how I feel about this,” Eli says.

“You don’t have to feel any way about it,” I reply in frustration. “I’m a grown-ass woman.”

“It’s my job to protect you,” Eli says, as if I’m being difficult.

“But it’s not your job to be an ass,” Kate says, but softens the blow by kissing his cheek. “It’s Rhys. You know him. And they’re cute together.”

“Hurt her, and—”

“Seriously,” I interrupt, not wanting to hear the hurt her and I’ll kill you speech. “We’re fine.”

“I get it,” Rhys says to Eli. “I feel the same about Kate; you know that. We’ve had that conversation. I almost decked you when you showed up in Denver.”

Eli sits back in his chair, and his eyes calm a bit, but he looks no less foreboding.

“Don’t make me regret trusting you,” Eli says calmly, just as our meals are delivered.

“Back at you,” Rhys replies with a cold smile. Kate catches my eye, and we both sigh, and shrug as if to say, what can you do? They love us. They’re worried about us.

Damn it, sometimes they’re idiots.

But lunch is delicious.

“Beau said this morning that you need a new dishwasher,” Eli says.

“I do. I’ll find time to pick one out in the next few days.”

“Just come to the office with me after lunch and sign off on one, and I’ll have it delivered. It’s your inn, but damn it, we can help with that shit. You’re busy enough.”

“Too busy,” Kate agrees.

“I think I’m going to hire some help,” I reply. “Rhys might have talked me into it.”

Eli’s eyebrow shoots up in surprise. “We’ve been trying to talk you into it for over a year.”

“I didn’t need it a year ago.” I shrug and twirl a long string of cheese around my fork. “But I’m much busier now, and Sam is getting more involved in things, so it’s time to have some help.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Eli says, as if there is no room for argument, and I simply laugh at him.

“No, you won’t.”

“Gabby, I have a whole HR staff that can easily find someone qualified to help you.”

“I’m perfectly capable of finding someone to help me,” I reply. “You run your business, and I’ll run mine, big brother.”

He sits back in his hair and tilts his handsome head, watching me. “Okay. You handle it.”

“I will.” I nod once and sip my Coke. “I wonder if I should specify in the ad that felons aren’t welcome to apply.”

“Gabby, let me handle this!” Eli exclaims, and I can’t help but dissolve in a fit of giggles.

“I’m teasing. It sure is fun to get you all riled up.”

“Most wouldn’t dare,” Kate says good-naturedly. “I wonder what people would say if they knew that he’s nothing but a big softie.”

“I will take you over my knee, Kate,” he murmurs to her, and Rhys tenses up beside me, but Kate just laughs and leans her head on Eli’s shoulder.

“Right. Except you have this thing against spanking me, so I don’t think that’ll happen.”

Eli’s lips twitch as he buries them in Kate’s hair and kisses her head.

“I don’t mind being spanked,” I add and eat a chip loaded with cheese and beans, just as Eli’s eyes go cold again, pinned on Rhys, who simply laughs beside me.

“I don’t need to know this,” Eli growls.

“It’s not like he leaves marks. Well, they don’t stay for long.”

Kate is laughing like a loon into her hand, Rhys is smiling widely, and Eli looks like he’s about to spit nails.

Or spank me himself.

God, this is fun.

“Gabby,” he says, always in control, “you’re my baby sister. I don’t ever want to hear about any sexual encounter you ever have. In my head, you’re a virgin.”

Rhys snorts, earning a glare from Eli.

“She has a child, Eli. She’s clearly not a virgin.”

“And you should know,” I remind him with an evil smile.

“For the love of fuck,” Eli mutters, scrubbing his hand down his face.