Page 89 of Loathe at First Sight

“Would you believe me if I told you she’s just having a bad day?”

I stare at him while he hands me his credit card until he finally says, “Okay, okay, I bet on the ponies and lost.”

“How much was it this time?”

“Only fifty dollars, but she told me she’s tired of my shit. Told me to come here while she cools off for the night.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I have no idea how the two of you have stayed married for over forty years.”

“Well, darlin’, I come here. I think that has saved our marriage more times than I can count.”

I hand him over his key. “Room seven. As usual.”

“You’re a doll.” Mr. McAuthur is old enough to not have any idea about me or who I am. He knows my parents, but he’s beyond the stage in his life that involves caring about any type of drama.

Besides the few long-term guests this place has, he’s the only ‘regular’ that I’ve encountered.

I just finish up the paperwork when Esther comes walking in. She may be nearing ninety, but man, the woman still moves as though she’s much younger. She is in incredible shape. I’m tempted to ask what her secret is, but I don’t want it to come off as rude or intrusive.

“Hi there, Liz,” she greets with a warm smile.

“Hey, Esther.”

“I don’t know about you, but I could use a cup of coffee.”

“Of course.”

We walk into the kitchen, and I pour us two mugs. I take a seat at one of the tables in the dining room, but Esther walks around looking over everything.

“You’ve done a great job around here, Liz.”

“Thanks. It gives me something to do with my time.”

“The place looks great,” she says. “It should help it sell quicker.”

There it is. There’s what I was afraid of hearing during this meeting.

“Esther, I have to ask, why are you wanting to sell? I can keep running the inn if it’s too much work.”

She sits down across the table from me. “Full disclosure, I had a health scare not too long ago. I’m fine, but it just made me realize that I’d like to start getting my affairs in order. I have three kids, and none of them want a single thing to do with this place. I’d rather go ahead and sell it now so that when I do pass, they don’t have to mess with any of it.”

“Makes sense I guess,” I mumble as I sip my coffee.

“Plus, this place isn’t what it used to be to me. I loved it when I was here every day, running it. Now, it just needs so much work and upkeep, and people just aren’t coming in like they used to.”

“Have you thought about doing any type of advertising? Or putting it on some rental websites. This place has so much charm that I’m sure it could attract quite the crowd.”

Esther cuts me off. “Liz, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, my mind is made up. And I know I’m leaving you in a bit of a lurch, so I promise that once the place sells, I will give you one heck of a severance package.”

While that is a little reassuring, it doesn’t help me feel any better. Somehow, this place that started as just a temporary job has become a home to me. Although it’s normally mostly empty, I enjoy it all the same. It became a constant in a time when my life had none. And now, I have to start all over again.

Just when I think I’m getting ahead, life pulls me right back down into the trenches.

After my shift ends, I decide to go for a drive. I still want to go see Jack, but he said he had paperwork, and I don’t want to rush him.

Besides, I can use a little quiet time to think.

I drive my little car up and down the streets of Lilly Leaf Falls as the rain falls steadily, hoping that no one sees me. People will probably jump to the conclusion that I’m spying on people or casing their houses.

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