Page 4 of Promised Love

I’ve just placed a cup of coffee on my desk when my best friend, Chiara, scampers into my office. “Autumn, there’s a couple at the reception desk screaming their heads off. You better come out.”

“I was just there. What could have happened in the past two minutes?” I ask, although I’m already rushing behind her.

We enter the reception area of The Butterfly Inn, the cozy, romantic lodge that’s my family’s pride and joy and a beloved part of all of our lives. My mom inherited it from Grandma, who inherited it from her mother, and now at the age of twenty-two, I’m ready to take charge.

I know this inn inside out, every nook and every corner, and I feel its energy running through my body as soon as I wake up.

My mom says it’s our great-grandmother showing she’s with us. Maybe she’s right.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been here every day after school, helping Mom and learning how the business works. She treats this place like it’s no less serious than practicing rocket science.

As a trial run to show my parents and grandparents I’m prepared to take over this huge responsibility, I booked them a week’s vacation while I took over running the place. It’s been three days already, and even though we’ve had some chaotic moments, like right now, I’m having the time of my life.

“Hi. My name is Autumn Smith, and I’m the manager of the inn. How can I help you?” I smile and put on my best hostess face for our guests.

I rest my hand lightly on our front desk supervisor’s back, letting her know that everything’s okay. From the red and angry faces of our guests, I’m sure they’ve given Emma an earful. But why?

The woman doesn’t keep me guessing for long.

“We’re the Hardys, and your staff messed up our reservation. Big-time. We booked the honeymoon suite facing the lake for three days and two nights. We paid in advance and everything.” She throws her hands up in the air. “It’s our tenth wedding anniversary, and we wanted to have a kids-free vacation, but now everything’s ruined.” Her throat chokes as she finishes.

Warmth expands throughout my chest as I make a silent wish to the universe that I’m able to fix whatever happened and this couple gets their much-deserved peaceful stay.

“Mrs. Hardy, I promise you we’ll fix this, and the two of you will have such an amazing time at The Butterfly Inn that you’ll want to come again next year.” I tip my head to the side, motioning to Chiara, and she quickly bolts toward the kitchen.

“While I check your booking, why don’t we sit,” I suggest. Emma hands me her iPad, and the couple looks at each other reluctantly. But when I point toward the corner couch in the sitting area, they thankfully follow. “Please leave your luggage. We’ll take care of it.”

As soon as we’re seated, Chiara is back, followed by one of our servers. He places two tall drinks and a plate of hors d’oeuvres on the glass table.

“Our bartender has carefully prepared a special tenth anniversary drink for you.” I point toward the cocktail glasses. “It’s a Blue Lagoon.”

While our guests take their drinks, I quickly go through their booking.

Crap! I chew my lip, seeing what I’d anticipated.

I hate booking issues, even when it’s not our fault. Guests come to the inn with a ton of expectations, like the Hardys here, who just want to have two days away from their normal life.

“Did you find what’s wrong in your system?” Mr. Hardy asks. The frown has slowly started disappearing from his face.

“Yes.” I turn the iPad toward them. “You did book the honeymoon suite.” The couple looks at each other triumphantly. “Unfortunately, you didn’t book the one facing the lake and the hills, but the one facing the inn’s gardens.” I click the picture next to their booking.

The smile on Mr. Hardy’s face slips away, and he places his drink back on the table. “How is that possible? I was careful, Carly. I knew you wanted the honeymoon suite with a view of the lake.” He turns to his wife, and I hate the despair on their faces.

I quickly check for any available lake-facing room, but as expected, we’re fully booked.

“It’s an honest mistake, Mr. Hardy. We have several honeymoon suites, so I can understand how you’d have gotten confused. Unfortunately, we have no lakeside rooms available.”

I rack my brain, trying to come up with something that will erase the disappointed look from my guests’ faces.

My mother’s words ring in my ears all the while.

“We make memories at this inn, Autumn. Always make sure we give our guests the best ones so they want to come again and again to relive those days.”

I look out the window, hoping to get some inspiration, when one of the construction workers crosses the lawn, and an idea strikes.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, would you be up for something…unconventional?” Excitement crackles inside me, and Chiara raises an eyebrow.

But Mr. Hardy doesn’t look fully convinced. “What do you mean by unconventional?”

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