Page 47 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

"I'm sorry, Lizzie. Paula was supposed to come tomorrow. I was going to tell you last night, but then you left with Justin, and I thought I'd have a chance to speak to you today, but Paula arrived earlier than she said."

"You should have found a minute to warn me that you were bringing her by. And why did you even agree to introduce us? You know I don't want to sell the inn."

"I also know you're swimming in debt, and you look more and more tired every time I see you. I didn't think it was my decision to make. You don't have to do anything. I just felt like you should see all the opportunities available to you. Falcon Properties would keep you on as manager of the inn. It would still be your place."

"No, it wouldn't. It would be theirs. I would just be the hired help. I've done that." She was appalled that Keira thought she would even entertain the idea. But maybe she hadn't been hiding her problems as well as she thought. That was also disturbing. She didn't want her friends to think she couldn't handle her business. It felt like she was back in school, with classmates giving her doubtful looks and teachers wondering why she wasn't doing as well as her sister and brothers had done.

"Then don't do this," Keira said. "It's just an offer, nothing more. I'm not saying you should sell. I'm not pushing it, and I'm not taking a commission on anything. Paula is a nice woman. I heard her pitch, and it sounded interesting. I thought you should hear it."

"I just wish you'd told me, but you're right, it's just an offer, something to consider." She ran a hand through her hair. "It's been a difficult day with the furnace problems and the party planning. I don't want to talk about this right now. I need to get back to the party."

"I am sorry if I added to your stress."

"It's fine. We'll talk later."

"Lizzie—"

She put up her hand, seeing the concern in Keira's eyes. "Don't worry about it. Just go to the party and keep Paula entertained. I can't deal with her right now. I need to check on Naomi and make sure we're not running low on anything."

"All right. We'll talk later."

She walked out of her office and was immediately waylaid by Ted Robinson, the furnace repairman. As Keira headed to the patio, Lizzie steeled herself for what might be coming next.

"Good news," Ted said, although the look in his eyes didn't quite match his words.

"Really?"

"The heat is now working, or rather it's not working, but you know what I mean," he said. "If you want it on, it will be on, but at a normal temperature."

"I'm so relieved," she said, realizing it was already starting to feel cooler.

"And now for the bad news." He gave her an apologetic look as he handed her his bill—another piece of paper she didn't want to have in her hand. "I had to replace some rather expensive parts."

The bill was much higher than she'd expected, and her gut clenched as she wondered where she was going to find the money.

"Now, you don't need to pay it all right away. If you can do half or even a quarter today, that would work," Ted said, obviously reading her stricken expression.

"I can give you a check for a quarter now. And I'll get you the rest as soon as I can."

"I know you will."

She walked back into her office and wrote him a check.

He gave her an awkward look as he accepted it. "I wish I could have done it cheaper, Lizzie."

"I appreciate that, but you did a great job. Thank you for coming so quickly and working so hard."

"My wife loves seeing the inn thriving again," Ted said. "We're all rooting for you to do well."

"Thanks. I hope I don't let you down."

"I know you won't."

As Ted left the office, she let out a breath, wishing she was feeling as confident about her abilities as Ted was. The heating bill was a huge setback, and she'd already been running so tight on her budget. But there was nothing she could do about it now. Like the offer from Falcon, she'd put that problem off for another time.

Chapter Nine

Justin wonderedwhere Lizzie had disappeared to. The party was humming along. Victor, the bartender, was filling margarita glasses while a young woman made the rounds with trays of delicious appetizers. He grabbed a chicken empanada as it went by and popped it in his mouth as his gaze swept the patio once more. His grandparents were talking up a storm with their friends.

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