Page 19 of Meet Me at the Grand

Hmm. They’d see about that. “Come on.”

They started ambling around the structure, and Dani went into tour guide mode, something she’d been doing since she was first hired at the Tourism Bureau in high school. In the island’s heyday, Dani had given six or seven walking tours a day during the season and at least one a day during the off season. Now, she gave exactly zero in the off season and maybe one per week during the season.

“The hotel was first built in the 1890s. It was a huge boon to tourism from the first season it was open. People loved coming to Jonathon Island to experience rest and rejuvenation. And for the locals, the hotel’s long summer porch became a principal gathering area. Islanders used to come here and walk the porch with their romantic partners, and it was dubbed the Flirtation Walk. The elderly used to use it as a way to get exercise and have somewhere to go—kind of like how city dwellers will walk shopping malls nowadays.”

She spent the next several minutes spouting various facts about the hotel, including all the big-name guests they’d hosted (like Mark Twain), renovations and additions that had happened over the years (the West Wing had been added quickly after the initial opening thanks to an increased demand for room availability), and how the hotel had celebrated 125 years with a smashing party attended by former Michigan governors just a few years before it had burned.

“And your family owned the hotel that entire time?” Liam pushed a hand through his tapered brown hair, which was as neat and tidy as the two-piece suit beneath the black overcoat he’d casually grabbed from his suitcase after the phone call with his dad.

“Yes. The Jonathons have always owned the land, and the Sullivans paid rent on it.”

“And what happened when your parents got married?”

Oy. That was the problem, wasn’t it? “They decided to make the arrangement permanent in solidarity. To keep it all in the family. Which meant that as long as my dad wanted to pay rent on the land, the Jonathon side had to let him. And once the hotel burned, they couldn’t do anything else with it. The rent they’d locked in had been low. So poor Uncle Seb lost his shirt on that land every month because my father refused to give the Jonathons the satisfaction of clearing his hotel off the land and selling or renting it to another buyer.” She paused. “Basically, it’s complicated.”

“I’ll say.” He kept walking before stopping in front of the colonnades lining the porch up ahead. “It’s really remarkable. I’m a big fan of the Colonial Revival style.” Liam placed his hand reverently on the outer wall, his face lifted upward. “It’s just so graceful.”

A thrill ran up her spine. Someone else understood her enthusiasm. “I couldn’t agree more. Are you into architecture? Not that I’m more than a hobbyist myself.”

“Studied it for my undergrad, actually.”

“But you didn’t pursue it?”

“Not solely as an architect, but I do use it in my work now.” He shrugged. “Dad wanted me to come work for him, and I couldn’t say no. Family’s gotta stick together, right?”

“Right.” Though as much as she believed the words, not everyone in her own family did. In fact, she might be the only one.

That’s why shehadto get this project right.

“I’ve watched countless documentaries on the Travel Channel about the architecture in Europe, how much history there is to be seen. So much still preserved. The United States’ history pales in comparison.”

“Yeah, it really does. You definitely have to see the cathedrals especially. St. Paul’s in London is exquisite. Have you ever been?”

“Haven’t really had much of a chance to travel. But I want to. Someday.”

Liam studied her for a moment. “I hope you get to do just that. The world is a wonderful place.” Then his gaze shifted back to the hotel. “But so is your little town. I can see why you like it here. And this hotel, it’s got real potential. You can tell it used to be really grand.”

“I’m glad you recognize that.” And hopefully, he recognized how important it was to preserve that history for generations to come. She pivoted away from the hotel and pointed in the distance. “That way is a golf course, which actually is in decent shape. And out there is the island’s famous gazebo. You see it?”

He stepped closer to her, and hints of his expensive-smelling cologne drifted toward her. Then he squinted. “Oh, yeah. I feel like I saw pictures of it during my brief research. Wasn’t it built as part of a movie set?”

“It was!Still the One. Fabulous movie if you haven’t seen it. About a small town, just like this one, and an Army Ranger and wedding planner slash single mom who used to be childhood friends, and now…” She laughed. “Anyway, that gazebo is my favorite place on the whole island. And there used to be picnics on the lawn held out there for hotel guests every weekend evening under the stars.” She sighed. “They were magical.”

Liam hummed. “I can definitely see that being a big attraction back in the day.”

“Really?” Her heart squeezed. Maybe Liam was catching her vision after all.

“For sure.” Liam pivoted and pointed to the hotel’s front porch. “Think it’s safe to walk on?”

She nodded. “Uncle Seb had someone out to evaluate it once we knew we were going to pursue the redevelopment project. There’s tape around the sections that are unsafe. We can walk about halfway down the porch before we reach that point.”

They took the steps together, and even though the porch granted a very similar view as the spot where they’d just been standing, there was still something magical about it to Dani. “This is my second favorite place on the island.” So many memories revolved around this porch.

Watching fireworks with her family.

Painting terrible artwork on easels with Mom and a group of guests.

Taking in the sunset with her older brother James before he left for college. Him telling her that he’d always come back, for this, because the hotel was the greatest spot in the world—and his family, the safest landing place.

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