Page 4 of Falling Inn Love
* * *
My heart breaks in two with the way her lip trembles and her eyes fill with tears when she says she has no one to call. I want to scoop her up and hug her right there, but I’m not typically one to go around hugging strangers, even beautiful strangers. Plus, given that she’s already concerned I may be a murderer, I can’t imagine touching her is a great call right now.
“Okay, it’s no problem,” I say softly. “I’m going to give Sam a call. He runs the auto shop here in Freedom Valley and he’s the best. It’ll all work out, okay?”
Her eyes meet mine briefly and, in a skeptical tone, she asks, “You really run this inn?”
“Do I not look like an innkeeper?” I reply, crossing my arms and leaning back against the wall. It’s been a while since I’ve been around a woman that intrigues me. She’s beautiful, and her puzzled expression makes me want to tease her about the inn.
“Not really what I would have guessed,” she says.
“You and me both,” I mutter as I watch a few guests make their way to check-in.
She tips her head back down for a moment, and says, “Thank you for all your help. I mean it. I don’t know what I would have done if I was stranded on the side of the road tonight, I really appreciate your help. When do you want me to start?”
She finally lifts her head. The old cap she’s wearing has been pulled low, but I can still see her beautiful eyes. They’re a cross between blue and green. She has no makeup on but her face is glowing. Her long, blond hair is pulled through the back of her cap. She’s wearing jeans, a black vintage Fleetwood MacRumorst-shirt, and white Converse. She’s curvy and petite and seems authentic and interesting. Like someone I want to get to know more. There’s something about her I just can’t put my finger on… Something sad and beautiful at the same time. I want to know what happened to her.
She pauses in the doorway, I guess waiting for my response. I shake myself from staring at her. “Breakfast is from seven to ten in the dining room. Just come find me then and we’ll work it out.”
A comfortable warmth fills her face and she meets my eyes. “Thanks, Evan.” She grabs her bag and heads inside, shutting the door.
I’m in trouble with this one, I think to myself as I head back to the front desk.
My mom has already checked in the new guests by the time I return. She smiles at me. “Picked up another stray?”
“Well, the last one I brought back ended up being the best employee we’ve ever had,” I say smugly, raising an eyebrow.
“Ah-hem.” Sasha, our chef, appears just then and glares at me. “Best employee?” she teases, playful disdain in her tone.
“Second best,” I assure her. “You know you’re my number one.”
Sasha is married to our handyman, Pete. They’ve been with the inn for over fifteen years now and have become like older siblings to me.
She rolls her eyes, indicating the conversation is over, and hands me a sheet of paper.
“I changed the menu a bit for next week,” she explains. “Nothing big. Just using up some things we have. Trying to save money on our grocery orders.”
I realize what she’s doing and I’m grateful, although I feel a stab of guilt in my gut. Sasha knows we’re having trouble and she’s trying to save us money. I haven’t told my mom much about our financial issues because I don’t want to worry her when we already have enough going on. I quickly try to change the subject.
I glance through her suggestions quickly. “Looks good, Sasha. We have a guest who’s going to be helping up front for a few days. Her name is Beth.”
“And how long will we be keeping this one? Mellie is going on months. Not that I’m complaining.” She straightens her apron then heads back to the kitchen.
She’s definitely not complaining. Mellie is the hardest-working employee we have. She keeps this place in tip-top shape and we’d never be able to find another housekeeper like her. And her four-year-old son Kase is an added bonus. I love that kid, we all do.
Mellie showed up with Kase several months back, in need of work and a place for them to stay. She’s also become family to us.
I don’t find the staff, they find us, and it magically works out. I turn to my mom. “See? I’ve got this innkeeping thing down. It’s not much different than being a Marine.”
My mom ignores my teasing and tilts her head, eyebrows drawing together. “Have you heard from your sister today?”
“Why, what’s up?” I ask as I lean down to put more paper in the printer.
Her expression turns serious. “They’re keeping a closer eye on Caleb. They’re seeing if his dad will get tested to be a donor. Allie isn’t a match.”
It’s not fair for a three-year-old to need a kidney transplant. “Do they think it’s hereditary? From his dad’s side?”
She nods. “It’s looking that way. Hopefully he’ll do the right thing and at least get tested.”
