Page 50 of Falling Inn Love
“The best part is that the Bullock farm is going to do an airplane candy drop both days at 3 p.m for the kids.”
“Kase will love that. I mean, he’ll love all of it, but that’s going to be awesome for the kids.”
“Right? And some of the local bands will fill time slots to have live music playing. It’s going to be such a great time.”
“How many people do you think will come?”
“I don’t know, but I have a feeling it’s going to be amazing.”
“It will be.”
I go over the rest of my to-dos with Mellie, who takes on a few more things from my list to help out with. By the time we’re done, we can smell breakfast back in the kitchen and our stomachs are grumbling.
Mellie heads over to wake up Kase and get ready for the day and I already feel so energized, despite my lack of sleep. I feel like the plan is really coming together to save the inn. This is one way I feel like I can help Evan and his family. I finally feel like I have a purpose again and it feels so good.
I can’t stop thinking about Evan and I text him.
Beth: Hey, did you make it okay? I already miss you.
Evan: Yes, headed to my connecting flight. I miss you too. How are things going?
Beth: All is well. Mellie and I are working on the fall festival prep. Pete is getting outside things ready, and Sasha is ordering the food we’ll need. Everything is great here, no need to worry. Puppies miss you.
Evan: I really can’t thank you enough.
My mind races back to last night and I can think of several ways he can thank me. Of course, I know this is not the time, so I bring the focus back to his family.
Beth: Give everyone a big hug for me when you see them. We’re all sending our love and healing thoughts.
* * *
For the next several days, I settle into a satisfying routine with the dogs, Mellie, Kase, Pete, and Sasha. We all eat together, work together, and spend time together to plan the festival. It doesn’t seem like work. Every single minute is fun, and I feel so at ease with these people—like they could really bemypeople.
One night, after I tuck the pups into their kennel for bed, I make the rounds to shut everything down. That’s when I run into Pete, who’s apparently doing the same. “Hey, Beth, what are you doing out so late?”
“Night rounds, like Evan showed me.”
“You don’t have to do that, but we appreciate you so much for helping.”
“Aw, thanks, Pete. How are things coming along on your list for the festival?”
“Good. I have a tractor ready for hayrides, and one of the neighboring farms is dropping off bales of hay tomorrow.”
Before Pete can continue, we’re distracted by some motion at the front porch. We see a person stick something to the front door then race away.
I head over to investigate and find a bright yellow paper taped to the front door as the person drives off in an Audi. I snatch the paper down.
Warning: Foreclosure Notice
Pete exclaims, “What the hell?”
“Who was that?” I ask.
“Hamilton McGraw, the bank manager. He’s trying to screw with us. We’re not in foreclosure. He’s trying to hurt our business by messing with guests. He probably posted it now, thinking we wouldn’t see it until tomorrow and hoped some of our guests would see it first.”
“Evan said he had until January.”
“You know about that?” Pete asks, surprised.
