Page 81 of Pick Yourself Up
Boomer tilted his head, making Nash’s smile widen. “Hello, Boomer. I hear you’re quite the hero. I’m glad Charlie’s not home yet. He’d fall in love with you and beg me to meet you in person.”
Gray laughed. “Sounds like a good reason to haul your asses up here for a visit. See if life on an apple farm fits you as well as it does me.”
Nash looked off-screen. “Saved by the bus. Nice to meet you, Amber. You too, Boomer. Talk later.”
Gray ended the call and shoved his phone in his pocket, then kissed Amber properly.
She hugged him. “You recruiting?”
He nodded. “I know it’s not my place, but I think Nash and his boy would love it here. They need more happy.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “It’s most definitely your place, and it’s a good one to find more happy.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” And then he kissed her, finding even more of that happy for herself.
Amber patted Boomer’s head, and they moved back to the threshold of the room to look it over. “What do you think? Does it all work?”
Boomer sat on his haunches and tilted his head as if to study the room. She hadn’t ordered mattresses or bedding yet, but the room was taking shape.
She had found lots of old equipment in Tansy’s basement that would match the decor of various rooms. Homemade cider presses. Metal baking tins, handmade rolling pins, and kitchen utensils. An old wooden beehive that would work as a nightstand. She was now determined to have a Honey Bee room.
They’d found a small crate filled with miniature replicas of trucks, tractors, and farm equipment. Tansy had been thrilled to give them to her for more decor.
Hand-crafted picture frames and small crates that would match the atmosphere she hoped to create.
The frames she planned for this room stood along one wall. She’d need to find photos before making final decisions, but she wanted to get the overall feel of at least one room.
This room would be Apple-y Ever After. It was the largest room with windows on two sides that overlooked the gardens and more apple trees bordering the property. The spring blossoms would be glorious, and Gray’s gardens would add some magic.
She didn’t want to classify it as a honeymoon suite, but it would be the most romantic room. The huge clawfoot tub was original to the house and Amber had almost claimed it for the owner’s suite, but it would be great in promo photos for this room.
She could picture thick white towels and a bath rack with fancy soaps. She’d have to find out if there were any local artisans who made soap and if she could special order ones shaped like apples. Or apple blossoms. Maybe bees for the apiary room.
She grabbed her notebook from the floor and added the soap idea to her ever-growing list.
Should they have specialty towels with apples as well? Or would that encourage guests to snitch them as souvenirs? She wouldn’t have extra disposable income for a while, so she added that to her dream list. The same applied to robes emblazoned with the logo she had yet to create. “We’re going to make it come true, Boomer.”
There was still a lot to do, but she hoped she would have the majority of tasks completed by spring. Having the grand opening during apple blossom season would be perfect. Probably not do-able though. Maybe she’d aim for harvest time.
She’d have to get the online booking system set up well before then, as she’d have to advertise. Figure out a marketing strategy.
Would anyone come? Would anyone want to stay in an inn on an apple farm where the closest town was named Phail?
Even the question had her smiling. There was only one way to find out. And that would be to take a deep breath and pull up her big girl panties.
Time to update the spreadsheets and the extensive To-Do lists. She could lean into the quirky side with some advertising, keep others more serious.
First, she wanted to play with one more room. She headed to the room at the other end of the hall, the one where she and Gray had first made love. It would always have a special place in her heart, and she wanted the decor to stand out. After Apple-y Ever After, it was the biggest room and had another great tub.
This room would be the Pie Shop. Or Apple Pie. She really needed to finalize the names so that she could order name plaques for the room.
And a sign for the inn.
And maybe fact plaques for each room showcasing the history and procedures of apple farming. Should each plaque be in the shape of apples, or should each room have its own specific design? That would cost more, but it would also be more fun.
“Any ideas, Boomer? I could use some help in deciding.”
Boomer didn’t have an opinion, but his soft woof alerted her to someone approaching from the first floor—a friend, as his tail was wagging.
