Page 21 of Lakehouse Mistletoe
Carolina brightened. “Well, I think we both helped each other in ways we didn’t know at the time. I also think it helped having Phoenix around.”
Helen frowned. ‘Who is Phoenix?”
Carolina took a sip of her wine and set it down. “He was a stray dog that kept hanging out at my house. I finally just adopted him.” She frowned. “Or maybe he adopted me. Anyway, he’s a great guard dog and companion.”
Helen cocked her head. “A pet is a great idea. But I am always so busy, and I don’t know if having a pet at a bed and breakfast is a good idea. So many people have allergies these days. But it’s something to think about for the future.”
Hannah leaned forward. “I heard you cooked a fantastic Thanksgiving meal for your guests. Will the bed and breakfast have dinners from here on out?”
Helen shook her head. “Not yet. After talking it over with Rebecca and Kacey I just did a trial run. I’ll be doing a Christmas dinner as well since Thanksgiving went over so well.”
Hannah studied her. “I’m surprised you had guests on Thanksgiving. I would think people would spend time with their families instead of going to a bed and breakfast.”
Helen nodded. “Well, they may not have been the typical guests. One was an older gentleman who lost his wife. He wanted to visit the bed and breakfast because his late wife loved visiting North Carolina in the fall. He had some wonderful stories to tell.” Helen felt her face breaking into a smile. “And then there was a younger gentleman in his thirties. He was recently divorced. His wife and best friend were having an affair which led to him filing for divorce.”
Carolina shook her head. “Was he upset spending the holidays alone?”
Helen snorted. “Absolutely not. He said a weight had been lifted. He was heading on to visit friends the day after.”
Hannah nodded. “Sounds like your guests were lovely.”
Helen arched her brow. “They were, except for guest number three. He was kind of rude. Didn’t want to interact with the others. Kept to himself. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me either. Made me uncomfortable.”
Carolina huffed. “Glad he only stayed one night. Did he say where he was going?”
Helen shook her head. “Nope. He didn’t volunteer any information, and, when asked by the others, he didn’t answer. We were all happy when he went to bed early.”
Hannah furrowed her brow. “Do you ever get scared? You know, being by yourself?”
Helen stopped her fork halfway to her mouth. “I’m never really thought about being scared. Besides, I’m usually so busy, and all the guests are always in and out, I guess I don’t exactly feel like I’m alone.”
Carolina smiled. ‘You can always borrow Phoenix if you need to.”
Helen grinned. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Hannah clasped her hands together. “Okay, who is ready for dessert? I made a cheesecake, and Helen brought her wonderful cookies.”
Carolina’s eyes widened. “Oh, I’ll have both.”
Helen grinned. “Me too.”
Chapter 16
That night after dinner, Helen walked into the Laurel Cove Bed and Breakfast through the back door. She flipped on the light switch and locked the door behind her.
Rebecca had sent a text saying she was leaving fifteen minutes ago and there was one reservation for tomorrow. She also said she freshened up all the rooms, so they were ready for business.
Tonight, Helen could relax.
She turned on the kettle and plucked a tea bag of chamomile tea out of the canister and placed it in a teacup.
It was the first night that she didn’t have any guests. The house felt a little lonely.
Hannah’s words came back to her about her ever being afraid. She’d never really given it any thought, until now.
Once the kettle started singing, she turned the stove off and poured the hot water over the tea bag.
She carried her teacup into the living room and turned on the fireplace with the remote.
