Page 27 of Lakehouse Mistletoe
Helen felt her face go red.
“It’s totally fine. I don’t tell people about the properties I own. People tend to treat you differently. And I just like anonymity.”
Helen smiled. “I couldn’t agree more.” She glanced at the bar. “So do you man the bar full time?”
Oliver eased onto the chair and shook his head. ‘No. Our bartender is out with a broken leg. He fractured it on a skiing trip in Colorado. He should be back by the beginning of January.”
Helen took a sip of her cider. “What do you do when you are not bartending?”
Oliver placed his hands on the table. “I make sure this restaurant is running well, and keep up with some commercial real estate in town. It seems like there is always something to do. I thought once I retired from the military, I’d have free time. I’m busier than before retirement.”
Helen shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve always been a housewife, until my divorce. If I could go back in time, I would have concentrated on getting a career. But I guess hard times force us to do hard things.”
Oliver nodded. “It looks like you are thriving in your difficult time. And you seem to enjoy taking care of the bed and breakfast.”
Helen felt her smile growing on her face. “I do like it. I love it.”
Oliver studied her. “I bet you meet some wonderful people.”
Helen took another sip. “I do. I love meeting new people and letting them share part of their lives with me. I’ve met some wonderful people.”
“Sounds like you have. Do you ever have a guest you don’t like?” Oliver asked.
Helen’s shoulders slumped. “Actually, yes. Remember Mr. Sykes from Thanksgiving dinner? He’s joining us again for Christmas.”
Oliver lost his smile. “Yeah, he was kind of a jerk. Have you told Rebecca or Kacey about him?”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to cause trouble for the bed and breakfast. Besides, I don’t want Rebecca and Kacey to think I can’t handle one rude guest.” She straightened her shoulders. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Oliver studied her. “I know. But it’s okay to set boundaries.”
Helen folded her hands in her lap. “You are right. This time when Mr. Sykes shows up, I’m going to be stern and not let him intimidate me.” As the words spilled out, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
Chapter 22
“I’m taking over while you go to Hannah’s Christmas party tonight.” Kacey tossed her purse on the kitchen table and headed to pour herself a cup of coffee.
Helen frowned and looked at the time. It was four o’clock. The invitation was for seven o’clock. “Tonight? But I can’t. I have a house full of guests. Besides, I don’t have anything to wear.”
Kacey turned to her with a twinkle in her eye. “I knew you would say that. That’s why I brought that.” She glanced to the coat rack where she’d hung up a garment bag when she entered the kitchen.
“What’s that?” Dread filled Helen’s stomach. “That better not be a dress.”
Kacey looked at her and blinked. “No. It’s sackcloth.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course it’s a dress. It’s one of my mom’s cocktail dresses. But don’t worry, she has fantastic taste,” Kacey winked, “and you’re just her size.”
Helen shook her head. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Kacey, but I don’t know if I’m up for going to a party. I mean, I’m not ready to get dressed up and …”
Kacey arched her brow. “And what? Enter society?”
Helen huffed.
Kacey sat at the kitchen table and patted the chair next to her. Helen sighed and sat.
“Look, I know you’re not ready to date again. That’s not what this is about. It’s about you getting out and about in the real world. Sometimes I feel like you are insulating yourself at the bed and breakfast and not getting enough time for yourself. Everyone needs to have a network of friends. That’s what makes life great.”
Helen grimaced. “But I have a network of people here. They are called guests.”
Kacey took a sip of her coffee and grinned. “Yes. And they leave. You need to be more involved in everyday relationships. So, you’ll go to Hannah’s Christmas party and drink champagne and eat too much delicious food.”
