Page 3 of Brass Anchor Inn

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He gave a wave as he stepped through the doorway.

Her gaze moved back to the envelope. Once the door closed behind him, she reached it. She gazed again at the law firm’s name. Her stomach knotted.

She honestly never imagined working anywhere else. There was just something so comfortable and welcoming about the inn. And the work never got boring because there were always new visitors to meet.

Her degree in hotel management would allow her to work elsewhere. Some people might have moved away to the mainland and taken a position at a five-star hotel. She’d pondered it while in college. She’d even interned in a five-star hotel, but the big corporate structure felt too impersonal to her.

At the Brass Anchor Inn, everyone knew each other. They all knew their families and celebrated birthdays. It was like a big extended family.

When she once again reached for the pull-tab on the back of the envelope, she noticed the slight tremor in her hands. Her entire future hung in the balance. Her heart raced. What was she going to do if it was bad news?

She had no answer. She just couldn’t imagine Sandra not setting up some safeguards for the people she cared most about. But Josie also knew that sometimes people put off doing things because they never think the end might sneak up on them.

Before Josie could open the envelope, the phone rang. She glanced around for Sara Chen, the front desk clerk. The young woman was nowhere to be seen.

Josie picked up the phone and pressed it to her ear. “The Brass Anchor Inn. Josephine speaking. How may I help you?”

It took her a few minutes to make a reservation for the weekend of June’s Concert on the Beach Summer Spectacular. Though the inn did have an online website with an automated registration system, they understood that not everyone had the internet, and so they also took reservations over the phone.

Once she hung up, Sara returned. She had a worried look on her face. “We have a backed-up drain in room two one one.”

“Did you call Barry?” He was their local plumber.

“He’s down with the flu.”

“What about his assistant?” She couldn’t think of the young man’s name. He was Barry’s nephew and new to the island.

“Frankie has the flu too.”

Josie sighed. Plumbing was one of those jobs she wasn’t crazy about, but with Barry unavailable, she would step in to do it because they didn’t have any other room available. The only vacant rooms were the ones that were in the process of being renovated after the storm.

“I’ll take care of it.” It wasn’t her first clogged drain nor would it be her last.

Sara tucked a lock of straight hair behind her ear. “Do you want me to help?”

Josie shook her head. “You stay here. The guests will be up and about soon.”

She headed off to find the necessary supplies she would need and a pair of work overalls. It was only after she walked away that she recalled the mystery envelope waiting for her. Whatever was in it would have to wait just a little longer.

Ding.

She reached for her phone in her pocket. When she lifted it, she saw there was a message from one of her best friends, Lily.

Lily:Are you free for a late lunch?

Josie:Sounds good.

Lily:1:00 @ the Lighthouse.

Josie:See you there. BTW, got a letter from attorney.

Lily:What did it say?

Josie:Fill you in later.

Lily:Can’t wait.

Josie slipped her phone back into her pocket. A driving need to know what was in the envelope had her walking faster. The sooner the clog was fixed, the sooner she would find out the future of the inn.Please let it be good news.

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