Page 4 of By Your Side

While I explore, Raelynn quietly trails behind me, allowing me time to take everything in. We do a quick tour of the basement. It’s unfinished and in decent condition. The insulation looks newer, the plastic covering it is new, and the concrete floor is actually cleaner than the floor upstairs. Aside from a small cold room at the front of the house, there’s not much to take in. The utilities are next to it, with the roughed-in plumbing adjacent.

The second floor boasts a landing that looks into the living space below. At the back of the house is one bedroom. The entire front is the primary bedroom, with a shared bathroom in the middle across from the stairs.

“The living space up here is really cozy. I think, with some work, it has so much potential.” My words gush out, excitement filling me as ideas start to flow.

Raelynn nods. “Agreed, it’s a fairly clean slate for changes.

“I am going to put in a primary ensuite along this wall, with a soaker tub, huge shower, and dual sinks with storage.” Gesturing over to the small closet, I open my mouth to continue when two mice scurry under the doors.

“Oh my god!” My voice is shrill as they run along the wall and into the hall. Shuddering, I cringe at the idea of sleeping here tonight. Who knows how many more are lurking. Turning to Raelynn, I start laughing at the humor in her eyes. “I need to stay somewhere else until I can get an exterminator here. I can handle a lot, but furry roommates are not on that list.”

Raelynn chuckles, handing me a card. “I suspected you might need this.”

The inn before me is adorable. It looks like a gingerbread house from a fairy tale. The cute kind, not the scary ones. The grounds around the inn are meticulously landscaped, with a pond, beautiful flowers and shrubs, and picturesque benches scattered about. If this is the front, I can only imagine what the back looks like.

After Raelynn left, I got a call from the moving pod company to say they were delayed for a few days, so I hiked back to my car and ended up here. It doesn’t seem like a bad place to be while I wait for my things and the uninvited guests to be dealt with.

“Hello, welcome to Willowbrook Inn. Do you have a reservation?” The girl at the desk is pretty, her hair cut in a sleek bob accentuating her delicate features. Her makeup is subtle in a way I only wish I could accomplish.

I glance at her name tag. Ari. Her name is as pretty as she is.

“Hi, I’m sorry, I don’t. I just moved to town, but my house has mice, and Raelynn Gaetz recommended I stay here.” Giving her a small smile, I set my bag down. The long day is catching up to me, my stomach growling loudly in the room.

She covers her mouth as she coughs, but I’m pretty sure she’s trying to hide her smile. “Of course, Raelynn let me know you were coming by. Let’s get you checked in quickly, and welcome to town! I’m sure you will love it here.”

Glancing around the space, I admire the cozy couches next to a fireplace that is currently empty. Shelves of books and photos of the Inn and its surroundings cover the walls. It’s simple, inviting, but also chic.

“It’s really lovely in here.” I turn back to Ari as she pulls out a key card.

The smile that crosses her face is one of pride. “Thank you. My parents bought the inn when they moved here from Korea, and now that they’re getting close to retirement, I’m slowly taking over.”

She goes over the details of my stay, handing me my key once I pay.

My room is just as cozy and welcoming as the foyer. Small but functional, with a double bed, a chair, and a small desk. The TV is mounted to the wall but extends out, which is a nice feature. I make a mental note to add this in my house.

The bathroom is glorious, and as soon as I see the deep, jetted tub, I immediately change my mind from having a nap to taking a bath. Everything gleams, it’s so clean.

Turning it on, I add some of the bubbles provided and settle in as I call the exterminator. By the time I sink into the bath, I have everything put away and an appointment for the next day.

Closing my eyes, I breathe in the fresh, tangy scent of the bubbles. My chest tightens, the scent drawing up a memory of my first weekend away with Scott. We’d gone hiking all day, and when we got back to the hotel, our bodies were so sore we decided to enjoy the double jacuzzi tub. The bubbles they had there smelled almost exactly the same as the ones enveloping me.

Sitting up, I rub my hands over my face and push back tears. I wish he was here with me, crammed in the tub because his six-foot-three frame would’ve barely fit. Instead, I’m navigating a life without him, all because of a drunk driver and unfortunate timing.

“I miss you.” I sink back into the tub and try to imagine he’s just in the next room. Despite what so many callous people have said, my husband’s death hit me hard. I got through each day as I needed because life doesn’t stop passing when someone you love dies, but I also lost close to twenty-five pounds. It wasn’t until my mom showed up at my door and drove me to a therapist’s office that I started processing everything instead of getting through each day in a state of numbness. Now I think about that trip and smile at the memories we shared that weekend. It was the first time he told me he loved me.

An hour later, I’m back at the front desk. Ringing the bell, I smile as Ari comes hurrying out with a woman I assume is her mother, based on their resemblance.

“Adeline! How is your room treating you so far?” She beams at me as her mom answers the phone.

“It’s perfect. I love the bubble bath you offer. It brought me back to a vacation I took with my late husband.” Her face flashes with empathy. I continue with a shrug and a half-smile. “I was wondering if you could recommend a place to get something light to eat.”

“Perk Up. It’s the best coffee shop in town, and Elise makes the most delicious sandwiches.”

Thanking her, I head out the door as my stomach growls again.

Perk Up is in a small farmhouse on the edge of town right before Main Street. It’s so cute, a little rundown, but that doesn’t detract from its curb appeal. There’s no lawn in front of the house. On one side of the cobblestone path is what looks like a massive vegetable garden. On the other is an explosion of colorful flowers with secluded little seating areas interspersed. Those seats are currently empty due to the steady rain that started falling in the time I arrived at the inn.

“Adeline!”

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