Zoey braced one hand on the doorframe. Guilt nudged. She’d given Elisa some grocery money, and despite her friend’s insistence it was plenty, she knew it hadn’t been enough to actually cover her costs at the inn. But her bank account was running so low…she really needed to get some recipes figured out for this catering venture.
“She has nowhere else to go. She couch-surfed for weeks before coming here.”
Noah sighed. “I know.”
“And it’s only temporary.” Elisa’s voice pleaded.
“You really think the claims department is going to just suddenly hand her a check? After all this time?” Noah’s tone dipped. “It’s been almost a month.”
“She believes they will.”
“Zoey’s an optimist.”
She winced. That was a good thing, wasn’t it? No one wanted a Negative Nancy. Not her friends, her old boss, her missionary parents…Even now, her mom’s voice from childhood rang in her mind. Tired after a long night of revival services. Weary after prayer vigils and ministry.You’re always my happy sunshine, Zoey. Never change.
What other choice did she have?
As if reading her mind, Noah continued. “Being optimistic is great, but I’m trying to be realistic. She needs a long-term plan if this drags out much longer. We can’t keep this up indefinitely—we’re paying for a wedding and a honeymoon.”
“I know. But we can’t just kick her out.”
Zoey winced.
“Of course I’m not kicking her out.” Noah’s tone gentled. “I just wanted you to know—business is up, but we’re turning away guests.”
“You know what would also solve this problem?” Elisa didn’t wait for an answer. “Throwing your name in the hat for mayor. You could still run the inn too. It’d be extra income doing something positive for the town you love.”
Noah sighed. “The town I didn’t even know I wanted to stay in until I found you.”
“That was then. This is now.” Elisa’s voice gentled. “Even my father warmed up to you. You’d be great at being mayor, sugar, and you know it.”
She’d stood there way too long. Zoey eased away from the door, face burning. Not only was she a financial drain, she was an eavesdropper.
She slowly backed up and turned, but her shoe caught the carpet runner and she tripped.Oomph. The container of cookies dropped from her hands and landed with a loud thump on the hardwood floor.
Oh no. She scrambled upright just as Elisa and Noah came hurrying from the kitchen. They both wore sweatshirts, jeans, and matching wide-eyed expressions.
“Sorry for the noise. Tripped on my way to the kitchen.” Zoey stood, sheepish, hoping they couldn’t tell she’d overheard. She gestured with the container as if proof.
“Ooh, cookies.” Noah’s brown eyes lit, and Elisa elbowed him in the ribs.
“Oh, you don’t want these. It was a bad batch.” She clutched it to her chest, filling her voice with cheer. “I’m actually glad you’re up. I wanted to tell you both I got a new place to stay for a while.”
Hopefully.
“Oh really?” Noah beamed. “That’s great.”
Elisa elbowed him again. “Where?” She tilted her head, eyes narrowed with suspicion. “That was fast.”
“With a friend.” Zoey waved her hand, starting to back away again. No more questions. If they knew it was Linc, they’d insist she stay at the inn, and then she’d be in an even more awkward spot. She couldn’t stand to be the problem any longer.
Not when she was the one who always fixed things.
She cleared her throat. “They have an extra room for me to camp out a bit. I mean, no one can live in a hotel forever, right?”
“Right.” Elisa nodded, staring hard at Zoey as if attempting to read beneath the surface. Even still, relief filled the gentle lines of her face. Maybe Elisa didn’t want to look too hard after all. This was for the best, for everyone.
Except maybe Zoey.
