She nodded, grinning. “Two nights from now. Honeymooners from Calgary. Isn’t it romantic?”
“Romantic,” I repeated faintly. “Illegal, uninspected, and uninsured.”
Jane gasped.“Kitty!”
“What? We are practically ready!” Kitty insisted. “The rooms look great, the lights work, and the beds are adorable.”
“Adorable beds don't pass safety inspections,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “We are not open yet. There is still too much to do.”
“Well, now you can call him for tomorrow. Problem solved!” Kitty said cheerfully.
“Problem created,” Jane corrected.
“Do you know what will happen if we fail again? He will lock us down for weeks,” I tried to reason with my younger sister but should have known better. Kitty’s natural optimism was a force to be reckoned with.
Kitty leaned forward, unfazed. “So we won't fail. We have you, Captain Organization. You will make sure everything is perfect.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Mom swept in, humming to herself as she headed straight for the coffee pot. “Did I hear we have guests this weekend? Wonderful! I will polish the silver.”
“Mom! We can’t have guests until we pass inspection,” I said, horrified at how out of control the situation was becoming.
She looked at me with pure optimism. “Then we will simply pass.”
I set my pen down before I gave into the urge to throw it at someone. “Kitty booked people. Actual people with credit cards who will expect a functional, charming inn.”
“Well, money is money. You can't turn it down. Call the inspector and get that stamp of approval,” Helen said, unbothered by the situation.
Jane whispered, “Lucy, remember to breathe. You’re turning quite red.”
I breathed. Once. Deeply, in and out. It didn't help.
“I need to make some calls,” I muttered, grabbing my phone and heading into the hallway before I said something uncharitable.
The call with Inspector Mercer went about as well as expected. He sighed heavily when he heard my name.
“You failed inspection once, Miss Bennet.”
“I am aware,” I said through gritted teeth before I lied. “But we have fixed everything on your list. I am requesting a reinspection before the weekend.”
“Tomorrow?” His tone made the single word sound like an accusation.
“Yes.Please.”
Silence. Then, finally, “Eight o’clock sharp.”
When I hung up, my hand was shaking. Not from fear… well, maybe a little, but mostly from adrenaline. Twenty-four hours to finish everything. I could do this. Probably.
I returned to the kitchen and announced the news. “Inspector Mercer will be here tomorrow morning.”
Jane nodded bravely. “We will make it work. The good news is the fire suppression guys are supposed to be here forthe kitchen this afternoon.”
Kitty clapped. “See? Easy!”
Mom looked delighted. “I will make muffins for the inspector!”
I closed my eyes. “Muffins are not going to bribe us into compliance.”
“You don't know that for certain,” she replied.
