“Nope, I sold tickets online. One hundred and twelve of them. It’s going to be huge for the inn! Great advertising, some revenue, and potential guests,” Lydia gushed in enthusiasm.
Helen clapped her hands together. “Oh, that’s wonderful.”
“It’s insane. We don’t have decorations or food or staff,” Lucy began ticking items off her fingers.
“We can make it happen,” Lydia said cheerfully.
Lucy sighed. “And very little time.”
“That’s manageable,” I mused and every head turned toward me. I shrugged. “I’m sure parties have been coordinated in less time. If we divide the workload, it won’t be quite so daunting.”
Lucy’s expression was unreadable. “You’re volunteering?”
“Yes. You’ll need a plan if that many people are coming. I would also advise against inviting more so that you don’t break the fire code,” I dryly mentioned.
Helen immediately started assigning tasks, which somehow meant everyone agreed before realizing what they had agreed to. Lucy grabbed paper and pen to record who was doing what, while Jane grabbed her recipe book. It was chaos, but productive chaos. The kind that builds something rather than tears it down.
When the dishes were cleared, I slipped away to the small parlor behind the hall. It was a small room that was currently being used for storage. The room was quiet and full of old boxes that had been there before the Bennets had bought the inn. Who knew what was inside them. The pale green wallpaper had faded and the old window would need new putty and a latch, but the layout was good. I took out my phone, opened the measurement app, and started noting lengths. The wall could take built-in shelving without compromising the framing. Two reading chairs would fit if arranged right. The existing radiator would handle the heat. It was, as far as I could tell, perfect for what she didn’t believe she needed.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned. Lucy stood in the doorway, clipboard still in hand. “You’re casing the room now?”
“I was thinking there might be something in these boxes,” I lied.
“For what?”
“For Christmas. They must have decorated the inn during the holiday. Perhaps there are lights or ornaments,” I said, opening a box and then sneezing as the dust clouded the air.
Her brow furrowed slightly. “You’re relentless.”
“I like good projects.”
She stepped closer, looking into the box and pulled out a hunting magazine. “I don’t think this box is what we are looking for.”
“I can look at the rest and get this room cleared out. If nothing else, it’s one job out of the way,” I offered.
“Are you sure you want to add this to your list of things to do? The dance is a big project,” Lucy warned, handing me a piece of paper.
Her neat handwriting had a large number of tasks written down. “Is this mine?”
“Yes. You volunteered, remember?” she prompted with a smile.
I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m sure I will fit it in somewhere. If I find antique ornaments, I think it will be worth it.”
“We’ll see." Lucy shook her head as she left the room.
I stood there a moment longer, running my hand along the wall where the first shelf would go. The idea had settled in the way good plans do. I didn’t know if it would matter to her, but it mattered to me. It was something I could give without speech or explanation.
Three hours later, I had thrown away countless magazines, retirement party supplies, and hundreds of pens which no longer worked. I did find two boxes of ornaments, which was a bonus.
When I finally turned off the light and closed the door, the house was silent from everyone gone to their rooms.
Upstairs, Braxton was sprawled across his bed scrolling through his phone.
“You look like you fought dust bunnies and barely survived,” he observed with a grin when I walked in.
“I have two boxes of old glass ornaments,” I said with satisfaction as I leaned against the wall. “I also ordered some items online and scheduled deliveries.”
He grinned. “You and Lucy stopped snapping at each other for an entire meal. That’s some progress.”
