“I love when professionals give back." He laughed a little. “We all need to support small ventures, right?”
I didn’t bother with a smile. There was something about him that felt off. Perhaps it was just the way he had held onto Lucy’s hand, putting a second hand over her captive one, or the way she had smiled at him.
I was jealous. He was Lydia’s boyfriend, there was no threat, yet I didn’t like Gavin Wickham one bit.
“Gavin runs a hospitality training company. He coordinates events all over the province. He’s already lined up staff for the dance to help us out,” Lydia informed everyone.
Helen beamed. “Oh, marvelous. Will they know how to handle over a hundred guests for a dance?”
“They can handle anything. I’ll make sure of it. I brought a preliminary schedule and a list of rentals we’ll need. I have discounts through my partners, so you won’t be paying full price. Consider it our gift,” Gavin offered.
Lucy frowned. “I wish Lydia had consulted with me on this. Can I please see the quotes before we commit?”
“Lucy, we need the help and Gavin’s crew are experienced,” Lydia said.
Gavin opened a neat leather folder and slid a sheet across the table. “Here’s the estimate. I’m donating my coordination time. This just covers the cost of staff and materials.”
I leaned over, trying to read sideways as Lucy skimmed the paperwork.
Helen waved a hand. “If you say we need it, we need it. We want it to look special.”
“It will be very special,” Gavin assured her.
Lucy took the paperwork and her mug, excusing herself from the table. Swallowing the last of my coffee, I followed her to the front desk.
“How are the rates?” I asked, angling so I could read the invoice she was perusing.
“It looks standard,” Lucy replied as she read the invoice. “Extra glassware and serving staff. Nothing fancy.”
“Are you sure you should be using a company where you just met the owner?” I questioned.
“Sometimes I still treat Lydia like she’s too young to know how to properly do things, but she finished college. She did a hospitality program and she knows about handling rates and staffing. This is her part of the project and I want to show her that I trust her judgement,” Lucy replied.
“It’s your inn.”
She tested the pen on her palm and tossed it in the trash when it wouldn’t work. “What’s really wrong that you don’t want to hire Lydia’s boyfriend?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. I couldn’t tell her that it was a simple case of jealousy. I would sound like a fool.
“We have a hundred and twelve guests coming. We don’t have time for a fight. If he delivers what he has promised, we’re fine,” Lucy decided.
“Okay." I nodded, deciding I would keep an eye on Gavin Wickham right after I finished with the last touches in Lucy’s Library.
The morning was spent sanding, painting, rolling out a rug and positioning a pair of chairs. There was an extra lamp stationed on the small table between the two chairs. With the help of William, we had managed to create a cozy space with white shelves, green wallpapered walls, and a reading nook at the window complete with cushions. All it needed was a bunch of books and Lucy.
“Why green?” William wondered as we stepped back to look at the completed space.
“It’s the same shade as her eyes,” I murmured. It was like a stormy sea behind which were so many thoughts I couldn't access. I cleared my throat at William’s knowing look. “It’s her favorite color as well. She liked to have binders with that exact pale shade of green.”
“Is that so?” William mildly asked. He patted me on the shoulder just once. “I think I shall see what my wife is up to before she invites the town orchestra to perform.”
“Is there an orchestra?” I asked in surprise.
“No. Yet I don’t doubt Helen could figure out how to make one happen if she set her mind to it,” William noted as he left the room.
I took a moment longer to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that it had been my plans, my idea, my labor that had helped to produce this room for Lucy. I could only hope that she appreciated the effort.
Locking the door and pocketing the key, I found there was a multitude of people in the reception room. Leaning in the doorway, I watched as Gavin ran staff orientation with his catering crew.
