Like a squirrel collecting acorns that a tree has dropped. Is that considered a transaction?
“I could still feed everyone when the inn was cursed. I could even provide services, but I couldn’t receive money for it. The squirrels will be okay.”
Then I don’t see a problem with it. Thank you, Cassian.
“Thankyou,Ponsaria.”
When I returned to the inn after redistributing the stones, there was a line of guests to the door and a panicked Olive behind the counter.
“I’m so sorry, Olive!” I said, running to her. “I’ll take over. You go get started on dinner.”
Olive swept her messy hair away from her face. “Thank you,” she said, already running away.
I worked my way through half the line, so frantic that I started sending guests away before logging their information so I could help the next person in line.
“Welcome to Fibbersnap Inn, how can I help you?” I said while scribbling the previous guest’s name in the logbook.
“Hi, I’m here to apply for a job.”
The sound of his voice already had me smiling when I looked up. It was Sterling.
The sight of him paralyzed me. Traveling had messed up his dark, wavy hair, and his beautiful smile sat lopsided on his face, but he was handsome as ever.
I giggled stupidly. “Get over here,” I said.
He rounded the counter, dropping his bags to the floor when he was close enough for me to tackle him with a hug. I kissed his face repeatedly. “You didn’t have to stand in line,” I said, pressing my face into the crook of his neck.
“I thought it would be cute,” he said.
“It was rude of you to keep me waiting.” I pressed a soft kiss to his bare neck.
“Excuse me!” a woman at the counter shouted. “We’ve been waiting!”
“Right, sorry,” I said with an insecure laugh. I turned to Sterling again, who was still holding me around the waist. “Do you want to start your training right now?”
“You look like you need the help,” he said.
I laughed. “I do.”
Sterling caught on easily. The work was certainly easier than solving crimes and catching criminals, but he was good at it. He was polite to everyone, and the guests adored him. He remembered things so well that I only had to tell him everything once.
By the time we reached the last guest, I told him to check her in on his own while I watched. The older woman stepped up to the counter, pulling her cloak tighter around herself to keep out the cold.
“Good—” Sterling paused, but I didn’t know why. He had already greeted many guests tonight. “Good evening. Welcome to Fibbersnap Inn. How can I help you?” he continued.
The woman opened her mouth but hesitated, narrowing her eyes. “Good evening. I’d like a room for one night, please.”
“Of course. Name?” Sterling asked, dipping the pen into the jar of ink beside the logbook.
“Beverly Meadows.”
Sterling began writing but stopped and looked up at her. “Beverly…”
“Yes?” she asked. “Do I know you? You look awfully familiar.”
“Perhaps,” Sterling said, finishing her name in the logbook. “Are you from Ladiall?”
“Yes, sir. What’s your name?” she asked.
