“Oh, good, because I was so looking forward to going to the theater.” Julie leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing slightly.
“I need a favor,” William said.
“Of course. If I can help, you know I will,” Julie replied. “What is it?”
William cleared his throat. “Do you have two rooms available for two weeks, from day after tomorrow to over New Year’s?”
Julie’s smile widened. “I’m sure we do.” She took a sip of her tea. “Last time I checked, there were still quite a few rooms available, especially in that time frame, as most of the Christmas guests will be leaving tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Julie,” William said.
“Who are your guests?” Julie asked curiously.
“Close family friends. They need a change of pace. They need… your kind of place,” William told her. “You know, a place where they can heal and get revived.”
“Of course,” Julie replied. “There is always room for your people, William.” She made a mental note. “When did you say they’ll be arriving?”
“In two days,” William said, and Julie heard his relief.
“All right,” Julie said, already picturing room assignments and fresh linens. “Who are they?”
“A doctor,” William replied. “Her niece and the niece’s teenage daughter. They’re coming for the New Year. Maybe longer.”
Julie’s mind tracked details quickly. A doctor meant early mornings and a certain kind of quiet exhaustion. A teenager meant snacks, extra towels, and a need for space that still felt safe.
“Done,” Julie said. “Message me their names, and I’ll make sure the rooms are ready.”
“Thank you,” William said, voice thickening. “Great. And I’ll fetch you at six.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Julie replied, her heart jolting and her smile growing wider.
They said their goodbyes, and Julie hung up, warmth lingering in her chest.
Julie set the phone down, finished her tea in two slow sips, then stood and gathered the cup and saucer, her mind already shifting into innkeeper mode. She carried the dishes toward the kitchen, then turned toward the front desk.
Halfway there, her phone rang again.
Julie’s eyebrows rose as she saw a blocked caller ID. Frowning, she answered. “Julie Christmas.”
“Julie,” came a familiar voice, smooth and pleased. “It’s Preston. Preston Langford.”
Julie’s posture eased. “Oh, hello, Preston, and Merry Christmas. We missed you at the ball last night.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it,” Preston told her, and she pictured his easy smile without seeing him. Preston had been coming to the island for years, the kind of guest who always tipped well, always remembered names, always had a story that made people laugh. A little eccentric, in a way Julie found charming. He belonged to the Inn’s long list of regulars, as familiar as the ocean air. “But Christmas was rather hectic for me this year. Oh, and Merry Christmas to you too.”
“Thank you.” Julie stopped at the front desk. “When are we going to see you this year? Are we going to see you this year?”
“That is the reason for the call,” Preston replied. “I’m thinking of coming down for a few weeks. That is, if you have the room. I believe the inn filled up over Christmas this year.”
“Yes, it did.” Julie smiled in remembrance of how the inn was saved by the return of the Christmas ball on top of a few otherChristmas miracles. “When will you be arriving, so I can check for a room?”
“In two days,” Preston replied. “I’ve heard you’ve done some great renovations, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what you and your son have done to the inn.”
“It wasn’t just Jack and me.” Julie laughed softly, her heart swelling when she thought about all the people who had chipped in to help them get the inn ready in time for the ball and Christmas guest rush. “Two days. That seems to be a popular day today. I just booked rooms for a few old family friends of William’s arriving in two days as well.”
“Oh?” Preston said, his voice becoming curious. “Who’s coming?”
Julie didn’t hesitate. She didn’t see harm in it. “I’m not sure of their names as William hasn’t sent them to me yet. But it’s a doctor friend of his,” she said. “The doctor’s niece and her niece’s daughter.”
