The truth of that made Kate smile. Tom had indeed become the voice of fiscal responsibility, questioning every expense while simultaneously finding ways to afford what they needed. He'd negotiated better rates with all their vendors, saved them thousands in legal fees by handling contracts himself, and somehow convinced the property tax assessor that their improvements shouldn't trigger a reassessment for another year.
James appeared in the doorway, laptop under one arm, hair standing in all directions. “The reservation system crashed again.”
“It's six in the morning,” Kate pointed out.
“I know. It crashed at midnight, but I just noticed.” He moved past them to the ancient desktop computer, fingers flying over the keyboard. “We really need to upgrade to cloud-based software.”
“How much?” Tom's voice came from behind them. He was dressed for a run that Kate knew he wouldn't take, would instead spend the morning on the phone with suppliers or reviewing contracts.
“Two hundred a month, but it would save us.”
“Do it,” Tom said, surprising them all. “If it stops you from panicking at midnight, it's worth it.”
This too had become routine, the four of them gathering in the office before the day began, solving problems together. Daniusually joined them later, not being a morning person, but even her absence was part of the pattern they'd developed.
The morning accelerated as June mornings did now. Guests emerged wanting breakfast, coffee, recommendations for beaches and restaurants. Marcy and Rosa moved through their dance of service with practiced efficiency. Two families checked out, their rooms immediately attacked by the cleaning crew to prepare for the next arrivals at three.
Kate was manning the front desk when she heard a familiar voice that made her stomach drop.
“This place looks different.”
David stood in the lobby, her ex-boyfriend from six years ago, the one who'd acted like he was better than everyone in town. He looked exactly the same, prep school handsome, confidence that bordered on arrogance, the kind of easy smile that had once made her overlook his selfishness.
“David.” She kept her voice neutral, professional. “Can I help you?”
“I'm in town for a wedding. Thought I'd see the old place.” His eyes scanned the improvements with an assessor's gaze. “Heard you inherited money. Good for you.”
The condescension in his tone made her jaw clench. Before she could respond, Ben appeared from the dining room, paint on his shirt and protective instinct in his eyes. He moved to stand beside her, not touching but close enough that his presence was unmistakable.
“Everything okay?” he asked Kate, though his eyes stayed on David.
David's expression shifted, taking in Ben's work clothes and protective stance. “I see you've moved on to the hired help.”
“You need to leave,” Kate said quietly, anger burning cold in her chest.
“I was just…”
“Leaving,” Ben finished. “Now.”
For a moment, David looked like he might argue. Then Tom appeared from the office, Dani came down the stairs, and James emerged from the kitchen. The siblings formed a quiet wall of solidarity, and David seemed to realize he was outnumbered.
“The place still smells like fish,” he said as a parting shot, then left.
Kate stood frozen, memories flooding back. How had she ever thought she cared for him?
“You okay?” Dani asked, touching her arm.
“I'm fine.”
“He's an ass,” Tom said bluntly. “Always was.”
“You never said that before.”
“You wouldn't have listened before.”
True. Six years ago she'd been desperate for something that looked like escape, even if it came in the form of someone who diminished everything she touched.
“Hired help,” James muttered. “Like that's an insult. Ben's worth ten of him.”
