Meri smiled faintly.
“And signage?” Kitty asked.
“Small,” I said. “Tasteful. Just the inn’s name. Maybe a wreath on the front of the truck.”
Kitty clapped once. “We can make that.”
“Yes,” I said. “That’s why I need you.”
Meri set her book aside again. “What do you need from us, specifically?”
The question was gentle, but it caught me off guard anyway. I wasn’t used to asking for help in neat categories.
“I need hands,” I said honestly. “And opinions. And someone to tell me when I’m overthinking.”
Kitty raised her hand. “I was born for this.”
Meri nodded. “I can source materials.”
I exhaled slowly, relief spreading through me. “Thank you.”
Kitty waved it off. “You drove a truck today. You’ve earned backup.”
That made something warm twist in my chest again. I stood and wandered toward the small window, looking out over the quiet street below. The inn’s lights glowed softly, steady and patient.
I replayed the drive again, unbidden. The way the engine had sounded when I finally stopped fighting it. The way Ephram had stayed calm, even when I stalled again and again. The way he hadn’t grabbed the wheel or talked over me or rushed me through the hard part.
I hated how much that mattered.
“Stop that,” I muttered to myself.
“What?” Kitty asked.
“Nothing,” I said quickly, turning back around.
Meri studied me. “You’re overthinking again.”
“I do that,” I said.
“Yes,” she replied. “But now you’re doing it with… momentum.”
I frowned. “Is that bad?”
“No,” she said. “Not always.”
Kitty flopped back onto the floor. “So tomorrow morning, we decorate.”
“Yes,” I said.
“And tomorrow afternoon, parade logistics,” she continued.
“Yes.”
“And tomorrow evening, we remain alert for Collin sightings,” she finished.
I laughed.“Yes.”
Meri folded her hands together. “About that.”
