Glenna arrived at the SnowDrop Inn like she had been expected, which would have been impressive if it had been true.
I was at the front desk mid-morning, juggling check-out questions and a delivery that had arrived three hours early, when the door opened and a woman in a bright red coat swept inside with the confidence of someone entering her own living room. She was small, gray-haired, and smiling in a way that felt both delighted and oddly proprietary.
“Oh good,” she said. “You’re here.”
I looked up, already smiling politely. “Welcome to the SnowDrop Inn. How can I help you?”
She leaned closer, lowering her voice as if we were sharing a secret. “I need one of the good rooms. Not the tiny one by the stairs. He wouldn’t like that.”
My smile held. “Who wouldn’t like that?”
She laughed softly. “Caleb, of course.”
Something inside me shifted, subtle but alert, like a bell rang once in a quiet room.
“All of our rooms are comfortable,” I said carefully. “Are you checking in today?”
“Yes,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for this for ages. I’m Glenna.”
She beamed, as if the name alone should mean something. I nodded and reached for the register.
“I’m Kitty.”
Her eyes lit up. “Oh, I know.”
A warning bell rang in my mind.
She clasped her hands together, excitement practically vibrating through her. “You’re even prettier in person. He chose very well.”
I kept my pen steady. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
Glenna waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, modest. I like that. He needs someone like you. Someone sweet. I’ve always said that.”
I glanced toward the lobby, half expecting Lydia to materialize, because this was exactly the kind of moment she would enjoy pranking me with. However, it was just me and Glenna and the growing certainty that this conversation was not going to follow the usual script.
“Do you have a reservation,” I asked.
She nodded briskly. “Of course. I booked it myself online. Took me three tries. Technology is not my strong suit, but love makes a person persistent.”
I found her name in the system. As I handed her the key, she leaned across the desk and patted my hand. “You’re going to make a wonderful granddaughter.”
I laughed reflexively, because sometimes politeness happened before sense. “I’m sure you’re very kind.”
“Oh, I am,” she agreed.
She swept up her bag and headed toward the stairs, humming under her breath. I watched her go, unsettled in a way I couldn’t yet articulate.
I was still standing there when the front door opened again.
Caleb stepped inside, shaking snow from his jacket, his expression intent in that familiar way that told me he had come here with a purpose. Relief washed through me before I could stop it. Whatever this was, at least I would not be alone in it.
He smiled when he saw me. “Hey. Do you have a minute?”
“I do,” I replied.
Before I could chat with Caleb, Glenna reappeared at the top of the stairs like she had sensed him.
“There you are,” she cried, hurrying down with surprising speed. “I knew you would come.”
