She bit her lip, something she should have done before her last two comments. Although she hadn’t meant any offense, his reaction showed he’d taken some. And who could blame him? In her attempt to compliment him, she’d inadvertently issued a backhanded compliment.
Sigh. Couldn’t she do anything right lately?
“Where should we go?” Jessica asked from the backseat.
“Come with me to the office, and I’ll get you keys to the rooms.” Joel jumped from the driver’s seat and strolled toward the right corner of the motel. He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. “How many rooms do you want?”
Cassidy and her friends looked at each other. Did they share rooms? If cost wasn’t a factor, why not a little privacy, but was it worth inconveniencing Joel even more?
Bridget looked at a layout of the motel pinned to the wall. “How many beds are in each room?”
“Four rooms have two doubles, two have two queens, and two have a single king.”
“Can we have the two with queen beds and the king?” Bridget looked at her. “Do you mind having a room to yourself?”
Bless you!
“Not at all.” She desperately needed time to herself, and couldn’t even find it in her to feel guilty for taking the king-sized bed. After all, it had been offered to her, and they all could have had a room to themselves if they’d wanted one badly enough.
Bridget cast her a knowing wink.
Joel handed out three sets of keys. “I have old fashioned keys for the time being, but once all the rooms have been renovated, I’ll switch over to an electronic keycard entry system.”
Wow. She hadn’t used a key to enter a hotel—motel—room in years. Her dad had run a resort in Treasure Harbor before becoming a politician and into his early years of civil service. Even twenty years ago, he’d had a higher tech system.
“Thanks.” She took the set handed to her and saw the number five engraved on the blue tag.
“The rooms are all along the front, the ones you saw when we pulled in. One is on the far side, and eight is next to the office.” He pointed to the map on the wall. “The building makes an L-shape, and the pool is around back if you wish to use it.”
“Is there a lock or anything needed to enter it?” She could go for a long swim.
“The code is six-four-four-seven. You have to hit the pound sign before and after.” His teeth grazed his bottom lip. “The laundry room isn’t completed yet, but if you need to wash or dry anything, Suzie next door at the Desert Breeze Inn will let you use theirs. I’ll call her and give her a heads up. They also have vending machines you can grab a soda or snack from.”
Jessica smiled. “That’s very generous of them.”
“She’s a great lady. Her whole family is.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry I don’t have much more to offer you.”
“You’ve done more than enough,” Bridget assured him. “I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say a huge thank you. We appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“I’ll unload your bags for you. My house is right behind the hotel, so if you need anything, just come knock on my door.”
They returned to his truck and retrieved their bags.
“I’ll call Randy in the morning and verify what time he’ll be in. Who should I let know?” He looked at each of the women.
All pointed to Bridget, and she laughed. “I guess that would be me.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll see you ladies in the morning.” He tipped his hat and left.
“What a night.” Lark rubbed her eyes. “I’m going to call Cody and give him an update, then head to bed.”
One by one they left for the rooms until Cassidy stood by herself. All the sleepiness she’d felt fifteen minutes ago evaporated. She decided to drop off her bags in the room, then wander over to Desert Breeze and grab a soda and chips. Maybe afterward take a swim to burn off the negative energy fighting for space in her mind.
