Quinn
Just your brilliant self.You’re the one who knows how everything should be working.
His reply was almost immediate, which made her feel a little guilty for having taken so long to answer his text.
Heath
And you’re the one who’s so good with the people.
Quinn
Give me a break.I’ve seen you with your guests.You treat them just like you do your family—except when you yell at the twins.
Quinn grinned, thinking of the boisterous preteens who were the only identical twins in the family of twins.On one occasion when her mother had visited and met the Savage family, she’d commented later that she wished she could bottle some of the energy of the younger children.
Heath
I’m embarrassed you caught me at that.I hope no guests were around.Those two just cause so much havoc sometimes.You should have seen them when they were convinced we had a ghost here.The pranks they pulled, trying to capture it, drove everyone crazy.It was a nightmare.
Laughing aloud, she decided she’d have to ask Lia what Joel and Eli had done.It surprised Quinn the twins would continue to do something that risked irritating their dad, Roger.They weren’t bad kids.They must have been convinced they really had a ghost.
Quinn
Too funny.How long ago was that?
Heath
When we first got here.Everything was new, and we were still figuring it all out.Our parents were freaking out about everything.
Quinn
Oh, like your mother is now?
Quinn felt bad after she’d sent the text and immediately followed with another saying she was just kidding.Gabbie Savage was a wonderful woman, but she was also a perfectionist.The family had lucked out that she’d made friends with the village massage therapist.Didi Alexander had managed to talk Gabbie off the metaphorical cliff on many occasions.
Quinn
But seriously, how is your mom coping with getting ready for a royal guest?
Heath didn’t reply right away, and Quinn wondered if she’d offended him with her earlier comment about his mother.Now she felt doubly bad.
Heath
She’s been to see Didi twice this week already.I’m hoping once we’ve had more of these “high-profile” guests, my mom will relax a little.She didn’t use to be so high maintenance, but it’s different when you’re trying to do something this big.
Quinn understood that.Her mother had tried to pretend it didn’t bother her that she hadn’t been able to make a name for herself outside of the Pacific Northwest.But like a true creative, her self-esteem was tied to the work she did.When people rejected that, it was hard not to think they were also rejecting her.
The article about her mom’s art had made an enormous difference in her business.She’d already established a local name.Now, she was international.
Quinn
I hope you’re right.I love what your family has done with this place, and I’m rooting for it to be a success.
Heath
Thank you.We appreciate it.You’re helping us too.The photos you’re doing for our website have gotten so many hits.There’s another project I need to work on, so I’d best get to it, especially since I’ll be tied up with the festival for the next couple of days.See you tomorrow.
Quinn
