“Stella, beautiful. Welcome to Whispers of Love.” Her smile was genuine as she placed a steaming cup in front of me. “Now that they’ve built that big newfancyhotel up on the main highway, not many folks come through this way. So, you’re in luck. You can have your choice of the Lovers’ Loft, Honeymoon Hideaway, or Sweetheart Suite.”
My stomach sank. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. Being surrounded by this romantic atmosphere was sure doing a number on my shattered heart. At thirty-two, I had always pictured my life rich with love and family. I thought I’d stay in a Honeymoon Hideaway on my honeymoon, or in a Sweetheart Suite with my sweetheart. But such a dream did not exist anymore.
“I—uh…” The chamomile tea soured in my stomach as I struggled to find a way to thank Trixie for her kindness but explain that I wouldn’t be able to stay here.
“Never mind,” she said, interrupting my thoughts. “The suite has the biggest bed and the nicest tub. Bring your tea but leave your bags. I’ll have Calvin bring them up for you.”
I hadn’t seen anyone else in the cozy home while I’d been here, but I assumed Calvin must be her employee. I cradled my teacup in my hands like I now protected my heart, like it would crumble through my fingers if I wasn’t ever so delicate with it.
While I followed Trixie to the room, she paused at the bottom of the stairs to knock on a door off to the right. “Cal, sweetie, when you’re done in there can you help with some bags?”
I heard the clank of some tools and pipes before a deep voice responded. “Sure thing, Gram, almost finished up with the sink in here.”
“Don’t know what I’d do without that boy,” Trixie said with a soft smile—probably more to herself than anything—as she continued up the stairs leading me to the last room on the left.
Trixie opened the door, and I felt my first bit of hope. With a name like Sweetheart Suite, I was expecting a ridiculous heart-shaped bed with cupid decor littering the space.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
It wasn’t modern by any stretch. I was almost positive there was a time warp somewhere in this house. The vintage vibe from downstairs extended into the bedroom up here. The light switch lit up a swag lamp hanging in the corner that filled the room with the softest warm glow while my eyes found the huge bed. Trixie wasn’t kidding. This had to be a California king, with more pillows, quilts, and afghans than I could ever imagine. My brain knew the rest of the room was beautiful, too, but with how tired I was, I couldn’t take any of it in.
“Make yourself comfortable, dear. Calvin will bring your bags up shortly. Breakfast will be ready at eight but take your time. There’s always more than enough food. My room is just across the hall, so don’t you hesitate if you need anything at all, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you, Trixie.” My voice was barely a whisper as I lowered myself onto the bed. I grasped one of the crochet blankets in my hands like my life depended on it, and at that moment, I wasn’t convinced it didn’t.
I didn’t even hear the door click shut as Trixie left the room and I dozed off.
I grunted, hitting my head as I navigated the way out from underneath the vanity in the half bath. I really had to squeeze myself into the small space, and would be feeling that in the morning, but a smile brightened my face as I tested out the new faucet.
“Perfect.”
I shook my head with a soft laugh at the reminder of my grandma sitting at her table this afternoon with the parts strewn all over the place, trying to make sense of what should go where. She was stubborn as all hell, and probably a big reason why I became so independent, too. Being the oldest sibling was a job itself, but after losing my dad to a heart attack when I was seventeen—and then my grandfather shortly after—there was nothing I wouldn’t do for my family.
“Here, Grandma, I told you I’d get those.”
I grabbed the two suitcases from her as she hauled them in the front door. Grandma Trixie may be eighty-six but if you asked her, she’d tell you she was just getting started. Age was just a number to her—a completely irrelevant one at that—andshe didn’t let anything slow her down. Even if the family sometimes wished she would.
“I didn’t realize you had guests staying tonight.”
“Thanks, Cal, sweetie. Just one guest. There’s a few more bags out there by her car.” She motioned behind her. A knowing smile hit her features that I always recognized. “I wasn’t expecting anyone either, but I have a feeling the universe knew just what that girl needed.”
“Yes, of course, we know all about your woo-woo,Grandma.” I couldn’t help but chuckle and roll my eyes at her response. That was her to a tee. She was all about divine plans and the universe conspiring with us to give us everything we could ever imagine. Both my siblings and I took turns at being the target of her predictions. She was a romantic at heart but was so in tune with other’s emotions that she could tell you what you needed before you even realized yourself.
Ignoring my playful sarcasm completely, she continued with her thoughts. “And she’s absolutely gorgeous to boot. Obviously working through something, but if you go easy on her, I bet she?—”
“Grandma,” I cut her off with a tone she had to know well at this point.
I knew she always had the best intentions in trying to set me up with someone. She wanted me to have what her and Grandpa had, a love that would outlive everything, but I just didn’t see it in the cards for myself. Not with the weight I carried on my shoulders. It was hard enough to keep things afloat on the farm as it was, there was no way I could work a relationship into the mix and still provide for my family.
Although it was a conversation we’d had time and time again, the sparkle didn’t dim from her eyes. She just smiled at me and turned away toward the kitchen. “She’s in the Sweetheart Suite, but be quiet. She looked exhausted.”
I nodded and turned away to head outside to grab the bags. It looked like the guest had unloaded her car, but didn’t bother to bring anything inside before she knew she could check-in. It was just like Grandma to stop anyone from lifting a finger when they arrived here. It had been awhile, but in its heyday Whispers of Love was a hot spot. We had always been fully booked months in advance, newlyweds finding a fairy tale type of magic in a place called Love. A popular destination wedding location for those who wanted the small-town atmosphere. Unfortunately, the build of some bigger corporations and the switch from lumber to farming in the area had been tough on my family and our businesses, but I refused to let my father’s and grandfather’s legacy fade out.
The Utah license plates on the car caught my attention. This guest was a long way from home, and it had been a while since we’d had someone from out of province—let alone the country. I felt something like hope spark in my chest. Maybe the tides were turning again—maybe we could get word out and business would start to pick up.
That hope was extinguished when I saw the bags left to take in. These weren’t suitcases like the first couple my grandma hauled in. These were big reusable grocery bags with what looked to be household items haphazardly tossed in. A picture frame stuck out of the top of one bag, I could see a couple candleholders and books, and was that a cast iron pan? She wouldn’t be needing that while she was here, Grandma would make sure of it.
I grabbed the bags and headed inside. Gram opened the door for me, and I bent down so she could kiss me on the cheek as she closed it behind me.
