With the truck in park, I hop out, remembering a thought I had this morning when getting ready. “What if you did kayak and paddle board rentals for the guests?”
“What?” He genuinely looks confused as he turns to face me, a look I know too well—he didn’t hear a word I said.
“When you reopen the Inn, what if in the summer, you allow guests to rent kayaks and paddle boards to make use of the proximity to the lake?” I explain. “Sure, they could just go lay out on the beach but imagine the memories they’d make if they could actually explore what the lake has to offer?”
“That’s actually not a bad idea.” He ponders my idea. “It’ll definitely be a safety concern but I’m sure we can find a way to work with someone to create safety waivers, maybe work with the town to hire a lifeguard.”
“I can help you figure something out before I leave. Plus you wouldn’t have to get everything settled until next summer, so you have all the time in the world.”
Looking at the building in front of us, it definitely needs a few upgrades, but it’s nothing that can’t be done in the couple months that I’m here.
Miles pulls his keys from his pocket and unlocks the front door, allowing me to step in first.
“I still can’t believe this is all yours.” I take in the lobby in front of me and the potential the Inn has. “They really put it into good hands, I think you’ll definitely be able to turn this place around.”
“It’s a work in progress and I’m losing money by closing it for the summer but it should be worth it in the end.” He’s standing next to me with his hands in his pockets, looking at the project we have ahead of us.
“Do you care if I walk around? I haven’t been here since… you know,” I don’t mention his parents divorce but I know he knows what I mean.
“Sure,” he replies but doesn’t mention anything about his parents. “If you have ideas about any changes or other ideas write them down and let me know. I’d like to see it from someone else’s point of view.”
“Roger that.”
I start by going outside and looking at the front, the spot everyone will see when they first arrive. I know everyone says not to judge a book by its cover but when it comes to an Inn looking like it hasn’t been updated since the Ice Age, I think the book cover matters.
I pull my phone from my pocket, typing out some ideas like Miles asked. We need some sort of life out front that isn’t just the rose bushes. Maybe some trees or hedges. One thing for sure is that the outside paint needs some touch ups.
Walking around the side of the Inn and to the back there’s a lot of grassy area that might make a good area for a gazebo and some picnic tables, spaces for guests to go to on nicer days. The more ideas come to my head, the more I start to realize how big of a project this is actually going to be for Miles, myself included.If I’m already having renovation thoughts about the outside, I can’t imagine the changes the inside will need.
I let out an anxious breath and head back inside.
When I step through the front doors to the lobby I notice an empty room to the left.
“What’s this room for?” I yell to Miles.
“It used to have couches and toys for kids while families were waiting for their room, I think,” he appears behind me.
“What do you think about making this a little gift shop?” Looking around it’s the perfect size for people to browse and buy souvenirs. “You could also have Ruby Lake sweatshirts, hats, and T-shirts for tourists. You know tourists love a good clothing memento. Nothing a hat can’t help. Or maybe some magnets and shot glasses… whatever touristy places have.”
“Your mind must work a hundred miles a minute,” he rolls his eyes in a playful way, “but I like the idea.”
We stand side by side in the room looking at the blank canvas in front of us, the first of many.
“There has to be some small businesses in town that would like to sell their stuff here too,” I brainstorm, not necessarily speaking to Miles in particular but thinking out loud.
“I’m getting a phone call but I like that idea.” He pulls his phone from his pocket and mutters that he’ll be right back. When I open my mouth to acknowledge him, he’s already gone.
6
MAISIE
The start of summer in Ruby Lake is like a coin toss. You never know what the weather in June will be like. When the sun is out, the tourists flood the diner. When it rains, the place goes quiet enough to hear the coffee drip into the pots. Either way, I'm lucky because I get to work beside my best friend and my mom, which makes the long days fly by.
Today though, I got lucky to have such a beautiful day off with Wren. We try to plan at least one girls day every few weeks. Today is one of those days that typically consists of grabbing a coffee, driving a town over to go to the bookstore and ending the day walking around the lake.
Grabbing my keys, I hop in my car and head to our local coffee shop, Lakeside Grounds. It was remodeled a year or so ago to give it a cozier vibe for the town—hence the name “Lakeside Grounds”.
It may be nearing 80 degrees outside but that doesn’t stop me seeing Wren cuddled up on the couch by the fireplace when I step inside—our preferred seat of choice. If I melt away from the heat, at least she’ll be going out with me.
