I know the numbers.
Know how much I owe.
Know the projections.
Know the outlook on the travel and wedding industry.
I live and breathe this stuff day-in and day-out. I’m not some dumb blonde who’s running an inn and event facility because it sounds like something fun to do while I wait for a husband to magically appear on my doorstep.
I’m invested in this property. I spent most of my younger years watching my parents transform it from a horse boarding facility to something magical at Christmas time. When they were gone, I used every penny of my inheritance and the life insurance money to restore the barn into an event space and build an inn, like they often dreamed of doing during their lifetime.
There’s no way I’m going to sell to someone who will destroy everything I’ve built over the years. Everything my parents built. It’s too important.
“Just someone who wants to buy Holley Ridge,” I tell Estelle. “Owns a real estate development firm that wants to build a bunch of luxury timeshares on the property, considering this is one of the last small towns that hasn’t been completely commercialized for all the snow bunnies. Too much of this area has been developed, and not in a good way. I won’t let some real estate development firm come in and destroy this place, too. Not until I have no other choice.”
“And how close are you getting to that point?” Estelle asks somewhat hesitantly.
I exhale, my throat becoming tight as I swallow back my frustration.
“Pretty damn close.” My gaze floats to the portrait of my parents hanging over the mantle, and a twinge of guilt settles in my stomach. I can’t help but feel like I’ve failed them. Like I’ve broken every promise I made.
I thought I was doing the right thing in using my inheritance to finally realize their dreams of hosting weddings on this gorgeous property. Taking out a mortgage on the land in order to construct a quaint inn where wedding guests could stay seemed like a wise investment at the time. We’d already been hosting weddings here, and I was certain I could easily recoup the investment and pay off the mortgage quickly.
Then, almost overnight, the pandemic changed everything. All my plans crumbled when the tourism and wedding industries were hit particularly hard.
Regardless, I still feel like I should be doing more to find a solution, even if I know in my heart I’ve done everything.
“I won’t go down without a fight.” My determination returns as I push out all negative thoughts once more.
Thinking about all the what-ifs won’t help matters. It’s a waste of energy. Instead, I need to focus on what I can do right now to fix things.
“We may not be hosting weddings right now, but more people come to this property during our annual Holley Christmas Festival than the other eleven months of the year.”
“But will that be enough to cover everything?” Estelle presses.
Normally, I wouldn’t discuss these kinds of things with the staff. But Estelle’s not really an employee, even if I keep her on the payroll. She’s more of a confidant, especially since she was my mother’s best friend when she was still alive.
“I’m manifesting only good vibes,” I respond, not wanting to admit that I’d be lucky if I pulled in a tenth of what I need to come up with when I factor in the increased overhead required to put on the Christmas festival.
Scaling back isn’t an option. People come to Holley Ridge this time of year expecting to experience a place full of holiday magic. That’s precisely what I plan on giving every single person who walks through these gates.
Even if it’s the last year I’ll be able to do it.
“The universe will give me what I need.”
“Maybe it already has.”
I dart my eyes toward Estelle. “What are you talking about?”
“Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome in a suit.”
“How isthatthe universe giving me what I need?” I refocus my attention on the garland, applying double-sided tape to make sure it doesn’t droop along the column.
“When’s the last time you’ve been out on a date, Parker?”
“I don’t have time to date.”
“Why do you say that?”
