A pipe had burst. He had to turn off the water supply.
He dashed back through the water, taking the stairs at a reckless pace. Once on the main floor he ran around to access the basement steps. Thank God he knew where the valve was from when he’d worked with the plumber on their renovation.
He charged to the opposite wall, located the valve, and grabbed it, twisting. It was stuck. He turned harder. Finally it gave. The round wheel squeaked as he turned it, but gradually the water flow slowed, then stopped.
He dropped his head to his arm, breathing fast. This was a disaster. He had to think.
Turn off the electricity. But he’d waded through water... better to call an electrician. They’d be closed for the holiday, but he had Ed Barrick’s number in his phone.
He shouldn’t go back into the flooded area until the electricity was off. But he needed to move his guests’ belongings to higher ground.
Levi headed back upstairs, his eyes taking in the puddles once he reached the lobby. He’d grab towels from upstairs. He headed back up.
The water was a couple inches deep in the suite. Mia’s things were in drawers except for a pair of sandals. He moved them onto the chaise, then went to check the other rooms.
He spent a good thirty minutes moving suitcases and shoes. Then he grabbed towels and mopped up the puddles in the lobby. He left a tub from the kitchen under the railing to catch the dripping water.
How had this happened so quickly?
His mind raced with all that needed to be donenow. He had to get the water up. They had a Shop-Vac in the shed. He could call Erik and ask him to bring his over too.
But no. First he had to call Ed. He went outside.
This was a complete disaster. The whole upstairs had flooded except for his sisters’ room. It would take weeks to repair. They’d have to shut down the inn.
He couldn’t think about that now. He found Ed’s number in his contacts. Standing on the darkened lawn he tapped the name and sighed audibly when Ed picked up. Levi told him what had happened, and Ed promised to be right over.
“Stay out of the house,” he said. “And call your insurance company.”
After hanging up Levi did as he suggested. They weren’t open, of course, but he left a message. He turned and stared at the inn, the porch lights still aglow. Some of the shock had worn off and reality was setting in, making his gut twist.
Water produced mold, and mold was damaging and potentially toxic. All soft surfaces were at risk. The drywall was soaking up water even now. It would all have to be cut out, new drywall taped into place, mudded, and painted.
The entire second story might need to be refloored. All the wood trim replaced. All the other hard surfaces would have to be treated. It was going to take weeks, possibly months, depending on how much help he could find around here during the busy summer.
And the money... He didn’t even want to think about the money. He had insurance of course. But that wouldn’t cover the lost business, because he’d canceled the interruption insurance in January to save a few bucks.
He closed his eyes. Kneaded the muscles at the back of his neck where a full-fledged headache was brewing.
He was unaware he had company until he heard Molly’s voice.
“How could you.”
He turned around, his thoughts still a jumbled mess. “What? What are you doing here?”
He registered the look on his sister’s face. Even in the shadows he could see the tense, angry set of her shoulders. The straight line of her brows.
“What gives you the right to tell Adam not to propose to me?” Her voice boomed across the space between them.
Levi blinked, now fully onboard with the subject at hand. “Molly, this isn’t a good time. The house has been—”
“No, Levi! We’re going to talk about this. Why did you tell Adam that?”
“I—I didn’t exactly... I just—I thought it was a little too fast, that’s all. So I suggested—”
“Fast? You think it wastoo fast? You, who fell head over heels with Mia Emerson in two weeks flat?”
His face warmed. “There’s a difference between developing feelings and committing to a—”
