“It was nonrefundable, remember?” Levi said. Thank God. Otherwise the business credit card would still be maxed out.
“A drop in the bucket to someone like her.” Molly leaned over Grace’s shoulder and began reading.
Guilt pinched Levi hard. Here they were gathered around Grace’s phone, prying into this poor woman’s life, which was apparently spread across the internet like a picnic blanket.
“Enough.” He snatched the phone from Grace’s hand and closed out the browser.
“Hey!” Grace said, reaching for her phone.
He handed it back. “This is none of our business. And I believe you have some college applications to fill out today.” He looked at Molly. “And don’t you have some rooms to clean? I’d like to offer her one of them first thing.”
Molly slapped a hand across her forehead. “Oh, jeez. The roses. The flower petals. The champagne.”
Grace winced. “No wonder she wanted another room.”
“I called her Mrs. Hughes.” Levi flinched at the memory. Mia had looked so tired last night, and he obviously hadn’t imagined the vulnerability in her eyes. The last thing she’d probably needed were reminders of the wedding that had never happened.
“What’s with all the celebrities showing up?” Grace asked. “First Adam, now Mia.”
“Maybe we’re becoming the new trendy vacation spot,” Molly said.
“All right, here’s the plan,” Levi said, putting on his business face. “We show no signs of recognition. We treat her as we would any other guest, anticipating her every desire, always smiling...” He nailed Molly with a look. “But never prying.”
“What?” she asked, all innocence.
“No autographs or, heaven forbid, selfies.” This time the look went to Grace. “And no telling anyone she’s here.”
“Not even Sarah?” Grace said. “She wouldn’t say anything.”
“Not a soul. Discretion is part of being an innkeeper. You know that.”
“I know,” Grace said, pouting. “But what fun is it having her here if we can’t tell anyone or even acknowledge it?”
“We’re not here for fun. We’re here to keep Mom and Dad’s dream alive.”
After drilling the two of them with a look, he returned to the front desk. Maybe he’d been a little heavy-handed. But they’d all sacrificed a lot to see their parents’ dream come to fruition. Molly had given up that internship at an Italian resort, Grace had given every spare moment of her senior year, and Levi had put his life in Denver on hold.
And now he’d also be giving up a promotion and raise.
But all of that came second to taking care of his sisters. He had to do everything in his power to make sure the inn was the rousing success his parents had dreamed it could be. And as the business guru in this endeavor—not to mention the oldest child—it was all riding on his shoulders.
six
Mia set aside the half-empty breakfast tray. The orange muffins had been delicious, the granola delightfully chewy and flavorful. Her stomach was full and no doubt confused about the sudden influx of carbs. But a day or two of eating like a normal person wasn’t going to wreck her figure—or her career.
No, a good old-fashioned scandal was going to do that for her. She whispered yet another prayerful plea that God would bring the truth to light, and soon. It had been a while since she’d really spent any time in prayer. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d opened her Bible outside of church. Now that filming was done she needed to get back to her regular habits—and keep them going.
But for now she was just glad to be tucked away someplace where no one would think to look for her. No one knew where she and Wes had been going for their honeymoon, much less that she might do something so crazy as to actually come here alone. Brooke, Lettie, and Nolan were the only ones who knew her whereabouts.
And while Mia wanted nothing more than to remain in her room all day, she desperately needed fresh clothes. Her spirits were low, even after chatting on the phone with Brooke, who’d made her promise to stay off the internet and especially off social media. #MiaStealsJax. Apparently the scandal had picked up steam, and the paparazzi were stalking Jax and Emma everywhere.
Chances of being recognized here were lower, but if she were, the paparazzi would turn this little town upside down. Wouldn’t that be fun. She’d just have to make sure that didn’t happen.
She prayed Nolan and Brooke were right, that a little time—and perhaps a fresh scandal—would smooth this mess right out.
Mia forced herself out of bed and into the shower, not bothering to wash her hair since she’d be wearing the ball cap again today. She winced as she put on yesterday’s dirty clothes. At least there was only one person who’d seen her in them, and he probably wasn’t working this morning.
She swept her hair into a ponytail and pulled on the ball cap, tugging the brim down to her well-groomed eyebrows. Her eyes looked tired and a little puffy after last night’s crying jag, but no one was going to recognize her here like this. She slapped her cheeks to bring some color to them. She was blessed with a face that didn’t necessarily need makeup, but she’d pick up some basics while she was out anyway.
