The floor needed a good shine, and the drapes needed washing, she noted as she dusted. They were going to get this place so pristine the Farnsworths would make an offer on the spot.
Molly should make sure the couple enjoyed at least one meal inthe dining room. Miss Della had already said that if she was needed she’d like to stay on once the inn was sold. Her continued services were a huge selling point. The Farnsworths needed to know what a jewel she was.
In the dining room, the menus, salt and pepper shakers, and condiments needed to be wiped down. The wood tables were starting to show a little wear and tear. Maybe they should buy tablecloths. Class the place up a bit.
The inn’s windows needed to be cleaned, inside and out. It was a little overwhelming. But once Molly was done cleaning the rooms upstairs, they’d make better headway.
Grace was polishing the coffee table legs when Molly trotted down the stairs. “All right, guys, the rooms are cleaned, so I’m off.”
Grace straightened on her knees. “Wait. Aren’t you going to help clean?”
Molly peeked through the open French doors. “I told Adam I’d proofread his chapters. But I have the front desk tonight. Maybe I can get some cleaning done then.”
“There’s a lot to do before tomorrow, Molly. All the windows need cleaning, inside and out.”
“I’m sorry, but they’re not coming till tomorrow afternoon. We still have time.”
“We have to clean rooms in the morning, and Levi has the desk. When will we have time?”
“Grace, the place looks great. The windows aren’t that bad.” Molly cast Levi a glance. “If you really think it needs to be done, we could always hire a service.”
“You know I don’t like to do that.”
“Jeez, Levi,” Grace said. “It won’t kill you to hire it out for once. We need to put our best foot forward here.”
He looked between his sisters. “Fine, but just this once.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Grace walked along the sidewalk in front of the bungalow she hoped to buy soon. The For Sale sign was still propped proudly in the yard, and the house was locked up tight.
Please, God, if You could just keep people away till I have the money to buy it.
She checked her watch. Molly was showing the Farnsworths through the inn this very moment, and Levi was working the front desk. They’d agreed they shouldn’t all be hanging over the Farnsworths’ shoulders, so Grace had slipped out to run a few errands. And of course she visited her little house and did a little daydreaming.
And PS, God, if theFarnsworthsare completely taken with the inn today, that would be terrific.
It was too early to return to the inn. They had it all planned. If the couple liked what they saw on the tour, Molly would take Levi’s place at the desk, and he’d sit down with the couple and go over the inn’s impressive financial statements. The couple would then have supper in the dining room—the coup de grâce, so to speak.
But that was at least another hour away. Grace turned away from her dream home and headed toward the coffee shop. A frappé would be a delicious way to pass the time. On her way she texted Sarah and told her about the bungalow. Her friend responded immediately with lots of enthusiasm.
Minutes later Grace approached Firehouse Coffee. The garage doors of the old fire station were up, and the patio tables were half filled. She opened the front door for a young mother with a baby, then breathed in the energizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
After receiving her vanilla bean frappé, Grace scanned the shop for a place to settle. Her eyes stopped on a familiar set of shoulders in the back corner, facing the patio.
She headed that way and slipped a hand over his eyes from behind. “Guess—?”
A hand clamped over her wrist as he whipped around.
She squealed, sloshing her drink.
He dropped her hand. “Sorry. Sorry.”
Grace’s heart was thumping like a bass drum. It had all happened so fast. She glanced around, but no one seemed to have noticed the commotion that was over almost before it had begun.
“You all right?” he asked.
Grace sank onto the seat across from him, resisting the urge to rub her wrist. “Remind me not to sneak up on you again.”
