“We’re ready,” they all said back. All but Lottie, who was shaking her head with her arms folded, and Nate, who didn’t know how this was all going to play out, but knew one thing for certain.
Whatever Georgie had up her sleeve, he wasn’t ready.
28
June Fundraiser Committee Meeting Minutes
Photographer. Dance. Find.
Gus and Evie like cheese—increase the budget.
Fish fry cancelled.
Georgie invited a secret celebrity—first name ends with a long e sound.
Guesses—Dolly Parton, Larry the Beekeeper, Sandi Patty, and Stevie Nicks.
Is Sandi Patty still alive? Barb thinks so.
How long do cats stay pregnant? Guesses—6 weeks to 9 months.
Snow removal—nothing new to report.
The productivity level of this committee is pathetic according to Lottie.
The attitude of one particular committee member is pathetic according to Georgie.
Lottie resigns her membership status—unanimous support.
Okay, now thishadto be the right place. If the B&B’s name on a small wooden sign next to a cute yellow mailbox at the bottom of the driveway hadn’t been enough, the chickens and goats roaming the property added a level of charm that screamed bed and breakfast.
Gravel spit from beneath McKenna’s rental all the way up the long winding driveway. Hopping out as soon as she parked, McKenna heard loud voices filtering through the screen door as she started jogging toward the porch steps.
“Good riddance to her. Good riddance, I say.”
“Looks like our emergency Lottie’s Gotta Go meeting paid off.”
“And she says our committee never accomplishes anything. Ha!”
“Hello?” The screen door creaked open as McKenna stepped inside. Her nose twitched at the scent of lilac. Probably from the purple candle sitting on top of the tall wooden check-in desk. She took a step closer, spotting a sign-in book for guests next to a display of purple teacups and a vase full of yellow flowers.
As the voices continued chattering off to the right, McKenna let her gaze sweep over a small sitting room on the left with peelingflowery wallpaper, faded upholstered chairs, glass-door bookcases, and doilies. Lots and lots of doilies.
She eyed the wooden banister leading upstairs. Looked like the owner was in the process of removing the wallpaper along the stairwell. Several patches were already removed.
Actually looked like the owner was in the process of a lot of things now that McKenna was taking a closer gander. She’d just spotted a new curtain rod and light fixture sitting on the floor in the hallway when a man with a thick gray mustache and short stubble on his cheeks entered the foyer from what looked like the dining area to the right.
He halted at the site of her. “Well, howdy. Didn’t hear you come in. Are you looking to reserve a room?”
“I’m looking for Nate Lambert. Is he here?”Please say he’s here.
The man slowly gave her a once-over, stroking his mustache. “Say, you aren’t the lady who keeps calling, are you?”
Oh no. The senile man. Gus. “Is there someone else who works here? Someone a little more informative and less... you?”
“I’ve known Nate since he was a baby,” Gus said.
“How lovely. Is he around?”
