“Look out when she says that. My niece is the best problem solver I’ve ever met, so she’ll find you a place to stay.”
“And to rehearse,” Ariel called over her shoulder, starting for the inn.
She headed up Main just as Harry and his grandfather, wearing their black pants and red coats, came down the cross street in an empty carriage. She waved and beckoned them to stop.
“Ariel, is that you in those sunglasses?” Harry asked as he pulled over to the side of the street.
“Yes, and since it’s just me, can I sit on the bench with you?”
“Sure, for an extra dollar.”
She should have expected that. She climbed the three steps to the bench. “I need a fast ride to the inn.”
“Nothin’s fast in this town. If I speed in my carriage, the cops will flag me down and give me a fifty-dollar fine.” Harry turnedthe carriage onto Main and clucked to the horses. “I’ll take a chance for you, though, for an extra five.”
“Oh no, you won’t, or I’ll take those reins.” His grandfather’s accent turned heavy.
Ariel agreed. “Slow them down, Harry. I’m not here to contribute to your delinquency.”
He pulled back slightly on the reins, and the horses responded. “Can I have the five anyway?”
She laughed. “You can have the five for entertaining me on the way.”
“No, ma’am. You’re the star.”
It seemed the tourist population had doubled since they got to town. And from the looks of this street, every one of them must have just discovered the Fudge Shop on the Corner, Miller Antiques, and the souvenir shop.
Harry had to slow the carriage to a near stop as shoppers and sightseers meandered across Main. “Business picked up since you got here. People are pouring in, looking for you and Miss Dahlia.”
“That’s impossible. Island House has no vacancies. Where do all these people stay?”
“On the mainland. I get a lot of business, hauling them from the ferry to Main Street or wherever they want to go. Big tips too, especially since I tell them where to find you.”
Ariel couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up. “How do you know where we are?”
“Because I know where you’re staying. When I tell them that, they pay me to take them there.” He pointed behind him. “My sign in the back doesn’t hurt either. ‘Ride with Miss Dahlia and Ariel’s Personal Driver. Catch a Carriage to Their Hotel. Get Tips on Their Whereabouts.’”
Oh, this child. “Is that honest? It’s the only hotel open.”
“And I know how to get them there. Besides, I need the money.”
Sure he did. She should get this boy onstage.
“I heard the arts center double-booked. What’cha gonna do?”
“Not sure, but I have an idea. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll call you for advice.” Actually, it might be a smart move, if it came to that.
Harry stopped the carriage in front of Island House Inn. Ariel pulled her phone from her jacket’s zippered pocket, slid a wad of cash from her phone case, and gave the boy his fare, a nice tip, and the extra dollar for the front-seat ride.
Inside, she found Caleb in his office, engrossed in his computer screen. Since the door stood open, she thought to come in and plop right down in the chair on the other side of the desk. But seeing his frown and his concentration, she backed away.
“Come in, Ariel.” He kept his focus on the screen.
She remembered her first evening here, when she’d tried to sneak away from the reception desk. He’d known she was there then too. Either he had an uncanny talent of noticing all his surroundings while concentrating on work, or he’d expected her.
“I just talked to your aunt.” He clicked the mouse a few times then looked up, pushed away his keyboard. “She told me about Isaiah, but we’re booked through Sunday night. I can’t put him with the band or writers either, since all those rooms are at capacity.”
“What about the parlor wing?”
