Clara poured the hot water over the tea bags and inhaled the soothing scents of chamomile and lemon. She prepared a plate of treats while it steeped. “Are you comfortable here, or should we go back to the common room where you can relax and put your feet up?”
“Oh, the other room if you don’t mind.” She struggled to her feet. “What can I carry?”
“The tea’s not ready. Let me help you get comfortable and then I’ll grab the snacks. I’m hungry too.” Once Wren was comfortable on the couch with her feet propped on a pillow on top of the coffee table, Clara returned to the kitchen only to find Noah and Zane standing in the space.
“Hey, have you seen my wife?” Noah’s gaze darted around the kitchen as if he expected to see his wife hiding there.
“She’s in the other room. You guys want tea? Why are you up?”
“I need something to drink. Coffee might be nice. I was going to make myself a cup. I keep forgetting to buy myself a pot for my room,” Zane responded.
“I woke up and my wife was gone,” Noah said. “It worried me.”
How sweet was that?
“Zane, there are new coffee pods in the dining room. Cinnamon, chocolate, and a gingerbread one, if you want something fancier.” There were also four new types of hot cocoa packets, she’d get them put out in the morning. She was excited for the white chocolate-cranberry one.
“Great. I’ll get a cup in a second. Can I help with the tray?” Zane asked as she loaded baked goods onto a tray decorated with snowmen and mistletoe.
“There’s another tray in that cabinet.” She pointed to it. “Can you put mugs, plates and napkins on it, please?” After the time he’d spent here, she knew better than to refuse his offer of help. He’d just hover until she was finished. He was adorably annoying that way. “Noah, why don’t you join Wren. We’ll be right out.”
After he was gone, Zane turned to Clara. “I heard music. Were you composing or playing from memory?”
“Oh no. Did it disturb you? I hoped having the door closed would help.”
“I could barely hear it. If I had been asleep, it wouldn’t have been there at all. None of the other guests are up, so I’m sure it’s fine. You should advertise that you play. It might draw in more people. Live music could be an attraction.” He gathered plates and napkins he talked.
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“You’re an exceptionally talented musician. You don’t play much, but everything I’ve heard has been incredible. Do you teach as well?”
“Teach?” She paused with the teapot halfway to the tray.
“Offer lessons. It’s really none of my business, but you have a gift. You could teach piano lessons. Share your gift with others. It could supplement your income. I’m not interfering, but Sweet Dreams doesn’t seem to be at capacity even if you’re looking for part-time help. It could be a win-win.” He shrugged.
She put the pot on the tray before she dropped it. “I don’t know…”
“Think about it. One thing I’ve learned as an engineer is that fresh eyes see new things and often notice what you’ve overlooked.”
“I’ll think about it,” she repeated. Okay, she’d more than think about it. It was a solid idea. She could advertise and pick up a little extra work. Maybe kids after school. Did she have what it took to teach? She still had all her old music books from her lessons as a child. The music store could probably order in what she needed.
“Thanks, Zane. I appreciate you pointing the idea out to me.”
“You’re welcome. For what it’s worth, I think you’d be great at it. You were wonderful with Ken and Riley’s kids.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. Can you run this tray out? I’ll grab a couple more things to bring.”
He picked up the tray with the tea and cookies. “Back in a flash.”
While he was gone, she added some candy, the brownies, some muffins and butter to a third tray. He was back before she was done. She looked at the tray. “Do you think that’s enough?”
“More than enough,” he reassured her. “If you keep providing snacks like this, you’re going to need to up your rates. I know what you charge.”
“You get a discount because you’ve booked for an extended period of time.”
“My point exactly. Don’t give away your services. All this food costs money. It’s probably okay now, without a full house. But feasts like this might hurt your bottom line in the long run.”
She considered his words. “Maybe. But you guys feel like close friends or family.”
“Thanks. I’ll take that as a compliment. Let’s have this snack so Wren can get to bed. I’m sure she needs her sleep. It’s gotta be tough to carry around a baby all day. I’ll grab my coffee now.”
He walked into the dining area, and she heard him rummaging around with mugs and pods. Was he right? Was she too generous with her food and snacks? It didn’t feel wrong. It felt like being the perfect hostess. But he might have a point. Food wasn’t free. Everything she served cut into her small profit margin. She wasn’t broke, but she couldn’t afford to give away the inn either. Half of her appreciated the reminder, the other half was resentful that he was smart enough to see the problem and she’d missed it.
She closed her eyes and willed away the self-doubt. He’d done her a kindness, and now that she was aware, she’d deal with the issue. If she broke out the snacks from the rest of her bills, she could track how much they were costing her. Then, she could draw a line to keep the expenses in balance.
She had this!
