Death Checks Inn (Aspen Valley Inn 1)

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This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places and incidents
either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to the actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Death Checks Inn (Aspen Valley Inn Series: #1)

And to all my family members who encouraged me and told me I could do this.
 Asking me what chapter I was on kept me writing.

You will find yourselves represented by the characters in my books.

And finally to any readers who honor me by spending time with my books. Thank you.
 

“What do you mean, there’s a problem?” Lacey Washburn asked not even trying to hide her exasperation.

She was standing outside in the walled patio area of her soon to be opened Inn.
Better change that to her hopefully soon to be opened Inn. She had hired Dan Smith, a local handyman to enclose and lay a stone patio with brick pathways in what she would call the “Sanctuary”. Her guests could relax quietly watching either the sunrise or sunset with the advantage of an unobstructed view of Pikes Peak as the backdrop. There was also a hot tub spa and spacious outdoor dining area. This area could be used for large gatherings or quiet romantic dinners for two. Now, Dan was explaining some issue with the stonework that would delay completion for another week. Another week she did not have to spare. She had sunk every dime from her severance package into this endeavor and really needed to get the Inn opened and making money.

She ran her hands thru her hair and said
, “Dan, just tell me what we can do to get this done.”

Dan
mumbled, “Well, I’ll have to order the grout and that will take a couple of days and then a couple of days to let it set, I’d say probably in ten days it’ll be ready.”                             

“That won’t
work; our grand opening is exactly one week from today!” Sara reminded him. 

“Well,
I could do it faster but I’d have to hire help and that will cost you,” he added.

Frustrated a
nd stressed Lacey advised him, “Please do whatever is necessary to finish it in time.”

Aspen Valley Inn was an adobe style
building that sat on top of a knoll surrounded by beautiful scenery. It was located very near the small town of Elkville. Rural but only twenty-five miles from the large city of Colorado Springs and forty-seven miles from the gambling town of Cripple Creek. Its location was practical but she hoped that the gorgeous views of America’s mountain, Pike’s Peak, and the pampering she planned to bestow on every guest would ensure its success. It was also advantageous that this was really the only Bed & Breakfast type business in this area.

She was also working with her younger
sister, Charlotte, to launch an event venue and planning business as soon as funds and interested customers allowed.

First things
first, she needed to get this place ready for her grand opening next week. So far, she had only booked two of the four available suites at the Inn. She reminded herself that she had only gotten those by steeply discounting what she had thought were reasonable rates. Oh well, she told herself, sometimes you have to lose money to make money.

She went inside and plopped herself into one of the huge chairs in the reception area. She looked around with a critical eye. Chairs and lounges positioned cozily by the huge stone fireplace. She planned to use a beautiful, antique table to lay out wine and appetizers. She hoped that these occasional refreshments would encourage her guests to linger and mingle with each other. Pamphlets of local attractions arranged in a display on the opposite wall looked very inviting. The Broadmoor Hotel, Molly Kathleen Mine and bike tours up to Pike’s Peak and many other attractions made one want to explore. Of course, for the historians, antiquing and gambling bunch there was always Cripple Creek. She hoped she had thought of everything to make this endeavor a success.

Only
ten short years ago, she had been a newly graduated finance/business major from the University of Colorado. The world was her oyster and she could not wait to pry it open and find the pearl! She was excited to be engaged to the love of her life, Bryan Thompson. She was also being recruited by every major company in the Colorado Springs business arena. She was on top of the world. That world stopped spinning when she found out that Bryan had been spending time with more than one attractive woman.

Just weeks before
their wedding he pleaded, “But I only love you, doesn’t that matter?”

She thought about it, really thought about
it, and yes, it did matter, damn it. She had cancelled the wedding and accepted a job with a family owned bank that she thought would provide the camaraderie and distraction she needed to move past the hurt and betrayal.

She soon discovered that there was no security or permanence in that world.
The financial crisis hit the country. She had lost her job eighteen months ago. She was devastated; she had poured all of her energy and passion into her work. Her co-workers and clients had felt like family.

Yes, she dated occasionally, but as the song says, she kept a close watch on that heart of hers. She even wore an amulet around her neck that stated those very lyrics.

She felt lost
without the structure and purpose she had relied on. She took a good hard look at her choices, her dreams and what she really wanted to do with the rest of her life. The generous severance package she had received made starting her own business feasible. That, and her younger sister, Charlotte’s, promise to expand and grow the business with her helped her decide to make the leap.

She loved meeting and taking care of
people. Getting into the hospitality industry seemed a good fit. First, they would open a charming Inn. Later, they had big plans to include an event center too. Phase two would bring even more challenge for them.

She had
paid close attention to even the tiniest detail during the massive renovation of the Inn. Everything was ready. She hoped that all of this would turn out to be a good decision and not a colossal mistake!

With o
nly three days until the grand opening of Aspen Valley Inn, Lacey was nervous. She now had three reservations and fifty RSVPS’ to the grand opening reception.

Handy
man Dan was almost finished with the sanctuary. Although there had been extra expense that she had not budgeted for, the sanctuary was Lacey’s favorite amenity. She had spent more than a few evenings ensconced on one of the comfortable chaise lounges near the fire pit watching Mother Nature’s dramatic end of day curtain call. Pink, gold and deep rose vied with each other while the sun completed its leisurely dance before dropping out of sight behind the mountain peak. This, she thought, is what people will pay for.

Her musings were interrupted by the excited voice of her
sister, Charlotte.

“Only three more
days, can you believe it?” she exclaimed.

Lacey hurried to give her sister a welcoming hug.
She and Charlotte were very close. Charlotte had listened while she talked and cried about the loss of her dreams. First, the loss of married life with Bryan, and then later, losing her career.  Charlotte had encouraged her to dream up a new future.

They had another
sister; Veronika (Vernie) lived in Georgia. Their older sister, Vernie was a true success, a bestselling author who had “made it”. She traveled the world promoting one book after another. She only slowed down long enough to tap out yet another bodice ripping passion infused romance. Both sisters admired Veronika and really enjoyed the brief amounts of time she could spend with them. Unfortunately, Vernie could not attend the grand opening of the Inn. She would send her best wishes along with a huge, expensive bouquet of flowers to mark the occasion. Vernie had offered to invest and even finance the Inn because she loved and believed in her sister’s dream but Lacey had declined. She wanted this to be her “baby” and was willing to work as hard as she needed to do it on her own.

Later,
Charlotte and Lacey hoped to add to their success with the event business, Enchanted Events, but that was down the road. Lacey had to get the Inn opened and making a profit before she could even think about that.

Charlotte took a slow tour of the rooms and outdoor areas. She declared confidently, “Wow, I would definitely stay here. I especially love the “pillow gifts” you are putting under each of the guests’ pillow on their first night.”

These were small tokens, hand lotion or lip balm and a couple of pretty postcards already stamped that they could send to their friends but Lacey was pleased that
Charlotte had approved of her idea.

“What can I do
?” Charlotte asked.

“
Can you get me another reservation to completely book our first week?” Lacey shot back.

“Oh, pooh, that will happen as soon as
people stay here and then tells everyone they know about how wonderful it was,” Charlotte said reassuringly.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence. Now, how about helping me figure out what to serve with the grand opening appetizers?  I've chosen a great red and white wine from "The Wines of Colorado" on Ute Pass but I need something terrific to serve with them,” Lacey explained.

“That’s easy
,” said Charlotte, “your world famous guacamole and chips.”             

“I need something besides that,” lamented Lacey.  “How about crab puffs and a beef cheese ball?” she suggested.

“That’s perfect
,” said Charlotte.

They were interrupted by
a loud knock on the double front door. Lacey hurried to answer. She was startled for a moment as she looked at the very handsome man standing there.

“Hi,”
he said taking off his hat, “I’m Wyatt Graves. I am the new sheriff for Peak County. I wanted to come by and check the place out. I know you have applied for a liquor license and I like to visit each site before approval.” He was very good looking and looked very sharp in his uniform.

Lacey took her time checking him out and then
stammered, “Yes, please come in. I’m Lacey Washburn and this is my sister Charlotte. Please take a look around and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.” 

Charlotte muttered under her breath, “I bet you will,” but shook his hand pleasantly as she moved aside to let him step into the entryway.