The Inn at Misty Lake: Book Two in the Misty Lake Series (18 page)

They walked through every room with Susan explaining her plans in as much detail as Cassie seemed to want, but trying to keep her emotions in check. Cassie asked question after question and offered ideas and suggestions. The longer they spent talking and exploring, the more excited Susan became.

“I love the room names and the ideas you have for themes and décor. What about either stenciling ‘Sweet Dreams’ on the wall in here or…I saw something not long ago, it was oversized scrabble letters spelling out messages on the wall. You could write ‘Sweet’ horizontally and ‘Dreams’ vertically so they share an e. And maybe some star and moon shaped throw pillows. I bet you could find a comforter or quilt following the theme if you’re going that direction.”

Susan had to pinch herself in order to wipe the goofy smile off her face. “No, strictly duvets with white covers. I’ve spent enough time in the hotel biz to know I don’t want to deal with spreads or quilts. Nasty.”

“Good choice, I was going to suggest that but didn’t want to step on your toes. What about the floors? The hardwood is gorgeous, you’re not going to cover it with carpet, are you?”

“Absolutely not, maybe just a rug or two.”

“Perfect. And window treatments? The same throughout or different for each room.”

Cassie, whether she realized it or not, had slipped into work mode. Susan crossed her fingers…it had to be a good sign. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll need something to block the light so maybe room-darkening shades with curtains that could vary from room to room fitting with the colors and themes.”

“I have a few ideas, I’ll show you later when we look at your website. Speaking of which, I assume you’ve already published prices? How did you determine them?”

“I did a little research, compared prices at nearby hotels and resorts. There aren’t any other B&Bs in town, but I found some not too far away so used that data. Then there’s always that fine line…don’t go too high or you run the risk of scaring people away, but don’t go too low that people think it’s a dump.”

“Okay, good. We can go over the pricing later, too, and I’ll let you know what I think but since I don’t know much about going rates in the area, I probably won’t be much help without a little more research. Maybe we can look at offering different rates for peak season and off-season if you haven’t already done that. Menu?”

“I have a few ideas. I may have borrowed a secret or two from the Billingsley’s brunch menu but I’ll put enough spin on them that they’re my own.”

“Hey, I’ll never tell,” Cassie laughed.

“I’ll have one breakfast item a day—pancakes, waffles, French toast, quiche, whatever—with fruit, coffee, and juice, but I’m planning on having an alternate lighter option available every day, as well. It will be simple like fruit and oatmeal, but it will give people a choice in case of dietary concerns or restrictions.”

“If you don’t already, it might be a good idea to have a comment spot on the reservation page where guests can inform you ahead of time of allergies. That way, it will give you some advance notice and you can plan the menu accordingly.”

“Good idea, I’ll add it.”

“Kids?”

Susan outlined the policy she had in place and got Cassie’s approval.

“Now, tell me about the event center. I’ll admit I’m intrigued but a little concerned at the same time. Usually at a B&B you’re not responsible for your guests’ entertainment during the day and you get some downtime between breakfast and check-in and then again later at night. It’s what makes the whole thing doable. If you have people using the event center, won’t you be on duty all day? Can you handle that?”

“Fair question. Yes, it will be more hours, but the fee I charge will allow me to bring in help if I feel I need it. In the case of a big event like a wedding reception, the group will be responsible for hiring their own caterer who will bring help for setup, serving, and cleanup. Of course, someone from the inn will need to be around to oversee things and handle any problems if they arise, but it’s not going to be an every weekend kind of thing. I can handle it.”

Cassie seemed a little skeptical but nodded. “Maybe we can talk more about it over dinner. I still have a million questions, but I’ve love to see the barn and then I need to get something to eat. I’m starving.”

“Perfect, I have it covered. Riley is meeting us in town so you can meet him and ask him any questions you have. Sam and Jake are joining us and I think Riley’s brother might be there, too. He wanted to talk to me more about taking some publicity photos and then maybe using them…well, it’s a long story but you might meet him, too. And, you’ll get to see Misty Lake in all its glory.”

“Misty Lake sounds fascinating from what you’ve told me, but mostly I can’t wait to meet Riley,” Cassie said wiggling her eyebrows. “I’ve never heard you talk about a guy the way you talk about him. He’s got to be pretty special.”

“He is, Cassie, he is.”

Susan had chosen For Heaven’s Steak, her attempt to show Cassie that she could get an excellent dinner in Misty Lake. She figured if something was going to keep Cassie from taking the job it was likely to be the fact that Misty Lake was a far cry from Chicago. They pulled into the parking lot just as Riley did.

“There he is, that’s Riley,” Susan said and realized she sounded like a teenager.

“I…oh, um, okay,” Cassie answered.

Susan studied Cassie, alarmed at the way she stammered and she seemed frozen in place, but before Susan could ask questions, Riley was at their car and she found herself making introductions.

“It’s good to meet you, Cassie. Susan has been talking about you for months with nothing but good things to say. Welcome to Misty Lake.”

Everything seemed to move in slow motion for Cassie as she lifted her hand to shake Riley’s. She barely mumbled a hello as she stared. Then, as if his hand burned hers, she dropped it and started for the restaurant.

Susan looked between the two but could do nothing except follow when Cassie darted away.

Sam and Jake were already seated. They joined them and Susan began making more introductions.

“It’s not quite Chicago, but what you do think of Misty Lake so far?” Jake asked Cassie.

“Well, I haven’t seen much so it’s a little early to say, but I’d like to think I’m open minded.”

Jake laughed. “Ah, nicely played.”

Cassie was looking at Riley again as Sam asked her about her trip. It took Cassie a minute to realize Sam was talking to her. Shaking her head and turning her attention to Sam, she said, “I’m sorry, I guess I’m a little out of it.”

“No worries, I was just asking about your trip.”

They chatted for a few minutes until Riley saw Frank come in and waved him over. Cassie turned to greet the newest arrival as he came up behind her. When she saw him, the color drained from her face and she gave a little gasp.

“Hey, Jake, before I forget, I have a box in the car Mom wanted me to—” As Frank glanced around the table and he caught sight of Cassie, the words died on his lips.

The two stared at each other, neither moving nor speaking. There were curious glances from everyone, but Frank and Cassie never noticed. Finally, Frank gathered his wits and whispered, “Cassandra?”

Cassie felt like she’d been slugged in the gut. She hadn’t laid eyes on Frank McCabe in six years and thought she never would again. All at once the memories came flooding back, but she quickly shut them down as she managed to mutter, “It’s Cassie. Just Cassie.”

Susan was looking back and forth between the two. “You guys know each other? How?”

Jolted from their memories, both Cassie and Frank looked around the table then at one another as if wondering how to answer…and hoping the other one would answer first.

Cassie finally said, “It was a long time ago. We met back when I used to do some modeling, wasn’t that it?” She remembered it as if it were yesterday.

“Yeah, when I was interning with Keith and I went along on that shoot in Chicago…” Frank added as if that would explain everything.

Sam broke the tension. “Small world. The waitress is giving us the eye. Should we take a look at the menu and give her our order?”

Once they were all seated and had placed their order, curiosity got the better of Susan. “I still don’t get it. You two met in Chicago? Frank, you were working a shoot Cassie did?”

“Um…yeah. Keith had a few clients in Chicago, one was putting together some promotional material for a new line of outdoor furniture, wasn’t that it?” he asked Cassie. She nodded but didn’t say anything. “There were a few models there, Cassandra—Cassie, I guess—was one of them. We all got to know each other.”

“And you haven’t seen each other since?” Susan asked.

“No.” Cassie replied. Not for six years.

“Do you still model?” Frank asked Cassie.

“No. No, I don’t.”

Cassie didn’t know what to do. Part of her wanted to run and to keep running. Part of her wanted to just sit and look at Frank, to drink in everything about him, everything she remembered. When Riley broke the tension, she was grateful.

“Cassie, what did you think of the inn?”

Cassie pulled her gaze from Frank and turned her attention to Riley. Then she silently cursed the very idea of identical twins.

“I think it’s going to have a lot to offer and should do well. And I think you do excellent work,” she added, forcing herself to focus on business. Directing her comments to Sam and Jake, she said, “I understand you two will be the first to make use of the event center. Are most of your plans in place?”

Unconsciously, Sam reached over and squeezed Jake’s hand as she answered. “We are and yes, most things are in place or at least in progress. Susan and I checked caterers and we’ve decided on one, we have a band lined up, a photographer,” with that she gave Frank a wink, “and dresses, tuxes, flowers are all done. The only thing that still needs to be figured out is how to decorate. Susan has lots of ideas and the caterer we’re going with will handle most of the decorating, but since the place isn’t done, it’s a little difficult to finalize the plans. And I probably just told you a lot more than you wanted to hear.”

Cassie chuckled. “No, I’m interested. One of my…concerns, I guess you’d call it, about the inn in general has to do with the event center and how that’s all going to play out. When a B&B branches out into something like that it becomes two businesses, really. I don’t doubt Susan can handle it,” she said with a nod at her friend, “but I want to help her look at it from an outsider’s point of view…an outsider with experience in the industry.”

“I would think that can only help,” Jake said. “From what Susan has told us, it sounds as though you have quite a lot of experience. She said you’ve worked all over the country?”

“Well, not exactly all over but a few places. The first job I ever had was cleaning motel rooms. For some reason I’ve stuck with it so I’ve seen a lot over the years. You learn what works, what doesn’t.” She shrugged as she looked at Susan.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here. You know I’m going to try to get you to stay, but whatever you decide, we’re friends and there’s no one I’d rather take advice from when it comes to anything hotel related.”

“I don’t—”

Susan held up a hand and cut her off. “Nope. We’re going to leave it at that. Tonight isn’t about pressuring you into anything, we’re supposed to be having fun. We’re going to have dinner and then, if you’re up for it, we’ll show you around town. Saturday night in Misty Lake is not to be missed.”

“Deal,” Cassie said. Then she stole a glance at Frank who still had his eyes riveted on her and a look on his face like he was trying to solve a particularly difficult puzzle. He only looked away when Susan brought up the subject of the publicity photos.

After dinner they walked down the street to The Hideout. Along the way they all took turns pointing out businesses and sights they thought Cassie would find interesting. Cassie tried to focus but her mind, and her gaze, kept wandering back to Frank. They needed to talk, she supposed, but she didn’t know where to start. Maybe he’d be willing to just let it go. But as he caught her eye and she saw the penetrating, questioning look, she sighed. She wasn’t going to get off that easy.

They ran into Shauna at The Hideout. Susan made yet another round of introductions.

“Shauna, this is Cassie Papadakis, my friend from Chicago. Cassie, this is Shauna, yet another McCabe. I suppose Joe and Karen will show up any minute to round out the family.”

As Shauna and Cassie greeted one another, Frank interrupted. “Pap...Papada…what?”

Susan and Shauna looked at him strangely, but Cassie grabbed him by the hand and said, “Let’s dance.” She didn’t wait for him to agree, just pulled him onto the dance floor.

“What was that all about?” Shauna asked.

“I really have no idea. Apparently they met years ago in Chicago but haven’t seen each other since. I don’t know any more than that.”

The rest of the group gathered around Susan when Cassie and Frank headed to the dance floor. The questions started flying.

“What’s the deal with those two?” Jake asked.

“You didn’t know they knew each other?” Sam said at the same time.

“No, I don’t know any more than you do. Riley, what about you? Did Frank ever talk about Cassie? Or Cassandra?”