Page 22 of Merry Mended Hearts

I’d written allmorning.

Living the dream!

The songWalking on Sunshineplayed through my mind, adding energy and a little extra pep in my step when additional chimes tinkled through, interrupting Katrina and the Waves in my head.

I stilled. The same tinkling noise had come earlier, just before Junie had told me my reservation had appeared. There was every chance I’d imagined it before, but hearing it a second time?

What was going on?

GRACE

Stepping carefully,I meandered toward the door when my foot met with something spiny.

“Ow!”

I lifted my foot. A simple silver chain with an unremarkable pendant dangling from it was strung on the floor. I bent and picked the necklace up.

“Where did this come from?” Had Junie left it in here? I’d have to find her and return it.

Just as soon as I had some lunch.

Hurriedly, I tucked the necklace into my pocket, slipped my room key into my other pocket, got my shoes and phone, and headed down to the lobby. The smell of freshly baked rolls tantalized my stomach. One of the inn’s selling points, Mom had said, was the quality of exquisite food served by an on-hand chef.

Another woman stepped out from the door across the hall from mine in Room 9. She looked to be about my twenty-three years, had a thin nose, and auburn hair pooling down her shoulders. She was staring at her phone, but she lowered the device long enough to give me a friendly smile.

“Hey, there,” she said. “So you’re in Room 11?”

“Yeah,” I said. “And you?—”

“It’s a great room,” she said with a sigh.

I narrowed my eyes at her. Was something wrong? “Are you okay?”

“Hm? Oh, I—not really. But it’s okay. I’ll figure it out. I’ll see you around,” she said and then walked away before I could figure out what was bothering her.

Strange. Why did she seem bothered by the fact that I was in Room 11? Unless…

Had Junie done something after all? Had this woman been there first or something?

All the more reason to find her. I headed down the stairs and turned toward the reception desk. A woman didn’t recognize, with dark hair and heavy eyeliner, sat in Junie’s place. I was about to turn toward the dining room when something else caught my notice?—

The lobby was empty. I wanted to see it again now that I felt like an actual guest instead of an imposter. It was quite possibly my favorite room at this inn.

Muted light crackled from the fireplace, adding warmth and a sense of cozy secrets to the room as though these walls had witnessed their fair share of stories. Considering the story Boone had shared with me yesterday, that was saying something.

But Santa wasn’t real.

This radio was probably just a family heirloom.

In any case, the fire welcomed me to sit in the nearest armchair and start typing. I made a mental note to bring my laptop down here after lunch.

Heavy footfalls approached, and then my heart seized in my chest. Boone appeared in the doorway with a cut log in each hand. I fisted my hands at my sides. Did he have any idea what long-sleeved shirts like that did for his physique?

Either he was clueless, or he wore things like that on purpose.

Was he going to say anything about last night?

He barely glanced my way as he muttered a hasty, “Hey.”

---