Page 56 of Fetch Me A Mate
"Which room?" asked Edgar Tansley.
"The blue suite. Second floor, corner windows."
"We should put a plaque," suggested Tom.
"Absolutely not," Diana said firmly. "Part of the inn's appeal is discretion. Guests who want privacy should feel safe here."
Approving murmurs rippled through the crowd. Diana had passed another small test without realizing it was being given.
"Speaking of guests," said Cora, "what's your booking outlook for winter?"
"Stronger than expected. The Autumn Hearth Gathering generated several advance reservations, and we're seeing interest in winter packages. Cozy retreats, holiday celebrations, New Year's Eve dinner parties."
"Revenue projections?"
Diana pulled out her notebook and rattled off numbers that clearly impressed the assembled business owners. Operating costs, profit margins, projected growth through spring.
"Those are solid figures," Tom said with obvious surprise.
"The inn's always been profitable when properly managed," Diana replied. "It just needed someone willing to invest time and attention in building community relationships."
"And you've certainly done that," Emmett agreed. "The Council's impressed with your integration into town life."
"This is my home now. These are my neighbors. Of course I want to contribute to the community's success."
As the afternoon progressed, Diana noticed a subtle shift in the room's energy. Conversations grew more relaxed, laughter came easier. People stopped evaluating and started enjoying themselves.
"Brilliant strategy," Freya said quietly, finding Diana in the kitchen during a brief lull. "Nothing defeats rumors like demonstrable competence."
"I learned that from watching Rowan work. When people questioned his skills, he let the quality speak for itself."
"And now they're questioning yours."
"Were questioning. Hard to argue with what they can see and taste and touch for themselves."
Rowan appeared in the kitchen doorway, his expression pleased. "Overheard some interesting conversations. Apparently you're now 'exactly what this town needed' and 'the best thing to happen to the inn in years.'"
"Really?"
"Really. Also heard Gerald Finch got an earful from three different Council members about harassment and inappropriate questioning of local businesses."
Diana felt a surge of fierce satisfaction. "Good. Maybe he'll think twice before manufacturing problems where none exist."
"Doubt it. But at least now everyone knows his 'concerns' were baseless."
The afternoon wound down with promises to repeat the event monthly and several new bookings for holiday parties. As the last guest departed, Diana surveyed the successful aftermath with deep contentment.
"Well," Maeve said, helping clear glasses, "that was a masterclass in community relations. Anyone who still doubts your competence after today is too stupid to worry about."
"Think it worked?"
"You just turned a room full of skeptics into advocates. Half these people will spend the week telling their friends how wrong they were about you."
"And the other half?"
"Will spend the week planning their next visit." Maeve's grin was sharp with approval. "You've got good instincts, innkeeper. This place is safe in your hands."
As Diana cleaned up from the successful afternoon, something seemed to settle peacefully within her. Not just satisfaction with a job well done, but the deeper contentment of knowing she'd defended what mattered. The inn was secure, the community was convinced, and the rumors were dead.
