Page 4 of Christmas at Valentine Inn

George squeezed my hand, reminding me the inn was special. Believe me, part of me wanted to buy into the magic of it all. I would love to think that the man of my dreams would supernaturally appear, brought in by some mysterious force the inn possessed. But we weren’t living in a Hallmark film. Knowing my luck, it would be more likeThe Shining,and some psycho twins in blue dresses would show up and ask me to play with them, all while planning to push me down the stairs or something. I shivered just thinking of it. Probably not the best thing to be contemplating while someone was praying.

By the time Calvin saidamen, I was a ball of nerves. George was up to something. I just knew it. The question was, what did it have to do with me?

Charlotte and I turned our attention to George as soon as Jameson was armed with a knife. Of course, under his father’s supervision. Apparently, carving a turkey was a real bonding moment between father and son.

“So, who do you have in mind to stay in the family suite?” Charlotte carefully kept watch on Jameson, who was having the time of his life hacking into the dead bird. Charlotte and I wondered if we should be concerned, but Drake had previously assured us he was fascinated with sharp objects at Jameson’s age too and he turned out all right. Umm ... jury was still out on that.

I would worry about the possible psychiatric bills for Jameson later. After all, his dad was worth millions upon millions. He could get him the best help money could buy if need be.

With some apprehension I gave George my full attention, still unsure why I was so nervous. But something told me whatever George had in mind had to do with me.

George flashed me a grin full of his stained dentures. “It just so happens that I recently became aware of an old family friend’s son who is moving to town and needs a place to stay with his children for the next few weeks. Unfortunately, the home they bought had some frozen pipes burst. Water everywhere.” George sounded almost happy about it.

It made me wonder if he froze the pipes himself and then busted them. Not like frozen pipes were uncommon living in the Tundra,as I liked to call it sometimes, but there seemed to be some mumbo jumbo stuff at play.

“Oh, that’s so terrible.” Charlotte patted her chest. She was the sweet one. Or perhaps Jameson was giving her heart palpitations. He was actually pretty good at carving meat.

“It’s atragedy.” George grinned.

I narrowed my eyes at the old man. “How do you know this family?”

“Like I said, old family friends. They used to vacation here every summer.”

“Of course they did.” I rolled my eyes. I was suspicious of anyone who stayed at the inn during George and Daisy’s tenure.

George chuckled. “As I remember, the brothers were quite dapper.”

Only George would use a word likedapperanymore.

That perked Charlotte right up. “Ooh. Is this man single?” I knew what she was thinking, and the answer was no. This mystery man was probably younger than me, and I wasn’t going down that road again after the younger felon I had kissed. And lest my baby sister forget, we were in the middle of her wedding extravaganza.

“Funny you should ask.” George set his eyes on me. “He’s a widower.”

Something pricked my chest. “That’s sad.” But it was more than that. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

“Yes, the family has had a difficult year. Make thatyears.” George gave me a meaningful look.

“Well, of course they can stay in the family suite,” Charlotte offered, before consulting me or even asking how many children were in the family or if they could afford it. Chances were if the man could afford to buy a house in Fair Hollow, he would have no problem with our going rates. Fair Hollow was becoming more and more of a home for the rich and even some of the famous, a.k.a. my future brother-in-law.

I whipped my head toward Charlotte. “Char, don’t you think we should get some more information before we agree to book their stay?”

Charlotte giggled, knowing full well we would do whatever George requested. But she played along anyway. “Okay, tell us more about this family.”

George leaned back in his chair and paused.

Something in the pause worried me.

“They’re a lovely family. A teen daughter and son. The father is a doctor.” It seemed like he was purposely avoiding names.

I was going to call him on it, but Charlotte said, “Sounds perfect. Don’t you think, Izzy?”

I stared at George. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch, dear one.” That’s what came out of his mouth, but his eyes dared me to ask more.

I didn’t understand why he was being so mysterious, so in frustration I asked, “Who are these people?”

George looked me squarely in the eyes, his twinkling. “The man’s name isDr. Patrick Abbott.”

---