The Perfect Hope Part 37

"That's what she said. Lizzy."

"It's so exciting." Carolee's bright hazel eyes danced. "She talked to you. I knew she would sooner or later. And if she'd let me, I'd give her a high five for chasing that woman out of here today."

"We're going to get a lot of rude or high-maintenance guests in the mix. It's part of the hospitality package. But I can't be sorry, either."

"Sit down, have more coffee. I'll get the tables set."

"It's done. I had plenty of time last night. Why don't you fill the coffee urn? I'll do the eggs."

Hope liked the rhythm and routine she and Carolee worked out when they had a full house. And the s.n.a.t.c.hes of conversation they managed between carrying out food, greeting guests for the day.

Despite the late night, several woke early and hungry.

She topped off Lola Redman's coffee herself on a pa.s.s through The Dining Room. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

She spoke stiffly, but Hope detected more embarra.s.sment than rudeness.

She checked chafing dishes, refilled, brought out refreshed pitchers of juice, chatted with Connie about the best antiquing prospects in the area, and with Mike and his wife about their planned drive to Cunningham Falls.

She gave all her guests high marks for steering talk away from the night's disturbance, and imagined they all discussed it in detail outside of Lola's hearing.

While some guests lingered over coffee and conversation and others went up to gather what they needed for the day's adventures, Hope sat down to generate the Redmans' bill.

Austin tapped on her open office door. "I'm loading up," he told her. "Your key."

"Thank you. I'm so sorry your stay wasn't as pleasant as you'd hoped."

"No fault of yours. I enjoyed it."

"I hope you did. Do you want to leave the charges on your card?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Just give me a moment."

"I think I'll grab a couple bottles of water for the road."

"Help yourself."

When she went in, he stood in the kitchen chatting amiably with Carolee. "Thank you, Austin. Have a safe trip."

"You went out of your way." He took her hand, pressed bills into it.

"No, that's not necessary."

"Please. I'd consider it a favor if you'd take it. It was nice meeting both of you. You take care now."

As he left, Hope looked down at the two folded fifties in her hand.

"It's his way of apologizing," Carolee said. "You don't turn away a sincere apology."

"It still wasn't necessary. Here. Your half."

Carolee shook her head. "That's yours, honey."

"Carolee-"

"No." To add emphasis, Carolee shook a finger. "That's yours, and you earned it. Why don't you go on up for a little bit, get some rest?"

"Too much coffee." The combination of fatigue and caffeine made her feel like an exhausted hamster who couldn't stop running on its wheel. "Maybe later. But Avery's opening today. Maybe I'll run over, talk to her."

"You do that."

Time with a friend was as refres.h.i.+ng as a nap, Hope thought as she crossed Main. And she needed opinions, advice, commentary. She rapped on the gla.s.s door and waited for Avery, hair clipped back, bib ap.r.o.n in place, to come out of the closed kitchen.

"Hey, what's up? I thought you had a full house."

"Carolee's got it for now. I'm taking a break, and boy, do I have a load to tell you. I wish Clare was around."

"Good stuff? Juicy gossip?"

"All of that and more."

"Come on back and spill it. We had a run on pizzas last night, and I'm prepping more dough."

"I'm grabbing a c.o.ke. I shouldn't have any more caffeine, but I have to function."

"Rough night?"

"All of that and more." She walked in the back where Avery stood at the stainless steel worktable cutting dough for the rising pans. "First, there was The Pill."

"Birth control pill?"

"You have a one-track mind. The Pill in the form of one Lola Redman."

"Oh, I know the type," Avery said when Hope elaborated. "We get them. You can't deal with the public and not. Did I tell you about the guy last week who-Sorry, your story time."

"And there's more. I'm trying to decide if I tell it chronologically or in order of impact."

"Impact."

"Even then it's hard to judge. So I'm going with s.e.x."

"You had s.e.x?" Avery fisted flour-covered hands on her hips. "When did you have time for s.e.x since I talked to you last?"

"I didn't have s.e.x. I'm going to have s.e.x. Thank G.o.d. Next Tuesday night."