Page 28 of The Handy Men
"But the main reason I was calling you this week was I wanted to check on your availability for August. How many rooms do you need to fill?"
All of them. Did she dare tell her mother? Oh, what the hell, she was going to find out eventually. "I have all ten rooms free on August first. Why?” That was vague enough that it should buy her some time.
"Senator Mellon wants to hold his family reunion at your inn. He's going to stay for two weeks. He'll need all of your rooms, though."
"That's fine," Paige said quickly. This phone call was starting to look up.
"I don't have to remind you how conservative he is, do I?"
Paige wasn't familiar with his politics. "How conservative is he? I mean do I need to wear a skirt three inches below my knees? Perhaps I should have Daddy run the inn while he's here?"
"That's a splendid idea," her mother cooed.
"No, it damn well isn't. I was being sarcastic."
"I don't appreciate your attitude. Please watch your tone with me."
"Sorry," Paige bit off. "Do you have a contact number for the senator?"
"I'll make all the arrangements."
"Get a credit card, please."
"Do you think that's necessary?" her mother asked, appalled.
"Yup, and since you're booking him, make sure you let him know our cancellation policy. Just in case something comes up." Like if he is mortally offended by a woman running her own business.
"We have a cancellation policy?"
"I'll email it to you," Paige said. "Charge him three hundred and fifty dollars a night."
"That's the rack rate, dear. I figured we'd give him a deal."
"Suit yourself, but the difference comes off the loan balance I owe you."
She tut tutted. "That's not how you do business these days."
"Take it or leave it. Now, I need to get some things done, Mom. Are you sure I can't talk you out of coming up next week?"
"More hands will make your opening go smoother."
Paige doubted it. "Unless you're planning on cooking or cleaning or having Daddy act as the bellman, I think you're just going to be in the way."
"What an awful thing to say."
“I’m trying to be honest here. It's been very stressful, and having you guys here is going to add to that instead of making it better."
"We're coming. We have a lot of money tied up in that inn, and we just want to protect our investment."
Paige sighed as she made a large pot of coffee. No special ground beans today, but she considered adding a dollop of whiskey for the aggravation. "What time can I expect you?"
"We'll be on the five p.m. ferry next Friday."
"See you then," Paige said, and hung up.
While the coffee was percolating, she looked up Senator Mellon and her stomach twisted in revulsion. He was ultra-conservative. Her heart sank. She couldn’t afford to turn him away, not if she wanted to survive the summer in the black, but part of her wanted to refuse service to people like him. Maybe someday. She scowled at his handsome face. Why were so many people filled with hate?
About an hour later, she was balancing a tray filled high with pancakes and sausages as she climbed the stairs back up to her bedroom. Jack and Dean were spooned together, but Jack stirred when she pushed open the door.
