Page 52 of Just One Chance

"I did. The food was good, the view amazing, and your mother is good company."

A crease appeared between his brows. "My parents trust you. They think that they need to renovate the inn before they can safely retire."

I chuckled nervously. "No pressure."

His expression was serious. "We're not a city hotel. We have different guests and needs."

I frowned. "I get that."

"Boone's had his heart set on his furniture being in the rooms upstairs, and I'm worried that you're going to suggest that Mom and Dad buy something store-bought that will need to be replaced in a few years."

"I carefully research everything I recommend."

Malcolm sighed. "The point is, Ms. Barnes, that we are a family first. You need to consider that as well as profits. What works in Miami might not work here."

"Boone has explained all of this to me." I wasn't sure what Malcolm's point was, unless it was to protect Boone. "But I have to suggest what I believe is right, not what Boone wants."

He nodded stiffly. "I hope you do the right thing."

"Malcolm—" I said as he got up.

He raised a brow. "Yes?"

"I promise I'll do what's right for the inn and your family. My suggestions are just that, suggestions. You're free to accept some of them or reject all of them. But I assure you, everyone who has implemented my changes has seen an increase in income. A significant increase. That's the reason your parents reached out to me. I'm good at what I do."

"I appreciate your confidence. I just hope you can deliver for us." Malcolm turned and walked away, and I felt unsettled.

The brothers seemed to want me to support Boone, but I had to do what was right for the business overall. There were many considerations—cost, speed, and efficiency—that went into my decision. I wouldn't recommend something that would be impossible to implement or too expensive.

I blew out a breath and tried to refocus on the snow room. This was the only thing that I felt strongly about, which meant I had to recommend it. I felt so strongly that this was the right direction to go in.

I could envision the room upstairs filled with snow. Boone would be involved in building the benches and trees. No matter what I decided about the furniture, he'd have this. I was including his work in the snow room's design. Surely he'd appreciate that.

I cleaned up my things and went to the storage room to take measurements, then ended up at the atrium. It was a room off the main dining room that was all windows, with comfortable seating and a fountain. From my understanding, it was used for parties. Otherwise, guests could relax in this room and enjoy the view.

Throughout the day, coffee and hot chocolate were offered in the lobby, and cookies were set out in the afternoon. I grabbed a couple of cookies, and Hattie's hot cocoa, then spread out on one of the tables.

I wanted to design a mock-up of the room. I opened the software and got to work.

It was dark by the time I looked up from my design. The room was on the screen, and I was pleased with the result. It included several benches and tree stumps with larger trees, all covered in snow.

"That's the snow room?" Boone said from behind me.

I turned to find him standing just off my left shoulder, staring at my computer screen. "Boone. What are you doing here?"

His hands were tucked into his jeans pockets. "Malcolm said you've been working most of the day."

"I had lunch with your mom. Then I measured the room upstairs so that I could see what it would look like. I wanted to create the design so I could show it to everyone. It helps to have a visual." I scrolled through a few photographs of other snow rooms so that he could get an idea of options. Then I returned to the design for the inn's room.

He considered the screen. "I can see the appeal."

I looked up at him. "You can?"

"I don't see why we'd need one in Colorado though."

I sighed. "I really think this is what you need. Can you imagine the pictures in the winter when it's snow outside and inside?"

"Yeah, but you could just go outside," he insisted.