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It was nearly twelve hours later now, and yes, I was concerned about letting my walls down, but I hadn’t yet figured out what to do about it. I hadn’t had time.
Thanks to feeling renewed by a night of decent sleep, my day had been crazy productive. I’d done the research on management systems, found three companies that sold and installed them, and made appointments for two of them to come pitch to me and, hopefully, save my sanity. I’d interviewed someone for a front desk position, of which I needed three or four, and liked her so much I’d offered her a job on the spot. She promised to give me an answer by Monday. Having a second desk clerk would make a world of difference.
After the interview, I’d met with Halstead about the ongoing maintenance projects, many of which he’d wanted to tackle for months, but my aunt had held him off because she didn’t want to spend the extra money. We’d prioritized the list, figured out a means of paying for parts and supplies and extra labor where necessary, and he’d gone off to work, happy to finally be able to dig in. His brother-in-law was a roofer and had come out to give us an estimate on that project.
Finally, I’d booked an airline ticket from LA back to Nashville after my Stream meeting next week. Giving in to the need to spend more time in Dragonfly Lake so that I could handle the Honeysuckle Inn thoroughly and more effectively had helped alleviate some of the pressure that’d been crushing me since I arrived.
So far, I’d had two inquiries about the management position, but neither person was remotely qualified, so the biggest piece of the puzzle still loomed. I had to believe I’d find the right person soon.
I was sitting behind the front desk, where I’d done the majority of my work today, pulling double duty, when the main door opened and Magnolia walked in. Her hair was up in a messy bun, face made up lightly, and she wore a cute summer dress.
“Hello,” I said as she entered and let the door close behind her.
“Hi, Ava.” She smiled, but I read nervousness behind it, which made me curious. We’d spent a lot of time together yesterday with the Diamonds, so there was no reason for her to be uneasy. “Do you have a few minutes?”
I glanced at the time on my phone. “I actually do. I’m stuck here until Loretta spells me for dinner again.”
“You must be so tired after yesterday and covering the desk all the time and, well, everything.”
“It’s been a hard week, but sleep makes all the difference in the world.”
She sighed wistfully as she walked up to the opposite side of the counter. “Isn’t that the truth? Funerals are so hard, and they wipe you out.” She paused to take in a breath. “Um, I brought something for you.” She held out a small rectangular package wrapped in apple-green burlap with an intricate ribbon in yellow and a sprig of live watermelon-colored flowers tucked into it.
“That’s gorgeous,” I said.
“It’s for you, a practical thing I thought you might need after yesterday.” She seemed embarrassed for some reason, so I took the package and smiled gratefully.
“Are you sure you want me to mess this up?” I indicated the wrapping, which was unlike anything I’d ever seen.
“Of course. Rip away. That’s what it’s there for.”
“It’s just so pretty. I’m a terrible wrapper. My presents usually gape at the corners and need extra tape. I’d never think to add flowers but I love this.” I carefully pulled out the stems, mindful not to let any of the small petals get caught up in the ribbon. “I’ll put these in water. I love the color.”
“Aren’t they pretty? I got them at Oopsie Daisies. I thought the colors were cheery and summery.”
Setting the stems aside for now, I slid the ribbon off the package, then removed the burlap wrap to find a box of hand-painted thank-you cards.
“Oh…” I swallowed down on the unexpected emotions the kind, super-appropriate gift elicited. “Yes. God yes. I have a list on my phone… So many people I need to thank, but I hadn’t gotten this far yet. Thank you.” I opened the box and my breath caught at the gorgeous floral designs on the cards. “Wow. You have such good taste. These are beautiful.”
With a nervous laugh, Magnolia said, “We carry them at the Lily Pad. A local artist keeps us supplied.” She shrugged. “It’s just a little thing I hoped would help.”
“Actually kind of a big thing. I have no idea when I would finally get around to remembering to order cards. This is so thoughtful.”
They were almost too pretty to write on, but I would. I absolutely would. So many people in this little town had gone out of their way to help me, from the Diamonds to Olivia from the bakery, who’d thought to bring donuts for my guests, to the mayor, who’d given the most touching eulogy for my aunt yesterday.
“I hope it takes one little thing off your plate,” Magnolia said. She shifted from one foot to the other. “And this is more self-serving, and I swear the cards weren’t to bribe you…”
I replaced the top on the box and glanced up at her, confused.
She blew out a nervous breath. “I heard you’re hiring front desk people. Like for an actual job. I’m interested.”
“Oh. You heard right, but I thought you already had a job? Are you looking to switch?” My interest was sparked. It wasn’t every day the right person walked in at the right time.
“I work at the Lily Pad, but we close at five. I was thinking I could do a shift from, say, six or seven until Deshon comes in.”
Deshon was working ten to six tonight. I was grateful he was able to make it in, his family healthy again. It was getting to the point where I had to admit I couldn’t do it all, even short-term.
“Want to sit down and talk?” I asked.
