The Inn in Rhode Island, page 24
I took in a deep breath. “Oh, Erin. I’m so happy for you.” And I meant it. I was happy for her.
We sat on the porch swing. “I want you to read it. I wanted you to be the first person to know,” she said as a tear slipped from behind her sunglasses.
She handed the envelope to me. I looked at her face as she lifted her sunglasses, and rested them on her head. Her eyes were smiling. I pulled out a single piece of paper that smelled like gardenia and read:
Dear Erin,
I’m so glad you found me. I cried for days when I heard the news of your mother’s passing.
I grew up knowing and loving your mother and your father. They were the sweetest individuals I have ever known.
As you know, they fell in love with each other in middle school. Every day, he would walk her home from school. It was during the eighth grade, when your father stole his first kiss. Or was it the other way around? I often teased the two of them.
A few years after graduation, a longshoreman named Jack asked your father to accompany him to America. He told him he would find him a job. A better paying job. I remember the day as if it were today. I was standing on the dock with your mother. We cried so hard that day. When your father saw us sobbing, he told Jack he was happy working as a dockhand. But Jack said he would pay for your mother’s passage, and your father agreed. I was so happy for them. They were about to live a new life in America.
A few months had passed, and I received a letter telling me of the news. They were expecting their first child. Six months later, I received a telegram letting me know of the infant’s death. A year had gone by without any word. After sending many letters to your mother, she finally told me she could never bear a child. I felt her pain. I loved her so.
By now, I am sure you know the truth. I am the woman who carried you for nine months. Erin, your mother and father loved you before you were born. They wanted you so much. They deserved the gift of a child. I love you, my darling. As I loved my sister.
Love,
Margaret
Tears were streaming down my face. I lifted my eyes. “This is wonderful news!”
With happy tears, she cried. “I was born out of so much love.”
Chapter 57
Erin and I were sitting on the porch when we heard Kevin shout, “Julie, you got a minute?”
“For you, all day,” I replied and then told Erin, “I’m so happy for you.”
We both stood up. “Hi, Kevin!” Erin skipped her way back inside.
Kevin came up onto the porch and asked me, “Do you think it’s too early to put the outdoor furniture out?”
“Whatever you think,” I said.
“Good, because I have a lot more to do this year.”
“More?”
Kevin cocked his head. “Let’s see, I have to stack firewood, put all the brown resin furniture out on the terrace, the white wicker furniture, the porch rockers, the garden benches, and hang five new tree swings.” He scratched his neck with the back of his hand. “And that’s before the new stuff arrives.”
“What new–?”
“Julie, you’re the one who told my wife to order all the furniture and tents for the weddings.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll ask Kourtnee to hire someone to help you.”
“Nah, I just want to be done with it so I can help Dan and Jesse.”
Remembering it was his dream to operate heavy equipment, I said, “I’ll ask Kourtnee to hire someone as soon as possible. In the meantime, you should go and help Dan.”
Kevin smiled. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, now go!”
Kevin flew off the porch. I turned back around and saw an SUV pulling into the driveway. Oh, a Mercedes SUV. I waited for everyone to get out of the vehicle. “Hello, welcome.”
“Hi, we’re checking in for the week,” he said, opening the hatch. “Can you tell?” he laughed and pointed to the luggage.
“Here, let me help you.” I walked over to the vehicle and he handed me two small matching bags. In fact, all the luggage matched. “I’m Julie,” I announced and then smiled back at the little girl with golden hair.
“We’re the O’Briens. You know my wife, Tina,” he said.
“Ahh, yes, you’re a writer.”
“Yes,” she replied, and held out her hand. “I love your inn so much; I demanded we come to Point Judith for our vacation.” Tina put her arm around the little girl. “This is our daughter, Molly, and our sons, Aidan and Connor.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you,” I said.
I opened the door and told Teresa, “This is the O’Brien family.”
She smiled from ear to ear. “Welcome!” Teresa bent down, holding her hands on her knees. “Mommy’s going to write a wonderful story and when she’s ready, we’re going to host a book signing event for her. Are you excited for your Mommy’s new book to come out?”
“Yes, we are! Right, Aiden, Connor and Molly?” Mr. O’Brien agreed.
“Molly?” Teresa smiled. “I used to work with a young lady named Molly. Come on over, your rooms are all set.”
“I’ll see you all later,” I said on my way to Kourtnee’s office.
“What’s up?” she said as I walked in.
“By any chance, do we have any male applicants?”
“Two, one I hired on the spot—”
“Seriously? For what position?” I asked.
“Everything and anything. He said he could do it all. Julie, he needs the work. He lost his job, his wife is pregnant, and they’re evicting them from their apartment.”
“Ooo…”
“I know, right! I asked him if he wanted to park cars or serve cocktails at our weddings. He said both. Then I asked him if he could help Kevin with the yard work.”
“What did he say?”
“Yes, to everything. Thank you!” She raised her eyebrows. “You’re going to love him. He’s a younger version of Michael.”
I smiled.
“Julie,” she said, as she reached back and grabbed a piece of paper, “Guess what?”
“What?”
“I ran an ad for the corporate rooms for next year and got three replies.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep, MetLife, Ford Motor Company and the Dime Savings Bank. They not only booked, they prepaid. I had an idea. Can I show you?”
“Of course,” I said and sat down.
Kourtnee read her idea to me, “Baker’s Confection 1765, White Horse Tavern 1673, Wiley 1807, Seaside Inn 1667, and Shirley Plantation 1613. What do you think a baker, restaurant, publisher, hotel and farm all have in common?”
I grinned from the inside out. “Tell me.”
“They’re some of the oldest businesses in American.”
“I’ve heard of Wiley Publishing. They’re in New Jersey. But…”
She waved her hands at me. “I know how you like to name your rooms.” She grinned from ear to ear. “I thought these names were perfect for the corporate rooms—”
“I love it! Kourtnee, you’re a genius. Seriously. Love, love, love the idea!”
“So, I should order the name plates for the doors right?”
“Umm, yeah!” I said, smiling.
“Sweet!”
“Okay, my sweetness, I have to go into town. Can I get you anything?”
She shook her head.
I got up to leave, stopped in the doorway and said, “Good job!”
When I got in my car, I realized, Kourtnee was the only person I told I was leaving. At the end of the driveway, I called Teresa to let her know I would be back in two hours. I drove to Rose’s office, terrified. I was fifteen minutes early. I sat in the car, wondering why I even called her. It’s not like she could change the past, erase the memories, or stop me from having the same damn nightmare.
As much as I did not wish to go, I got out of the car, opened her door, and went inside. The receptionist smiled at me and said, “Go right in.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
Rose was sitting on the other side of her desk, pouring water into two waiting cups.
“I made us a pot of tea.” Then she sat down in the chair next to mine.
I sat down and she handed me a cup. “Mint. I hope you like it.”
“Yes,” I said, taking the cup from her. “Thank you.”
“Julie, I want you to know you can say anything to me. As with Dan, everything stays in this room. Our—”
“I’m fine,” I said and then shook my head. “Okay, that is one of my biggest faults. I have to learn to stop saying, ‘I’m fine’, when I am not.”
“Most people come to see me when they need calmness, clarity, and structure. You, I’m thinking, are here for reassurance and hope. Am I right?”
Shock had a constricting effect, like a punch in the stomach. She knew what I was after. I blew out a breath and started with, “First, I want to say Dan is great. He’s my world. So this has nothing, okay, maybe something to do with him. I don’t know. All I know is, I can’t shake the feeling. I keep having the same nightmare.”
“How often?” she asked. And I was surprised she didn’t get up and grab her notebook.
“Two to three times a week. Last night, I woke in a puddle of sweat.”
“Tell me about the nightmare,” she asked casually.
“I walk in to the same bedroom and, find Dan making love to another woman.”
“Julie?”
“Rose, I almost didn’t hire a young woman because I was jealous of her.” I looked at her, wondering how many times she caught Dan’s eye. “I don’t want to lose my husband, not again.”
She put her hand on my arm. “I assure you, Dan is going nowhere.” She took back her hand. “You are all he—”
“He talks about. I know, and that is why I’m scared. I don’t want to chase him away because of my jealousy.”
“Julie, often we are quick to blame infidelity for the breakdown of our relationships when indeed it is communication. I understand you not wanting to tell Dan about these nightmares out of fear that he will see it as an act of jealousy. However, you need to open up to him. He can’t help you if he doesn’t know what is keeping you awake at night.”
I closed my eyes for a second, wondering if I should tell her about the figure in the sky. “Sometimes, when I can’t get back to sleep, I get up and look out the window. And when I do, I see Him and I know He is watching over me. Rose, why does God allow us to live in darkness?”
“By Him, you’re referring to God?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Julie, you have suffered a very traumatic experience. Perhaps God wants you to know that no matter what, He is with you.”
I picked up my cup and took a sip. I blew out a long breath. “How do I stop the nightmare?”
Rose held her cup in her lap. “Julie, share with me the most traumatic event during your childhood.”
I laughed.
“What?” Rose gave me a look.
“Now you sound like a therapist,” I said, laughing.
“Huh, and you look… just answer my question,” she scolded.
We both laughed and drank from our cups.
I sat back in my chair, trying to remember. “I was in the second grade. I had forgotten my lunch. My mother made the best lunches. She baked everything from scratch. Cooked all of our meals. I remember two things about that day. I was the only child who could spell Connecticut correctly. And I got caught stealing a cookie from someone’s lunchbox.”
I closed my eyes, remembering the green chalkboard. “The teacher, Mrs. Buck. Yes, that was her real name! I was putting the lunchbox back in the cubby when she caught me eating the cookie. She yelled at me, moved my desk to the front of the room, pushed it up to the chalkboard and made me sit with my back to the entire class for the rest of the school year.”
Rose’s hand went to her heart. “I’m so sorry. As a mother, I am deeply sorry. She was wrong on so many counts.”
I shook my head. “Because of her, I opened a bakery. Every day, I set out a tray of free cookies.” I glanced over at Rose, took a sip of my now cold tea. “With every mistake I learn something new about myself. That was the day I learned how to take a hit.”
Rose stared at me for what seemed like forever. “By the way, I’ve seen Him many times.”
I smiled at her. “Rose, Dan’s not just kind, he’s loving and giving. He has an infectious laugh that rumbles like thunder. To this day, I am still crazy about him. Dan is my soulmate. Why can’t I stop the nightmares?”
“Julie, Dan loves you with all his heart. He knows what he did was wrong.” She inhaled. “Promise me something. Don’t let go of that little girl inside of you.” Rose smiled warmly at me. “Seriously, sleeping is for dreaming. Tell that devil to go to hell!”
I stood up, as did Rose, and we hugged.
I pulled into the inn’s parking lot as my cellphone rang. “Hello,” I said without looking at the caller ID.
“Julie, your truck is ready any time you are,” the man said.
“Oh, my. Thank you. How much do I owe you?” I asked. I wrote the amount down on a piece of paper and went directly into Kourtnee’s office to get a check. Then I found my husband.
“Dan, can you drive me into town?”
“Now?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said trying to contain my excitement.
“Give me thirty minutes,” he said. “Wait for me up at the inn.”
I wandered into the dining rooms and almost had a heart attack. The tables were bare. No one had filled the vases with flowers. I ran to the walk-in cooler and grabbed as many tulips as I could carry. It’s not about the morning muffins or the flowers on the table, it’s about the people. You have to care for your guests. I knew that, but I also knew how to make a room look pretty and welcoming. I liked flowers. They were my strength. Running the inn made my heart sing. I knew how important it was to assign the right duty early, and communicate with my staff about every task. Managing my staff was an inevitable part of the process, especially as the business grew. Keeping an orderly and efficient staff was one of the keys to making sure operations ran smoothly. I filled the last vase, knowing I failed to communicate this one task.
“Are you ready?” Dan asked standing in the doorway.
“I am now,” I said.
When we got into Dan’s truck, I gave him the address. I refused to tell him where we were going, until he read the sign on the side of the truck. As soon as Dan saw my logo, he knew why we were at the restoration garage. My heart lit up seeing the old truck. I had so many plans for the bed of that truck. I was so happy the way the decal turned out. A white anchor in the center. The words: THE INN IN RHODE ISLAND on the top and under the anchor: POINT JUDITH written on the bottom. She was beautiful. Candy apple red. I paid for the work and asked if I could leave Dan’s truck there for a few hours. Then I handed Dan the keys. He drove down to Bay Bluff. He parked near the wild beach roses. I kicked off my flip-flops as Dan turned the radio on. To our right, grasses danced as the wind billowed from north to south. We were holding hands and singing, Sweet Home Alabama. Then he kissed me, jarring me, reminding me why I fell in love with him. I wanted to throttle him, right there out in the open, under blue skies and with a wind that smelled like roses and ocean air. When “Can’t Help Falling In Love” came on the radio, I sang every word to Dan. When I stopped singing, Dan smiled warmly at me and I thought he was going to cry when I said, “You’re the only man I ever loved.”
We drove back to Classic Restorations and picked up Dan’s truck. I offered to drive his truck, but he insisted I drive my new restored classic. Before I got out of his truck, Dan reached for my arm. “That’s the most beautiful Ford, I’ve ever laid my eyes on. I’m so proud of you.” He kissed me and I melted once again. “I love you so much.” Then he smiled and said, “That’s a great truck!”
I leaned over and kissed him. “As soon as I saw the old F100, I knew I had to have it.” I winked at him. “I’m planning on transporting a lot of flowers in that truck bed. Right after I take a picture of it in front of the inn.”
Chapter 58
Dan left the cottage immediately after sunrise. Last night, I could hear the excitement in his voice as he spoke about excavating the last cellar hole. I laughed when he said Gina Marie’s men were not normal. They were working machines. Jesse was super excited to see his log cabin erected. Frank called me again to say hello and to check on the progress of the cottages. I was heartbroken when he told me, “I had a setback. I won’t be home until next week.”
“Frank, I love you. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
It was seven-thirty-five and that meant I had ten minutes to get up to the inn. We had more than our normal amount of children running around. Teresa said they were here for the Springtime Family Fun week at the Confreda Greenhouse and Farms.
I ran up to the inn. Despite Sherry and Kourtnee telling me they could handle serving breakfast, I needed something to do. I was worried sick about Frank. When I entered the lobby, Teresa told me we were having a family picnic down in the orchard at lunchtime.
“Who came up with that idea?” I pointed to the dining room full of people laughing and children asking for more.
“No one will be here for lunch. We checked. Besides, you know Michael. He has his team on standby.”
“It is gorgeous outside.”
In the small dining room, I met the new young man, Robert. I could see why Kourtnee thought he reminded her of Michael. He smiled when he spoke. “Thank you for helping Kevin with the outdoor furniture,” I said.
“You’re welcome, ma’am, thank you for the job. I appreciate it.”
The morning went off without a snag.
Under delicate blossoms of pink and white flowers, we all gathered in the orchard. Delilah was sitting on a blue blanket, laughing as Kyle tapped her on the head, saying, “Goose, goose, duck.” Instead of duck, duck, goose.
Kourtnee, Erin, Cathy and Amanda sat in Adirondack chairs sipping Moscato. I smiled at them when I saw the size of the wine bottle.
