At the mention of Damien, Andie’s enthusiasm waned.
“Don’t you girls worry about him,” Sally urged, her tone filled with encouragement and a hint of mischief. Her lips curved in a secretive half smile, she winked at Andie. “Mary down at Curlz is going to make sure he doesn’t mess things up for you.”
Chapter Thirty
Andie wasn’t sure what Mary had up her sleeve to convince Damien to let Emily’s inspection pass, but she meant to find out.
After she’d left Emily’s, there was still some daylight left, so Andie decided to stop by Tides on the way home to update Jane on the day’s events and to pick some flowers to drop off at the hair salon.
“I saw Mom after dinner, and she was tuckered out but happy,” Jane said as soon as Andie got out of her car. “She and Sadie were getting along like best friends. Mom was reading to her. Can you believe that?”
Andie smiled as she swung the car door closed then looked up at Jane. “Let me guess,The Mystery at Lilac Inn?”
“Yes!” Jane’s eyes went wide. “How did you know?”
“I’ll tell you when we get to the garden,” Andie said, tugging her sister forward.
While Andie selected flowers out of the backyard garden, carefully cutting the stems with a pair of shears Jane kept handy, she recounted for her sister what had happened at the inn with Addie and Sadie.
Jane walked beside her and listened, occasionally holding out the basket to collect the cut stems. “Finding that hidden stairway must have been exciting.”
Taking the flowers to a potting bench near the spigot, Jane absently arranged the Shasta daisies, black-eyed Susans, and monarda in a Mason jar filled with water. “I’ve heard Mom talk about it, but I thought it was just her faulty memory.”
“Me too. It’s pretty cool.” Andie laughed. “I think Emily was pretty shocked to realize she’d lived there her whole childhood and never found it.”
Jane handed the bouquet to Andie. “Those secret stairs will add a lot of interest to the rentals.”
Andie nodded. “It’s a great hook for us to use. Thanks for your advice on that, for the ad.”
“I’m happy to help.”
Following her sister inside, Andie set the jar of flowers on the counter and went to the sink to wash her hands.
“So, when is she going to be able to rent them?”
“Sally and Shane will be done in three weeks.” Andie dried her hands on a printed dish towel and frowned. “But we still have to pass the inspection.”
Jane made a face. “Is Damien the inspector?”
“Probably. I’m not sure. How many does the town have?”
“A couple, I think. Maybe you can request someone other than him?” Jane suggested.
“Maybe I’m worrying for nothing. Sally and Shane do top-notch work. Everything looks great so far, and by the time they are done, the inn will look amazing. There should be no reason for it not to pass.”
“I know that, and you know that,” Jane assured her. “But Damien seems sneaky, judging by what you told me he pulled at the inspection for the auction.”
“Sally said not to worry. She seemed to think Mary was going to persuade him to be nice.”
“Mary at Curlz? Hmm…” Chuckling, Jane shook her head. “Well, you know those hairdressers. They always seem to know everyone’s secrets. Maybe she has something on Damien we don’t know about?”
“That’s what I was thinking. Hoping, actually.” Andie picked up the jar of flowers and held out her free hand, motioning for a goodbye hug from Jane. “I’ve gotta get going. I want to drop in at Curlz before they close for the night.”
Mary was just finishing up with her last client when Andie arrived bearing the arrangement of flowers. Jules was waiting behind the checkout desk in the reception area, and her face perked up instantly at the sight of them.
“These are so pretty!” Jules took the vase from her and placed it on a table in the corner of their small but cozy waiting area.
“Thank you. I just picked them from the garden at Tides.” Andie smiled. “I thought you two might enjoy having another bright spot in your day.”
