“Anyway, the reason I wanted to stop by was to personally thank Jules for showing us that boutique hotel magazine website. It’s been a huge help. Guess I’ll have to wait until they open up.”
“Maybe not. I invited Jules over to see the work we did.” Andie glanced at her watch. “She should be here any minute.”
Two seconds later, Jules pulled in, and Emily immediately thanked her for her help.
“It was nothing, really. I’ve always loved this house. I’m glad you’re fixing it up.” Jules glanced at the house. “To be honest, I was hoping for a peek inside. Can I see the units?”
“Of course!”
Emily took them around to the separate entrance on the side of the porch, talking over her shoulder to them the whole way.
“We made a separate foyer, one that only leads to the two units. I’ve finally sold my house, so I’m moving into the main house, and this way, I won’t be disturbed by guests. There are digital locks, so I don’t even need to check them in or anything. And look!” she said, motioning to the side as soon as they stepped through the door. “The best part is here—the secret stairway!”
Jules leaned around her and looked up the stairs. “It goes to a hidden room in the attic, right? That is very cool. I think your guests will love seeing this little slice of history. The motel I managed didn’t have anything half so interesting as this.”
“Why did you stop doing it? Was it a pain to handle?” Emily asked, then a little laugh escaped. “I’m sorry for prying, but I can’t help but think I might regret getting myself into this.”
Jules sighed. “Oh, no, it wasn’t that. I actually loved the day-to-day running of the motel, but I guess I didn’t do a very good job. It went out of business.”
Andie sensed a change in Jules. When Jules had first mentioned the motel to Andie a few weeks ago, she’d had the distinct impression Jules was too leery to get back into the guest hospitality business, but now, she saw a little spark—a hint of longing in her eyes that became more when Emily showed her the finished unit.
“We got all the décor, like these brass beehive candlesticks and the four-poster bed, from the house,” Emily said.
The room had been decorated with an eye toward balance, with a handful of antiques interspersed throughout to remind visitors of a time gone before while also offering up all the usual expected modern conveniences—things like a full fridge, stove, and custom granite counters. Andie thought the bathrooms, in particular, would rival those of any upscale hotel.
“Wow, this is fantastic! I feel like I’ve just stepped into a magazine,” Jules said. “If I was uncertain before, seeing this took it all away. Seeing what you’ve done here makes me eager to get back into the business.”
Andie glanced at Emily. Maybe the two of them could work something out? But Emily had set things up here as an Airbnb with minimal guest contact because she didn’t want the day-to-day work of running an inn. Jules, however, might thrive on it.
Emily must have had the same thought, because she said, “Well, maybe I could—”
“Oh, no! I wasn’t fishing for a job.” Jules quickly cut her off. She shrugged as if to downplay the importance of her explanation. “The truth is, my grandmother had several motels. Apparently she’s left me one.”
“She has? Where?” Andie could tell Jules was excited about the prospect of starting over with her own motel, and she was excited for her.
“It’s in Shell Cove. I think it’s in a bit of disrepair.” Jules glanced around. “But seeing the miracles you’ve all wrought here, I’m starting to think I could bring it back to life.”
“What about your cousins?” Andie asked. “Did she leave them to all of you?”
Jules frowned. “I don’t think so. I got a letter from Gram’s lawyer yesterday. It didn’t mention anything about my cousins. I meet with him next week to find out more, but... I mean, I’m not even sure it’s something I want to do. Should I?”
“Of course you should!”
Andie and Emily had blurted out the same response, but it was Andie who reached out to put a hand on Jules’s shoulder and said, “A person doesn’t get too many chances in life for a do-over. This could be yours. Don’t let it slip away without even trying.”
There was still uncertainty in Jules’s eyes, and Andie knew she was thinking about her last attempt and how it had ended in failure.
“Look, even though things didn’t work out at the last motel, you must have learned a lot, right? All that knowledge can be put to making this motel a huge success.”
Jules’s attention drifted to the windows, and she stared through the light curtains shifting in the breeze to the ocean below. She was silent for a few moments. Then, as if having come to a decision, she nodded. “You know what? I think you’re right.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jules took a deep breath and knocked on her Aunt Mary’s front door, ignoring the dread she felt over the news she had to deliver. She loved working with Mary and appreciated everything her aunt had done for her. But if she was going to give a real effort to bring back the motel in Shell Cove, she’d have to quit the hair salon. She just hoped her aunt didn’t see it as a slap in the face after all Mary had done for her.
Carolyn answered the door, her face breaking into a smile when she saw who was there. “Jules! It’s so nice to see you again.”
Jules hugged her, feeling a little relief knowing Carolyn was here. She was happy Mary and her daughter had reconnected, and it looked like Carolyn was taking very good care of her mother. Maybe her news wouldn’t be quite so difficult to deliver with Carolyn here.
