Beneath the windows, shelves lined the walls, cluttered with jars of powdered pigments in impossibly beautiful colors like cobalt blue, amber, emerald, and ruby red. Near the staircase, Felix had enclosed a large space for the guinea pigs to play while he worked. The wire was a work of art itself, built from leftover bits and pieces, smoothed down for safety.
In the living room, they sat together as the rain poured, a buffet of snacks spread across the coffee table. Demarien, Puck, and Milo were showing baby bumps, obviously. Puck’s was much bigger than either Demarien's or Milo’s, which he complained about daily.
Milo put his bowl of Cheetos down and cleared his throat. “The family meeting begins now. Felix, are you taking notes?”
The smaller man rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Get going already.”
“Let it be noted that we have new members.” Milo smiled widely at Boone and Haley. “Welcome to our family.” He tossed a Cheeto at Patrick. “You too, lover boy.”
Patrick grinned and ate the snack. “You know you love me, Milo.”
“Okay.” Milo clapped his hands. “First, are we ready to open the restaurant for Sunday brunch?”
“Brunch,” Puck said, shuddering. “I hate brunch. What even is it?”
“We are ready.” Demarien squeezed Boone’s hand in excitement. “The indoor seating in the old dining room and sitting room is ready. The outdoor covered seating is ready too,but I don’t see us using it this time of the year.” He leaned into Boone. “The kitchen is ready, and Haley is set to work that day.”
The young woman had started working for them shortly after Thanksgiving. With her help, the inn was beginning to resemble an inn, and the restaurant was ready to go. Sunday brunches would be a test run until the inn opened fully in April.
“Sammie and Wilma-Jean have both called and tried to make a reservation for opening day,” Demarien said, laughing. “I told them they didn’t have to and that there would always be seats for them.”
Milo smiled softly. “Good. The town has been supportive for the most part, just a little freaked out with the whole dead body and theft thing. I think brunch will be successful. The website is up as well.” He paused dramatically. “We have our first booking. Yes, it’s Joe, but still. The site just went up yesterday. The advertisements I’ve arranged begin next week. Fingers crossed we fill up.”
His smile faded. “Now for the bad news.”
Demarien sat up straight. “What bad news? The place is almost ready for inspection, and we will start on Puck’s cabin next week. Good news only.”
“I finally got access to Aunt Dahlia’s accounts. Well, the largest one. I was already on several smaller ones, but this one was where all her investments went.”
“How is that bad news?” Puck asked. “Aunt Dahlia was loaded. I think.”
“She should have had over a million dollars in the account.” Milo shifted uncomfortably. “I meant it to be padding to help us get through our first year and to make up for all the renovations we needed to do. All of us have spent most of our savings getting this place up and running.”
“We knew what we were getting into,” Felix said quietly. “Well, mostly.”
“The account is empty,” Milo said bluntly. “Someone completely emptied it the day she died.”
“Who would do that?” Demarien asked, anger bubbling.
“It would be safer to say who wouldn’t do that in my family.” Milo sighed. “Activity in her other accounts shows she sent money to the estate manager to maintain the house and grounds. I think Bernard likely had something to do with it. He clearly embezzled money from Aunt Dahlia.” He looked worn out. “We all sunk our savings into this. If it doesn’t work, we’re officially screwed.”
“At least we’ll all still have homes,” Felix pointed out with a pained smile.
“But it’s going to work,” Haley said, voice soft. “I know it will.”
“Haley’s right.” Puck nodded. “Our inn is going to be the best on the western coast, and our kids are going to grow up happy and safe together.”
“Yes.” Milo nodded. “You’re right. It has to work.”
“How could it not?” Demarien stated with more certainty than he felt. “We’re doing this together. With all of us invested, it will definitely work.”
“I have some savings –” Boone began.
“No,” Demarien interrupted him. “We can do this.”
“I also have –” Patrick started.
“What did I just say?” Demarien interrupted him, too. “We. Can. Do. This.”
