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CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Kristie’s cousin must have really wanted a job because she called Tides first thing the next morning and arranged to come in for an interview.
They were sitting in the dining room, which was still much the same as it had been when Jane’s grandparents were alive. A long mahogany table was set up in the middle, surrounded by smaller round tables. The walls, covered in floral wallpaper, boasted gilt-framed paintings and floor-to-ceiling windows with the drapes pulled back to expose the ocean view. A heavily carved server, where Brenda set out the breakfast dishes when the inn was full, sat along one wall. Since the only people in the dining room this morning were Jane, Liz, and Brenda, they hadn’t bothered with setting things out. The three of them had eaten in the kitchen. Brenda’s frittatas loaded with the tomatoes from Liz’s garden had been delicious, and Jane was very full.
Stacy sat across the table from Jane. She was an interesting individual with lots of piercings and tattoos. Jane didn’t really mind them, but her guests skewed older, and she wondered if that might be a problem. Not to mention she was wearing a ripped T-shirt and shorts. Jane hadn’t thought about having a dress code, but perhaps she should mention the idea.
“Do you have any experience with registering guests? Maybe a motel or something?” Jane asked.
Stacy blew a bubble and then sucked it in and continued chomping as she answered. “I was head hostess at the Waffle House.”
“Head hostess? That’s great.” Jane was trying to be positive. “Though I suppose it’s a little different than checking guests into their rooms, still I’m sure you could be trained.”
Stacy laughed. “Trained? It hardly seems like you need to be a rocket scientist.”
Jane frowned. Wasn’t that a little mean? “Still, there are some things to learn. How do you feel about working weekends?”
Stacy looked taken aback. “Weekends? I thought this was just part-time?”
“It is, but that includes weekends. I’ll be here mostly during the week, and we need someone to fill in a few afternoons and on weekends.”
Stacy chomped her gum harder. “I don’t know about that. I have a lot of plans on the weekends.”
Jane set the sparse resume Stacy had given her on the table and sat back in her chair. “Perhaps this job isn’t a good fit for you, then?”
Stacy’s face changed as if she was just realizing the same thing. “Yeah, maybe not. But I really need a job. Is there any way you could change the hours for me?”
“Afraid not. We really need someone on the weekends.” Jane stood, hoping Stacy would follow her lead. “I have your number, though, and if we change our minds, I’ll call you.”
“Oh. Okay. Thanks.”
She walked Stacy out and then collapsed into one of the chairs in the parlor. Cooper trotted along behind her and sat looking up at her with sympathy in his eyes.
“Yeah, that wasn’t what I expected either.” Jane rubbed behind his ears.
Andie stuck her head into the parlor. “Was that your interviewee?”
“Yep.”
“That bad, huh?”
Jane sighed. Maybe she was expecting too much? “I guess I don’t know what my expectations are. She seemed kind of young.”
“Well, if that’s what she wears to an interview, things have changed a lot since I interviewed.” Andie sat on the sofa across from her. “Maybe we need to set some guidelines? What exactly are we looking for?”
“Well, definitely someone responsible. Some kind of experience would be a plus, but I think the job is pretty easy to learn.”
Andie nodded. “And somebody who has a pleasant demeanor for the guests.”
“Right, and maturity.”
“And can make decisions without calling us all the time.”
“Agreed.” Jane felt better. “What brings you here?”
“I was just on my way to the library and figured I’d stop in and see if you needed anything. I’m going to look up the genealogy on the Civil War guy.”
“That’s a good idea. Hope you find something.”
