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CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Victoria Weathers showed up at Tides precisely on time for her interview. She was an older woman who wore a crisp white blouse and navy slacks. Her gray hair was cut short and fluffed on the sides. She had dark eyes that darted around, taking in every detail.
She’d accepted the offer of a cup of tea. Now she was perched on Grandma Miller’s blue velvet wingback chair in the small sitting room on the south side of the inn, holding the dainty cup, pinkie extended.
Jane settled into the carved mahogany sofa across from her and looked over the woman’s resume. At least hers had plenty of relevant experience. She didn’t have any experience running a hotel, but Tides was a small operation, and the experience she did have as a housemother at a girls’ school and as a nanny was along the same lines.
“So, Mrs. Weathers… or should I call you Victoria?” Jane smiled at the woman.
“Mrs. Weathers is fine. I think a level of formality is appropriate here, don’t you?”
Jane’s smile dimmed. This one seemed like a real fun person to have around. But Jane wouldn’t be here when Mrs. Weathers was watching the inn, so maybe she should let that go. “Of course.”
Mrs. Weathers gestured toward the resume. “As you can see, I have plenty of experience. I’m known for being responsible and prompt. You can call the references if you’d like.”
“Great. So why did you leave your last job as…” Jane glanced down to the last job on the list. Nanny for the Rivers family in the next town over. “A nanny?”
“The children grew up. They were such lovely little cherubs. And so well-behaved. Mostly due to my influence, even if I do say so myself.” Mrs. Weathers practically inflated with pride.
“I see. And why do you think working at Tides will be a good fit?”
“Well, it’s part-time, which suits me, as I’m semi-retired.” She glanced around the room as if taking inventory. “And I know how to take care of things and treat people.”
“And you don’t mind greeting them and answering phones?”
“Not at all. I’m very efficient and run a tight ship.” Her eyes fell on Cooper, who had trotted in and sat on the floor next to Jane. “Oh, you allow dogs?”
Jane’s hand dropped to pat Cooper, who thumped his tail against the leg of the coffee table, apparently unaware of Mrs. Weathers’s disapproval. “Guests love him.”
Mrs. Weathers said nothing, but her brows rose a notch. “Oh, well, it seems a little… unsanitary.” Her eyes fell on the cut glass candy dish loaded with chocolate kisses, and Jane felt more disapproval radiating from the woman.
“No one has complained about Cooper. People love the little candies we leave around, and sometimes we have cookies out in the foyer when guests are checking in.” Jane was proud of the little extras they offered at Tides.
Mrs. Weathers shifted in her seat. “I see. All those hands touching the food seems a little risky, don’t you think?”
“Risky?” Seemed like Mrs. Weathers was a germaphobe and maybe a little bit strict. Jane already thought she might not be a good fit.
“Germs. But I suppose people do like food. Speaking of which, your pamphlet says you provide lodging and breakfast. No other meals?” Mrs. Weathers took the Tides brochure out of her purse, as if she needed to remind Jane about her own pamphlet. Jane added “condescending” to her list of dislikes about the woman.
“Sometimes we have a light snack in the afternoon, and if there’s a special event, we might offer a meal, depending on the event.”
“And would I be expected to serve the guests?” Mrs. Weathers’s facial expression suggested that she considered serving food a most unpleasant task.
“We usually do a buffet, and guests serve themselves, but sometimes Brenda—she’s our cook—or I walk around to top off the coffees and make sure everything runs smoothly. I find it’s nice to chat with the guests. Those personal touches make for good word of mouth about the place when people get back home.”
Mrs. Weathers wore a look that indicated she was considering the matter. “I suppose it must. What time precisely do you put breakfast out?”
“Brenda usually gets the buffet loaded up around eight and keeps bringing dishes out as needed until ten.” Jane was starting to feel like she was the one being interviewed for a job.
“What is the menu? Do you have a sample?” Mrs. Weathers glanced at the credenza that was set against the wall as if expecting to find menus there.
“We don’t have a menu per se. We offer the basics that most people like and a bit of whatever Brenda feels like making.”
“Sounds a bit unorganized.” Mrs. Weathers pursed her lips. “So there are no other meals or duties? Laundry? Lugging bags upstairs? Cleaning?”
“We have a maid, people take their own bags up, and I use a laundry service, so none of that. Sometimes we might have an event that involves a small party or extra food.”
“Yes, I’ve heard you do weddings. Would more be expected of me during those times?”
They’d had one wedding, but Jane had gotten a few queries for more next summer. “Not really. There might be a rush of people checking in the few days before the wedding, but I’d probably make sure either me or my sister, Andie, was on duty to help.”
“Very good. Well, it is a lovely place you have, and the location can’t be beat. It really is perfect for weddings, and the family heirlooms and antique furniture add a nice touch.” Mrs. Weathers’s compliment appeared genuine.
Jane smiled. Maybe Mrs. Weathers wasn’t so bad after all.
They each asked a few more questions, and Mrs. Weathers was quite pleasant. As the interview drew to a close, however, Jane had the sinking feeling that she wasn’t the right candidate. She wanted so badly to tell Mike that she’d hired someone before this situation caused a problem between them. As it was, she’d just had to turn down a lunch invitation from him. While he hadn’t said anything about that, she’d sensed his frustration. She didn’t want to ruin their relationship. He was important to her, but Tides was important too.
