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CHAPTER THIRTY
BROOKE
Brooke sat with her cousins in the office, the checklist in her hand. “Okay, time to get serious. Charlie, you want to go ahead and order the soft goods for the rooms. That would mean bedspreads, towels, and sheets. Right?”
Charlotte nodded and handed her the list she’d drawn up of expenses for those items. “I want to get this done as soon as possible so we can photograph the updated rooms.”
“I’ve pulled together a list of bathroom accessories like soap dishes and toothbrush holders and the like,” said Brooke. “Small, inexpensive things but needed.”
“I’ve been searching Craig’s List for some furniture I thought we could use for the gathering room,” said Livy. “I’ve also found a commercial ice maker there for a more than fair price. I’d like to call today to get it.”
Brooke consulted her list. “Okay, let’s go ahead and do the linens for the rooms, the ice maker for the kitchen, and the freezer that Livy found online the other day. After we get those items, we’ll reassess for other things. This afternoon, I’m going to a couple of consignment shops I’ve heard about. I saw a wooden card table we could use for games in the gathering room. The old table needs refinishing.”
“Good luck.” Charlotte stood. “Sorry to run off, but I promised Granny Liz I’d stay with Shane for a while this morning. She insists on having someone on hand to make him take it easy. I’ll place a call to the hotel supplier in Miami and order what we want. We’ve already agreed to have his company provide linen service.”
“Before you go,” said Brooke, “one more thing. Livy wants to have Sunday off. We’ll have eight couples here. Billy Bob will handle the kitchen, but one of us needs to be here to welcome guests. Are you game to do it, Charlie? I promised Skye I’d go with her to Disney World on Saturday. I know we’ll be exhausted by the time we get home late Saturday night, and I’ll want to sleep in.”
“Sure, I’ll do it, but I think we’d better draw up a schedule so we all have the freedom to do what we want within reason,” said Charlotte. “This business is tough. That’s why I want to think of ways to make things easy for Gran or whoever takes over the Inn.” She paused and gave Brooke a steady look. “I’m not sure how we’re going to work it out, but I, too, want to keep it in the family.”
“Definitely,” said Livy. “That’s why we’re staying for the summer, isn’t it? Maybe even beyond that.”
“That’s the hope,” said Brooke.
Charlotte gave her a saucy smile. “Have fun with Adam at Disney World.”
Livy nudged her. “Skye is a convenient excuse for being with her hot father.”
Brooke shook her head. “Not going to happen. Adam is a wounded warrior not about to get serious about anyone. He told me straight out.”
“Too bad,” said Livy, “because Skye loves you.”
“I know. That’s why Adam and I are playing it cool. We don’t want her to get any wrong ideas.” Brooke knew she was right, but it still hurt. For the first time in forever, she was comfortable with a man. Maybe because she had no expectations beyond being with an old childhood friend.
