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Josie lowered her voice so as not to be overheard. “Besides being a total grump...he’s the new owner of the inn.”
“Oh.” Sara’s eyes reflected her confusion. “But how? Who is he?”
“He’s Sandra’s nephew.”
“Nephew? I never heard her mention him. In fact, she used to say she didn’t have any family.”
Josie shrugged. “I know, but obviously she did. I don’t know the story, and he isn’t exactly the chatty type.”
Sara’s brows drew together as she pondered this new information. “Well, he’s going to keep the place, right?”
Just then a couple of guests started in their direction, saving Josie from a slew of questions she didn’t have answers to. “I don’t know. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
Sara nodded in understanding, while her eyes said she still had unanswered questions. She wasn’t alone. Josie worried they weren’t going to like his answers.
She made her way to her office, closing the door behind her. The employees knew when her door was shut, which wasn’t very often, not to disturb her. She needed some time to think. Everything was happening so fast. First, they lost Sandra so unexpectedly, and now there was a new owner they didn’t know.
She sat down in her chair. Her mind raced with all the tasks she should be tending to. The plumbing emergency that morning had totally put her behind schedule. Her gaze strayed across that envelope from the attorney. It looked like they were too late to forewarn her about the eventual appearance of the inn’s new owner.
Still she was curious to see if they had anything else to say—anything that might help her keep the inn in business, even if Lane decided to sell it. As it was, the employees had come to her with the idea of pulling their money and buying the place. She didn’t know if it was feasible, but at this point she wasn’t turning down any ideas.
She turned the envelope over and pulled on the tab. Inside were paper clipped sheets of paper. The top sheet was from the attorney with a note of condolence and a note that all of Sandra’s personal property, including the house, now belonged to her nephew.
The next sheet was a letter from Sandra. This was unexpected. Josie was eager to read her dear friend’s final words. And so when her phone rang, she let it go to voicemail.
My dearest Josephine:
If you are reading this, it means I have moved on and left you the responsibility for the inn. And if you’re in possession of this letter, it also means I haven’t reconciled with my estranged twin sister. I know I never mentioned her. It is easier that way. The split between us was deep and painful. It is best left in the past.
I want you to know that I look upon you as a daughter. You have brought my life such joy. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.
And it’s for that reason, I’m leaving you my fifty percent of the inn. My sister still owns the other half. She was too stubborn to sell it to me. I know this will put you in a difficult position with my family, and for that I apologize. But I know you’ll do what is best for the inn and its dear employees. I trust you.
But I have to caution you not to let the inn take over your life like I let happen after my dear Frank passed on all of those years ago. You’re young with an exciting future ahead of you. Make the most of your life so when you get to be my age, you aren’t looking back on your life with regrets. Find balance, even as impossible a task that might be.
I wish you the very best. Thank you for being the daughter and friend that lit up my days.
I love you,
Sandra
Josie swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks. She never knew Sandra had viewed her as a daughter. Sure, they had been close, but Sandra had never been one to go on about her feelings.
Josie missed her friend so much it hurt. And that was why it took her a moment to realize what her friend’s letter had just told her. Her gaze searched out the words. She read them again and again.
Fifty percent.
Fifty percent!
FIFTY PERCENT.
The two words whirled around in Josie’s mind at a dizzying pace. She now owned half of the Brass Anchor Inn. She was utterly shocked. Josie leaned back in her desk chair. Sandra had never let on that she was leaving the inn—or rather half of the inn—to her.
The reason for her newfound ownership dampened her joy.
She’d gladly give back the inn to have a little more time with Sandra. They’d spent many hours out in the solarium with cups of tea while going over the inn’s financial reports and discussing life in general.
Sandra wasn’t one to let things around the inn become stagnant. She believed to remain successful, you had to constantly pivot. You had to give people what they were looking for while maintaining the inn’s heritage and historical integrity.
