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“That’s kind of spooky,” Lily said. “I’ve heard things about twins being intrinsically linked. I wonder if this was something like that because I never knew Sandra to have poor health.” She turned to Josie. “Did she?”
Josie shook her head. “She was always healthy.”
“I think it has something to do with the twin thing,” Lily said conclusively.
“But they weren’t even close,” Hannah countered.
Lily shrugged. “Some things are unexplainable.”
Lucy stopped by the table with pen and paper in hand. “Are you ready to order?”
“What’s the soup today?” Lily asked.
“We have chicken noodle and chili.” Lucy’s pen poised over the notepad.
They all ended up having a cup of chicken noodle soup with a side salad. Once their order was placed, both of her friends turned to her with inquisitive looks. Josie knew what was coming—more questions about the inn. She wished she had all the answers. Right now, she had more questions than answers.
“So what’s the nephew like?” Lily asked.
“Is he friendly?” Hannah asked.
Josie toyed with her spoon. “I don’t know him very well. He showed up this morning, and we haven’t talked much. He doesn’t even know who I am. He thinks I’m a receptionist or something.”
Hannah’s brow crinkled. “Why would he think that?”
Josie recounted her chaotic morning and her run-in with Lane. “So, I forgot my vest with my name tag, and he thought the manager was a Joe—you know, a guy.”
Lily smiled. “Wait until he finds out it’s you.”
“That isn’t going to be his only surprise.” Josie paused as Lucy delivered their coffee. Josie added sugar and creamer to her coffee and took a much-needed sip. It had been a long day, and it was so far from over.
Once Lucy moved on, Lily leaned in close. “What’s the surprise?”
Hannah leaned forward too. “Yes. Fill us in.”
A bittersweet smile pulled at Josie’s lips. She really wasn’t prepared for this to get out to the public, and so, she glanced around again. No one was paying them the least bit of attention.
She turned her attention back to her friends. “My family doesn’t even know yet, so this stays between us for now. Okay?” When both of her friends eagerly nodded their heads, she whispered, “Sandra left her half of the inn to me.”
“What!?” Lily’s voice carried throughout the diner.
A silence came over the room as everyone turned in their direction. When Josie sent her friend a frown, Lily stood up. “Sorry. I just couldn’t hear my friend.”
She received a few raised eyebrows before everyone returned to their individual conversations. Lily settled back in her seat and sent Josie a big smile. “That’s so wonderful. How are you so calm about it?”
Josie stirred her coffee. “It’s just that I have mixed emotions about it.”
Lily’s mood deflated. “It is bittersweet with losing Sandra, but it’s great that she thought so much of you that she left you her most cherished possession.”
Josie nodded. “And that’s why I have to make sure the bicentennial celebration is super special. She left a lot of specific instructions for it, but I want to do something to honor her.” She looked from one friend to the other. “And I hope you’ll both be able to make some of the events next week.”
Hannah’s eyes filled with worry. “I’ll do my best, but being short-handed, I might miss some of it.”
“Count me in,” Lily said. “I’ll be there for you.”
“Thank you both.”
Just then their food was delivered. Josie immediately started to eat because she didn’t have much time until her meeting with Lane. And she would not be late. Not a chance.
