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He got to his feet and paced. “Who are these people that will be designing the rooms?”
“Guests that have been coming here for years. We sent out the invites a few months ago. We drew twelve names but only heard back from eleven of them.”
“So you’re short one couple.”
“Actually, it’s two couples now. Bob and Sharon Maxwell can’t make it. Sharon fell and broke her hip, so she’s recuperating after a hip replacement.”
“So what will you do?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I could draw more names or just close off those rooms.” Her gaze moved to him. “What do you think?”
“Cancel the contest and hire professionals.”
She shook her head. “It’ll be fine.”
“Of course you’d say that.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “You aren’t about to invite buyers here to look at the inn.”
“Then don’t invite them. I told you I’m not selling so you’re wasting your time and theirs.”
There was something about Jo that had him reacting instead of keeping his cool. That wasn’t like him. Usually he was cool and collected. He could reel in a client without them even knowing what he was doing. They knew what hit them until they were shaking his hand and ready to sign on the line.
Lane swallowed hard. “Let me worry about my time. You just make sure these people don’t destroy the inn.”
“You worry too much.”
“And do I even want to ask who is going to judge this contest?”
A smile lifted the corners of her lips. “The whole town.”
“You’re going to make this public?”
She nodded. “Very public. In fact the press will be covering the events.”
He inwardly groaned. “And I suppose this has also already been arranged.”
“Of course.”
“Earlier you made this sound like you didn’t have most of the plans finalized.”
“The framework for the week is arranged. I just don’t have it all written up to share with the town, and there are still little details to finalize.”
So she didn’t actually need his input. She’d already made all the big decisions on her own. He felt useless. His jaw tightened. He wasn’t used to being treated as an afterthought. “You don’t need my help.”
“That’s not true. I still need flyers designed and printed up so they can be distributed this afternoon.”
He had been reduced from contributing partner to nothing more than an assistant. His instinct was to walk out. And yet he’d given his word that he’d help her. The next time he agreed to help, he’d make sure it was something more than doing her clerical work.
At least this wouldn’t be hard. And so he set to work. A half hour later, he printed out the finished flyer. When he showed Jo, she had changes. And as much as he wanted to get frustrated with her, he had to admit the flyer looked better after he’d made her adjustments.
The second time around, she approved the flyer. She had aqua paper to print them on. With a few hundred printed, he was done.
But then she told him they needed to be distributed throughout town. He was about to balk at the idea when she told him that she’d be accompanying him. The idea suddenly appealed to him. He gathered the flyers and placed them in a box. He headed for the door. He told himself that he’d relented to go on this errand because he wanted to explore this small island town, and it had nothing to do with the beautiful woman next to him.
CHAPTER NINE
Brightaquaflyerscoveredthe town.
Power poles, bulletin boards, and check-out counters had notices of the bicentennial.
