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After a few minutes on hold, she was connected with a representative who informed her that there were lawful noise restrictions in place, especially during the early morning and late evening hours, and the woman even offered to send a compliance officer out if Ariel had problems.
“That would be so wonderful,” Ariel said, relief washing over her. “Can you send one now?”
“Oh. Well, no,” the woman said, sounding confused. “It’s after eight. The noise is within the hours window.”
Drat.If only Ariel had called earlier. She set her mind to, the next time Stanton creeped outside of his allotted hours. She thanked the woman and hung up.
Back in the kitchen, Darcy looked surprised. “That was fast.”
“I just spoke with someone from the government office, and they informed me that there are strict noise restrictions in place. We can file a complaint if the construction continues to disrupt our guests—but only before eight and after eight.”
Darcy frowned. “Bummer. But don’t worry, we’ll catch them in the act early on some other day.”
Ariel checked her phone before setting it aside to jump back into the day’s tasks. Miles had read her message, but there was no reply. She wouldn’t read intothat.The fact that his ex was somewhere in the house, presumably, was probably messing with his head. Ariel knew it was messing with hers.
Ariel got started on the day's tasks with renewed energy and focus. She knew she had to keep an eye on the construction next door and file a complaint bright and early if necessary, and worry about Katie and how to explain about Connor, and figure out what to do about Emily and Miles—once Miles returned to the living—but for now, she needed to focus on the B and B and her guests.
***
Dinner prep was completed over the next two hours, and Ariel high-fived Darcy when they had put the last prep container into the fridge and wiped down the last counter.
“Good work, kid,” she said. “Take a break.”
Ariel took her own break to check her messages, none of which were from Miles. There was one from her sister, Charlene, saying that her kids were at sleepaway camp, and that she was on her way to Leeside for a visit. Despite living in Endless Harbor, it had been too long since Ariel had seen her older sister.
Charlene pulled up ten minutes later, and Ariel bounded across the yard to meet her, wrapping her in a big hug as she exited her car.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here,” she told Charlie. “I need advice. And more hugs, And to gossip. And some more advice.”
“That’s what I’m here for—wait, unless you need a nutritional shake that has all of the twenty-one essential vitamins and minerals—”
“Charlie! I’m having a personal crisis, and you are trying to sell me on an MLM?”
Charlene looked insulted. “Maybe your personal crisis is a result of poor nutrition. And I recall that my last MLM helped us out of a tight spot on restaurant renovations.”
It was true—Charlie’s last make-up venture had made considerable money, and Ariel had to curb her criticisms of her sister’s get-rich-quick schemes. “Still. This isn’t the place.”
“Well, where is the place? Can I see the place? Kurt said Seaside Café looks gorgeous.”
Excitedly, Ariel nodded, leading her sister into the house and through to the east wing. Charlie caught her breath when she first saw the dining room.
“Oh, Ariel, it is perfect! I’m so sorry that I’ve been so caught up with coaching Hannah’s soccer. I should have come last night!”
“It’s fine,” Ariel said. “You sent your representative, and he has very nice table manners.”
Charlie grinned. “I married him because he’s cute.”
“That, too,” Ariel said, laughing. Just then, she spotted Katie, at the far side of the dining room, pushing through the exit. She was still dressed in pajamas, and moving fast.
"Something's up with that girl," Charlie said, nodding her head toward Katie. "What's going on with her?"
Ariel sighed. "Teenage boy trouble, I think. She'll get over it. They will, that is. He isn’t acting terribly mature, but what can you expect at sixteen?"
But Charlie didn’t seem so sure. Her features scrunched and she squinted at Ariel. "You sure? Maybe she needs some extra attention right now. You know, some quality time with her mom. Take her out for lunch or something."
Ariel considered it for a moment. “You’re probably right. I have been trying to keep her busy, but mostly with restaurant stuff. Maybe just a fun day would take her mind off it more. That was one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. Maybe you could hang out at Leeside for a day so. Not at the café; we would definitely be back in time for dinner service, but just a day so that Katie and I could—”
Ariel caught sight of another sudden dart for the far exit—only, this time, it was Emily who was trying to slip out unnoticed. Andthatdoor was the exit closest to the construction site. What was Emily up to? Ariel gasped and pointed before she caught herself and dropped her hand to the side.
