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As April began to tidy up the first floor of the house, she called Georgia. It was her daughter's first day back at school after leaving suddenly last semester.
It took her helping with turning the old family home into a bed and breakfast to get her interested in going back. And this time, she was actually pursuing something she wanted to do forever, interior design.
"Hey, mom," Georgia said as she answered.
April smiled at the sound of her daughter's voice, grateful for the distraction. "Good morning, sweetheart. How was your first day back?"
"It was great, actually," Georgia replied with a hint of excitement. "I got to meet some of the other interior design students, and they all seem really cool. Plus, my professor seems super chill."
April's smile widened, glad to hear that her daughter was enjoying her time back at school. "That's wonderful, sweetie. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, mom," Georgia said with a sigh. "How's the first day prep coming along?"
When she paused, her daughter became suspicious. "What's going on? You okay? Do you need me to come down there?"
"No," April exclaimed quickly. "I just mean... It's your first day. You're not coming down here just because I'm a little bit overwhelmed. It's my first guests coming in today. I'm bound to be nervous. It'll be okay."
"Alright, if you say so. Listen, I hate to cut this short, but I have to get to my next class. I'll call you later, okay?"
She felt the ball in her stomach tighten back up again. "Of course, love you," April replied before hanging up.
Though she was hoping for a longer call, April felt a sense of pride wash over her. She was so happy that her daughter had found her passion and was pursuing it with such enthusiasm.
April continued with her last-minute prep. This was the last time she was going to see this place as her home, and the first time she would see it as her bed and breakfast.
She walked around the house, checking in on the details she'd worked so hard to create. The large doors at the front of the house sat open and wide for everyone to see into the lobby, what used to be the living room.
The front desk that sat in the entryway was polished and gleaming. The rooms upstairs were all cleaned and ready for guests, and the smell of fresh coffee wafted through the air from the kitchen.
April took a deep breath and reminded herself that she was ready for this. She had put her heart and soul into this bed and breakfast, and it was going to show.
She heard the sound of a car pulling up outside and quickly checked her watch. It was almost time for her first guests to arrive. Her nerves started to resurface as she took a deep breath and walked towards the front door.
Two people stepped out of the sleek black car. The man wore cargo shorts and a floral button-up. If April had looked up a picture of a male tourist, she thought that he would be what showed up. She giggled silently at his goofy smile.
The short woman had kind eyes, blue and full of wonder. Together, they looked over the property, smiling and staring out at the ocean from the hilltop.
April was glad that even the placement of the home was perfect. After checking in, her guests would be able to go down to that private beach and enjoy the water and sand.
But for now, they stood at the edge of the stairs, looking down at the waves. The man got out a camera and began to snap pictures of the adorable woman, posing for him as if a model in a photoshoot.
This was exactly why she built this place.
For people like them to come and enjoy Sandcrest, the beautiful town she'd always loved growing up. April had been dreaming of this moment since she stepped back onto the island.
Her dream for the bed and breakfast was to create a place for tourists and residents to enjoy their time on the island. This was what it was made for.
Yet she couldn't help but look on with fear in her heart as she witnessed the happy couple enjoying their vacation.
She watched them giggle, the wife’s head nuzzled into her husband’s chest. The only care they had was watching the shoreline as the waves curved and swallowed the beach.
April couldn't shake off the memories of her ex-husband, who had left her to travel the world. Though he was probably on his world tour of circuses and not looking over a beach with contemplation in his eyes.
Seeing happy couples like this made her question everything. Her past and her present. Because Nigel clearly wasn't in the best place for her either.
She cursed herself for letting the thoughts of Nigel and his ex-girlfriend invade her mind. She was a strong woman who had worked hard to get where she was. And now it was finally time to show it off.
April needed to focus on her soft launch. Those people looking over the hill and taking in the view, they should be her focus.
