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Finally, finally, she was finished, and Anica released her. Kat gave her a hug, and trotted out the door as quickly as she could do so politely. Her stomach growled as she power-walked back toward the lodge. It was nearly lunch and she usually ate a mid-morning snack. She’d have to raid the kitchen and see if Tione had any breakfast muffins left over.
When she got home, she hurried inside, and found chaos. A family of four waited in the foyer with Brooke, who looked on edge, her jaw clenching and lips pressing together. Other guests milled around, restless and unhappy. Her stomach sank to her sneakers.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Brooke’s face sagged with relief at the sight of her. “The MacFarlanes would like to check in, but I can’t work out which room is available.”
“Room two is empty as of this morning,” Kat told her. “Susan should have cleaned it out by now, but it might pay to check, just in case.” Mrs. MacFarlane combed a hand through her hair while restraining her toddler with the other, and looked to be at the end of her tether. “Welcome to Sanctuary. Why don’t you take a seat while Brooke checks the room for you? Help yourself to a chocolate.” She gestured to the jar of wrapped chocolates atop the small counter.
“Thank you,” the woman said, visibly grateful.
Brooke left and Kat noticed Tina loitering by the garden door. She went to her and touched her shoulder. Tina’s eyes were rimmed red.
“What’s wrong?”
“The sprinklers went off inside,” she said, tearful. “I don’t know why. There’s no fire. But the canvas I was working on is ruined.”
Oh, no.
If the sprinklers had gone off, they’d need to air out every room in the building. Kat scrubbed a hand down her face and tried not to cry. Her eyes watered, but she blinked rapidly and rolled up her metaphorical sleeves. She had a lot of work to do.
