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I approached the guy who not so softly yanked luggage from the car and pointed to the set next to him.
“That’s mine. Is it okay if I take it?”
He glanced at me, nodded, then shrugged. “I guess so.”
“You don’t want to see identification, a ticket, or anything?”
He smirked and glanced at my large and medium rolling bags. “They’re yours, aren’t they?”
“Yes they are but…”
“Then no, ma’am, take ’em.”
Okay then.
I moved closer, yanked the handles to both so they extended and rolled them behind me until I reached the entrance of the train station. Once inside, I situated the largest so I could answer another incoming call, praying it wasn’t my sister. The number wasn’t saved or my area code so I answered with a casual but vague greeting.
“Hello…”
“Is this Shore Manchester?”
“It is, who’s calling?”
The woman sounded cheerful but unfamiliar.
“This is Mel. Melvina Donovan. You reserved a room at my B&B for the week.”
I smiled hard. “Oh hi. I was just about to call. My train arrived. I was wondering where I should meet you for pick up?”
“That’s why I was calling. There’s been a change in plans…”
Great, she was calling to tell me I was on my own getting to her bed and breakfast. I couldn’t imagine this place had an abundance of rideshare options.
“Oh, well I’m sure I can get there on my own. If you’ll just tell me…”
“See that’s the thing. You don’t need to come here. I’ve had to make some alternative arrangements for you.”
“Alternative arrangements. What on earth does that mean?”
“Don’t worry, you’ll have somewhere nice and cozy to spend the week. All the same amenities. Hell, better if you ask me. Wilde had his place renovated a few years ago. All high-end stuff. It’s really top notch…”
“Wilde, who the hell is Wilde?”
“Let me backtrack a little,” she stated calmly. However I was anything but. I had been on a train for two days, looking forward to a nice cozy stay at a bed and breakfast only for this woman to tell me that wasn’t happening. “We had a couple here. Kimmie and Lance. Kimmie was eight months pregnant but that little one decided he was ready to meet his folks. Wasn’t supposed to get here until after New Year’s. Well anyway, she delivered and they can’t travel just yet so they’re having to extend their stay.”
“Okay, what does that have to do with me?”
“The room they’re in was your room.”
“Then give me another one.”
“Would if I could but we don’t have another room. Pipe burst, causing damage to three of our rooms. They’re not ready for occupants so we’re short but I’ve made arrangements for you to stay with Wilde.”
“Who the hell is Wilde and why would you think I would be okay with that? You should have called.”
“Things got a little crazy with the baby and all. Our first birth at the B&B. It was pretty exciting and that baby is so darn cute…”
“Melvina…”
