The Room with the Second-Best View (31 page)

With her departure imminent, Al was able to generate an almost pleasant attitude. “Can I help bring down your luggage?”

“No need. Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Fenrod carried the bulk of it down and—” She waved an imperious hand at the limo driver, who had just parked his car. “Young man, my luggage is just inside,” she called.

The formally dressed driver nodded and entered the house.

Miss Hinkle turned to Millie. “FedEx will arrive tomorrow to pick up the rest of my things. You'll find everything clearly marked and prepaid.”

“I'll see to it,” Millie promised.

Since she'd brought up the subject of payment, Al didn't hesitate to press the matter. “About your bill. Will you be paying with cash or a check?”

“I have it right here.” She snapped open her purse and extracted a sealed envelope. “I think you'll find everything in order.”

“And you paid Mayfield's tab as well?” Though Millie tossed a quick glare in his direction, Al wouldn't put it past the woman to pull a fast one in regard to her nephew's bill.

She drew up to her full height. “Every penny is accounted for, I assure you.”

The driver made his third and final trip from the house and stowed the last of her luggage in the trunk. Then he opened the passenger door with a flourish and stood at near-attention. Al glimpsed an opulent interior with lush leather seats and a center console.

Miss Hinkle smothered Millie in a final hug. “My dear, you've the makings of a fine B&B hostess. I've enjoyed my stay thoroughly.”

“Thank you, Lorna.” Millie extricated herself from the woman's grip.

When she turned to him, Al stepped back lest she try to hug him as well. “Have a safe trip.”

“Thank you,” she answered, her nose high.

Posture erect, she descended the porch stairs, turned for one final look at the house, and then settled herself in the car. The driver closed the door, rounded the front, and took his place behind the wheel. As the limo pulled away, a final weight lifted from Al's shoulders.

“Alone at last.” He nodded toward the envelope. “Better open that.”

She tore the envelope and extracted a single sheet of paper. Al's suspicions were confirmed when she unfolded it and no check fluttered out.

Eyes moving as she read, her jaw dropped. “I don't believe it.”

“What?”

Millie looked up at him. “All those so-called gifts? She charged us for every one. Take a look.”

Al snatched the paper and scanned the itemized invoice. “Sixteen hundred dollars for a silver tea set? That's outrageous.” He looked up in the direction the limo had gone. “We should chase her down and demand payment.”

The love of his life, who was far too softhearted, appeared hesitant. “I don't know.”

“Millie!” He stiffened his spine to its full extent. “After all the complaining she did about our rates, she stiffed us for the bill. It's an outrage!”

“I know, but…” White teeth appeared and clamped down on her plump lower lip. “Honestly, we're not officially even a B&B yet. We haven't had any inspections, nor have we even applied for a license. Really, we're lucky no one was injured because I doubt if we have the right kind of insurance.”

All that made sense, but Al couldn't let go of the indignity of three solid weeks of humiliation at the Hinkle woman's hand.

An idea occurred to him.

“We'll confiscate her belongings.” He smiled, triumphant. “All the stuff she bought that's waiting to be shipped to her? We'll sell it on eBay.”

Millie appeared ready to argue, but then her expression cleared. “I'll leave that up to you, Albert. Do whatever you think is right. At the moment I'm in too good a mood to worry about it.” She drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “At least I've learned something from this practice run.”

“What's that?”

Her grin became sheepish. “Running a B&B is a bit more involved than I expected.”

Al felt an I-told-you-so opportunity coming on. “So are you saying I was right? That we should have stuck to our agreed-upon plan of opening
after
retirement?” He gave her a piercing look. “That you won't invite any more guests to stay without checking with me
first
?”

“What I'm saying is…” She placed a hand on his chest and gazed up at him with a look that never failed to melt him. “I'm sorry.”

Ah, the magic words. They worked both ways. Al wrapped his arms around her and drew her close.

“We're finally alone.” She nestled her cheek against his shoulder. “Doesn't it feel good?”

With a wolfish grin, he pulled back to look her in the eye. “Care to celebrate the empty nest?”

In answer, she placed a fingertip on his chest, hooked his shirt, and pulled him toward her for a kiss.

Final Bill for Lorna Hinkle

No need to reimburse me the difference, Millie dear. Consider it a gratuity.

Sincerely,
LH

Acknowledgments

A
l and Millie have become such a huge part of my life while writing the books in this series, I miss them when I've typed
The End.
They feel real to me. Their marriage is made up of the best parts of my relationship with my husband, Ted. Honestly, dear reader, if Al Richardson has captured even a smidge of your admiration, you would love my Ted. He's one of the most amazing men I know, and I'm so grateful to him for supporting me and my writing career.

Even though the book you've just read is fiction, I went to a lot of trouble to research the details around which the story centers. I owe a debt of gratitude to Craig Potts, the executive director of the Kentucky Heritage Council, who carved a significant portion of time out of his schedule to describe the purpose of the Heritage Council and told me about the Main Street Program. As you know, the information he provided fueled a large part of the story you've just read.

During my research I visited the most amazing B&B in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Meeting House is run by Gary and Rose Burke, a couple who really could have been models for Al and Millie if I'd met them before I wrote the first book in this series. They spent several hours introducing me to their awesome historic house and telling me their stories. Plus, they fed me some of the best meals to be found in Kentucky. Consider this a recommendation: If you find yourself in the central Kentucky area, you absolutely
must
visit the Meeting House for breakfast or lunch, or stay a night in their B&B.

I'm also deeply grateful to my friends Anna Zogg and Marilynn Rockelman, who helped me come up with Aunt Lorna's character during a delightful brainstorming session. They're awesome and zany and crazy, and I love them both.

Any list of thank-yous would not be complete without mentioning my agent, Wendy Lawton, and my editor, Kathleen Kerr. Ladies, you are extraordinary! And my deep gratitude goes to the entire Harvest House team for their work on the Goose Creek books. I wish I could list each of you by name, but believe me when I say I thank the Lord for your efforts.

Here's a confession: I was so busy with “life stuff” that I bumped up against the deadline for finishing this book. I called upon an amazing group of women authors for prayer support as I struggled to meet the date I'd committed to—and I did it with one day to spare. Thanks to the Girlie Chilibeans for their encouragement, email support, and prayers.

Finally, special thanks to Lord Jesus, who has mercy on me even when I let things go until the last minute. As Bach concluded when he was satisfied with a piece of music he'd just finished,
Soli Deo Gloria.

If you've enjoyed this book, I really do hope you'll let me know. Visit the Contact page at
www.virginiasmith.org
, where you can send me an email or find the address to send a real, honest-to-goodness letter.

Virginia Smith

About the Author

Virginia Smith is the author of more than two dozen inspirational novels, an illustrated children's book, and 50 articles and short stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes in fiction, Ginny writes in a variety of styles, from lighthearted relationship stories to breath-snatching suspense. Visit her at
www.VirginiaSmith.org
.

To learn more about books by Virginia Smith or to read sample chapters, visit

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Take a trip to Goose Creek, Kentucky

These charming novels and novellas will make you laugh out loud, fall in love with the delightful residents of Goose Creek, and remind you why you love reading.

“Dr. Horatio vs. the Six-Toed Cat” (novella prequel)

Alison, Al and Millie's headstrong daughter, astounds everyone with the news that she's getting married—in three weeks—to a Colombian! As her parents frantically try to stop the nuptials, Dr. Horatio, Goose Creek's beloved veterinarian, is determined to solve the mystery of the six-toed kittens that have been popping up all over town.