Chapter 2
Amelia
We walked back inside the Inn, and Blake disappeared behind the front counter. Leah cleared off a table in the dining room and pulled out a board game. It was sweet that a thirteen-year-old still liked playing board games with her family on a Friday evening. Sydney sat down next to me, plopping a gallon-sized bottle of water on the table. She put her feet up on a chair. She was glowing, but her ankles were starting to swell.
Blake strolled over and handed me the keys to my new rental. “Sarah dropped these off earlier,” he said, his voice soothing and authoritative as he sat across from Sydney and started rubbing her feet. “She made sure the movers finished unloading everything.”
Sarah came highly recommended as a realtor, and now I knew why.
“Wow, thanks,” I said, grasping the cool metal in my hand. “You know, Sarah certainly went above and beyond as a realtor. And thank you guys for letting me help out here while I search for a full-time job. You've both been so supportive already.”
“Of course, Ames,” Sydney replied, her green eyes shining with kindness. “We're family. Besides, it might be fun to play your boss for a while.”
A few years ago, Sydney had worked for me as my best commercial marketing representative until she’d inherited the Maple Tree Inn. She’d worked remotely for a while until she and Blake had married. Last month, the merger of the marketing firm I’d worked for had led to a major downsizing in my department. I’d been the first to be let go. It was difficult to not take it personally.
If Sydney hadn’t left when she had, we both might’ve ended up unemployed. This was the first time in my life I hadn’t had a job in more than twenty years. I’d spent my whole life working hard, climbing the corporate ladder only to have it pulled out from under me. Not that I didn’t have options or anything, but I’d always thought my career was stable. Apparently not.
Luckily I’d had a decent savings, and Dad had let me keep a percentage from the sale of my childhood home. I had fixed it up and sold it for him two months after he’d moved to Vermont. Suddenly, everything I’d taken for granted had been uprooted. Now, I wasn’t really sure where my life was headed, and I didn’t like that feeling.
“Speaking of family and the Inn.” Blake's voice was suddenly firm and less playful than earlier. “I wanted to talk about your role here. With Sydney nearing her due date, we’ll start teaching you the day-to-day activities of running the Inn. Then, she’ll hand over the marketing and social media aspects to you once she’s delivered.”
“Perfect. I'll do my best to help make the Maple Tree Inn even more successful. And now that I’ve seen the new addition, I’m already seeing a few ways to turn this into the destination wedding spot.”
A pang of gratitude and relief hit me again. Losing my marketing job back in Phoenix had felt like the end of the world, but now it seemed like a blessing in disguise—it had brought me closer to my family again.
Sydney smiled like she’d read my mind. “Amelia, I know moving here was a big step for you. But I truly believe you made the right decision. We're so happy to have you nearby."
“Thank you, Sydney,” I whispered, feeling the weight of my worries ease from my shoulders. “That means more to me than you know. Now, enough talk. Let’s get this Scrabble game going before I’m too exhausted to drive to my new home.”
“You’re going down, Aunt Ames. I’ve been practicing my vocabulary with Grandpa.” Leah playfully grinned at me.
Where was my dad anyway? He spent most of his time here at the Inn, didn’t he?
An hour and one devastating loss later, a yawn escaped me as I glanced at the clock on the wall. The long drive from Phoenix to Starfall Creek had taken its toll on me. After five days of straight driving, I needed to get some rest.
Leah, sensing my fatigue, pouted playfully. "Do you have to go already, Aunt Amelia?"
“Sorry, kiddo,” I replied with a smile. “It's been a long day, well month, really. But I promise I'll come back tomorrow. You owe me a Scrabble rematch, okay?"
Her face lit up, hazel eyes gleaming with excitement. "Promise?" she asked, extending her pinky towards me.
“Promise,” I confirmed, hooking my pinky around hers and sealing the deal. She grinned and gave me a quick hug before cleaning up the game.
After a round of goodbye hugs, I picked up my purse and headed towards the front parlor to leave. The front door swung open, revealing my dad and Sydney's mom, Julia. Their laughter filled the room as they entered the Inn, shoulders brushing against each other, their faces flushed with joy.
“Hey, you two,” I said, grinning at their infectious happiness. “What's got you in such high spirits?"
“Shopping in Moonridge,” Dad answered, wiping away a tear of laughter. “Julia here almost bought out an entire store!”
“David McKenna, you're exaggerating,” Julia chided playfully, swatting at his arm with a mock exasperated sigh. “But you should see what I found—absolutely gorgeous knickknacks for the Inn!”
“Can't wait to see them," I replied, giving them both quick hugs. “I've got to head to my new place now, but I'll be back tomorrow to catch up.”
“Drive safe, Amelia,” Dad said, his gruff exterior momentarily softened by concern. “We're so glad you're here.”
“Take care, sugar,” Julia added, her Southern twang wrapping around me like a comforting hug. “See you tomorrow.”
As I stepped into the cool evening air, the sound of their laughter followed me, a warm reminder of the love that awaited me in this small town.
The sun dipped low in the sky as I pulled into the driveway of my new rental, casting a warm golden glow over the quaint duplex. The front driveway was small, barely enough space for two cars, but the house next door appeared empty. It wasn’t dilapidated or abandoned —simply barren and lacking in any kind of personality. It must not have an occupant right now. Not exactly surprising. The front lawns were maintained by a home owners association, so all the houses looked perfectly manicured.
Figuring I had the driveway to myself, I parked in the middle to unload the last few boxes that I’d brought with me. The scent of pine trees and freshly cut grass filled my lungs as I stepped out of the car. I quickly unlocked the front door before walking back to my car. A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I began unloading the boxes from my trunk.
Once the last box was safely inside, curiosity got the better of me, and I ventured into the backyard. My eyes widened in delight—a charming yard brimming with potential. The lawn was lush and green, dotted with patches of wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze.
Envisioning rows of vibrant flowers and a small, tranquil pond—this place had potential. As I strolled further, I spotted a mature vegetable garden, bursting with ripe tomatoes, leafy greens, and plump pumpkins.
If next door was unoccupied, who had been tending this vegetable garden? My gaze swept across the area, searching for any signs of life. Despite my earlier assumption, the neighboring house might not be empty after all.
I shrugged off my lingering questions as I turned to head back inside. It was much too quiet here. I dug out my Bluetooth speaker and paired it with my phone. Music was exactly what I needed.
Quickly, I unpacked the box of essentials I had just brought in. Lost in thought, I barely registered the sound of the doorbell until it rang for a second time, more insistent than before.
“Coming!” I called out, wiping my hands on a dishtowel and hurrying toward the front door. As I swung it open, my breath caught at the sight before me: a tall, imposing figure with salt-and-pepper hair and piercing blue eyes, his jaw set in a tight line of annoyance.
Teddy Cranston. He looked like a volcano ready to erupt.
What the heck was he doing here?