Hope Harbor

by Jill Sanders

  Gone before he could explore it. He should have known it was too good to be true. He couldn’t really afford to spare any time for someone other than Palmer anyway. He glanced down at his daughter’s dark head and smiled. She was all he needed. Still, he couldn’t deny that his heart ached for the rest of the night, making him feel unsteady and shaken. And he’d only had one conversation with her. What would it be like if he spent more time with Evelyn?

  4

  A plan

  Eve stepped into her grandfather’s rooms, totally drained. A massive pounding had started in her head halfway through the meal from all the shouting her family had started at the lawyer’s office.

  She didn’t know how they had ended up at the pizzeria, or even if she’d eaten anything. But the one thing that was clear to her was her time with Dylan and his daughter, Palmer. The duo had been the highlight of her entire day. Okay, her entire week. Hell, maybe even the month.

  She couldn’t explain it but seeing the man’s sea-green eyes flood with concern over her had touched her. Then she’d spotted the matching sea-green eyes in his beautiful daughter. Those had been flooded with curiosity and a touch of shyness.

  She’d snapped out of her mood for a moment, allowing her to think clearly for the first time since receiving the news that she was basically the sole beneficiary of her grandfather’s will. Sure, her grandfather had left a few trinkets to each of his children and grandchildren, but that was all.

  Logan was extremely upset that all Reggie had left him was a pocketknife. Eve remembered the old thing her grandfather had carried with him everywhere. There wasn’t a time that he hadn’t had it in one of his pockets.

  But her cousin had apparently been expecting a chunk of the inn, just as the rest of her family had. She hadn’t known that her grandfather would leave the entire place to her. They’d never talked about it. She knew Reggie had been proud of her for going to college, the first one to do so in her family. But she hadn’t expected this.

  She had been in shock at first. She took a moment alone in her grandfather’s rooms and pulled out the letter the lawyer had given her outside the presence of her family.

  “This will explain everything. He wanted this to be…”—the man’s eyes moved over to where her family had been yelling at one another— “for your eyes only. You understand?”

  She’d nodded and tucked the letter into her jacket pocket, knowing she would read it later.

  Flipping the lock on the door behind her, she leaned against the door and pulled the letter open slowly.

  Seeing her grandfather’s handwriting caused her to sink to the floor and tuck her legs up to her chest as her eyes scanned over the words.

  Eve,

  My dear girl. I’m sorry for leaving you in this position. I hope that this letter doesn’t reach your eyes until I’ve had time to straighten out the mess that is the Candlewood legacy. But if God wills it and I’m unable to stand my ground firmly, then you’ve just inherited a mess from me. For that, I’m deeply sorry.

  You’re probably asking yourself, why you? I think if you dig deep, you’ll understand clearly. If not, spend a week at the inn and then you will understand all.

  You are the only Candlewood who has had the power to stand up to the mob. Even I haven’t been able to in these past few years since you’ve moved out and started your own life and career. Which brings me to reason number two.

  I’ve followed your career and am extremely proud of you. I know in my heart that if you put your mind to saving Candlewood Inn, you could do so.

  So, my dear, the choice is yours. Know this— because of my inability to stand firm, finances are not what they should be. No, I probably won’t leave you in total ruin, but unless something is done and done soon, Candlewood will be nothing more than a money pit.

  The inn is a wonderful opportunity for someone with a backbone and a head on their shoulders, which is why, my dear, I’ve left it all to you. In the hands of anyone else, the family’s legacy would surely fail.

  Ever since you were a young girl, I could see the drive and love in you, something the rest of the family is seriously lacking.

  A warning: Don’t trust any of them. They have done their best in these past few years since you’ve been gone to bring ruin to the inn and to everything, I’ve spent my entire life building.

  I’ll leave this last thought for you…

  Remember what I always told you.

  Reach for the moon, but if you miss, grab hold of a star and enjoy the ride.

  I hope Candlewood Inn will be that star that takes you everywhere you want to go.

  Love always,

  Grandpa Reggie

  * * *

  With tears in her eyes, Eve flipped over the letter and read an excerpt dated less than a month ago.

  Eve,

  A quick update. I’ve finally made a stand. I’ve told the family that I’ve cut every member off financially as of today. I’ve given them until the end of the month to move out of their rooms at the inn or start paying rent.

  I’ve done it, girl. I’m hoping to update this will again soon. Maybe I’ll be able to leave you with a little more than the mess the place is currently in.

  All my love,

  Grandpa R

  * * *

  Eve felt her entire body start to vibrate. Her grandfather had cut her family completely off. That meant… as of the end of the week, they were supposed to move out of their rooms.

  Then a thought had all the blood draining from her. Had someone killed Reggie because of this?

  She didn’t even really know what had happened to him.

  Her eyes darted around the dark rooms. She’d spent so much time here as a child and not once could she remember being afraid of… well, anything.

  Standing up, she flipped on all the lights in the two-room suite. As with most of the inn, the rooms needed fresh paint, new carpet or flooring, and, well, pretty much everything else. The furniture was from the mid-nineties and in desperate need of refinishing or just being hauled to a junkyard.

  Her mind whirled as she thought of the possibility that someone had killed her grandfather. Then it dawned on her. Her mother had told her that he’d died in his sleep. Peacefully. Surely someone would know if there was foul play involved. Right?

  Wouldn’t they examine the body before… whatever. Did her family plan to cremate him? She’d been so preoccupied with the shocking news; she hadn’t paid any attention to all the other talk they’d had over dinner. She paced the floor for half an hour, spending the rest of her energy, and then realized that she was starving.

  She decided a quick trip to the kitchens was in order. After all, she’d spent a good chunk of her childhood begging the staff for treats down there or learning to cook with her grandfather or Aunt Ramona.

  She doubted her mother or any other family member had ever stepped foot in any of the rooms on the basement levels. The staff bustled around the lower levels during the day, but when she descended the back stairs now, the place was quiet and dark.

  The lowest basement level held mostly storerooms on the west side of the inn. The other side was separated into a large laundry area that was busiest in the evenings.

  She heard sounds from a television coming from somewhere deep in the darkness and made her way towards the massive kitchen on the first basement level.

  Stepping inside the familiar room, she took a deep sigh of relief when she spotted Kathrine Clark. The middle-aged woman had run the inn’s kitchens since Eve hit puberty. At more than one time, Kathrine had been Eve’s only friend and confidant.

  “There’s my girl,” Kathrine said, opening her arms for Eve to rush into them. She held onto the skinny woman and didn’t realize tears were streaming down her face until she heard Kathrine mention that Eve was going to soak through her apron.

  Of course, this was said with a chuckle, but still, Eve pulled back and wiped her eyes dry.

  “I know, girl.” Kathrine handed her a clean dish
towel. “We all miss him.” She used her apron to dry her own eyes. “It’s been too long since you’ve been home.”

  “I’m sorry,” Eve answered. “I… have no excuse other than…” She motioned to the ceiling.

  “I understand.” Kathrine touched her shoulder. “I bet you’re starving.”

  Eve sat down on the stool Kathrine motioned to, then watched as the woman moved gracefully around the kitchen and quickly produced a plate of food for Eve.

  There were several other kitchen staff working to clean up after dinner. Eve spotted Jerry, who waved to her as he finished loading dishes into the automatic dishwasher, but the other two people rushing around were new faces.

  Kathrine took the stool next to hers and watched as Eve wolfed down the meatloaf and potatoes.

  “God,” Eve said after the first bite, “I’ve missed this.”

  “You’ve probably been eating fast food. You’re too skinny.”

  “Says you.” Eve smiled at her. “What have you lost?”

  Kathrine smiled. “Thirty pounds and good riddance. I’m actually running in marathons now.”

  “Wow.” Eve chuckled. “You look amazing.”

  It was true. The last time she’d seen Kathrine, she’d been on a down slide after losing her husband to heart disease. Both she and her husband had been chefs and overweight for as long as Eve could remember.

  “Is it true?” Kathrine asked after giving Eve a moment to eat in quiet.

  “Hm?” Eve asked between bites.

  “Did Reggie really leave you the inn?” Kathrine asked, leaning forward slightly.

  “Yes,” she answered with a sigh, setting down her fork.

  Kathrine smiled and nodded. “Smart man.”

  “I… I’m a little overwhelmed.” She rolled her shoulders. “How… do you know how he died? What are they saying?”

  Kathrine shrugged. “From what we’ve heard”— she motioned to the rest of the staff, who had at this point gathered around them— “he passed peacefully in his sleep. I haven’t heard anything more.”

  “Your mother is the one who found him,” Jerry added. The man was roughly ten years older than Eve. He’d gotten a job as a dishwasher shortly after graduating high school and had worked his way up to head waiter since then. He was also one of the biggest spreaders of gossip around the inn. If you wanted to know something, you asked Jerry.

  Eve nodded. “She told me.” She glanced around. “Is it true? Did Grandpa really demand my family move out or start paying for their rooms?”

  The five of them were quiet for a moment. “Yes,” Kathrine finally answered. “Your uncle Gerald and Aunt Louisa were to move into makeshift rooms in the basement, since they couldn’t afford their rooms. Your great-aunt had already moved to the main floor two years ago when she started using that walker. She’s limited to that floor only, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen to her. Your other uncle and aunt… well, they haven’t said what they’re going to do yet.”

  “And my parents?” Eve asked.

  “Your father was looking for an apartment in town, but…” Kathrine shrugged. “I haven’t heard anything more.” She turned to Jerry, who also shrugged.

  “They still have a little over a week left,” he added. “Well, did. With Reggie gone…” He trailed off.

  Then Kathrine gasped. “You don’t think that one of them hurt Reggie?” The question hung thick in the air.

  “I don’t know what I think. I haven’t been back long,” she admitted quickly, not wanting the gossip to spread that one of her family members could do such a thing. Or that Reggie’s death was anything but natural.

  “What are you going to do? Will you make them move out?” Kathrine asked.

  Eve didn’t think it wise to make any decisions until she’d had time to look over the books. Nor did she want any gossip getting back to her family yet.

  “At this point, I’m not sure.” She finished off the plate of food. “Thank you.” She smiled at Kathrine. “You still make the best meatloaf around.”

  Kathrine patted her hand. “Beverly, grab Eve some of those peanut butter cookies to take back upstairs with her.”

  Beverly, one of the new staff members, rushed to grab a plate.

  “That’s Beverly,” Kathrine added. “This is Mike.” She motioned to a skinny black-haired man roughly Eve’s father’s age. “Brian and Carl work mornings. Jerry and I are the only original staff left down here.”

  “What about the others? Timothy was still here.”

  “Reggie made Brandon head gardener last year. He has two other boys working part time under him, Ed and…”

  “Derek,” Jerry supplied.

  “Right.” Kathrine nodded. “Ezra and Elsie are still here.” She smiled. “Those two are still impossible to tell apart.”

  The twins had always been at the hotel as well. They had been cleaning rooms at the inn longer than most of the other staff had been working there.

  “There is a new concierge, Patrick.” Kathrine leaned a little closer. “I don’t like the man. And Genie. You’ll get along great with Genie. She’s your age.”

  “I’m sure I’ll meet everyone tomorrow.” She had a thought. “I know it’s short notice, but I’d like to have a staff meeting in the morning. Can you spread the word? Meeting in the main hall at…” She glanced down at her watch and winced at the late hour. “Let’s say seven.”

  “Sure thing, boss,” Kathrine said with a smile. She squeezed Eve’s hands. “I’m so glad you’re back.” Kathrine hugged her again. “I just know things are going to start picking up here again.”

  “Start…” She frowned. “Has it really been that slow?”

  Kathrine sighed. “I won’t lie to you. In the past two years, this place has been empty more times than I could keep track of.”

  Eve felt her stomach roll. Then Beverly handed her a plate of hot cookies along with a large glass of milk. “I figured you’d need the milk,” Beverly said with a smile. The woman was a few years older than Eve and obviously late in her pregnancy.

  “Thanks. How far along are you?” Eve asked.

  Beverly instantly rubbed her belly. “Two whole months left to go.”

  Eve’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow.”

  Beverly laughed. “Yeah, wow. It doesn’t help that I work around food all day,” she said with a laugh.

  “Thank you,” Eve added and took the milk and cookies from her. “I’ll let you all get back to it. Thanks again for the late dinner and treats.”

  Kathrine hugged her once more. “We’re all so very happy to have you back home.”

  She climbed the stairs, trying hard not to spill the full glass of milk. Her mind was so set on what she was going to say during the meeting in the morning that it wasn’t until she was on the top floor that she noticed that half of the stairwell lights were off.

  Frowning, she moved to the light switch and flipped them on and off, trying to get the rest of the bulbs to come on. When that didn’t work, she set her cookies and milk down and moved to a dark bulb and tapped it. Finding it loose, she tightened it and it turned on instantly. She moved to another dark bulb and did the same. Glancing down the stairs, she realized that someone must have unscrewed half of the bulbs up and down the stairs.

  Pulling out her phone, she made a note to make sure all light bulbs in the inn were in working order.

  While finishing off all the cookies and milk, she came up with a plan and started writing a list of things to go over in the morning.

  She fell asleep on the sofa, fully dressed. It was just too strange to sleep in her grandfather’s bed, surrounded by his things.

  When her alarm went off, she quickly showered and dressed, then glanced down at her list one last time before making her way to the main hall.

  Stepping inside the large room that had been used for dances, parties, and the occasional wedding, she felt her heart flutter at seeing so many people crowded inside.

  She was surprised to see some of
her family members taking up the front chairs, which someone had set in three rows. Her parents sat next to her aunt Louisa and Uncle Gerald, who looked extremely bored and annoyed to be up that early. From what she remembered; the pair had never bothered to be up before eleven.

  When she stepped into the room, everyone stopped talking and quickly took seats. Seeing Kathrine give her a thumbs up, Eve cleared her throat and moved to the front of the room as she took a deep breath.

  “Thank you for carving out time this early to meet.” She wiped her palms on her slacks and had opened her mouth to start when her uncle Roger stepped into the hall, looking agitated.

  “What’s all this?” he said loudly. “Not even here a full day and already taking over?”

  Eve shifted tactics. She’d accounted for such actions from her family members. “Thank you, Roger, for being part of this.” She motioned to an empty chair next to her mother. “If you’ll take a seat, I’ll make everything clear.”

  She waited as the man struggled with whether he should fight her in front of the entire staff or sit down and comply. He chose the latter but moved slowly enough that almost two minutes ticked by.

  “Thank you,” she added. “I know everyone’s time is important, so I won’t waste it on too many details. As you all may have heard, my grandfather, Reggie Candlewood, passed away peacefully in his sleep the other night.” Several people murmured and sniffles could be heard as well. Eve paused until the sounds died down again. “And, yes, the rumors are true, Reggie left this inn and all his holdings to me.” Upon this, there were a few gasps. She held up her hand to stop the flood of noise this time. “For the time being, I will take over running the inn, following my grandfather’s wishes to the letter.” Her eyes fell on Roger, who stiffened as his eyes narrowed in her direction. “Changes will be discussed at our next planned staff meeting a month from now.” She raised her chin slightly. “Services for my grandfather will be announced on the employee bulletin board when they’ve been set. I will see to it that each and every employee who wishes to attend is compensated. I know Reggie appreciated and loved everyone here.” Her eyes moved to her mother; whose eyes were oddly dry. “I’ll be honest, I’ve never run something as large as Candlewood before, but I was my grandfather’s shadow growing up here and know this inn like the back of my hand. Using that knowledge and my bachelor’s degree and work experience, I hope to have Candlewood back to its former glory by the new year.” She smiled at several cheers that generated near Kathrine. “For now, please go about your workday as usual. I will be taking up residence in my grandfather’s office on the main floor if you should have any questions or needs. Thank you.” Everyone stood up to leave.