The Guest House Hauntings Boxset
Page 9
“I love that,” Brittany said. “It certainly sounds unique and is quite different from our current properties. It’ll draw in a more diverse crowd which will be nice, and it’s always good to have multiple options.”
“Definitely.” Sam agreed. “Are you planning on doing anything with that huge kitchen and dining area?”
“That’s my domain,” Ezra replied with a surge of new excitement. Given the opportunity to talk about his passion with someone new reawakened those dreams. They had become too intertwined with negativity lately that he almost forgot why he was so happy to be there in the first place.
“We’re going to do some renovations on it,” Ezra continued. “Though the space is already great, I’m thinking of switching up the color scheme a bit. I’d like it to tie in with the Victoria theme while still being capable of standing on its own. We certainly need to get new furnishings for it.
“I hired the groundskeeper’s son, Nathaniel, to help me out. We’re working on a menu currently. We’re going to start by serving typical breakfast foods and pastries, while working towards lunch and dinner service as well. I’d love to see it branch out from just serving our guests to being able to bring more people in. For now, we’re keeping the operation pretty small though.
“Cooking’s my passion and I want to enjoy it again. It brings that extra touch of warmth and love, you know? So, I think it’ll offer our guests something a little different than our competition does. Not only will they get the Victorian-era experience, but they’ll also be provided with homecooked meals by someone who was a head chef in Chicago.”
“Impressive,” Sam said, though Brittany shifted uncomfortably. “It sounds like you two have a really solid business plan. I’m kind of jealous.” He laughed.
“Me too,” Brittany agreed. “You’re certainly bringing something new to the table. Though I think it could be beneficial for us to work together. I talked about this a little with Clara at the book club meeting, but it’s so important for the businesses around here to work together and bring new visitors into town. Helping our community grow will help all of us thrive.
“Since we both own bed and breakfasts, yet are different enough not to be direct competitors, I think it could help drum up business and interest in the town if we worked together on a few projects. We’ve already collaborated with many of the other local businesses, and each time it’s been a massive success.”
“For sure,” Sam agreed. His eyes lit up with enthusiasm. Clara absent-mindedly reached for Ezra’s hand, caught up in their excitement. “We used to work with Lyla and Richard all the time on projects that helped each of our businesses succeed. The four of us made huge impacts in paving the way for the draw this town has to tourists now. When we first started out, almost no one who didn’t live here knew about the town. It was just one of those small, sleepy places in the mountains.
“Now…” he shrugged. “We still have some work to do, but it stands as proof of what we can do together.”
Clara and Ezra’s enthusiasm grew. This was more than they could’ve asked for. Allies who were in the same business and had been for some time would help them grow. Though they didn’t often admit to it out loud, they were a bit overwhelmed with everything. Starting such a big venture had them feeling out of their depths and vulnerable. There was so much riding on this, it was impossible not to feel confused and worried about making the wrong steps.
“That’d be great,” Clara said. “We appreciate all the work you’ve done so far and would love to be part of that in any way we can. We want to become part of the community, not just outsiders who bought up the bed and breakfast to make a quick buck. We want to build something sustainable.”
“I love that,” Brittany said. “Why don’t you come over to our house for dinner sometime? This week maybe? We can discuss ideas for the future and get to know each other a bit better.”
Ezra and Clara looked to each other, mirroring each other’s excitement.
“We’d love to,” Clara said. The couples exchanged information and figured out a time that would work best for all of them.
“I’m so excited to see what we’ll do together,” Brittany said.
“Me too,” Ezra replied, happy enough to set the ghosts aside.
22
That day of retail therapy turned out to be great for Ezra and Clara. They settled on color schemes that were reminiscent of Victorian times, with dusty shades of pink and purple, and muted hues of blue and green. They picked out wallpaper typical of the era, while leaving most of the flooring alone since it’d be much more work. Though they decided to splurge on the flooring in the dining area, which had been worn down by consistent use.
They made out well at antique shops, finding plenty of vintage pieces to add to their collection. The aesthetic Clara had in mind was coming together perfectly. It was a little on the darker side in places, inspired by her literary heroes of the time, but she thought it would still draw people in. She hoped it would anyway.
Regardless, they were creating something they loved and could be happy with, proud of. They felt a lot better once they returned home, and Ezra managed to get through the night without any nightmares plaguing him. He woke up refreshed and ready to tackle the day for the first time since his father died.
Ezra wasn’t about to take any chances of the mood souring though. He still had almost a week before his doctor’s appointment, and he didn’t want to take a turn for the worse during that time. A small part of him wanted to prove to himself that he could do better on his own, without going to the doctor at all. At the very least though, he wanted to start making strides to better mental health before things could go too far. He wanted to show Clara he was taking this seriously and could do better. He would do better.
He started off the day with a healthy breakfast to get himself fueled properly, while listening to happy, bright start to your day kind of music. He took a nice hot shower to wake himself up, then headed out for an early morning walk while Clara remained sleeping.
He had missed the sunrise, but the day still felt fresh and new. There was a quietness to the unpolluted air. A promise that he could be productive, get better, and create happiness here. He just had to stay on top of his wellness. He had to take time out for himself. He was so used to working nonstop in Chicago that he hadn’t taken the proper time to care for himself, and it was showing.
Plus, Ezra’s father’s voice was taking up a lot of space in the back of his head lately, insisting that real men didn’t have to worry about mental health. Real men didn’t struggle with emotions. Real men could get through anything just by being tough.
He was done with that though. Moving here had given him a chance to be a new person, and he was going to be the best version of himself he could be.
Finches brave enough to stay through winter sang their happiness that there was no snow falling today. Snow from previous chilly evenings remained though, crunching under Ezra’s feet. Heavy branches sheltered him from above, while the winter air refreshed him without biting back like it often did. The temperature was above freezing, a nice change, and the sun was trying its best to remind everyone of spring days to come. These cold days wouldn’t last forever.
Ezra drew in a deep breath, focusing on how it filled his lungs. It was a reminder he was here. He was alive. He let the air out through his nose, letting go of the stress. He was okay. He was safe. He was grounded.
He needed these moments to right himself. As much as he loved Clara and being around her, and as grateful as he was for Nathaniel’s help, he’d been craving some isolation. Simply putting some space between himself and the bed and breakfast was a relief.
He could do this. He could do this. He could…
A truck slowing as it neared him gave him pause. He couldn’t think of anyone who would want to stop and talk to him, but being so new to town, he didn’t want to shun anyone either. So, he stopped as the truck stopped. The window rolled down. Sam’s face was revealed.
“Morning,” Ezra replied, only slightly annoyed at being interrupted during his walk.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” Sam said, surprising Ezra. They had talked just the day before. What else could he possibly need to discuss before their upcoming dinner plans? “I’m heading out to get coffee now before I start my day. I know the best coffee shop; they whip up a mean espresso. Would you care to join me?”
Ezra wasn’t really in the mood for conversing with someone over coffee. He came out here to have time to himself and he had plenty of work to do once he returned home. But Sam and Brittany were so nice and welcoming to them so far, and they could use some friends in this new town.
“Sure,” Ezra said with a shrug. “I haven’t had my morning cup of coffee yet, and it’ll be nice to visit some local businesses.”
He hopped in the truck and they talked a little bit about how their day was going so far, but they didn’t get into the real reason Sam wanted to talk to him right away because the coffee shop was only a few minutes away.
Ezra was surprised by Sam’s choice. The brick building with colorful art painted on the walls and frosted glass windows looked rather new age and hipster in a way Ezra didn’t expect from Sam. He was intrigued by it though, so he followed Sam inside with much more enthusiasm than he carried with him when Same first invited Ezra to grab coffee with him. He was always interested in trying out new cafes that stood out from the rest.
This one certainly didn’t disappointment. The interior of the café was crawling with lush plants and quiet, classical music that was relaxing while also making him feel like he had been transported to some sort of fairytale. Tucked among the plants were pieces of artwork inspired by nature and raw emotions. Ezra picked up on the passion behind this vision and was drawn in by that love.
Raw wood furnishings were topped with painted clay cups, plates, and bowls. The smells… the smell was what really caught Ezra’s attention. Rich, full-bodied coffee was joined by decadent chocolate, sweet caramel, warm cinnamon, and various other flavorings that made Ezra wish he hadn’t already eaten breakfast. If the drinks were as good as they smelled, he would definitely take Clara here tomorrow morning.
“You can’t go wrong with anything you order here,” Sam said as they looked at the chalkboard menu. “It’s all phenomenal.”
“There are way too many options,” Ezra lamented.
“That’s why I come almost every day.” Sam laughed. “I think I’ve tried every single flavor. Brittany prefers her corporate chain coffee shops, but this is where it’s at. The good stuff is right here.”
Ezra ordered a turmeric latte and hoped for the best, while Sam went with his mocha and caramel staple. They grabbed their drinks and headed right for a table in the back corner. Ezra sipped his latte and instantly fell in love.
“That is the best coffee I have ever tasted,” Ezra said.
“Right?” Sam beamed. “And you’re from the big city, right? I bet you’ve been to a bunch of fancy coffee shops, but nothing like we have here.”
“Very true,” Ezra admitted. “I’m more thankful every day that we came to live here.”
“You made a good choice,” Sam said. “Or at least, in moving here you did. There’s another choice you made though that… I’m not sure it was the wisest decision. I wanted to say something to you about it at the store when you first mentioned it, but I figured Brittany would butt in and get mad that I even brought it up.
“I was going to let it go, or at least try to. But then I saw you walking, which gave us the perfect opportunity to talk and…” he shrugged. “I don’t know. It seems risky to not say anything, but I also don’t want to get you angry at us or anything. Brittany would kill me if I broke that connection she’s already formed with your wife.”
Now Ezra was curious, and especially after that vision of his father, he wanted to be aware of any potential bad choices and their possible outcomes. He needed to be ready for anything that could go wrong.
“Don’t worry about it,” Ezra said. “I’m not going to get angry at you for simply warning me about something. I’d rather know about any potential issues that may arise because they can become something unmanageable. Do feel free to share.”
Sam looked like he was debating it, but of course he had to share now. He had already invited Ezra here. It was too late to back out. He sat back and sighed.
“I just think you need to be careful around Nathaniel is all,” he said.
23
“Nathaniel?” Ezra asked. That was rather unexpected.
“Yeah. You said you hired him, didn’t you?”
“I did. He came by while we were still setting up and he seems like a good kid. I guess his father worked for Lyla and Richard. He seems to have a real passion and love for the place, and for cooking. Reminds me of myself when I was younger.”
“I’m sure he does have passion for it,” Sam said, nodding his agreement. “And I’m sure he’s a good kid. He’s usually quite polite and upbeat whenever I see him. I know a lot of people in town love him and we all cared about his father. He’s lived here his whole life and isn’t known for causing trouble.
“I just… I don’t know. I’ve heard some things about him. Like, I know he really wanted to buy the bed and breakfast after Lyla and Richard died. A lot of people in town were after the property, but Nathaniel was really invested in it. I think he wanted it more than anyone else did.
“That price war though…” Sam shook his head. “It was brutal. Kid couldn’t compete. He tried, I’m sure. But you guys must’ve had a whole lot of money to snatch that up, and I heard he’s still bitter about it. I mean, think about it. His father cared about the property, and so does he. He has this passion for it, probably brimming with ideas of what he wants to do with it, and this newcomer swoops it up out of his grasp.”
Ezra hadn’t thought of it like that before, not really. It made sense though and he kind of felt bad for it. He reminded himself that no matter what property they chose though, someone else would want to buy it. It was an inevitable part of the process. It was too bad Nathaniel wasn’t able to purchase the property, but maybe he could save up for a different one while he worked for Ezra. Besides, if Ezra hadn’t outbid him for it, surely someone else would’ve. Nathaniel had admitted he didn’t have the money to buy it, or the funds to keep a business going anyway.
“I’ve heard he’s angry about it,” Sam continued. “Which only makes sense. But it makes me wonder why he’d choose to work for you then. Don’t you think it’s a little suspicious?”
Ezra thought back to the conversation he had with Clara about Nathaniel. It seemed a couple of people weren’t too sure about Nathaniel’s intentions. Ezra hadn’t thought to be suspicious of him when he first hired him, but hearing everyone else’s concerns made him wonder. Was it suspicious? Did Nathaniel have ulterior motives?
“I don’t know,” Ezra shrugged. “I guess he just seems like someone who cares about the property and has a passion for cooking. If he couldn’t buy it, well, maybe he thought the next best thing was to work for someone who owned it. Through Clara and me, he could learn how to manage a bed and breakfast, as well as brush up on some of his cooking skills. That way someday he’ll be ready to run his own once he has the money for it.
“Sure, maybe it’s odd that he’d choose to work for us if he is so frustrated and bitter about it. When I talked to him, he didn’t seem that way though. It seemed like he was bummed about it, but also able to accept it and move on. I thought he saw it as a good opportunity.”
“That’s good,” Sam said, his tone upbeat, though he didn’t look convinced. “I’m sure you’re right. You talk to him more than I do, and if he is able to accept it gracefully, then that’s great. Admirable really.
“I just think you should watch your back is all, you know? You don’t have to fire him or anything. But you should keep
in mind that he did want your business, he wants that property. So, I don’t know, maybe keep an eye out. Plus…”
Ezra sipped his coffee in preparation of anything Sam might say next. As much as he didn’t like it, Sam’s words were already getting under his skin. They made sense. Too much sense. And with the odd things happening in the house lately, he couldn’t help but question Nathaniel’s intentions. He couldn’t help but chide himself for not questioning them more before he offered him the job.
“You do know things between Billy, Lyla, and Richard weren’t always great, don’t you?” Sam asked.
“Billy?”
“Yeah, Nathaniel’s father.”
“I haven’t heard much about him,” Ezra admitted. “All I know is what I’ve heard from Nathaniel and from the way he made it sound, they were all close. Friends, like family even. It sounds like the three of them worked well together. I thought that was why he loved the bed and breakfast so much.”
Ezra had only ever heard good things from Nathaniel about the previous owners. There was no way there was any bad blood between them. Sam had to be wrong about that.
“They all got along well for the most part,” Sam replied. “But near the end, things were getting a little tense. I don’t know exactly what happened, but Lyla and Richard were always on edge, always stressed. I do know Billy played some part in that.”
It looked like Sam knew a lot more than what he was saying. He was only giving Ezra a taste. Though Ezra suspected he might be able to learn more once he and Sam got closer. If he pressed a little.
“What kind of part?” Ezra asked.
“Like I said, I don’t know details, but they talked about him. Frequently near the end. There were disagreements, a couple of fights, some sort of bigger falling out.
“Billy helped them out a lot. He was integral to their business, so they weren’t about to fire him or anything. I think they all truly did care about each other. When you’re around someone that much though, tension is bound to arise. Especially when there’s an unequal power dynamic.”