Bed & Breakfast

Ch. 17 Venturing Out

*** Andie's POV ***

Fourth of July

"Several towns do fireworks, it's just a matter of how far you want to drive." I told the middle-aged guest, Veronica, for the third time.

"But there's no place locally?" She questioned skeptically. I gave her a tight smile, biting my tongue. My patience was running thin. The inn was booked solid as it had been since the beginning of June. While I was happy for the business, I was second guessing how I managed to keep this up without Lou and the kids to help.

"Here, this might help you to visualize what she's talking about." Riley swooped in with a fold-out map. I gave her an appreciative look and set out to replenish the infused water cooler. Parker, however, beat me to it.

"You're so on it." I observed, wiping at my forehead.

"Keeps me out of trouble." He mused. I swear that he had aged like five years since they arrived, looking less like a boy and more like a man every day.

I heard a car traveling up the drive. It was likely our last guest to check in for the weekend. I headed out to the front porch into the humid heat. Parker trailed behind as a safety precaution. Concern about Stan locating the kids lessened every day, but we were still making sure none of us were alone.

The man who exited reminded me of Robert Redford when he was middle-aged. He was tanned and had kind eyes. Parker took his bags as I walked him into the house to check him in.

"Beautiful property you have here." He commented looking around at the well-maintained flower beds.

"It helps when the weather gives us bountiful sun and rain." I chirped. "Joel Stanford?"

"That I am. Are you the lovely person I coordinated my stay with over the phone?" He grinned at me and I felt a warm blush spread over my face.

"Andie." I introduced myself, offering my hand.

"Well Andie, you are wooing me left and right. I appreciate you getting me in here given the circumstances of the holiday and all." He gave me an appreciative nod, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than felt normal. "That lass who took my bag...is he yours?"

"Huh?" I asked, caught off guard by the question.

"The boy...who's watching us closely from the window. Is he your son? He seems awfully protective." Joel acknowledged.

"Oh, um, family friend." I shared, although that wasn't quite the full extent.

"Well given that it isn't incestuous then, I'd say that boy has a crush on you." He glanced at me when I scoffed. "I mean, I can't blame him. You married, sweetheart?"

While Joel seemed harmless enough, I've never been comfortable with this kind of attention. "Not married, but I am in a relationship."

"Disappointing, but not surprising. Your partner's lucky." He commented, tossing me a wink and walking ahead of me towards the house. I followed, appreciative that he wasn't pushing boundaries like some men.

Once Joel was checked in, I did a quick walk-through to make sure everyone was settled. I came around the corner upstairs to find one of the teenage guests lingering outside of Riley's room. I wanted to give the kid the benefit of the doubt.

"You can knock. She probably has headphones in so if she doesn't answer, don't be offended." I explained in a cheery voice.

"Uh, right." The kid mumbled, giving the faintest of knocks.