Mandy

Chapter 26

All of my life, in every season. You are still God; and I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship.
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Mandy smiled as she walked around the inn, marveling at the progress made in only a week.

"So, all that's left is to hire someone to help with the cooking. We already hired a high school girl to help out with the reception part of things." Mandy concluded.

Samantha grinned. "It looks amazing! And I haven't even seen it in person." She said.

Mandy grinned as she looked at her friend's face on the screen. "I can't believe that this...this place... finally came true." She replied as she sat down on one of the new couches that they had put in the lobby.

"I can't either. I still get to be your first guest?" Samantha questioned.

Mandy laughed. "Of course! If you really want to be here when this place launches, I'd welcome having you."

"Well, that's settled then. I've got to go, the kids are getting into the kitchen." Samantha said.

Mandy frowned. "Ok...? I'll talk to you later."

"Later!" Samantha replied, then hung up the call.

Mandy shook her head as she stood up. "I really don't know why Sam keeps that job." She said aloud.

"Well, for one thing, all the trips out here aren't cheap." Caleb commented.

Mandy jumped when she heard him, then blushed. "You weren't suppose to hear that."

"Like I wasn't supposed to hear you snoring last night?" Caleb asked as he dragged a coffee table into the lobby.

Mandy's eyes widened at the accusation. "I do not snore!"

"Amilee heard it too." Caleb replied.

"What did I hear?" Amilee asked as she tried to carry a stack of pillows.

"Your Mommy's snoring." He told her.

"Oh. Mommy, are you sure you're ok? Daddy said he couldn't sleep because you were snoring too loud. 'Cept I think his tossing and turning was louder than your snoring." Amilee informed them.

Mandy struggled to keep from laughing. "Ok sweetie. Why don't you put the pillows down for now. I don't want you to drop one and trip on it."

Amilee did as instructed, then turned to her mom. "Mommy, why aren't we going to open tomorrow?" She asked.

Mandy sighed as she knelt down to her daughter's level. "Because we need one more helper for the kitchen." She explained.

Amilee frowned. "I can help."

Caleb chuckled. "I hope so. We will need you too. But we still need one more helper."

"Ami, I got the tent set up!" Sarah, their receptionist called from one of the rooms that hadn't been renovated yet.

"Yay!" Amilee screamed, running out of the lobby.

Mandy followed her at a slower pace. "Thanks." She mouthed to Liz.

Liz nodded, then picked up Ethan and the two of them joined Amilee in the tent.

"Ok, let's make our escape." Caleb whispered.

Mandy jumped, then groaned. "Stop startling me." She reprimanded him in a whisper.

Caleb shrugged as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her away from the kids.