One Little Word by Amanda Cabot

Author:Amanda Cabot [Cabot, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC027050, American Christian fiction
ISBN: 9781441246585
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2014-08-18T00:00:00+00:00

Eight

I tell you, young lady, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I found every one of my guests playing charades. Not just playing, but enjoying it.” A sparkle lit Mr. Parker’s gray eyes. “How did you convince them?”

Lorraine felt the tension that had been building from the moment the inn’s owner had asked to speak with her drain away. She’d seen him enter the parlor during one of the more exuberant rounds of charades, when Mr. Ferguson had been flapping his arms as he pretended to be a windmill. Though Mr. Parker had said nothing, his eyes had betrayed his shock. Lorraine had expected a reprimand, but it seemed the innkeeper wasn’t annoyed that she’d arranged afternoon activities without his approval. To the contrary, he appeared pleased.

“It wasn’t difficult,” she admitted. “People may say they want to relax on their holidays, but what they really want is a different kind of entertainment than they have at home. I simply provided it.”

Mr. Parker leaned back in the chair, his expression thoughtful. His eyes moved slowly, as if cataloging the contents of the small office that was sandwiched between the parlor and the servants’ quarters. When his gaze returned to Lorraine, he smiled. “Do you have other ideas?”

It was the opening she had sought. “Yes, sir. I want to organize a croquet tournament. I’d also like to find a boat so guests can enjoy the pond, and I might even try to convince you to buy a few bicycles.”

Mr. Parker chuckled. “You’re definitely Mike’s sister. He’s always brimming with ideas.” The chuckle turned into laughter. “Sometimes I think my only purpose is to rein in his enthusiasm. I can see I’m going to have to do the same for you.” A wink took the sting from his words. “Let’s wait for the bicycles, but you can have the two boats that are in the cellar. They don’t leak, but they need a new coat of paint. That’s why I stashed them there. I didn’t want anyone finding them and taking them out on the pond looking like that.”

Two boats were more than she’d hoped for. “I can paint them,” Lorraine said before Mr. Parker could change his mind. With two boats, she could expand what she had envisioned as a croquet tournament into a full-fledged athletic contest. She could even add footraces and tennis games to the competition, along with a rowing contest.

“Are you certain you want to paint?” Lorraine heard the wariness in Mr. Parker’s voice. “Jonah can do that.”

Lorraine gave the innkeeper her most persuasive smile. Perhaps it was foolish to protest, but just as Jonah wanted to do every bit of work on the carousel horses himself, Lorraine wanted the activities program to be completely hers. “I understand your skepticism, especially after my attempts at cooking and laundry, but I really do know how to paint. Besides, Jonah is busy finishing your merry-go-round.”

Mr. Parker was silent for a moment, obviously considering her argument. At last he nodded.

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