River's End (9781426761140) (7 page)

Sarah got settled in her old room, and although she didn't seem very happy about it, she didn't complain either. Then, while Clark took the boat downriver to fetch Hazel, they set up an old-fashioned tea party upstairs, complete with the good china, silver, and fresh flowers. Anna even made Hazel's favorite lemon bars. But Hazel's best surprise when she came into the room was discovering that their long-lost Sarah had been returned to them. With tear-filled eyes, Hazel hugged the girl
for several minutes. “I've dreamed of this day,” she told her. “I knew you'd come back.”

“I stayed in your cabin while you were gone,” Sarah told her. “I hope you don't mind.”

“Not at all.” Hazel patted Sarah's cheek happily. “It's a good place to come home to.”

“And I read some of the stories you wrote . . . the ones from my great-great-grandmother.” She smiled shyly. “I like them.”

“I like them, too,” Hazel sighed loudly. “Oh, it's so good to be home.” She glanced around the room. “Where's Lauren?”

Anna couldn't help but notice Sarah's countenance darken at the mention of her mother. “Lauren is enjoying a much-needed vacation,” Anna said quickly. “But she'll be back on Thursday. Or perhaps you'll want to go visit her at Babette's house.”

Clark jumped in, changing the subject by asking Hazel about her travels, and, as a result, she began foraging through her bags. Pulling out interesting and varied artifacts and souvenirs, she enthusiastically explained where she'd found them and what they were used for.

“Oh, yes, I have something for you, Sarah. I didn't know at the time I got it that it would be for you.” She dug down into a bag, finally pulling something wrapped in white paper. She peeled off the paper to reveal something silky and red. “But I know it's meant for you now.” She handed it to Sarah. “It's a kimono. Go ahead, try it on.”

They all oohed and ahhed over the elegant golden bird embroidered on the back of the beautiful garment as Sarah modeled the kimono for them. “Thank you, Hazel. I will treasure it always.”

At the end of the day, Anna felt hopeful. With Hazel back in their midst, it seemed that Sarah might actually be turning a corner in her recovery. Sarah and Hazel had always hit
it off, and after dinnertime Sarah sat and drank coffee with Hazel on the upper deck, enjoying the older woman's tales of adventure in the mysterious Orient. Not only that, but Anna thought Hazel's presence might help distract Sarah when Lauren returned. In fact, while she was getting the coffee things set out for tomorrow morning, Anna decided to completely disclose the touchy situation to Hazel and enlist her help if needed.

“Did Mother look all right to you?” Clark asked, as they were getting ready for bed.

Anna stopped brushing her hair and peered at him. “What do you mean?”

“Well, she was animated and happy to be home, but she seemed a little gray to me.”

“Gray?”

“Her complexion seemed a little ashen.” He frowned. “Unless I imagined it.”

Anna thought about it. “She did look a bit weary. And, certainly, traveling at her age must be tiring.”

“She was awfully happy to get home. You should've seen her eyes light up when she saw the dock and the inn.”

“I'm so glad she's home, Clark. I didn't realize how much I'd missed her.”

“It was wonderful seeing her and Sarah together.”

Anna nodded, setting her hairbrush down. “It really gave me hope.” But as they got into bed, Anna knew that she'd be watching Hazel more closely tomorrow. Perhaps she was unwell. But Anna knew that the river air could change that . . . as well as some herbal teas and good wholesome food. If Hazel was ailing, it wouldn't be long until they'd get her well again. Like Anna's mother used to say, she'd be “right as rain.”

Anna woke early in the morning. Feeling happy and energized, she turned on the coffee, set out some things, then
decided to take her canoe out. The river was misty and quiet, and other than a few fishermen, she had it to herself. Paddling upriver, she felt strong and hopeful. Life was good and getting better.

Oh, the inn was a bit demanding this time of year . . . and sometimes, like before Sarah returned to them, she sometimes felt a little overwhelmed by the work that went into keeping it running smoothly. But on days like today, silently slicing through the water, watching the sun beginning to break through the mist, observing a blue heron standing majestically in the reeds by the river, spotting an osprey diving into the smooth surface of the water and emerging with a silvery fish . . . all of this was why she loved it here.

Remembering how lonely Lauren had sounded yesterday, she decided to paddle a bit further up and pay her a visit. Hopefully she'd have coffee on. After tying the canoe next to Lauren's boat on the dock, Anna reached her arms skyward, stretching her spine, and taking in a deep breath.

“Hello,” Lauren called from the house up above. Still wearing her bathrobe, she waved down to Anna. “Come on up!”

Anna hurried up the path to the house, admiring the gardens as she went. It was obvious that Lauren really had been busy. “The place looks great,” Anna told her.

“Come inside and see the kitchen!” Lauren exclaimed.

Anna always felt Babette's presence in this house, and as she saw Lauren's improvements—fresh shell pink paint, the white cabinets freshly scrubbed, and—even new white lace-trimmed curtains on the window above the sink, Anna knew Babette would approve.

“The old curtains fell apart when I washed them,” Lauren explained. “But I made these myself. They're actually old pillowcases that I just opened up. Do you think they look okay?”

“They're perfect,” Anna said. As they sat outside drinking coffee, Anna told her about Hazel's arrival. “And I think she'll come over to visit you.”

“Oh, I hope so. It's been so lonely.”

“And Sarah really came to life when she was talking to Hazel.” She told Lauren about the red kimono.

“I'd love to see it.”

“You will,” Anna assured her. “In time.” She finished her coffee. “Speaking of time, I better get back. As you know, we're full up, and I noticed quite a number of guests had signed up for breakfast this morning.”

Lauren frowned. “Sometimes I wonder if the time will come when we'll have to stop offering meals.”

Anna sighed. “I know what you mean, but the family dining appeals to so many. I hate to think of quitting.”

“I know, Mom, but it's so much work. And most of the cabins have kitchenettes. Plus there's the barbecue area Clark built. Not to mention the public kitchen in the dining room. As we get older, we might want to consider making it easier.”

Anna laughed. “Who has time to get older, darling?”

Lauren chuckled. “Well, you never seem to get older, but some of us might.”

Anna kissed her on the cheek. “We're as young as we feel, right? And today I feel so happy that I must still be in my twenties.”

Lauren let out a little groan as she stood and rubbed her back. “Well, I spent yesterday afternoon weeding an old flowerbed out back, and I feel like I'm about a hundred years old today.”

“Don't forget you're on vacation,” Anna reminded her.

“And don't forget you promised to take a vacation, too,” Lauren called as Anna started back down the hill.

“Don't worry. Clark is already looking into it.” She waved. “Have a good day. And don't forget to take it easy.”

“You too, Mom!”

As Anna let the river current help her downriver, she thought about Lauren's suggestion about the dining situation at the inn. On some levels, it made sense. Certainly, they didn't make much money off serving food. And it was a lot of work. Plus, like Lauren had pointed out, they had made enough improvements that guests could easily fix their own food if they were so inclined. However, it was a bit of a trip into town, and not all the guests felt comfortable operating boats without help. In all fairness, it wasn't exactly easy for guests to bring in or go out for provisions. How could they fix meals without access to food?
Unless
 . . . Anna stopped paddling as the idea materialized in her head—unless they put in a store.

A store! Suddenly Anna flashed back to her childhood, back to a time when her parents had run the only store on the river. Situated in the lower part of the house, their little store had served so many people, from locals to tourists. She remembered how fun it had been to have customers coming and going from their dock, sharing the latest news, purchasing what they needed, and sometimes even trading for items. Especially during hard times. Anna couldn't believe she hadn't considered this before. Of course, it made perfect sense—the inn needed a store! She paddled harder now. She couldn't wait to tell Clark this idea.

That's a great idea,” Clark told Anna as they ate breakfast upstairs in the house. Since it was Hazel's first morning back, they'd decided to dine up there instead of in the busy dining room.

“If I might make a recommendation,” Hazel set down her coffee cup, “I think it would be nice if you sold some of your herbal remedies there, too. And what about finding someone to make Babette's soaps and lotions? You still have all the old recipes, don't you?”

“Of course. In fact, Lauren has expressed interest in doing that. But I've kept her so busy helping to manage the inn . . . well, there just hasn't been time.”

Hazel frowned. “Becoming too busy at the inn seems to defeat its original purpose, Anna.”

Anna sighed. “Yes . . . I remember the time when we longed for more guests. Now I sometimes find myself longing for some peace and quiet.”

“Even the winter season isn't as slow as it used to be.” Clark shook his head. “I'm not sure what the answer is.”

“Raise your rates?” Hazel suggested.

“Oh, I hate to do that.” Anna reached for another strip of bacon. “Our faithful old regulars would probably stop coming if we increased the rates. Even this idea of not serving meals is a bit unsettling.”

“Perhaps you change this into a bed and breakfast.”

“A bed and breakfast?” Anna tried to imagine this.

“They're all the rage on the east coast and some European countries,” Hazel continued.

“That's not a bad idea,” Clark said. “It might make the transition easier. Perhaps starting with the next season, or the new year, you could increase the rates slightly but include breakfast in the cost. By then we'd have the store up and running and time to better equip the kitchens so that guests really would want to do their own cooking.”

“And people could still use the dining facilities and public kitchen,” Anna added. “In case they wanted to eat family style in a large group.”

“And just think how much easier it will be on you and the staff,” Clark said.

“What will be easier on the staff?” Sarah asked as she came into the room, setting a basket of blueberry muffins on the table. “These were leftover from breakfast.”

So, Anna told Sarah about the idea of opening a store and discontinuing meals. But Sarah didn't seem to like this plan. “What about Janelle and Diane and the rest of the staff?” she asked. “What will we do for work then?”

Anna laughed. “Oh, there's always plenty of work to go around.”

“I don't know . . .” Sarah slowly shook her head.

“Someone will need to mind the store,” Anna said.

“And we might need another fishing guide.” Clark grinned at Sarah. “Speaking of fishing, I wondered if you'd like to go out with me tomorrow morning.”

Sarah looked at Anna. “Would it be okay?”

“It would be fine.” Anna smiled. “And hopefully you'll catch some salmon. We're due for a salmon bake night.”

“A salmon bake sounds lovely.” Hazel sighed wearily. “But if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of sorting and unpacking to continue with.”

“Are you feeling okay, Mom?” Clark peered curiously at her.

“Just feeling my age, son.” She slowly pushed herself to her feet. “I'm afraid that trip really wore me out.”

Clark stood, too. “How about if I walk you back to your cabin?”

She gave him a grateful smile. “You're a good boy.”

He linked his arm in hers. “And you're a good mother.”

Sarah and Anna began to clear the table, but Anna could tell by Sarah's expression that she was worried about something. “You know my parents used to run a store downstairs,” she said as they rinsed dishes. “I grew up helping out in there. It was really quite fun. I'll bet you'd enjoy working in the store once we get it set up.”

“Would it only sell food?” Sarah asked.

So Anna told her of Hazel's suggestion that they carry other things as well. “And perhaps we should carry those sorts of things that guests sometimes forget.”

“Like toothbrushes and shampoo?”

“Yes. We'll have to start making lists of all the items we'd like to have. Maybe we should ask the guests for suggestions too.”

“I guess it could be sort of fun,” Sarah admitted. “Maybe you could have T-shirts printed up with the inn's name on the front.”

“That's a good idea.” Although Anna didn't want to see guests going around looking like billboards, she did like that Sarah seemed to be getting into the spirit of things. “And we'd
have to be sure the T-shirts were tastefully done. Maybe you could help with some design ideas.”

“Yeah.” Sarah nodded eagerly. “Maybe something with a canoe.”

They continued chatting as they cleaned up the kitchen things. Janelle and Diane came back up to start prepping some things for lunch. “Can I tell them about the new idea?” Sarah asked Anna.

“Sure.” Anna dried her hands. “Like Clark said, I don't think we'll start implementing it until next season. Although it might be fun to get the store up and running to see how guests respond to it.”