weeks,” I said evasively.
“We’re not … technically,” Dad said. “We’re having a soft launch this weekend. We’ve invited several travel reporters and business executives for a trial run. We’re hoping that people will consider it for company retreats, and if things go well, we should get some nice press out of it, too.”
“That’s a great idea,” I enthused.
“This area already has a solid tourist business,” Dad said. “I think we’re in a good position to make a profit right away. We just want to make sure we do everything we can to make it a success.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” I said. “We don’t have enough inns to keep up with the tourist population as it is. I guess I’m not sure why you want me there.”
Dad searched my face, reading the fear there, even though I was trying to hide it. Visiting the Dragonfly opened all sorts of old wounds for my mother and aunts – and it made my Great-Aunt Tillie feel … threatened. And, quite frankly, when Aunt Tillie feels threatened, everyone needs to duck and cover. Me first!
“I understand if you don’t want to come,” he said.
“I want to come,” I said, eager to please. “I want to support you.”
“You’re just worried about what Aunt Tillie will do,” Dad said, finishing my unsaid thought for me.
“She’s been a little crazy where the Dragonfly is concerned,” I hedged.
“That woman has always been crazy,” Dad grumbled.
I glanced around. In my head, I knew Aunt Tillie wasn’t hiding in a corner and eavesdropping. In my heart, I wasn’t sure she wasn’t capable of making herself invisible to do just that. “She’s just protective.”
“I’m not here to argue about Aunt Tillie,” Dad said. “She’s been … very good to you.”
“When she’s not being evil,” I mumbled.
“I just thought you might want to have a little fun this weekend,” Dad said. “You could also get some free publicity for the shop.”
That piqued my interest. “How?”
“I was hoping you would do tarot card readings,” Dad said. “We want the Dragonfly branded with the town, and we thought tarot card readings – and maybe even a séance – would be a good way to do it.”
“A séance?” Séances never end well in my family. They usually end up with me cowering in a ball on the floor. Ghosts are real in my world, but they’re also a pain – and sometimes tempestuous.
“Nothing serious,” Dad cautioned. He was aware of the witchy genes in our family, although he didn’t like to talk about them. “I was just thinking something fun – something fake – would be enjoyable for the guests.”
Something fake? That I could do. “I don’t see why not,” I said. “It sounds like fun.”
“I figured you could stay in one of the rooms, too,” Dad said. “That would allow us to spend some time together.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I said. “We only live ten minutes away.”
“Still, I want you there,” Dad said. “This is a big deal for us. I want you to be part of it.”
His face was so earnest, I didn’t want to say no. Still … I had plans for this weekend, and they revolved around the new man in my life. Sam Cornell and I had only been dating a few weeks, but the time we got to spend together was precious to us. We were still in the heady infatuation phase of our relationship, but missing an entire weekend together would be disappointing. “I kind of have a … date … this weekend.”
I wasn’t embarrassed about my relationship with Sam – no matter how much Thistle and Bay were fighting our union – but it was still awkward to discuss it with my father.
Dad inhaled heavily. I was in my mid-twenties, but I was still his daughter. “Bring him,” he said finally.
I raised my eyebrows, excitement coursing through me. “Really? Are you sure? That means we’d be sharing a … room … together.”
“I figured,” Dad said, wrinkling his brow. “You are an adult, Clove. I
“We’re not … technically,” Dad said. “We’re having a soft launch this weekend. We’ve invited several travel reporters and business executives for a trial run. We’re hoping that people will consider it for company retreats, and if things go well, we should get some nice press out of it, too.”
“That’s a great idea,” I enthused.
“This area already has a solid tourist business,” Dad said. “I think we’re in a good position to make a profit right away. We just want to make sure we do everything we can to make it a success.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” I said. “We don’t have enough inns to keep up with the tourist population as it is. I guess I’m not sure why you want me there.”
Dad searched my face, reading the fear there, even though I was trying to hide it. Visiting the Dragonfly opened all sorts of old wounds for my mother and aunts – and it made my Great-Aunt Tillie feel … threatened. And, quite frankly, when Aunt Tillie feels threatened, everyone needs to duck and cover. Me first!
“I understand if you don’t want to come,” he said.
“I want to come,” I said, eager to please. “I want to support you.”
“You’re just worried about what Aunt Tillie will do,” Dad said, finishing my unsaid thought for me.
“She’s been a little crazy where the Dragonfly is concerned,” I hedged.
“That woman has always been crazy,” Dad grumbled.
I glanced around. In my head, I knew Aunt Tillie wasn’t hiding in a corner and eavesdropping. In my heart, I wasn’t sure she wasn’t capable of making herself invisible to do just that. “She’s just protective.”
“I’m not here to argue about Aunt Tillie,” Dad said. “She’s been … very good to you.”
“When she’s not being evil,” I mumbled.
“I just thought you might want to have a little fun this weekend,” Dad said. “You could also get some free publicity for the shop.”
That piqued my interest. “How?”
“I was hoping you would do tarot card readings,” Dad said. “We want the Dragonfly branded with the town, and we thought tarot card readings – and maybe even a séance – would be a good way to do it.”
“A séance?” Séances never end well in my family. They usually end up with me cowering in a ball on the floor. Ghosts are real in my world, but they’re also a pain – and sometimes tempestuous.
“Nothing serious,” Dad cautioned. He was aware of the witchy genes in our family, although he didn’t like to talk about them. “I was just thinking something fun – something fake – would be enjoyable for the guests.”
Something fake? That I could do. “I don’t see why not,” I said. “It sounds like fun.”
“I figured you could stay in one of the rooms, too,” Dad said. “That would allow us to spend some time together.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I said. “We only live ten minutes away.”
“Still, I want you there,” Dad said. “This is a big deal for us. I want you to be part of it.”
His face was so earnest, I didn’t want to say no. Still … I had plans for this weekend, and they revolved around the new man in my life. Sam Cornell and I had only been dating a few weeks, but the time we got to spend together was precious to us. We were still in the heady infatuation phase of our relationship, but missing an entire weekend together would be disappointing. “I kind of have a … date … this weekend.”
I wasn’t embarrassed about my relationship with Sam – no matter how much Thistle and Bay were fighting our union – but it was still awkward to discuss it with my father.
Dad inhaled heavily. I was in my mid-twenties, but I was still his daughter. “Bring him,” he said finally.
I raised my eyebrows, excitement coursing through me. “Really? Are you sure? That means we’d be sharing a … room … together.”
“I figured,” Dad said, wrinkling his brow. “You are an adult, Clove. I
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