Chasing Destiny by Nikki Rittenberry Page A

Cape Cod to its core; white wood siding and black window shutters. The brochure had indicated the recently renovated mansion was situated on three and a half acres of gently sloped terrain, nestled against the quiet Kennebec River. The estate had been constructed by a local sea captain in the early eighteen hundreds which came to no surprise; Bath was well-known as the city of ships. Cassie retrieved her luggage from the trunk and began her destination up the porch steps and was soon greeted by a pleasant, gray-haired woman gliding effortlessly on the adjacent porch swing.
    “Good afternoon, you must be Miss Warner”, the kind woman uttered.
    “Um… Yes, how did you know that?” she asked curiously.
    “It’s my job, dear.” The woman held out her hand. “My name is Janice; I’m the innkeeper.”
    Cassie shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Janice. The place is lovely.”
    “Oh, thank you!” Janice stood up from the porch swing and motioned for Cassie to follow her indoors. “I’ve grown pretty fond of it over the years. It’s been in the family for seven decades .”
    “ Wow, that’s incredible!” Cassie exclaimed.
    “It sure is. It belonged to my grandfather. I remember visiting here when I was a little girl, although it was his private residence then, not a bed and breakfast.”
    “Well, I’m sure you’ve made a lot of great memories here over the years.”
    Janice glanced around the room. “Yes, I most certainly have…” She was distracted by her childhood memories for several moments before she finally awoke from her trance. “Now, if I remember correctly you had a reservation for two in the Platinum Suite.”
    “Um, actually there’s been a last minute change to my reservation… It’s just me.”
    “Oh, okay. Let me just make a note of that for my records and then I’ll show you to your room.”
    “Thank you.”
    Janice opened her laptop and slowly typed with her two index fingers and then closed it shut before leading Cassie down the lengthy hall. She was sure to point out the main staircase which was accessible from the grand foyer. They continued down the hall, passing the formal dining area on the right and the study on the left, until they came upon something completely unexpected: an elevator.
      This was Janice’s prized -possession and Cassie admitted that although the mansion was over two-hundred years old, it certainly didn’t lack any modern conveniences. Janice opened the black, wrought-iron gate and the two ascended to the third floor. They traveled down the narrow corridor and halted in front of a heavy, wood door with a small sign that read, The Platinum Suite. Janice handed her the key and indicated that if she needed anything at all, to simply let her know.
    Cassie unlocked the door and opened it, revealing the elegant accommodations inside. The walls were painted a deep charcoal, reminiscent of how the sea must have appeared at night. Both the headboard and footboard of the bed were upholstered in ivory micro suede and embellished with silver nail-head trim. The ivory comforter glistened from the elegant crystal chandelier suspended above it and reflected its glamorous image in the mirrored nightstands placed adjacent to the bed. A settee was positioned at the foot of the bed, covered in a platinum striped material and the ivory silk drapes settled into a puddle on the maple, hardwood floor.
    She continued into the bathroom and it certainly did not disappoint. The vanity appeared to be an old, restored bureau with a tabletop, glass sink. The black and white-checkered floor pattern was interrupted by a crisp, white claw foot tub; complete with monogrammed towels that were draped neatly over the side. She felt like royalty and acknowledged that the brochure’s description of the newly renovated grounds were rather modest.
    After returning to the main room, she noticed a small buffet table with a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries and a silver ice bucket