The Book Club Hotel(60)

Hattie tightened her arms protectively. “Please lower your voice, Stephanie.”

“Who is running this business? You or that child? Or is it the dog? There are days when I wonder. It puts a whole new spin on the phrase going to the dogs, and this place most definitely is.”

Hattie’s head was splitting. Right now her daughter was the priority because until she’d soothed Delphi, she wasn’t going to be able to have a rational conversation, and she couldn’t calm Delphi while Stephanie was shouting.

She was about to suggest that Stephanie wait in her office, when Anna stepped forward. She held a pretty decoration in her hand.

“Delphi? I found this on the floor. It must have fallen off the tree. Do you know where it was hanging?”

Delphi cautiously lifted her damp face from Hattie’s shoulder.

She looked at Anna and seemed to like what she saw because she released her choke hold on Hattie’s neck.

“No.” Her breath came in jerks. “D-don’t know.”

“I love decorating trees.” Anna’s smile was kind. “It’s my favorite thing. I’m sure you love it, too, am I right?”

Delphi sniffed. “Yes.”

“That’s great. Could you help me decide where to hang this?” Anna dangled the twinkling star from her fingers. “Shall I just pick somewhere?”

Delphi paused and then wriggled down from Hattie’s arms. “I’ll show you.”

Rufus was by her side in an instant, and Anna reached down to stroke him. “He’s gorgeous. I’m Anna. And I remember that when my little girl was your age, she knew exactly what she wanted Santa to bring her for Christmas. I bet you’re the same.”

Hattie decided that she loved Anna.

Delphi took the decoration from Anna’s fingers. “I know, but it’s a secret.”

“A secret?” Anna’s smile was compelling. “But you’ve written to him?”

“Aunty Lynda helped me. Mommy can’t know.”

Noah raised his eyebrows so presumably he knew nothing about it, either.

Which gave Hattie a whole new problem. If she didn’t know what Delphi wanted for Christmas, how was she supposed to provide it?

Stephanie made an impatient sound. “I cannot believe we’re talking about Santa when this place is falling apart. You do realize that at the moment all you have in our award-winning kitchen are a bunch of junior staff?”

At the mention of the staff, Hattie transferred her attention from Delphi to Stephanie. “First, is Helen all right?”

Stephanie gaped at her. “I’m telling you that you have a crisis, and you’re asking after the welfare of your sous-chef?”

“Chloe said Chef Tucker threw a pan at her.”

“Oh—yes, he did.” Stephanie frowned. “She was crying, and he lost his temper. I don’t condone hurling heavy objects, but I agree with him that she is much too sensitive to be working in a busy kitchen.”

Hattie tried again, more firmly this time. “Is she hurt?”

“I don’t know, and right now that is not the most important thing. It’s time for plain speaking. I’ve done my best to support you since Brent died,” she said, focusing her laser-like gaze on Hattie, “but even I have my limits and I’ve reached them. I’m sad for you, Hattie, that’s the truth. It’s been hard, I’m sure, but maybe it’s time to admit you’re not cut out for this. You’ve tried to step into Brent’s shoes, but you don’t come near to filling them. You’ll never be Brent. And frankly, Brent would turn in his grave if he could see the way you’re running this place.”

Hattie felt the blood drain from her face. Her limbs felt shaky. She felt strange and disconnected.

Her first thought was for her daughter, but fortunately, Anna had Delphi occupied finding a place around the back of the tree for the ornament.

Which left her no excuse to not face Stephanie.

She was tempted to bolt from the room, but then what? There was no one else to handle this. Only her.

And Stephanie was right about one thing. She wasn’t Brent. And she had been trying to be Brent. She’d been trying to carry on his dream for the inn. And that was the problem; she could see that now. She’d been trying to keep things going the way he’d wanted, and in doing so hadn’t followed any of her own instincts. She’d done what was right for him, not what was right for her. And this was where they’d ended up.

And it wasn’t a good place.

Hattie felt Noah’s hand on her back, warm and protective.

She heard him draw breath and knew that if she didn’t speak soon, then he would. And what sort of example would that set for Delphi? That she needed other people to speak for her? To defend her? She didn’t want her daughter growing up thinking her mother couldn’t stand her ground when she needed to or, worse, that she wasn’t able to defend herself when someone spoke to her in such a disrespectful way.

“Stephanie, we need to talk in private. Let’s go to my office.”

“If you want to talk to me, I’ll try and find time for you tomorrow. I’m leaving for the evening.”

“Leaving? Stephanie, we’re in a crisis.”

“A crisis of your making. A crisis that is not my problem. There is nothing in my contract that says I have to donate my personal time to a lost cause.”