Tess couldn’t help but smile, even as a tendril of dread was working its way up her spine. All the laughter and good feelings at the table seemed to fade into the background as one thought centered itself in the forefront of her mind.
What was making the scratching noises? And would she be safe from it tonight, with the door open? She imagined herself huddled under the covers, the scratching ringing through the dark house.
“What are your feelings on next steps?”
Wyatt’s question brought her back into the room. Tess shook her head. “I’m not sure. Cleaning, I guess, is at the top of the list. Then I’ll be able to see what I’m dealing with.”
“Tess is thinking of turning the space into an owner’s suite, for when guests arrive,” Wyatt explained to the others. “I hope I’m not speaking out of turn here.”
Tess waved away his concern. “No, that’s the plan. It’s no secret that I’m opening an inn. Intending to, anyway. And I’ll need help getting that suite in shape, that’s for sure. If you guys are available—”
Wyatt nodded. “My life is so very rich and full that I have absolutely nothing going on. So, weirdly, I’m available.”
Tess chuckled. She liked this man. He seemed familiar to her, somehow.
“Wharton gets so sleepy during this time of year,” Hunter added. “I don’t want to use the term ghost town, but . . . all of us who work in the tourist trade cobble together this and that in the winter.”
“And not much of this, and very little of that,” Grant said, surprising Tess with his humor. Laughter all around.
“I guess you’ve got yourself a crew, for better or worse,” Wyatt said with a grin.
“A motley one, but a crew,” Hunter piped up.
“Now that you’ve seen the space, what are you thinking?” Wyatt asked.
Tess hadn’t thought that far ahead, but his question set her imagination whirring. It was one big room, with an added smaller room that Tess thought might be a bathroom. She hoped it was, because then the plumbing would already be there. The pipes may need to be replaced, but it would not have to be plumbed from scratch. That was a big plus. Maybe there would be room to add a deep claw-foot tub or a jacuzzi.
In her mind, she saw a sort of studio apartment for herself, with a sleeping area in one corner （near the fireplace?） and a living area in the other, with an overstuffed sofa and a chair-and-a-half with an ottoman. Bookshelves could line the one wall without windows. A television, somewhere. Maybe a small fridge and a hutch for a few dishes.
She searched her mind, thinking back to what she had seen in the room—had there been a closet? If not, she’d have to build one. Wouldn’t be too difficult, she figured.
What of the floors? Tess hadn’t really noticed them but assumed they’d be the same hardwood as the rest of the house. They might need refinishing, which was also easy enough to do.
In her mind, she saw colors. Indigo and amethyst, accented with gray, for Sebastian Bell’s children and grandchild. The colors could be in the rugs and on the walls, in accent pillows and the bedspread.
It came together so easily. In an instant.
She smiled up at Wyatt. “I think I know exactly what I want to do in there,” she said. “But a closer look will tell us more.”
Grant finished his beer and placed the bottle on the table with finality. He pushed his chair back from the table and got to his feet. “I hate to break up the party, but Susan is expecting me,” he said. “We’re having dinner with the kids on Zoom.” He rolled his eyes as he elongated the word.
Tess glanced at the clock. Nearly five. She hadn’t realized it was so late, but as she looked out the window, she saw the twilight illuminating the snow. Her favorite time of day.
“I’d better run, too,” Hunter said, taking a last sip. “Don’t want to make that drive back to Salmon Bay in the dark.”
Tess nodded. She knew that road well.
“So, listen,” Wyatt began. “I’ll huddle with Tess to talk about next steps. Then I’ll get back with you two—”
Tess held up a hand to stop him. “We haven’t talked about money yet. We should get that straight before—”
Wyatt shook his head. “Of course. We’ll get all that worked out, but don’t expect this to cost anything close to a fortune.”
“We’re cheap labor!” Hunter piped up. “Especially for a neighbor who’s opening a business in the area. We pitch in to help our own around here.”