Star-Crossed Parents

“Well, of course he does. But a parent should have some influence in the matter. Though I suppose if he’s making all sorts of money at his business, college would be a hard sell.”

Sam wasn’t going to admit to Leigh that Josh was barely scraping by, that more than once he’d needed to bail out his son so he could cover his payables.

“Sometimes you have to let your kids make a mistake or two.”

“There are mistakes, and then there are mistakes. ” She stood and slung her purse back on her shoulder. “I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on that point. Thank you very much for dinner, but I’d better get going now.”

“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow…?” He followed her down the hallway, then stepped past her to open the front door.

“Yes. I’ll be by first thing in the morning to pick up Taylor.”

“What if your daughter doesn’t want to go home with you?”

Leigh’s lips pursed again. “If she insists on staying the whole weekend, I suppose I will, too.”

She left then, and he watched her drive away before heading back to the kitchen. Miss Prim and Proper’s ice-cream bowl was as spotless as if a kitten had licked it clean.

A YARD LIGHT BURNED bright at the Washington Inn when Leigh drove up ten minutes after leaving Sam’s. She parked at the end of a line of six vehicles, grabbed the duffel she’d packed so quickly, then made her way over the stone pathway.

No one was at the front desk when she walked in, but within seconds a woman appeared.

“Hi, I’m Kate Wallace. Welcome to the Washington Inn.” Sam’s sister had even, pearl-like teeth. She looked around Leigh’s age, maybe a few years younger, and was dressed in yoga pants and a matching top. She eyed Leigh’s dress and heels with a hint of curiosity, but she didn’t offer a comment on the out-of-place outfit.

“Thanks. I’m Leigh Hartwell.”

“Yes. So my brother said.”

Leigh wondered if Sam had explained the whole scenario to her. Or told her what a terrible, controlling parent he thought she was. Probably not, because Kate’s smile seemed genuinely friendly.

Kate snagged a key from a drawer, then handed her a pamphlet, as well. “I’ve put you in the turret room. Sorry it’s so small, but it was the last room left.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.” She was desperate to get out of this outfit. Out of these shoes.

On the way, Kate showed her the breakfast room. “Coffee, tea and cookies are available from five o’clock on. Breakfast is served at seven-thirty or eight-thirty. Which would you prefer?”

“Seven-thirty.”

Kate smiled. “An early bird.”

“No. A runner. I figure if I eat early I’ll be able to go for a run around nine. Your brother said you have some nice trails in the area.”

“If you aren’t afraid of hills, we do. I’m not a runner myself, but many of our guests are. Stop at the desk in the morning and I’ll give you a map.”

Leigh thanked her, then followed the other woman up a set of creaky, wooden stairs. If she ran for an hour tomorrow, that would make up for skipping her run today and the bowl of ice cream. By the time she showered and drove back to the Wallace place, it would be around noon, which was perfect since Taylor wasn’t a morning person at the best of times.

Which these were not.

On the second story, Kate paused. “To the right is our New England suite. An elderly couple from Canada are staying there. And over here is the washroom you’ll be using.” She opened the door on the left to reveal a tiny bathroom with a shower stall, sink and commode. “Sorry it’s so small, but at least you don’t have to share.” She passed Leigh the key.

“And my room?”

Kate pointed up and smiled gamely. “You won’t need to warm up for your run tomorrow with all these stairs.”

The turret room was even tinier than Leigh had expected. And since it really was in a turret, none of the walls were straight. A double bed had been squished into one half of the space. A rocking chair and small footstool sat next to the bank of windows facing the back of the property.

“It’s pretty.” Leigh fingered a needlepoint cushion on the chair. “How long have you owned this place?”

“I moved here after I was married. The inn has been in my husband’s family for decades.”

“It must be a lot of work. Do you and your husband run it on your own?”

“My husband passed away six years ago. So it’s just me and my son, Robin, now.”

“I’m so sorry.” Before she could ask what had happened to her husband, Kate was telling her.

“Andrew died in a car accident. He and my sister-in-law were killed instantly.”

Oh, no. “Was that Sam’s wife?”

“Sam told you about Susan?”

“Only that she’d passed away about six years ago.”

“Yes. Andrew was taking Susan shopping in North Conway. She hated to drive in the snow and we’d just had one of those terrible spring storms.”

Leigh shook her head in mute sympathy.

“But enough about that.” Kate forced a cheerful smile. “I hope you’ll be comfortable here. If you start to suffer from cabin fever, feel free to come downstairs for a coffee or to watch television.”

“Not tonight, thanks. You don’t know how good that bed is looking to me right now.”

Kate’s smile relaxed. “The bed may be small, but it’s really comfortable. I hope you sleep well.” She paused in the doorway. “My brother didn’t say how many nights you’ll be staying?”

“It depends on how long it takes me to talk my daughter into coming home with me. With any luck we’ll be gone tomorrow afternoon.”

“Sam mentioned something about your daughter. She’s a friend of Josh’s?”

“Sort of. They met over the Internet.” Leigh made a face and Kate looked sympathetic.

“They made a plan to meet the day Taylor finished her last exam. I just found out this afternoon, when I got home from work.” She looked down at her dress. “We were going to have a graduation party.”

“What a shock that must have been for you.”

Leigh blinked away fresh tears. She’d cried most of the way here from New York. As if tears were going to solve anything.

“If it makes you feel any better, my nephew is a sweet guy. He’s always been a good kid, never got into any trouble.”

“I could say the same for Taylor. Until this.”