Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [21]
Alex ran into all types running the inn, and he was thankful that on the whole, his guests were a wonderful, friendly bunch who loved the lighthouse and grounds nearly as much as he did.
After Ashley was gone, Alex found himself wondering for the hundredth time why Mathias Trask had insisted on the Hatteras West Inn as the place for the reading of his will. Alex had never heard of the man, and he’d spent most of his life in Elkton Falls. Mathias must have moved away when Alex’s mother and father had been running Hatteras West.
Most likely the man had fallen in love with the lighthouse as a boy and had wanted his family to share a last moment with him there.
Alex could think of a whole host of worse wishes to make.
The next morning, Alex and Elise worked together in the laundry after cleaning the rooms. Since the loss of the Dual Keepers’ Quarters, they found things went smoother if they worked together doing the daily chores that were involved in running an inn. Once the new building’s construction was complete, they’d have to split up again to make the most efficient use of their time, but for now, their days were mostly spent together.
Nothing was said about their truncated conversation the night before, and Alex knew he’d have to give Elise all the time she needed to bring it up again. Though they’d never gone out on a single date, Alex knew her better than he had most of the girlfriends from his past.
As Elise transferred the last load of sheets from the washer to the dryer, she said, “Alex, do you mind if I have this evening off?”
“You’re long past due for one. It’s fine with me,” he said as he kept folding fresh towels he’d just taken from the dryer.
Elise explained, “It’s Peter. He wants us to have dinner together tonight.”
Alex said, “I’m sorry, I can’t make it. Somebody’s got to stay here and run the inn.” He saw the troubled look in her eyes and added hastily, “I’m just kidding. Have a wonderful time.”
Elise shut the door to the dryer as she said, “I’m sure we’ll manage just fine.”
After that, their conversation waned. Peter could manage that without even being there. He came between them like a wall, shutting everything else out. Alex didn’t say anything else; he just kept folding towels in a quiet rhythm. It was remarkable how much laundry they did each and every day for just one building full of guests. At least it meant the inn was nearly full. It had to be, running as short on room space as they were. Even with complete occupancy, they were still in danger of dancing over into the red. Alex admitted that a healthy bequest of cash from Jase would have eased some of his more immediate worries about money, but he still took pride in the fact that his uncle had given him his most cherished possessions, probably because he knew full well that Alex would never sell a one of them. Tony, on the other hand, would have had an appraiser in looking over the books before sundown.
Elise finally spoke up. “Alex, are you all right?”
“I wish everyone would stop asking me that.” He took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, Elise, I’ll be fine,” he said, trying to act more together than he felt.
She stopped him from folding the towel in his hands and said, “I worry about you, Alex.”
“I’m sorry if I’m not very good company right now, but I feel like I’ve just lost my father all over again. I’ve got to deal with it; I know that more than anyone else in the world, but it’s hard.”
She nodded gently. “I know it is, and I’m not helping matters, am I? Tell you what, why