LITMIR.BIZ

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it later. The B&B will implode.”

      “That’s a little dramatic,” Daniel said, laughing. “But I do know what you mean. You have to put in the investment now, put in the groundwork.”

      Emily took a deep breath.

      “Okay, good. Now you’re on my side, I’m ready to do this.”

      The thought of spending all that money from her savings, of ending up balancing so precariously on the edge of bankruptcy, was not something Emily relished doing. She’d never been that sort of person, the impulsive type. She was usually careful and considered, measuring the pros and cons of every situation before committing – that is, until she’d dramatically left her job, apartment, and boyfriend in New York and run away to Maine. Maybe she was more impulsive than she realized. Or perhaps it was a trait that was creeping up on her as she aged. Was that how Cynthia had become so eccentric – with every year she aged she added another luminous color to her wardrobe, dyed her hair another bizarre shade? As much as she loved her dear friend, Emily shuddered at the thought of becoming her.

      Forcing her mind to stop drawing comparisons between herself and the older woman, Emily refocused on the task at hand.

      “I suppose I’m buying it,” she said to Daniel, almost willing him silently to tell her no, to give her an excuse not to go through with it.

      “Cool,” was all he said.

      Just then Rico came over. “Ellie.” He beamed. “So lovely to see you.” The elderly man always had trouble remembering Emily’s name.

      “Hi, Rico,” Emily said. “Do you have many more four-poster beds like this one?” She remembered the hidden room that Rico had shown her, the place where he stowed all the larger and often more expensive items he couldn’t easily move. It was filled with treasures galore, more so than even her father’s sprawling mansion contained.

      “Of course,” Rico said, patting her arm with a wizened hand. “They’re in the back. Do you know where to go?”

      Emily nodded. Rico had shown her and Daniel the secret corridor room several days earlier.

      “In that case, take a look,” Rico said. “I trust you.”

      Emily smiled to herself, wondering how he trusted her if he couldn’t even remember her name. Then she and Daniel went along the unlit, winding corridor and into the expansive back room. Just like the last time she’d been here, Emily was almost winded by the cold, and overwhelmed by the sheer size of the vast room. It was like stepping into a cavern or cave. She shivered and pulled her arms about herself. Daniel noticed her shivering and drew her closely into him. The warmth coming off him comforted Emily.

      They went deeper inside the room, passing cupboards and sideboards, desks and wardrobes.

      “Narnia, here I come,” Emily joked, pulling open the door to a particularly ornate wooden wardrobe, before jotting down its price and number on her list of purchases.

      Finally, they located the place where all the beds were stored.

      “Here,” Emily said, looking at a dark wood, antique four-poster bed frame. Each of the posts was made to look like the tree trunks from which they’d been carved. It was almost otherworldly. “This is exactly what I need. Just one more like this and the high-end rooms will feel pretty darn luxurious, don’t you think?”

      Daniel seemed particularly impressed with the bed. “This is amazingly well built. I mean you can tell that by how well it’s stood the test of time, but also the finish, the way they used a varnish that suited the natural wood effect.” He seemed enamored, though no sooner had he said the words than he immediately became distracted by another bed. “Emily, quick, look at this one!”

      Emily laughed as he tugged her hand to show her another ornate bed frame. This one had a paler varnish, and it almost looked like it was from an Icelandic log cabin. Patterns had been carved into the headboard and posts. It was gorgeous, a sight to behold.

      “I mean, that’s a one in a million piece, Emily!” Daniel said enthusiastically. “Hand-carved. Awesome carpentry. You’d pretty much put the B&B on the map if you bought this!”

      Emily felt a warmth spread inside of her. It was true. The beds she’d found in Rico’s store were amazing and unique. She could see now what Cynthia had been trying to tell her, about treating her guests like royalty. She’d certainly feel like a princess sleeping in one of these.

      “You know,” Emily said, her fingers idling over the wood of one of the posts. “If we buy these beds, there is one stipulation.”

      “Oh?” Daniel said, his eyebrows drawing together.

      Emily pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow. “We’d have to try each one out. For quality assurance purposes, of course.”

      “You mean… Oh!” Daniel caught on to what Emily was suggestively implying. He wiggled his eyebrows. The prospect of buying the beds suddenly seemed even more enticing. “Oh well, of course…” he murmured, reaching his arms around Emily and pulling her into an embrace. “You wouldn’t be able to rest at night if you didn’t know, firsthand, the experience your guests were paying for.”

      He kissed her neck seductively and Emily laughed.

      “I’m going to give Rico my list,” she said, drawing herself out of the embrace. “And part with all of my money.”

      Daniel whistled through his teeth. “He’s going to be happy. You’ve probably made him a whole month’s profit in one sale!”

      “I’m not thinking about that,” Emily said, pretending to cover her eyes with her hands to avoid looking at the price labels.

      She left Daniel in the large room and found Rico.

      “Evie,” he said when she reemerged. “Did you find what you wanted?”

      “I did,” Emily said. “I’d like to buy three wardrobes, a dressing table, two desks, six bedside tables, one tall boy, two chests of drawers, three rugs, and three antique beds.”

      “Oh,” Rico said, a little surprised as she handed him the list of items and prices. “That’s quite a lot.” He began to add them up slowly on his ancient till.

      “I’m furnishing two more rooms in the B&B and redesigning another.”

      “Ah yes, you’re the B&B girl,” Rico said, nodding. “Your dad would be so proud of what you’ve achieved, you know.”

      Emily couldn’t help but squirm. Even though she appreciated his kind words, it made her uncomfortable to think of her dad.

      “Thank you,” she said quietly.

      “Now,” Rico said in his wizened voice, “since you’re such a valued customer and you’re doing something that will benefit the whole town, I’ll give you a discount.” He tapped some buttons and a figure appeared on the dusty display screen.

      Emily squinted, not sure if she was seeing it right. “Rico, that’s a fifty percent discount.” She couldn’t tell if the elderly gentleman had mistakenly entered the smaller figure; the last thing she wanted was to accidentally rip him off.

      “That’s quite right. You get a special Sunset Harbor Memorial Weekend discount.” He winked.

      Emily stammered, handing over her card. She could hardly believe his generosity.

      “Are you sure?”

      Rico waved a hand to silence her. The sale went through and Emily stood there a little dazed.

      “Thank you, Rico,” she said, breathlessly, and planted a kiss on the old man’s papery cheek. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

      He smiled wide, and that smile said it all.

      She felt like a giddy child as she rushed off back through the antique shop to find Daniel.

      “Rico gave me a half-price discount!” she exclaimed when she reached him.

      He looked stunned.

      “That’s

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