Going All Inn (Faire Island Bride Series Book 1)

by Lizabeth Scott

  “But really, Kimmie, who sells an Inn for a dollar?” Lili points out.

  Does Lili really think I didn’t do my due diligence? “Mayor Young said the Inn was left to the town and nobody wanted to run it, so it’s been closed for a while. I sent you pictures of the island. Isn’t it beautiful? And if this is the only place to stay, then it should be a gold mine of an opportunity.”

  I wonder if her pushback is because she was hoping I’d change my mind and move to Tanistan. I’d love to live near her, with the added bonus of being able to spoil my godchild, but that’s her jam. Not mine.

  Lili sighs and says, “Yeah, it’s awesome, but something still doesn’t add up. Are you sure I can’t let Milo check into things?”

  I look into the camera with a cocked brow. “No, Lili. I don’t want your princely husband nosing into my Inn contest. What’s the worst that can happen? I lose a buck. But if it’s real, I could own my own business.”

  “I know your family owns a chain of hotels, but do you know anything about it personally?”

  She knows I don’t. “May I remind you that I have a degree in business and marketing? Plus you know I helped Nana with her inn.” So what if I haven’t had any actual hands-on experience and I was a teenager when I helped Nana. And by helped, I mean I mostly was the official cookie tester. Besides, I know what I like and I’ll just go by my gut.

  “I know your qualifications well. I was there with you through school and you managed Helping Hands like a boss. If this is what you want, if this will fulfill something you need, then I’m a hundred percent behind you, babe.”

  That’s the thing with true besties. They always have your back.

  I skim the contest entry form one last time to make sure I haven’t missed anything. I study the picture I attached to make sure it’s the best to send. I think it is. I don’t really have any formal portraits so I just used one Lili had taken of me at her baby shower when I’d just won the baby poop diaper contest. Don’t worry; the poop was actually a melted chocolate candy bar with caramel and nuts. It was delicious and I have no idea why I was the only one that ate it. Yeah, I’ll go with that picture. I’m smiling and happy and that’s the type of person I’d like to meet at an inn.

  Nervous anticipation makes the cursor on the screen shake from my sweaty hand on the touch pad. Okay, I’m clicking submit. I lean back on the headboard and close my computer. I did it.

  Now it’s left to the fates.

  The engine on the ferry gears down and I grab the handrail to keep my feet under me. I love the salty breeze blowing my hair and the warm sunshine against my face. I even see dolphins breaching the water like they’re playing tag with us. That has to be a good sign, right?

  I fill my lungs with sea air and grin up at the sun, and live in the moment. I watch the green dot in the distance become larger. A zing of excitement races through me. That green dot is going to be my home, at least for the next five years. I still can’t believe it, but I have the letter in my bag to prove it.

  I can’t help it. I dig around in my designer handbag, pull it out, and read it for probably the hundredth time. Especially the part that says, “Congratulations, Kimberly Westmoreland, you are our winner!”

  Kimberly. Not Kimmie. I decided I need a more professional name. Kimmie sounds like a child’s name, but Kimberly is someone you should take seriously. I decided since I’m starting a new life, I need to leave Kimmie behind. From now on, I’m going to think before I speak—even if it kills me—and since it’s a small island, I need to be very selective in who gives me the big O’s. Maybe I’ll even have a no-sex-on-the-island rule. My things are being shipped and once they arrive, I’ll have BOB to take care of that problem.

  The letter was accompanied with a stack of legal papers, which I had my lawyer look over before I signed. It was legit and I’m now the new owner of the Ocean View Inn.

  Yeah, the name is going to need to change I just haven’t decided on a new one.

  As we near, Faire Island is much bigger than I expected. Their website says at one time their population was over three thousand. The island grows before me as the ferry approaches and then navigates into docking with a slight bump and jostle as it settles against the moorings.

  A few cars and trucks are waiting to make the return trip and a line of people are preparing to walk on. I gather my suitcase and toss my oversize handbag onto my shoulder. I’m so filled with anxious anticipation, I have to do a few deep breathing exercises to calm down. Once the signal is given to disembark, my heart rate goes right back to DEFCON 1 as I pull my case behind me and walk off the ferry and into my new life.

  A greeting committee of four welcomes me as soon as I step off the boat, two older men and women. I think one of the men is Mayor Young, but I’ve only seen his picture. One of the women shoves a basket in my hands and I stumble from its weight. My God, what is in it? A welcome basket she says. What exactly are they welcoming me with?

  Both men are probably in their early fifties. One has completely gray hair and the other a heavy sprinkling of salt and pepper. Both look like they could play a grandfather role in a Hallmark movie.

  The man with all gray hair holds out his hand. “Welcome, Kimberly. I’m Mayor Young, but please call me Hershel. We don’t stand on formality around here.”

  I smile and shake his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you in person, Hershel.”

  “And this is my wife, Olivia,” Hershel says.

  I turn to shake hands, but instead Olivia pulls me in for a side hug since the basket takes up so much room in front. I’m not completely comfortable with hugging.

  “Kimberly, welcome to Faire Island,” Olivia says with a genuine smile on her face.

  Olivia is a striking woman with highlighted brown hair pulled behind her head and into a tight chignon. She has on a mint green dress with a white sweater thrown across her shoulders and carries a matching handbag. Throwback Thursdays come to mind. I try to keep my eyes from bugging out when I notice she has a little gold chain hooked to each side of the sweater at the neck to keep it from falling off. I’ve seen those in movies, but never in person. “Olivia, thank you so much,” I say with a smile.

  “Here, let me take that basket. It’s much too heavy for a little thing like you to carry.”

  I should take exception to Hershel’s woman is weak comment, but I’m happy to hand it over.

  Then the mayor turns toward the other man, the salt and pepper one with a thick mustache to match. “May I introduce the president of our Merchants Association, Frank Everson.”

  Frank holds out his hand to shake. “I hope you had a pleasant trip, not too rough a ride.”

  As he vigorously pumps my hand up and down, I reply, “It’s nice to meet you, Frank. I’ve never been on a ferry before. I found it very enjoyable.”

  Frank motions to the woman beside him. “And this is my wife, Agatha.”

  “Oh, dear, we are so happy to have you on our island.” Agatha is another hugger, but the total opposite of whom I’d picture an Agatha to be. An Aggie, maybe. While Olivia is dressed conservatively, Agatha’s outfit looks like the designer tried to see how many colors they could put on one piece of fabric. I know it has a name but I can’t recall. Patchwork, maybe?

  As we stroll down Main Street on a tour of the town, I am amazed at how charming the storefronts are. Every sign is done in Old English fonts. Cobblestone streets give the entire town a historic feel, but cement sidewalks mix in a modern touch.

  Down a side street, I see the marina. There are probably fifty slips, some housing boats and some empty. I’m disappointed I don’t see one of those pirate ship type of boats. That would fit perfectly with the town’s atmosphere.

  Olivia sees me looking and explains, “That would be Murphy’s Marina. Blake Murphy is a fourth-generation owner. You’ll find it quite the central hub of the island. We have a lot of commercial fishermen, shrimpers mostly, but I think almost everyone that lives on Faire Island has a boat of some type
housed at the marina.”

  We continue walking and I spot a sign hanging from a bracket and chains identifying the pharmacy. It even has a mortar and pestle on the sign. A man steps out wearing a white lab coat and Agatha introduces him as Steven Harrison, the pharmacist. From the intense stare he’s giving me, I look down to make sure my clothes are covering me appropriately.

  After walking past half a dozen empty storefronts, we stop at the hardware store, which looks like I could go in and get handmade nails and a copper bucket instead of caulk and flashlights. I shake hands with Martin Cowell, the owner, who holds my hand long past the shaking part.

  After two hours, my feet are killing me and I just want to sit down. And then Olivia starts talking about seasonal happenings on the island.

  Help!

  Chapter 3

  Bode

  I lean against my boat and watch the scene play out before me. People that I’ve known my entire life have lost their ever-loving minds and I want no part of it. I cross my arms as the greeting committee welcomes the winner as she steps off the ferry.

  Just like in her picture, she has a head full of blonde hair and now I can see she has a nice figure as well. Obviously she’s uptown because the clothes she’s wearing are designer, as well as her extremely high heels. She won’t last long. Both are totally inappropriate for wearing on a ferry and for what she has in store. My eyes follow her well-turned ankles up very shapely legs to a trim waist and full breasts. Fool woman is going to break her neck in those shoes.

  Olivia, Hershel’s wife, hands her a basket filled with who knows what. Kimberly staggers a bit under the weight, but quickly compensates. I chuckle when Frank picks up her suitcase. I bet that’s the most manual labor he has done in the past ten years. Olivia and Agatha loop their arms through Kimberly’s and lead her down the street like two mother hens. I chuckle again at the slightly dazed look on her face.

  I lose sight of them when they turn on Main Street, but that’s okay. I know the agenda. They’re taking her on a tour of the town, which shouldn’t take more than a hot minute but will take hours because Agatha and Olivia are very thorough, and then to lunch at Edda Mae’s. I hope Kimberly is used to diner food because her discerning palate is out of luck for anything fancy.

  “Hey, did you see…”

  My irritated look stops my buddy and partner right there. I give him an obvious glare to let him know I’m not on board with the foolishness that’s going on. Kimberly may have won by a landslide, but I still don’t approve. “I saw her. Now get back to work.”

  Patrick raises his hands in surrender. “I know. I know. You don’t have to participate. You can be as surly as you want. That just means there is one less in the running. Oh, and your next cargo is here.”

  The stupid grin on his face as he leaves only makes me angrier. I finish up what I was doing on the Hannah Mae and put my tools away before ducking into my office. I wash up before I take off my Murphy Fishing Tours t-shirt and pull on my Murphy Air uniform shirt. I don’t bother with changing out of my cargo shorts; nobody would expect me to. That’s island life. A lifestyle that Kimberly Westmoreland will never accept.

  By the time I get to my plane, Patrick already has it loaded. I do my preflight check and the weight distribution of the payload. After calling in my flight plan, I’m airborne and happy to put all the craziness of the town’s hatched plan to revitalize the town and Island behind me. It’s one woman. Do they expect her to singlehandedly repopulate the town?

  Just over an hour later, I land in Wilmington, unload, and head to my brother’s office in the old truck I keep at the airport. Unfortunately, the first thing he says puts me right back in a sour mood.

  Adan looks up from his computer and grins when he sees me walk in. There’s no question we’re brothers. Adan is just a slightly older version of me. Since his boujee job keeps him inside, my hair is several shades lighter from being in the sun most of the day.

  “Why aren’t you back home making ins with the new girl in town?”

  I make myself at home, grab a bottle of water from the bar fridge, and then sit on the couch with my feet resting on a fancy glass and gold coffee table. “You know I don’t condone what they’re doing.”

  Adan comes around his desk, knocks my feet down, and takes the seat beside me. “Mom has already called and said I need to come home. She says Kimberly is just a sweet thing and we would make beautiful grandchildren.” I laugh when he raises his voice to sound like Mom, and then in his normal voice complains, “I truly think she’s already started planning the wedding.”

  A very smug grin grows on my face. “As long as Mom’s fixated on you, I don’t have a problem with it.” I don’t even want to meet the woman. Then why did I stare at her picture so long?

  “Have you seen Kimberly?” Adan asks.

  I chug back the rest of my water, crush the bottle, and then make a clean three pointer into the trashcan. “I just got a glimpse when she got off the ferry. Medium height, golden blonde hair, great legs, and assets. Just your type.” Mine too. If I were in the market, which I’m not. While Kimberly’s single days are numbered, mine are not and I never screw around on the island.

  Adan’s gaze is a little too focused on my answer. “Even if I were in the market for a relationship, that isn’t the way I’d go about it. Hey, do you have time to do a late lunch before you fly home?”

  “Let’s do it. Want to go to Devil Dogs?” I ask, and wait for him to nod. “Great, and lunch is on you because I want a big thick steak.”

  I’m proud of my brothers. Adan started his own real estate business on Faire Island, but when the market on the island dropped, he had no choice but to move to the mainland and start over. He reached millionaire status within two years and his business continues to grow. In age, Adan is the oldest, then me, and then Case and Gage. Case owns the only garage left on the island, but I know he’s hurting to make a living. Gage joined the Marines right after high school and is on a special ops team that takes him all over the world. Of course, we have no idea where or what he’s doing. All I know is that he doesn’t get home often enough.

  “How’s business?” Adan asks as we both cut into perfectly cooked steaks.

  “Slow, but it should pick up this summer.” I pop the bite in my mouth and savor the taste, slowly chewing.

  “You could be making bank if you moved off-island.”

  Adan is all about the dollar. Everything he touches turns to gold, but he works too much. We’re brothers, but we couldn’t be more different. “I know. I’m not saying I won’t ever move, but I have enough money. I’m doing what I love and I have time to kick back and toss a line in the water when I want to and still have time to help Dad when he needs it.”

  We eat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Adan asks, “Do you think Dad will ever sell the marina?”

  The marina has been our family business for four generations and that’s all Blake Murphy has ever known. The marina is the hub of the island and while Dad doesn’t do much of the physical labor part of the job anymore, he does keep up with what’s happening on the island. What he misses, our mom picks up. Not that they are gossips, they just want to help out where they can. You will not find anyone more compassionate or caring than our parents. Even after thirty years, they are still nauseatingly in love with each other.

  “No. Never. I really wonder if Gage will take over someday. He’s the only one that’s ever put in any time there.” Adan makes eye contact with our waiter and holds up two fingers and points to his beer. One of two women at a table nearby tries to get Adan’s attention, but he turns back to his steak, dashing the woman’s hopes. Does my brother even date anymore? “Hey. Do you hear anything from Amy?”

  Adan pauses in mid bite and looks up. I can’t miss the grief in his eyes. “What brought that on? I haven’t heard from her since the day she left three years ago and I don’t expect to.”

  There’s too much bite in his answer to let it slide. Amy was a
classmate Adan dated through school. Everyone thought there would be a wedding, but three years after they graduated college, she left the island. “I always thought you would marry her.”

  Adan’s shoulder lowers as he looks at me and explains, “Sometimes things just don’t work out. We both wanted different things. Besides, you of all people know that not everyone is cut out for island life. We’ve both learned that lesson the hard way. Amy wanted more than the island had to offer her.”

  Amy’s parents moved off-island soon after she did. Everyone thought their move was unexpected.

  “Are you dating anyone?”

  Adan raises a brow. “And when would I have time to? I work twelve to sixteen hours a day.”

  I push back in my chair and laugh. Adan has always been extremely competitive. “You need to slow down, bro. Exactly how much money do you need?”

  Adan picks up his new beer and grins confidently. “It’s not about the money. It’s all about the win.”

  Chapter 4

  Kimberly

  Processing overload. I smile as Agatha and Olivia continue their never-ending chatter about the town. I’ve met so many people, I will never remember their names. After greeting me at the ferry landing and presenting me with a crate full of what they called essentials, the town officials, Hershel, Frank, and their wives, Agatha and Olivia, gave me a lengthy tour of the town.

  Several things I notice and find strange are there are more closed businesses than open ones, and almost every shop owner is male. A sweet older lady, whose name I can’t remember, owns an organic yarn shop, but she doesn’t knit. Even the restaurant we ate lunch at, Edda Mae’s, is owned by a man who named it after his mother.

  “…you’ll just love Erik and Melanie. They have a nice guest room you’ll feel right at home in.”

  I tune back in to what Olivia is saying. “Excuse me? Why am I staying with them when I own an inn?”