“I am, Mary. You were right, as usual,” Liam conceded, chuckling. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Have you seen Dawn yet, by any chance?”
“Actually, she’s been here since eleven, getting stuck into her role,” Mary replied, her tone indicating she was as impressed as Liam was surprised. “And she helped me with the rehousing of the guests, thank goodness. You won’t believe how much people respond to her.”
“I bet,” Liam said, knowing what Mary meant. While Dawn appeared reserved when she stepped forward to take charge, people instantly jumped. “Dawn can be quite commanding when she wants. Thank you, Mary, for helping get Dawn started,” he told her.
After confirming a few more details with Mary, Liam ended the call and hurried to get ready. As he showered and dressed, his thoughts drifted to the ice skating outing. It was an unexpectedbreak from the chaos of the past few days, and perhaps it was precisely what they all needed—a chance to breathe and just enjoy a simple evening out.
Liam rushed downstairs to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, bacon, and pancakes.
“Good afternoon, Liam,” Inga greeted him with a warm smile.
Inga was one of his aunt’s friends and a member of her book club. She was tall and looked half her age of sixty-two. When his aunt had first insisted he hire her to help out with Lila and the house, he’d felt uncomfortable having one of his aunt’s friends cleaning his house. But Inga had turned out to be invaluable to him and Lila. She was also accommodating with Lila’s homework and someone his daughter was comfortable talking to about her teenage girl’s stuff.
“Hi, Inga,” Liam greeted her with a warm smile. “Thank you for keeping breakfast for me.”
“It’s more like lunch,” Inga said, laughing. “I’m sorry I turned your alarm off, but when Mary explained what had happened last night, I knew you needed your rest to get through today.”
“I did need it,” Liam admitted. “I just didn’t have time for it.”
“Time is something we have to carve out for things that matter,” Inga warned him as she dished up a plate of food for him and filled his mug with coffee. “As it’s not something we can ever get back.”
“You’re right,” Liam said, digging into his food. “That’s why I’ve agreed to take Lila and her new friend Harper ice skating tonight.”
“I met Harper at your aunt’s house yesterday,” Inga told him. “What a lovely young lady she is.”
“I know,” Liam agreed, sitting back with his coffee. “Dawn, her aunt, told me she was rebelling and causing problems back home.”
“Really?” Inga frowned. “Harper seemed perfectly mannered and grounded to me.”
“I guess kids from the Hamptons rebel differently to how we do it here.” Liam laughed, voicing his thoughts on when he’d first met Harper.
Liam finished his meal and coffee.
“Mary told me that Hicks and Ritz are staying at the hotel?” Inga enquired.
“Yes,” Liam nodded. “Hicks has become Dawn’s personal bodyguard while her brother is taking care of Ritz.” He was on his way to the door with his car keys in hand. “It’s better for the animals to have some company as we’re not really here during the day.”
“And a lot less messy,” Inga said with a soft laugh. “Hicks loves attention, so trying to get the house clean around him becomes a dance of playing and working.”
“I’m sorry about that, Inga,” Liam said.
“It wasn’t a problem,” Inga assured him. “But I, too, am glad the animals have company. They’re used to having Finn’s children with them and following them wherever they go.”
“True.” Liam nodded. “I must get moving. I’ll see you on Monday?”
“Of course.” Inga nodded. “I’ll be going early today as there’s the surf contest committee meeting tonight.”
“Yes, Aunt Betty mentioned that,” Liam said. “You know your timekeeping is up to you, Inga.”
They said goodbye, and Liam dashed to his car and then drove to the hotel. He always felt so lazy whenever he drove to the hotel,as it was only about three miles away, but he often needed his car during the day.
Liam had just walked into the hotel, and his heart leaped in his chest when he heard Dawn’s laughter coming from the front desk. His head turned, and his breath caught when he saw her move a stray hair that had escaped her up-do. She animatedly spoke to one of his staff members who manned the desk. Dawn was breathtaking, and his heart dropped as the thought of her leaving Plum Island flitted through his mind.
He gave himself a mental shake, squared his shoulders, and walked toward the desk.
“Hey,” Liam greeted her.
“Hi,” Dawn greeted him back with a smile. “Jenna has been showing me the booking system.”
