Page 14 of Forty, Flirty & Fall Inn

"We just need a quick interview and maybe a photo by the fireplace?"

The inn's phone rings again.My cell phone buzzes.Buttercup cries out from the office, either commenting on the chaos or demanding attention.

Luke steps closer to me, his voice low."Is this normal for your marketing strategies?"

The question hits too close to home."What do you mean?"

"Well, you obviously have a very...engaged community here.And you mentioned you were a former marketing executive."His tone is casual, but his eyes are sharp behind his glasses."I'm curious about how you're leveraging social media and local partnerships to drive bookings."

"I just...try to stay involved with the town."

"The goat yoga, the viral-worthy incidents, the strategic photo opportunities..."He's studying my face now, and I feel like he's reading code I didn't know I was writing."It's actually quite sophisticated, from a digital marketing perspective."

"Sage is very creative," Sarah jumps in."She's always coming up with new ways to promote the inn."

"I'm sure she is," Luke says, still watching me."I'd love to hear more about your methods."

"Maybe we could discuss it over breakfast?"I suggest, desperate to change the subject and get away from the growing crowd in my lobby."I was about to start cooking, but since Sarah showed up…”

“Ah, so you cook here?As well as run the place?”

"The chef quit last week," I admit.“Probably not as good as the…” I peer at Eleanor, “…Sterling Romance special, though.”

Luke nods, pushing those austere glasses up the bridge of his aquiline nose."I'll take whatever you're making.As long as we can eat somewhere without the media attention."

I look around the lobby, which now contains two reporters, Eleanor still arranging flowers, Sarah unpacking what appears to be enough coffee for a small army, and the distant sound of more cars arriving in the parking lot.

"The kitchen it is," I say.

As we head toward the back of the inn, Luke leans close enough that I catch a hint of his cologne—something clean and expensive.

"Just so you know," he says quietly, "I'm very good at recognizing patterns."

"Patterns?"

"Mm-hmm.And this whole situation?It has all the hallmarks of a town that is very invested in its businesses.”

I swallow, wondering where this is going.“It…is.”

"I wonder,” Luke says, holding open the kitchen door, “if you’ve heard about my most recent product.It’s called SafeStay.And it works with businesses,” he glances down at me, “like yours.”

It doesn’t.SafeStay is a cybersecurity package for ‘luxury’ hotels and accommodations.

But from what I’ve read, Luke Sterling plans to implement the tech at a few Seattle area small businesses.

Like mine.

And the publicity from a joint venture like that would be all that Cascade View Inn needs.

As I walk past him into the kitchen, I try not to smile.“Really?I had no idea.Why don’t you tell me more?”

It’s a good thing my mouth can stay in check.Because my brain definitely cannot.

The plan is working.

I haven’t had many good ideas since taking Cascade View Inn over.Since Grandma Rose died.

Since I blew up my career.