Page 11 of Monster Daddies

It makes a deep crack in the wall around my heart.

"This house deserves to be filled with life again."

I back away quietly before I do or say anything to her. My pulse beats like war drums in my chest.

She’s going to open the house.

Invite strangers inside.

Let them breathe the air we bled for.

Ishouldbe furious. Iwantto be furious.

Instead, I just feel the last of my defenses shift, and the cracked, crumbling walls around my heart fall and shatter as they land.

She’s changing everything.

Chapter Five

Avalon

I've started naming the rooms.

Not with numbers. Those feel cold, impersonal, and not at all like anything I was going for. Instead, I'm going with flowers, moods, colors. Whatever strikes my fancy, really.

There's The Rose Room. It has the most beautiful view of the gardens, and the faintest smell of blooming rosebuds that tickle your senses when you walk in. It has a large canopy-style bed with just the right amount of romance that would make this the perfect bedroom for a honeymooning couple, or someone on a wedding anniversary.

The Wisteria Suite. It's exactly what the name promises—a small suite in the back corner of the manor, overlooking a large tree of its namesake. The walls are covered in a delicate purple color that is probably a bit much for everyday living, but just flashy enough for some out-of-towners to settle in for a long weekend.

There are a few more, some slightly more eclectically named than others, but no matter the name, location or purpose of the room, the mere act of naming them makes the manor feel lesslike the forgotten relic it's become, and more like the famed castles in storybooks.

Some of the rooms haven't seen daylight in decades, and although the cleaning crew have kept up with most of the house, there were sections that had been closed off. There's a heavy stillness to them when I first open the doors, like they're exhaling after holding their breath for too long.

Uncle Ichabod's crew helps me clean everything out, and get rid of the dust covers so I can decide which rooms, and which areas in the house will be opened to the public. The more we open up and air out, the more I realize there is no way in hell I'll be able to manage this by myself.

Even with the help of some dependable cleaners and groundskeepers.

Maybe I could convince someone to stay on as a permanent maid? Or perhaps something with a fancier title... like housekeeper?

I shake off such fanciful thoughts—even if Uncle Ichabod's money would help me pay for something like that, it's important that this new venture of mine stand on its own merit. If I really want to make a go of it, I should do it the right way.

Which means... icky boring business plans, and marketing strategies...

In this, I don't mind paying extra for some help.

The morning dawns, as it always does, with the sun slowly seeping in through the window facing my bed.

I have loads to do today, most important of which being my meeting with Rocco, the local contractor. He comes highly recommended by the town's historical society, which isimportant when I need to do updates on a house that is one of the oldest buildings in town.

He shows up right on time, looking rather efficient with a clipboard in hand, and smile lines around his eyes.

"I have to tell you ma'am. I'm very excited to be talking business with you. I've wanted to do some work on this house forever," he says as I lead him through the halls. "And I have to say, it's something else. It feels like I've stepped into a painting, or back in time."

I beam at him. "It's definitely got some character to it."

He whistles low as we climb to the third floor. "And a lot of square footage to cover."

"I'm thinking of updating the bathrooms in a few of the guest rooms. They haven't been touched in what looks to be at least thirty years."