A crowd of nearly a hundred people gathered outside of Grace Chapel Inn the following morning. Earlier, Jane had tied a large purple ribbon across the front of the porch, and Aunt Ethel was equipped with a giant pair of scissors that had been borrowed from City Hall the previous day.
Lloyd Tynan opened the ceremony with an eloquent speech about how important it was for the community to support local businesses. “Our local businessmen and women are the backbone of Acorn Hill,” he continued as he drew his oration to an end. “We can all understand and appreciate how well-managed establishments like Grace Chapel Inn will benefit the entire town. It is with great pride and pleasure that I welcome this fine business to our fair city today. But before I cut the ribbon, the owners of the inn have invited Pastor Ley to ask a special blessing. I give you Pastor Ley.”
Pastor Ley made his way to the top of the porch steps and adjusted his collar and then cleared his throat. “Uh, if we could all … just b-bow our heads.”
Alice breathed a silent prayer that Pastor Ley would not stammer too badly this morning.
“Dear heavenly Father, we honor You t-today with the opening of this inn. We ask that You b-bless every room with Your presence, that You give strength and w-wisdom to the owners, that You pour out refreshment and rest upon each guest, and that You b-bless the entire place with Your unconditional love and m-merciful grace. Amen.”
Lloyd echoed a hearty amen, then held up the oversized sheers. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Grace Chapel Inn.” Then he sliced through the ribbon, and Alice, Louise and Jane greeted their well-wishers and welcomed them into the inn.
“There are refreshments in the dining room,” said Aunt Ethel with a big smile. “I helped make them myself.”
Soon the inn was full of people wandering from room to room, oohing and aahing and making positive comments.
“I can’t wait to have my daughter and son-in-law visit again,” said Ellen Moore. “I’ll put them up here. So much better than having to move all of my sewing things out of the guest room.”
Even Florence and Clara showed up, and fortunately Alice didn’t overhear them making any slanderous comments this time. In fact, she actually heard Clara telling Viola Reed that she thought Jane should consider going into full-time interior design. “I hear they did this whole inn on a shoestring,” said Clara in a hushed voice.
Alice had to suppress her laughter as she exited into the kitchen to remind one of her ANGELs, on hand to help out, to remember to refill the coffee pot.
“Is Mrs. Smith going to play piano today?” asked Sarah Roberts.
“She is,” promised Alice. “Make sure you get a chance to go listen when she does. I hear that your lessons are going well, Sarah.”
Sarah’s eyes shone. “Really? Did Mrs. Smith really say that?”
Alice smiled as she refilled the silver tray with more hot cross buns. “Don’t say that you heard it from me though.”
“May I help you, Aunt Alice?” asked Cynthia as she poked her head in the kitchen.
“No, I’m just bringing this out,” said Alice. “I think the ANGELs have it pretty much under control.”
“I love the Sunrise Room,” she whispered.
Alice’s eyes lit up. “Really? I know it isn’t nearly as beautiful as the Sunset Room that Jane designed, but you probably already heard that your mother had booked it with the Ashton couple from Maine.”
Cynthia shook her head. “You shouldn’t compare the rooms, Aunt Alice. It’s like comparing oranges and apples—or aunts for that matter. Each is lovely in a special way. When I took my bags up there earlier, before the ceremony began, I immediately began to feel happier.”
Alice gave her niece a sideways hug. “Oh, I’m so glad. I wanted it to be a happy room, to cheer people up.”
Cynthia laughed. “Just like you do!”
The grand opening ceremony ended at eleven, giving everyone—including the ANGELs, Aunt Ethel and Cynthia—a chance to get things tidied up before the first guests began to arrive. Even Vera stuck around to help.
“Thought you could use a hand,” she said as she took the broom from Alice and started sweeping the foyer.
“Thanks, Vera.” Alice bent over to pick up a piece of pastry that was stuck to the floor. “I just hope none of the guests shows up early.”
“If they come early, just hand them a mop.”
Alice laughed. “Yeah, that’s a sure way to guarantee return guests.”
“Or guarantee that they don’t show up early.”
But everything was back in its place by noon, and the first guests didn’t even arrive until nearly one—a young couple from Pittsburgh. All four rooms would be booked on their first official night of business, and three of them with paying guests. And the Ashtons from Maine planned to stay on for the entire week!
“I feel like I’m playing house,” said Louise as the three sisters gathered in the kitchen to discuss the day’s events.
“What do you think of the Grants?” asked Jane as she poured a cup of tea.
“They seem very sweet,” said Alice. “Did you know the wife is expecting?”
“Really? I thought they were newlyweds,” said Louise.
“No, she said they’d been married a few years now. But this is their first child and she’s feeling a little nervous.” Alice helped herself to a leftover hot cross bun.
“I’m curious about the Ashtons,” said Jane. “They’re staying here all week. Is it just for a rest?”
“Her grandparents used to live in Acorn Hill,” said Louise. “I went to school with her mother—Susanna Webb—do you remember her, Alice?”
“Just vaguely.”
“Apparently she passed away last year, and the daughter is taking a sentimental journey to help her through it.”
“That’s sweet,” said Jane. “It must be hard not to know where your parents came from. I guess we’re fortunate to have all our family history right here at our fingertips.”
“What happened to Cynthia?” asked Alice. “I haven’t seen her all afternoon.”
“Didn’t you know?” said Jane with a twinkle in her eye. “She’s in the parlor chatting with the nice young man who booked the Garden Room.”
“That’s Thomas Moore,” said Louise. “Nice looking fellow.”
“I must admit that I wondered why you gave him that room,” said Alice. “I figured you would save the largest room for couples.”
“Well, he was the first one to call and make a reservation,” explained Louise. “And he did ask for our best room.”
“He seems nice,” said Jane. “He has his own business and can take it on the road wherever he goes. Apparently he doesn’t have much family to spend holidays with though. He said he felt right at home here.”
“I think he’s helping Cynthia to forget about whatever it was that was troubling her before she got here,” added Louise.
“So all is well at Grace Chapel Inn.” Alice sighed with contentment.
“The fun has just begun,” said Jane with a twinkle in her eye.
“Not to mention the work,” said Louise. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Nothing wrong with an honest day’s work.”
Alice looked around the cozy kitchen and smiled at her little family. “And God is at home here.”