Levi had stepped outside for only twenty minutes. Thirty at most.
He was twitchy after his argument with Grace and needed something productive to do. There was no reason to guard the front desk. All the guests were out for the festivities, and the No Vacancy sign was on. The three shrubs out front hadn’t been trimmed in a few weeks, and he could knock that out quickly and burn off his excess energy in one fell swoop.
He turned on the exterior lights and fetched the hedge trimmer from the shed. The physical job didn’t keep his mind from spinning while he worked though. Or keep the headache at the base of his skull from throbbing. It only provided a valid explanation for his tense shoulder muscles and his racing heart.
Where had he gone wrong with Grace? How was he going to change her mind about college? Because he had to. His parents would have found a way to do just that, and since they weren’t here it was his job.
He finished the shrubs too quickly, raked up the trimmings, and dumped them in the compost pile in the backyard. He stored the rake in the shed and entered the inn through the back door, his mind still on Grace.
It was the sound of trickling water that snapped his thoughts to the present. Had someone returned for a shower? He turned the corner to the lobby and stopped, staring in disbelief.
A steady drizzle of water trickled like a waterfall under the railing of the second flight.
He charged up the stairs two at a time. His shoes slipped on the wet wood. He stopped at the top, gaping. The hallway was covered in water.
But where was it coming from? He forced himself to slow down and try and see how the water was moving. The suite. Had Mia left the water running?
He needed the key. He flew back downstairs and grabbed it. Then he ran back upstairs and down the hall. His hands shook as he keyed open the door.
The water was deeper in here. It swirled beside one of the interior walls where water rushed from beneath the baseboard. His stomach filled with lead.
A pipe had burst. He had to turn off the water supply.
He dashed back through the water, taking the stairs at a reckless pace. Once on the main floor he ran around to access the basement steps. Thank God he knew where the valve was from when he’d worked with the plumber on their renovation.
He charged to the opposite wall, located the valve, and grabbed it, twisting. It was stuck. He turned harder. Finally it gave. The round wheel squeaked as he turned it, but gradually the water flow slowed, then stopped.
He dropped his head to his arm, breathing fast. This was a disaster. He had to think.
Turn off the electricity. But he’d waded through water . . . better to call an electrician. They’d be closed for the holiday, but he had Ed Barrick’s number in his phone.
He shouldn’t go back into the flooded area until the electricity was off. But he needed to move his guests’ belongings to higher ground.
Levi headed back upstairs, his eyes taking in the puddles once he reached the lobby. He’d grab towels from upstairs. He headed back up.
The water was a couple inches deep in the suite. Mia’s things were in drawers except for a pair of sandals. He moved them onto the chaise, then went to check the other rooms.
He spent a good thirty minutes moving suitcases and shoes. Then he grabbed towels and mopped up the puddles in the lobby. He left a tub from the kitchen under the railing to catch the dripping water.
How had this happened so quickly?
His mind raced with all that needed to be done now. He had to get the water up. They had a Shop-Vac in the shed. He could call Erik and ask him to bring his over too.
But no. First he had to call Ed. He went outside.
This was a complete disaster. The whole upstairs had flooded except for his sisters’ room. It would take weeks to repair. They’d have to shut down the inn.
He couldn’t think about that now. He found Ed’s number in his contacts. Standing on the darkened lawn he tapped the name and sighed audibly when Ed picked up. Levi told him what had happened, and Ed promised to be right over.
“Stay out of the house,” he said. “And call your insurance company.”
After hanging up Levi did as he suggested. They weren’t open, of course, but he left a message. He turned and stared at the inn, the porch lights still aglow. Some of the shock had worn off and reality was setting in, making his gut twist.
Water produced mold, and mold was damaging and potentially toxic. All soft surfaces were at risk. The drywall was soaking up water even now. It would all have to be cut out, new drywall taped into place, mudded, and painted.
The entire second story might need to be refloored. All the wood trim replaced. All the other hard surfaces would have to be treated. It was going to take weeks, possibly months, depending on how much help he could find around here during the busy summer.
And the money . . . He didn’t even want to think about the money. He had insurance of course. But that wouldn’t cover the lost business, because he’d canceled the interruption insurance in January to save a few bucks.
He closed his eyes. Kneaded the muscles at the back of his neck where a full-fledged headache was brewing.
He was unaware he had company until he heard Molly’s voice.
“How could you.”
He turned around, his thoughts still a jumbled mess. “What? What are you doing here?”
He registered the look on his sister’s face. Even in the shadows he could see the tense, angry set of her shoulders. The straight line of her brows.
“What gives you the right to tell Adam not to propose to me?” Her voice boomed across the space between them.
Levi blinked, now fully onboard with the subject at hand. “Molly, this isn’t a good time. The house has been—”
“No, Levi! We’re going to talk about this. Why did you tell Adam that?”
“I—I didn’t exactly . . . I just—I thought it was a little too fast, that’s all. So I suggested—”
“Fast? You think it was too fast? You, who fell head over heels with Mia Emerson in two weeks flat?”
His face warmed. “There’s a difference between developing feelings and committing to a—”
“And even if it was too fast, Levi, it’s none of your business! You had no right to tell Adam to hold off. Do you have any idea what you did? All the problems you created?”
“That wasn’t my inten—”
“I knew he was going to propose that night, and when he didn’t, I thought something was wrong. I thought he’d changed his mind! I’ve been miserable for weeks, thinking I was losing him or that there was someone else. But no. No! It was just my intrusive, bossy brother trying to control my life again!”
Oh boy. “Listen, Molly, I’m sorry. I was just trying to—”
“No, Levi! No. Do not write this off as you trying to do what’s best for me. You’re not my dad. And you’re not Grace’s dad either. You’re our brother, and that gives you zero right to interfere with our lives. We’re adults! We’re perfectly capable of knowing what’s best for us, and if you disagree with our plans, so what? That’s your problem, not ours. I’m so done with this, Levi. Done!”
She charged toward the house and up the porch steps.
Remembering the water, Levi snapped to attention. “Molly, no! Don’t go in there.”
“Stop telling me what to do!”
But when she reached the inn’s threshold she stopped of her own free will.
* * *
Mia checked her phone. It was almost time for the fireworks to start. She’d expected Levi half an hour ago. She’d texted him ten minutes ago, but he hadn’t yet replied.
She tapped his name, placing the call. Maybe he’d gotten busy taking reservations or a guest had needed his help. Still, it was unlike him not to respond.
Finally he picked up after several rings. “I’m so sorry, Mia. We’ve had a—a mishap here at the inn. The upstairs is flooded, and I won’t be able to—”
“Flooded!”
His sigh sounded soul deep. “A burst pipe. Long story. Listen, I’m up to my ankles in water, and I have to get this dried out. I’m sorry to cancel on you.”
Mia was already packing up their things. “I’m coming home. I’ll be right there.”