Hope and Dottie spent the morning occupied with breakfast duties and tidying the rooms. After some homemade soup and some of Grant’s delicious fresh bread for lunch, Dottie gave Hope directions to the lake and suggested she take Jake and Scout for an adventure.
“I’m going to make my cranberry sauce and prep a few things for Thursday. You go have some fun and enjoy our beautiful lake.”
Hope decided to ride bikes since Dotty told her there was a nice road all the way to the lake. They took off with Scout jogging beside them. Within a few minutes, they saw the signs for Silver Lake. They followed the arrows and came to the small RV park Dottie had described. The sign announced it was closed for the winter and reservation inquiries could be made by contacting Silver Lake Guest House.
They continued down the road and came to a clearing in the woods, and Jake screeched with excitement. “Look, Mommy, it’s the lake!”
She smiled and grabbed his bike as he and Scout took off for the shoreline. “Stay out of the water, Jake,” she yelled.
She leaned their bikes against a tree and hurried after the pair. Scout was chasing Jake, who was laughing and screaming. She picked up a few rocks and began skipping them across the water. Jake stopped running and watched his mother.
“Can I try?” he asked.
She handed him several rocks and then showed him the technique she used to hold the rock and snap it across the water. They used all the rocks she had gathered without Jake achieving success. She led him along the edge of the water and showed him how to pick out the larger flat rocks she liked to use.
As they collected, Jake asked, “Who taught you to skip rocks, Mommy?”
“My daddy. Grandpa Lloyd.”
“Oh, yeah, I was a baby when he died, right?”
She nodded and reminded him her parents had both passed away soon after his birth. She pushed the memories away and focused her attention on the rocks.
With their jacket pockets full, they set about launching more stones. They were down to the last rock when Jake finally got it to skip three times. He jumped in the air and shouted, causing Scout to abandon her search of the trees and come running.
“I did it. I did it. That was so fun,” he said, cheeks reddened from the cold. “Let’s do more.”
“We need to get going. We can come back another day.”
Jake stuck out his lip but snapped it back in place with one look from Hope. Scout trotted ahead of them as they rode back to the guest house. They came in the back door and took off their shoes and stowed their jackets on the hooks. Scout slurped water from her bowl and Hope suggested hot chocolate.
When Scout finished her drink, she bolted from the mudroom and hurried through the house. Curious, Hope followed. She gasped when she saw Dottie sprawled on the stairs. Christmas ornaments and decorations littered the steps. Soft moans came from the woman as Hope reached her.
She crouched down to her. “Dottie, what happened?”
Tears stained her cheeks, and her eyes squinted with pain. “I was carrying a box and tripped.”
“I’ll call an ambulance.” Hope stood. “I’ll be right back.”
Dottie waved her hand. “No, no. Just call Drew. He’ll know what to do.” My cell phone is in the kitchen.
Hope hurried to the kitchen and scanned the counters. She snatched the phone and scrolled through the contacts until she found him. He answered on the second ring.
“Hey, Mom. I was just coming over.”
“Drew, it’s Hope. Jake and I just got in from the lake and found your mom. She fell on the stairs and wanted me to call you instead of an ambulance.”
“I’ll be right there.” He disconnected before Hope could say more.
She told Jake to stay in the kitchen and grabbed pillows from the living room before hurrying back to Dottie. She put a pillow under her head and said, “Drew is on his way.”
Scout had stayed at Dottie’s side, licking her hand, then her cheek, and whimpering. Hope patted the dog’s head. “It’s okay, girl. Help is on the way.” The dog’s gentle eyes gazed at Dottie, and she nestled closer to her owner.
Less than a minute later, Hope heard the front door bang open and fast-moving footsteps. Drew rushed up the stairs. Hope moved out of the way to give him room and went to check on Jake. She found him wide-eyed and pale.
“What happened?” he whispered.
She explained about Dottie’s accident while she fixed him a hot chocolate. “You stay here for a few minutes while I see if Drew needs help.”
Drew was still examining Dottie. He raised his eyes to meet Hope’s. “Good news is there’s no neck or back issues. I think she probably fractured her leg or ankle. Can’t tell, but we need to get her to the hospital.”
Hope helped him, and together they carried Dottie from the stairs to a chair near the front door. Drew dialed his phone while Hope retrieved Dottie’s coat. He disconnected and said, “Okay, Mom. I called the ER, and they know we’re on our way. They’re calling Doc Stevens now.”
He opened the front door and moved his SUV closer to the walkway. His two dogs hurried behind him and into the house. In a stern voice, he told them to sit and made Scout join them in front of the fireplace. “Okay,” he said, coming back to the front door. “This is the shortest route, albeit it has stairs. Are you up to helping me get her down them?” He looked at Hope with raised brows.
“Yeah, I can do it.” She gave him a nod and rushed to get her jacket. They made a makeshift chair with their arms linked and supported Dottie all the way down the stairs.
Once she was in the seat, Drew shut the door and hurried around to the driver’s side. “I’ve got to leave the dogs here. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll call Grant on my way.”
Before she could respond, he jumped into the SUV. Hope made her way to the kitchen, found Jake, and hung up her coat. “Let’s sit by the fire with the dogs. Drew needs us to watch them.”
Jake’s somber face lit up with excitement at her mention of his new furry friends. She got him settled and went about collecting the decorations still scattered on the stairs. She returned them to the box and put it in the storage room.
It was past dinner. She knew there was soup from lunch and leftovers from last night. She started building a platter of ham sandwiches and heated up the soup. She wanted to wait for everyone to get home but knew Jake needed to eat.
She sat with him while he ate his dinner. She convinced him to take a bath only when she agreed all three dogs could keep him company. Once she got him in, he lingered and played until the water went cold.
He put on his jammies, and she tucked him into bed. The three dogs joined him with Scout snuggled the closest. She plucked a book from his stack and left him reading to his audience.
She added a log to the fire and wandered into the kitchen. Her stomach grumbled, so she fixed a small plate and ate. She heard the front door open and scrambled from her chair. It was only a couple returning to their room.
She finished her meal and busied herself tidying the kitchen. She saw a recipe card on the counter for a breakfast casserole. Knowing Dottie would be stressed if things weren’t ready for her guests, she went about putting together the casserole.
She was doing the dishes when she heard the front door open and voices. She dried her hands and rushed to the entry. Scout was already at the door when Hope arrived. Grant and Drew were helping Dottie, who was now outfitted with a clumsy boot on one leg. Grant ushered his two dogs into the living room and let them give Dottie’s leg a good sniff.
They settled Dottie in her favorite chair near the fireplace with Scout’s head on her thigh. Grant retrieved her crutches and placed them next to her. “How are you, Dottie?” asked Hope.
She shook her head in disgust. “I can’t believe I did this.” Tears filled her eyes. “I feel so stupid.”
Hope bent down and held her hand. “How about some dinner?”
Grant said, “That would be great. I’m starving. I’m sure you’re hungry, Mom.” He tapped Hope on the shoulder. “I’ll help you get it together.”
Hope retrieved the sandwich tray and popped the soup in the microwave. “What did they say about your mom’s injury?”
Grant readied a tray with dishes and utensils. “She fractured a bone in her lower leg. She needs to keep it elevated and wear the boot for about eight weeks.”
“Oh, poor Dottie.” Hope stirred the soup and hit the button to resume cooking.
“She hasn’t quite come to terms with the limitations it’s going to put on her. The ability to be an innkeeper. Thanksgiving. It’s going to be overwhelming.” The dogs were interested in the kitchen activities, prompting Grant to inquire about their dinner.
Hope confirmed she hadn’t known when or what to feed them. Grant took her in the mudroom and showed her the supplies and how to measure their food. As soon as the dogs heard the sound of kibble being dispensed, they thundered to their bowls. Scout was the only absent one.
Grant fixed Scout’s bowl and placed it on the counter next to the tray.
“I’m happy to help. I can take care of the rooms. I found a recipe on the counter and made it for breakfast tomorrow. I figured she’d be too tired to deal with it tonight.”
He smiled. “That’s terrific. Thanks for doing that. Drew and I talked a bit at the hospital. Neither of us has the time to run this place and our own businesses.”
“I’m going to need to do something while my car is getting fixed. If Dottie tells me what to do, I’m sure I can learn.”
She added a bowl of soup to the tray, and Grant lifted it from the counter. “Maybe you can sit with Mom while she eats. That will give us some time to talk about options.”
“Of course.” She followed with Scout’s bowl and cleared off the table next to Dottie’s chair to make room for the tray.
“Here you go, Mom. Hope fixed up a nice dinner from our leftovers.” Grant motioned his head back toward the kitchen. “Drew, ours is waiting in the kitchen.”
The two boys left, and Hope positioned the tray across Dottie’s lap and chatted with her while she nibbled at her food. “I suppose you and Jake ate already?” asked Dottie. She glanced at Scout, who ate from her bowl, still watching her master.
“We did. Jake was hungry and tired. He had a bath and read to the dogs.”
Dottie smiled. “That’s so sweet. They love having a child around the house.”
They chatted while Dottie finished her meal. Hope let her know the ornaments were safe in the storage closet and the breakfast casserole was in the fridge.
“Oh, dear. Thank you for doing that. It completely slipped my mind.” Tears dotted her cheeks. “I’m going to have to cancel some reservations. There’s no way I can keep up with this.”
Hope helped her and removed the tray from her lap. “How about a cup of tea?”
Dottie agreed, and Hope withdrew to the kitchen. She found Grant and Drew at the island with remnants of their dinners in front of them. She slid the tray onto the counter and retrieved cups for tea.
In a low voice, Drew said, “Grant tells me you’re willing to stay and help Mom here with the guests.”
“Yes, I’ve got a mess of my own to sort out, so I’m more than happy to help Dottie. She’s been wonderful to me.” She added napkins to the tea tray she’d prepared. “She’s worried she’s going to have to cancel reservations.”
The boys nodded and Grant said, “Let’s talk to Mom and see what she says.” He grabbed the tray and said, “Let me carry that.”
The four other dogs followed behind them and flopped down in front of the fireplace. Scout stayed next to Dottie.
Over tea they talked about the guest house and the idea of Hope helping Dottie run it for a few weeks. “Are you sure about this, dear?” asked Dottie.
Hope smiled and nodded. “I’m sure.”
“We’ll need you to fill out an employment application and check your references. Are you sure your schedule is that flexible?” asked Drew.
“Nonsense, Drew. She’s not applying for a job. She’s trying to help,” said Dottie.
Hope turned to face Drew. “I don’t have a timetable to keep. Jake and I are on an adventure. I homeschool him, and we’re trying to visit all the states this year as part of his learning. No tight schedules to keep. With my vehicle situation, I’m stranded until it’s resolved.”
“Let’s try it for a week and see how it goes. If it’s too much for you or Mom, we’ll figure out a different solution,” suggested Grant.
Drew pursed his lips but said nothing. He stood and showed Hope Dottie’s medication and a schedule he penned on a notepad. “Make sure you log everything on the schedule.” He turned to Dottie. “Let’s get you situated in your room, Mom. I’ll stop by on my way to work in the morning and check on you.”
Hope offered to add her cell phone number to Dottie’s cell. “That way if you need help during the night, just call me, and I’ll be right there.”
Hope wished them good night and left them to get their mother situated. When they heard her door close, Drew said, “Are you sure this is a good idea, Mom? We don’t know anything about her? She could be a con artist.”
Grant rolled his eyes. “I really don’t think she’s a scammer. She’s here by chance because of her car. She’s pitched in without being asked.” His tone betrayed his annoyance with his brother.
Dottie put down her cup. “Drew, I know you don’t always trust easily, but I have a good feeling about Hope. She’s a sweet woman and Jake is a polite and smart little boy. She needs a bit of help, and I could use a hand. It’ll be fine.”
Drew shook his head. “Okay, but if anything seems off, you need to speak up, Mom. Grant will be by like usual early in the morning, and I’ll stop by on my way to the office and when I get off.”
“Just call if you need anything. I can be here in minutes,” said Grant.
“It’ll work out, boys. I think Hope’s here for a reason.”