How to Welcome an Unexpected Guest

Posted on Oct 19, 2016 Topic : Fiction

Millie Richardson's dream of opening a bed and breakfast with her husband, Albert, in their quaint small town of Goose Creek, Kentucky is about to be realized. The B&B finally has its first guest. The only problem? She's arrived weeks earlier than expected! In this whimsical scene from The Room with the Second-Best View, Millie and Albert deal with the surprising arrival of the irrepressible Lorna Hinkle, in town to help with the wedding preparations for her nephew, Justin, and his fiance, Susan.

***

Why, yes, Mrs. Hinkle,” Millie stammered, her head craned back to look up into the towering woman’s face. “Of course we’re expecting you.”

“It’s Miss Hinkle. I never married, and I don’t hold with the newfangled way of addressing unmarried women as Ms.” Her gaze shifted down the hallway, where Albert had disappeared to place an emergency call to Justin. “I had the impression my arrival took Mr. Richardson by surprise.”

“To be honest, you’ve taken us both by surprise. We weren’t expecting you quite so soon.”

One penciled eyebrow arched. “I informed my future niece of my intention to arrive early in order to help with the preparations. Did she not relay the information?”

“She did,” Millie rushed to say, lest she stir this imposing woman’s ire against poor Susan. “But I assumed you’d arrive a few days early. The wedding isn’t for another three weeks.”

“An insufficient amount of time as it is, considering the lack of planning that has occurred to date.” She made a pointed examination of the door frame and then asked, “Am I to be invited in, or am I expected to pitch a tent in the yard?”

“Oh!” Millie backed up and gestured. “Please forgive my lack of manners. Come in.”

Before entering, Miss Hinkle turned to the limo driver. “Bring my bags inside.” She walked around the entry hall, her gaze sweeping the stairway, the polished wood floor leading down the hallway, the silk flower arrangement on a spindly-legged table Millie had found at the Peddler’s Mall and refinished herself. With fresh eyes, Millie followed her gaze. Thank goodness she and Albert had cleaned for their Derby Party. The wooden banister shone in the waning sunlight that filtered through the lead crystal windows above the tall door. Not a speck of dust was in evidence, though…Millie stiffened. Was that a grape on the bottom step?

Albert returned from the direction of the dining room, which Millie remembered with horror still held unwashed dishes and the remnants of their party food.

“I called Justin. They’ll be here in a minute,” he announced. “Then we’ll get this whole thing cleared up. Here!” He caught sight of the limo driver depositing a third and fourth suitcase in the hallway. “What are those?”

“My luggage, of course.” Miss Hinkle spoke in the tone of one addressing an imbecile. “I clearly can’t be expected to spend an extended period of time away from home without sufficient luggage.” Her gaze once again circled the hallway, and Millie thought she spied the curling of one nostril. “Especially in the wilds of Kentucky.”

“Extended period of time?” Alarm tinted Albert’s question.