Fated Hearts (Southern Bride 8)

We walked through the courtyard to the back half of the property, and I found myself growing giddy. It was a far cry from the Lotte Hotel in New York City, but I loved how unique this place was. Historic log cabins were arranged to the left of me, with a second small courtyard sitting in the middle. To the right was an old church house that the Montclairs had picked up from a small town in West Texas. Behind that was a red schoolhouse. Down the walkway were more cabins, all small historical homes that the Montclairs had saved from being torn down.

“I thought we would put you in the St. James chapel,” Patty said.

I looked at her. “What? That’s our nicest suite, Mrs.…um…Patty. I couldn’t even think of staying there. Honestly, I’m perfectly happy staying in one of the rooms in the main hotel.”

She waved me off. “Nonsense. I want you to be comfortable, and I already had Elizabeth block that suite out for the next two months. I don’t think it will take you that long to find a place, but just in case. You did mention you wanted to rent first before you purchased anything. I think that’s smart. Get to know the area before you jump into anything like that.”

I nodded as we made our way toward the St. James suite.

“How long has Elizabeth worked for you?” I asked. I had made a list of the employees before leaving New York, and had written down the little information Patty had given me about them next to their names. Elizabeth, for example, was the front desk supervisor. She was young, most likely in her mid-twenties. I’d met her when I had my second Zoom interview with the Montclairs. She had a warm and friendly smile that made me feel instantly at ease. I could see why Patty had made her supervisor of the front desk.

“Oh, goodness, let me see. Lizzy has been working for me since she was sixteen,” Patty said. “She’s twenty-five now. She started off in housekeeping and worked her way up. She’s one of the hardest-working employees we have. If you need her to pitch in anywhere, she’s there, no questions asked. I cannot tell you how many times that girl has cleaned up the rooms or helped out over at the River City Grill. She’s even done some landscaping a time or two.”

“That’s wonderful. Employees like that are hard to come by, and when you do find one, it’s best to hang on to them.”

Patty nodded. “Trust me, if Lizzy gave her two-week notice, I’d probably double her salary just in the hope that she’d stay.”

I raised my brows.

“Yes, she’s that good. You’ll soon see.”

As we climbed the steps of the St. James, I asked, “And does she want to be promoted higher up?”

Patty unlocked the door and pushed it open, motioning for me to walk in first. I had seen this suite before, of course. During my second interview, Mr. Montclair had walked the property with his phone to show me a few rooms and three of the freestanding buildings. The St. James happened to be one of them. It was still as breathtaking now as it was when I first saw it.

One large room—that I’m sure at one time held church pews—now housed a small living and dining area. A wood wall had been built to separate the sitting and sleeping areas. And at the far end of the church sat a stunning bathroom, which featured a large walk-in shower and a claw-foot bathtub. I was already dreaming of soaking in it.

“Lizzy has a wonderful work ethic, but as far as managing The Montclair, she has a lot to learn, and lacks the knowledge that someone like yourself has to offer.”

“I can understand that. I’m happy to help her learn more about the business side of running a hotel if that’s something you’d like me to do.”

Patty placed her hand on my arm and gave a little squeeze. “You truly are a gift. Right now, Lizzy seems to be very happy in her role here. She started dating a young man who works for the city of Boerne, and I’m not sure even she knows what her future holds.”

Suddenly Patty grinned. “What about you, Annalise? Is there a someone special in your life?”

An image of Roger popped into my mind. “No, I’m single.”

With a wink, she replied, “Well, we have a lot of handsome cowboys in our little town of Boerne.”

I laughed and decided to change the subject. “I went over the budget you have set for the rest of this year and next. I have some ideas I’d like to go over with you and Mr. Montclair.”

“Jim. Call him Jim.”

I really wasn’t in New York City anymore. “I have some ideas I’d like to go over with you both, whenever you’re free.”