Read Online Out in the Country by Kate Hewitt - Free Book Online

in the doorway as the zoning commissioner, Anne Jeffries, a precise looking woman in her thirties, circled slowly about the room. She’d been ominously silent throughout the entire tour of the house, merely jotting a few notes down on her clipboard.
    Lynne had never felt so out of her depth, and she knew this was just the beginning. She should have been more prepared for this meeting, she thought, biting her lip. She should have had business plans and blueprints, and instead all she could offer was a bunch of airy ideas, hoping--praying--that Anne Jeffries with her pinched look and square spectacles would share her vision. Her dream.
    “We’d just be offering breakfasts,” Lynne continued, desperate to fill the silence. “And coffee and tea in the afternoon, with cake or scones perhaps. No dinner, though, or alcohol, so we wouldn’t need a license...”
    “I see.”
    Lynne chewed her lip. “Well, I think that’s about it,” she said, keeping her voice bright. “Would you like a coffee? I can answer any questions--”
    Anne sighed and took off her glasses, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “I’d love a coffee, Mrs. Marshall, but you might not want me to stay long enough to drink it.”
    Lynne tried to give a little laugh, although it came out rather shakily. “That sounds ominous,” she said, pouring two mugs full of strong, steaming coffee. She handed one to the commissioner and cradled her own cup as they both sat at the kitchen table. “There’s a problem, then?”
    Anne’s eyes were far too compassionate as she took a sip of coffee. “I’m afraid so. I admire your plans for the house, and I can see how this building could be transformed into a bed and breakfast established rather easily.”
    Lynne raised her brows, her body tensing. “But?”
    “But,” Anne continued heavily, “I’m afraid this section of Hardiwick isn’t currently zoned for a commercial structure such as an inn, or a bed and breakfast. It’s purely residential all along this street.”
    It took Lynne a moment to process what Anne was saying. “You mean it can’t be a bed and breakfast, full stop?”
    “I’m afraid not.”
    “But...” Lynne took a sip of coffee and tried to marshal her thoughts. She wanted to ask why the zoning commissioner had bothered to go through the entire house if there had been no hope in the first place, but she was afraid she would sound petulant and accusing. And she felt petulant and accusing; she’d expected barriers, obstacles, things that could be overcome. Not this complete scuppering of her plans before they’d even got off the ground. “Surely something can be done. Can we rezone? Appeal?”
    “You can appeal to the zoning board,” Anne allowed. She didn’t sound very optimistic. “For a change in the zoning laws. And if your appeal is denied, there are other options. You could apply for a variance, or conditional use of a home...”
    Lynne stared down into her coffee. The terms were meaningless to her; she felt hopelessly out of her depth. With a stab of sorrow, she realised Adam would have known what to do. He’d known all about zoning laws; he dealt with them all the time.
    “Well, I suppose I’ll have to appeal then,” she said, sounding far more pragmatic than she felt. She even managed a smile. “Thank you for your time.”
    “I’m sorry to give you bad news,” Anne said. “If it’s any consolation, I think this property could make a wonderful bed and breakfast... but I’m afraid I have no control over the town’s zoning laws.”
    Lynne walked Anne to the door, then returned to sit at the table and moodily sip her now lukewarm coffee while the late afternoon sunshine poured through the windows and pooled on the worn, wide planks of the kitchen floor. Jessica was out, touring the town, and they were both due to visit Graham later that day. The hospital was keeping him in over the weekend ‘just in case’, but Lynne knew everyone would be happier when Graham was