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there’s always a spot for one more.”
    Ethel wiped her hands on the dish cloth and then tossed it on the sink’s ledge. Vivian pulled a chair out for Ethel to begin her breakfast, but she wasn’t done her story.
    “They say Tuck has some talent. He did make me some brochures and put the Inn on that spider’s web. You know that computer place.”
    About to correct the older woman who seemed out of touch with the modern age, Vivian changed her mind. Trying to educate the matron on the World Wide Web would be a lost cause. Interested though she may be in the information she gleaned from Ethel, Vivian was eager to meet Lynette and didn’t want to be jaded in a first impression. Taking a different tact, she changed the subject. “Do you have any other guests staying with you?”
    “Oh, yes, I have the Parsons, the Matthews, the Jordans, and of course, you. Typically, there are four new couple’s every two weeks, but you being a single means there’s just seven guests this go round. I must say I’m grateful to the MacLean’s business as it keeps my Inn running. But you slept later than the rest today and they’ve already left to see the sights.”
    Vivian’s gaze flicked to her tasty breakfast as it turned cold while she continued to listen to Ethel’s rant.
    “Lynette and I make sure everyone is well equipped with maps and such to go off exploring, but we just didn’t know what to do with you, travelling by yourself and all. It’s not like one of those couples could to take you along and it seemed wrong to book any tours for a single. Well, we just didn’t know what to do.”
    Never feeling as alone as she did at that moment, Vivian forced what she hoped was a pleasant smile. Obviously Ethel thought Vivian to be some sort of defect travelling alone. Perhaps the modern woman didn’t exist in MacIntosh?
    “Well.” Vivian sighed and folded her napkin. Having suddenly lost her appetite, she rose from her chair, “I don’t want to keep everyone, being that I overslept. I’ll find my own way over to the MacLean’s.”
    “Billy said to tell you to drop by the house and Lynette would take you to the warehouse for a tour,” Ethel said as Vivian left the kitchen.
    ****
    His mother fussed about the kitchen giving orders and writing notes on her to-do list. “You’ll take Vivian to the warehouse today and then show her some of the sights.” Lynette turned to Tuck before leaving to begin her errands. “I should be here when she comes by though, as I don’t expect to be too long.”
    “Much as I would love to play tour guide, Ma, I can’t.” He held up a finger before his mother uttered another word. “One, it’s not part of my job description, despite how often you want to change it on your own whim.” He held up a second finger. “And two, I have a mountain of work to get to and unless you have another IT fella on the side, I guess, I’m your man to get that done.” Booking no further conversation, he headed downstairs to the office.
    “It’s nothing that can’t wait, can it?” His mother followed him to the stairs. “She’s all by herself for heaven’s sake. I feel bad for her. She sounded like such a nice lady on the phone and I want her to have a good time. I can’t ask Nate, it’s not right with him being married. You’re not married.” Leave it to his mother to state the obvious. “You go.”
    “She’s a big girl, Ma. Someone who obviously didn’t need her hand held to get here and would likely resent it anyway if I offered.”
    “Listen here, Tucker Michael MacLean.”
    Oh, no, I’m in trouble now if she’s pulling out my full name .
    “Whatever you have to do can wait. Clients are important. You have making up to do for yesterday, so you’ll find the time to show her around.”
    “Ma, she booked the trip on her own.”
    “Don’t you sass me.” She pointed a finger at him, her other hand wrapped tight around the purse slung over her shoulder.
    “Ma, I’m not seven. All