What was more important was that she wasn’t counting on the hotel to make her a fortune. She already had a fortune, and she wanted the hotel for the right reasons.

Or so it seemed.

Chip returned with the keys to find that Claire had another visitor – a young woman with striking red hair.

He said hello and Claire introduced them. “I’d like you to meet my eldest daughter, Lucy.”

Chip shook her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet you.”

“All good things, I hope?” Lucy asked.

“Of course,” Chip said.

Lucy let out a breath, puffing out her cheeks. “Then Claire has been lying.”

He and Margie laughed while Claire maintained a tight  smile.

“Is everything okay, sweetie?” asked Claire.

Lucy shrugged. “Yeah. I just wanted to stop by and check this place out.”

“We were just about to go and see some rooms,” Margie said. “Maybe Claire can tell us about some of the improvements she has in mind.”

Lucy’s eyes brightened. “I had some ideas for improvements, too.”

Margie clapped her hands together excitedly. “Do tell!”

“Well, first of all,” Lucy said, “the website looks like it fell out of the nineties.”

Claire stepped forward. “I thought it looked nice.”

“I’m no computer wizard,” Lucy continued, “but I think even I could make something better.”

Chip crossed his arms. “Go on.”

“It’s not just the website, it’s the pictures, too.” Lucy took a breath. “I used to work at this design studio. I’m not a designer, but I was an administrative assistant to the director – and I’d always hear him say that we needed to make things beautiful so people could envision themselves there.”

“Oh. I like that,” said Margie.

“I don’t get that from the website,” Lucy said. “The pictures of the rooms, even of this lobby, do nothing for me. Now that I’m here, though, I’m like ‘Wow! This place is unbelievable!’”

A smile – a real smile – crossed Claire’s face. “You like it, then?”

“Yes! It’s gorgeous!” Lucy stopped and looked at Chip. “I’m sorry. Are you the website guy?”

He was not, but Chip wasn’t going to let that stop him from having some fun. “Yes. I am the website guy. I do all of the websites. That’s my job here.”

Lucy visibly cringed. “I didn’t mean to be rude. It just needs a little, uh, you know, pick-me-up. Maybe I could help?”

“I know someone who can take the pictures,” Margie offered.

Chip shook his head. “No, it’s too late. She’s right. I’m terrible at this job. I’ve been looking for a sign that I should leave, and I think this is it.”

Lucy’s mouth dropped open. “You’re not terrible! I’m sure you can fix it!”