“I see,” Mildred says, her arms now raised as if she’s going to be mugged.

“Let me put him in my office, while I show you to the bathroom.”

I lead Mildred to the new guest bathroom Frank encouraged me to build on the main level, and then trick Sonny into my suite by pretending to have a biscuit in my robe pocket.

“C’mon, Sonny,” I say.

“Who doesn’t like dogs?” I ask Sonny once my door is closed. I pat the bed, and he jumps on it, wagging his tail for a treat that doesn’t exist. “And children? People who cover their furniture in plastic and put down rubber runners on their carpet, that’s who.” I steam for a second. “And who shows up four hundred hours early?” I take a deep breath, go to the bathroom and dab some lavender onto the back of my neck.

When I return, Mildred and Mark are in the kitchen. Mildred is opening cabinet doors, and Mark’s head is in the refrigerator.

“Can I help you?” I ask.

“It’s lunchtime,” Mark says. “What are you serving?”

I can feel my last nerve—the lone cable that’s keeping my personal elevator from collapsing a hundred floors—begin to fray.

Keep it together, Adie Lou, I think.

“This is the inn’s opening day, and you’re my very first guests,” I say in a faux chipper voice, which makes me sound a bit like a demonic pageant contestant. “Could I get a photo of you two to commemorate this historic moment?”

Mildred turns, her face beaming. “How thoughtful of you,” she says, a slight Southern lilt in her voice.

My plan of distraction worked, I think, my heart soaring.

“I’m very photogenic,” Mildred tells me. “I’m president of my Kentucky town’s Red Hat Ladies,” she continues, her voice filled with pride. “I’m always in the local paper for our philanthropic and social duties. Always have to look my best. Never know when the paparazzi might jump out and take your picture, am I right?”

I nod.

“Where do you want to take the picture?” Mark asks, as Mildred licks her fingers and slicks down his hair.

“How about the front entry?” I propose, leading them in front of the Cottage Rules sign. “Every room in the inn is themed around one of these rules, which are meant to remind visitors of what’s most important in life—the simplest things. My grandparents owned this cottage, and my parents came up with these rules and created this sign.”