She continues, “Okay, the dining room can remain as it is, but...” She stops and gestures to the wide, front porch. “Look at that porch! It’s perfect for summer and fall breakfasts. Add a few café tables, leave that swing...it couldn’t get any cuter.” She turns and scans the lawn and the lake. “I’d put up a few cute, little signs that say BEACH! with arrows to direct guests. Oh, and I’d add a couple of picnic tables on the front lawn. People can order a pizza and picnic right here.” She stops. “This is a ten-million-dollar view, Adie Lou. People want to come here and sigh. What was the first rule of the cottage?”

“Leave your troubles at the door,” I say, a smile overtaking my face.

“Your parents knew something very important,” she says. “They knew the secret to life. That’s rare.” Trish turns to me. “You do, too. It just took you a while.” She hugs me, and when she lets go, the wind nearly rips the renderings from her hands.

“Let’s go inside,” I suggest.

Sonny greets us at the door. Trish and I kick off our shoes and continue the tour, going from room to room on the second floor and attic, discussing design and how much to charge based on views and size of the rooms.

“You’re also going to have to invest in some pampering and marketing products,” Trish suggests. “Cushy robes and slippers in every room, nice bath products like L’Occitane, coffee mugs with the inn’s logo on them, guest books with restaurant names and numbers, things to do and places to go.”

My heart begins to race.

“And I’d add small laundries on each floor to ease turnover of the rooms as well as ease for housekeepers.”

My eyes widen, and my heartbeat quickens even further.

“You have considered that, right?”

I shake my head, and the unfinished attic space begins to spin. “I didn’t even budget for help, much less the other stuff,” I say. “What was I thinking?”

“Sweetie,” Trish says, her voice soft, like when I talk to Sonny. “You’re going to need some part-time help to clean rooms and bathrooms, do the laundry, help in the kitchen. You weren’t expecting to do it all yourself, were you?”

This time, I nod. That’s exactly what I’d thought.

“You were on an adrenaline rush,” Trish says, “and that’s okay...for a while. Now, it’s time to slow down and be very calculated.”

“Any pointers on hiring?” I ask, my mind racing. “I’ve been on lots of hiring committees, but this time I’m calling the shots on my own.”

“Go with your gut,” Trish says.

“Gee, thanks.”