Semi-Psychic Life (Glimmer Lake #2) - Elizabeth Hunter Page 0,12
transformed the old home into a chic and comfortable mountain retreat. Now, instead of looking after four unruly kids, she was looking after business groups and bridal parties.
“We’ve had a lot of advance bookings,” Monica said. “We’re already booked solid for next Christmas.”
“Are you serious?”
Monica nodded. “I knew it was going to work.”
Val threw her arm around Monica’s shoulders and walked inside. “Sometimes having psychic powers comes in handy.”
“Luckily, I don’t have them thrown in my face every hour of every day.” Monica squeezed her gloved hand. “How was the rest of today?”
“Okay. Josh isn’t answering his phone, so I have to assume he’s bailing on the boys this weekend. I already texted Jackson.”
Monica shook her head. “I will never understand that man.”
“He’s killing his relationship with his kids, but he’s doing it to himself.” Val surveyed the grand entryway of the house. “Enough about irresponsible men. What are you thinking for a coffee stand?”
“Come this way.” Monica gestured toward the formal living room. “And let’s talk about bars.”
Val was chatting with Eve at the espresso maker the next morning after the breakfast rush had slowed to the midmorning trickle. JoJo buzzed happily around the tables, and Ramon was singing oldies in the kitchen while he prepped for lunch.
Her staff was present and accounted for, the meat truck had arrived on time, and all was right in Val’s world.
“There was an existing bar in the house,” Val told Eve. “Old Mr. Russell did like his scotch. But they’re expanding that to a wine bar for the afternoon, along with evening cocktails. That sort of thing. But before two o’clock, that area is just empty. What Monica is thinking is we set up a coffee bar there. Misfit would create a signature espresso drink for Russell House—”
“Probably a cold and a hot,” Eve said. “To have summer covered.”
“Good idea. So we do a signature coffee, and then all the usual menu. Guests preorder their coffees when they check in, and the staff delivers them in the morning with their pastry baskets. Russell House would pay us a flat fee for each morning, and the rest of the time we’re just selling coffee like normal.”
“So anyone can come inside and have a coffee and pastry at Russell House?” Eve asked.
“I think that’s the idea.”
Eve looked thoughtful. “You know, that might attract a lot of tourists who can’t afford to stay there, you know? ’Cause I know it’s gonna be superexpensive. But if you just want to see the place and have a drink, that’s pretty cheap.”
“I think that’s the idea.” Val quickly rang up a customer and passed the order to Eve. “Monica threw out the idea of doing an afternoon tea, but I nixed it. Afternoon tea is not our brand.”
Eve pursed her lips and looked around Misfit, from the blood-red ceiling to the skiing and snowboarding stickers plastered over the walls. “Is Russell House our brand?”
“Not really, but Monica called us a ‘Glimmer Lake institution.’”
Eve laughed. “Meaning we’re the only game in town?”
“Pretty much, yeah.” The corner of Val’s mouth lifted. “And they don’t want it to be too stuffy up there. The Lodge has stuffy covered. They want sleek and sophisticated and just a little edgy. Younger patrons, not older.”
“We serve everyone,” Eve pulled a shot of espresso and gently added the milk. “You’ll need another barista. At least?”
“I think one person will be enough most of the time.” Val took the cappuccino from Eve and handed it across the counter. “We’ll have to see if there are rush times. If there are—maybe on weekend mornings—we might be able to snag one of Monica’s people to fill in.”
“That could work. But we’ll definitely have to train another barista.”
“Unless we can find someone new in town, yeah.”
Eve nodded. “But we have a couple of months.”
“They’re not officially open except for events until May.”
“That gives us time.”
“I thought so.” Val glanced up and saw Sully enter the coffee shop. She instinctively reached for a large cup and wrote his name on it.
Eve asked, “Did Monica mention anything about signage for Russell House?”
“Nothing on the front of the house, but we can put something on the road to direct—”
“Val.” Sully nudged aside two snowboarders at the front of the line to reach her. “You have a minute?”
Eve and Val exchanged a look.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“I’m not here for coffee,” Sully said. “I need to talk to you.”
His face was grim and his mouth was set in a flat line. This was not