Chapter 1.
Aunt Hope's cottage came into view, its cheerful yellow door a welcome sight. Tabitha had been working her way through visits with her mother's sisters, hoping to gather some wisdom about love and marriage.
It wasn't that she really wanted to marry, it was just that it was a sensible way off the dairy farm. Nathan, her friend, had planted a different idea. Why wait years for a husband when she could simply find a job? At her age, marriage wasn't likely within the next few years.
Even though this plan sounded flawless, she had committed to talking with all her aunts so she had to see it through. She was halfway through now.
She pulled up at Aunt Hope's house and the front door flung open just as she got out of the buggy. "Tabitha! You have perfect timing. I just pulled the last batch of sticky buns from the oven."
"Oh, wonderful. I love those."
"Come in and sit. You look worn out, dear."
"Tell mamm and dat. I'm always worn out."
"That doesn't sound good."
"It's not." Tabitha followed her through to the kitchen and dropped into a wooden chair with a sigh. "Morning milking. The cows always seem to know when I've barely slept and they get difficult. Not that they give me much trouble — I'm easily the best milker on the farm, far better than my brothers — but even I can't make it enjoyable. Cows are cruel creatures, but I’m always nice to them even though they don’t return it.”
Hope poured two glasses of cold water and sat across from her. "You don't enjoy dairy work, do you?"
Tabitha took a long drink. "Not one little bit. And it's a waste because I'm so good at it. So, you’re probably wondering why I’m here without Mamm.”
Hope opened her mouth to answer, but Tabitha kept talking.
“I’ve been visiting Mamm's sisters to learn what to look for in a husband, but I'm starting to think I've been asking the wrong question."
Hope lifted a brow. "I heard. I've been expecting you and thinking about what to tell you."
Tabitha raised her hand. “Before you say anything, I might have changed my mind. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought and I mean a lot. Here’s what I’ve come up with. I don't need a husband to escape the cows. Maybe I just need a job. Something in town. Something indoors." She leaned forward. "I could earn my own money. I wouldn't have to plan my life around cows, and never have to see one up close ever again."
Hope laughed. "That sounds like a solid plan. What sort of work were you thinking of?"
"I don't care as long as it's easy and something that doesn't begin before sunrise. I'm a fast learner and I pick things up quickly, so I can't imagine it would take long to find something I'm excellent at."
Before Hope could respond, the back door flew open. Eliza, Hope's daughter, hurried in, cheeks flushed. "Mamm! Oh, Tabitha, good—you're here." She pressed a hand to her chest. "I just heard—the Browns are selling the B&B!"
"The B&B?" Hope's voice thinned. She set down her glass carefully. "Are you certain?"
"I was there cleaning this morning," Eliza said, still breathless. "Mrs. Brown was in tears. Her mother in Ohio is sick and needs full-time care. They have to move quickly—they're putting it up for sale right away."
Tabitha watched as a complicated series of emotions flickered across Aunt Hope's usually serene face. Her aunt's hands had gone still on the table.
"I've always wanted Fairfax and I to own that place and run it as a family business," Hope said.
Tabitha sat up straighter. "Really? I didn't know that."
Hope blinked, seeming surprised at herself. "I... yes. Since before we were married, actually, but it's just a dream. Fairfax loves the orchard. I could never ask him to leave it for a silly childhood dream."
"A bed and breakfast," Tabitha said, the idea sparking something in her mind. "Aunt Hope, is that easy work? I mean, guests just sleep and eat breakfast, right? How hard could running a B&B be? I imagine I could manage something like that standing on one foot."
Hope laughed. "You have no idea."
"What do you mean?" Tabitha asked.
"Well, let's see." Hope began counting on her fingers. "There's cooking breakfast for guests every single morning—and not just toast and jam. Full spreads: eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fresh fruit, pastries. Then cleaning every room after guests check out. Stripping beds, washing all the linens, scrubbing bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming."
Tabitha's eyes grew wide. "That sounds awful. It sounds like you're working all day and half the night."
"And that's just the basics," Hope continued. "There's bookkeeping to manage, answering phone calls and emails for reservations, marketing to bring in guests, maintaining the building and grounds, fixing whatever breaks—and things always break. And you must be available constantly in case guests need anything. Early morning, late at night, weekends, holidays."
"That's even worse." Tabitha slumped back in her chair. "No, that doesn't sound easy at all. I take back what I said about managing it standing on one foot. That would take both feet and most of my brain."
Eliza had been quiet during this exchange, but now she sank into the third chair at the table, worry creasing her forehead. "Mamm, when the new owners take over, do you think they'll keep me on?”
“How much do you work there, Eliza?” Tabitha asked.
“I clean there three days a week."
Hope reached across to squeeze her daughter's hand. "I'm sure whoever buys it will see how valuable you are. I'm sure you keep that place spotless."
"But what if they bring in their own people?" Eliza's voice wavered. "What if they don't need me? It could be bought by a large family."
"Then we'll face that when it comes," Hope said gently. "Let's not borrow trouble from tomorrow.”
Tabitha saw something wistful in Aunt Hope's eyes, something that suggested this news had stirred up some strong feelings. Now Aunt Hope was fully distracted. It wasn't the right time for her to answer any questions with any great attention.
“I just remembered that I had something to do somewhere else. I’ll come back another day. Okay?”
“Of course. Anytime.”
When Tabitha finally stood to leave, Hope walked her to the door.
"About what you said earlier," Hope said, leaning against the doorframe. "About finding easier work?"
"Yes?"
"Maybe instead of looking for easy work, you should try different things. See what actually suits you." Hope's smile was kind. "What feels easy to one person might be impossible for another. And what seems hard might be perfect if it's the right fit and you enjoy it.”
Tabitha nodded slowly. “That’s what I mean. Work that I enjoy, and that makes it easy.”
“That’s what I thought you meant, dear. There's work out there that will suit you. You just have to find it."
She hugged her aunt and said goodbye to her cousin.
As Tabitha drove out of the driveway, she was excited about new possibilities. Finding a job sounded ridiculously easy as long as she got Mamm and Dat’s permission.
Behind her, at the cottage, Hope stood at her kitchen window watching the buggy disappear down the road. The Brown Bed and Breakfast. For sale. After all these years of dreaming...
She pressed her fingers to the glass. It was just a dream, but she'd always hoped it would turn into a reality and here was a chance. It might be the only chance she’d ever have.
Hope turned back to her sticky buns and tried not to think about the life she might have had if the Brown Bed and Breakfast had been hers.
