Despite having done some planning ahead of time, seeing the wide range of colors and materials changed things a bit. They started second guessing their decisions, faced with options that might be better.
“I wish we had a million more rooms to decorate,” Clara said, as she and Ezra stood in front of the endless swatches of paint. “I have so many design ideas and themes I want to explore. There simply isn’t enough room to bring them all to fruition.”
“I love that creative mind of yours,” Ezra laughed. “But if we can channel it now, maybe we can expand later. If you want to, of course.”
“I don’t know. As fun as it is, I’m not sure I’d want to take on more projects. I love our little property and the house we have now. But I shall try to narrow my vision and tuck away potential hopes for the future. There’s just so many amazing colors!”
Clara had already picked up at least twenty swatches and she was still eyeing an array of them. This was her dream come true, a dream she never thought would come true. It was exciting, overwhelming, and the perfect distraction.
As they stood in front of the display, with the sound of the paint shaker behind them and bright lights above them, worries about ghosts and declining mental health were forgotten. The only thing on their minds was the bed and breakfast they were opening together; a shared dream that offered up enough happiness to battle the shadows that had worked their way into their lives. Hope was restored. True happiness began.
“I know that look,” a familiar voice said, interrupting their thought process.
Clara turned to see Brittany walking over, her smile even brighter than the first night they met. There was an unmistakable warmth and enthusiasm that radiated from her. It made Clara grateful to see her again. She was just one of those people that others gravitated towards and wanted to be around.
“Brittany!” Clara said. “It’s so good to see you again! How are you?”
“Fantastic!” Brittany went in for a hug, which Clara accepted. It already kind of felt like the two were close friends. “And you?”
“Excited,” Clara beamed. She took a step back and motioned to Ezra. “Brittany, this is my husband, Ezra. Ezra, this is Brittany. I met her at the book club. She also owns a bed and breakfast.”
Of course, Clara had already told Ezra all about Brittany and her worries that ghosts were haunting their bed and breakfast. Still, Ezra played along for her sake.
“It’s great to meet you!” Ezra said, shaking Brittany’s hand. “I’m glad we’ve already been able to connect with some local business owners. It’s so important for us all to stick together against this crazy, money-hungry, corporate world.”
“I agree,” she replied. “It’s the only way any of us will thrive among the giants. You’re lucky though. You couldn’t have found a community more welcoming to small businesses than we are here. This region is still in that stage where each newcomer brings in more visitors for the rest of us, as people are starting to become more aware of the gifts we have to offer here. So, we try to provide the warmest welcome to all fresh faces.”
“That’s fantastic,” Ezra said, a bit relieved by this. “We’re definitely glad to be here and we appreciate your support.”
Lately, coming here had seemed like a bad idea to him. Hearing the ghost stories and seeing what he’d seen made him regret moving to the area. Hearing some positives about this place they’d chosen to build their life was ammo against the daily battle. They had a good foundation to start from. He just needed to figure out how to build a steady life on top of it. A small voice reminded him that he needed to get his mental health in check so they could make the best use of that support.
“It’s my pleasure,” Brittany insisted. “You must be looking into making some changes to the bed and breakfast.” She glanced at the wall of paint swatches. “I recognized that look on your faces the moment I saw you. It’s the fresh excitement of owning your first business and imagining all the fun things you can do with it. There’s nothing quite like it.
“It gets a bit more difficult once everything is set up. There’s the constant barrage of paperwork, repairs, efforts to improve, build, just so much to do. But at the start everything is new, exciting, and anything seems possible.” She shook her head. “What I wouldn’t give to go back to that headspace for a day.”
“It’s exciting,” Clara admitted. “Crazy trying to make these choices. It’s a little intimidating, though I suppose this is the fun part.”
“But not the most fulfilling,” a man said as he approached Brittany. He was tall, muscular, with big brown eyes and carefully kept brown hair. Like Brittany, he was classically attractive. It wasn’t surprising when he wrapped his arm around her waist. They fit each other perfectly. “Don’t let my wife fool you. She’s been a little overworked lately, so she’s a little bitter. But the best part of running a business comes a few years after you get it off the ground.
“Sure, the initial period of getting everything set up is fun and exciting, but it’s also nerve-wracking. You’re so new and unsure of everything, you’re bound to make a ton of mistakes, and there’s so much to do just to get to opening day. Don’t even get me started on the stress that stretches into the weeks that follow.
“The first couple of years are even tougher. That’s when a lot of businesses fail, since you’re dumping your money
