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her other pocket, slipped her hands inside, smacked her hands together to get the blood flowing through her veins, and hoisted herself up into the cab of the truck. “I need to stop by to see Nell first. Do you mind driving me over there?”
    “No, ma’am,” Trevor said. Putting the gear into drive, he pulled out of the lot and headed for the inn. Stephanie followed the truck the couple of miles to the inn’s driveway.
    “Okay, Trevor, stop here. Thanks again for doing this.” Gabi jumped down off the running board and rushed inside using the side door. The minute she walked through the side door, her heart started pounding. Was she doing the right thing? She pushed the silly thought aside and inhaled the smell of pastries and bread baking. Her stomach growled. Nell Carter was already folding napkins for the day’s customers, and the lively waitstaff chattered whilesetting the tables. She waved to the young man who’d carried their luggage up to their room when she was visiting with Cassie and Jamie.
    “Hi, Brian.” He waved back and smiled.
    “There she is,” Nell said. “You’re right on time. How was your trip here from the city?”
    “Pretty uneventful. Not a lot of traffic, the weather was fine—”
    “And you’re raring to go,” Nell finished her sentence.
    “I am,” she grinned, barely able to contain her excitement. “I’m on my way to the storage unit, but wanted to stop in and let you know I was here.”
    “Welcome to New Hope. Did you bring anyone who can help you?”
    “I did. Stephanie from the Crown Motel has graciously offered the services of her brothers, so I’m all set.”
    “Good. And you’re all set to start work on Wednesday?”
    “I am, and I’m very excited,” Gabi said, then pressed her hands against her stomach.
    “Are you okay?”
    “Yes. I’m just a little nervous, that’s all. I’ll be fine.”
    “That’s bound to happen. But that nervous energy will keep you goin’. We’re excited too. I haven’t said anything to anyone yet, so prepare yourself for an interesting day on Wednesday.”
    “Ooh, is that a good thing?”
    “Don’t even give it a second thought,” she said, her hand slicing through the air.
    Nell’s phone rang. “Oh shoot. I need to get this. I’ll see you bright and early Wednesday morning.” She waved and answered the phone.
    Gabi took in a satisfied breath and released it. Although she had much to do, starting on Wednesday excited her.
    Gabi closed the doors of the storage unit and locked them with a combination lock. “Boy,” she said, turning to Stephanie. “I was getting nervous there toward the end thinking I needed a larger unit. Thank God it all fit. Hey, where are your brothers?”
    “They’re on the way to return your U-Haul and then we’ll go back to work at the farm.”
    “Oh, darn. I wanted to at least buy them coffee or something.”
    “That’s not necessary. They do stuff like this all the time.” She latched onto Gabi’s arm. “So let’s head on over to the inn for a good cup of coffee.”
    “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
    Gabi sucked in her breath and walked behind Nell into the restaurant’s kitchen, anxious to meet the staff for the first time. Nell had called earlier in the morning, suggesting she come in a day earlier to meet Corey, the sous-chef who had wanted to buy the inn, so he’d get used to the idea before she started on Wednesday. When Nell pushed on the double doors to the kitchen to call him into the hall, he was on his way out to see her. Gabi stopped in her tracks when Mister Tall, Dark, and Handsome emerged from the kitchen.
    “Oh good,” Nell said, “I’d like you to meet Corey, our sous-chef.”
    “Your what?”
    “Our sous-chef… Corey Edwards.”
    When their eyes made a connection, Corey made a face. “What? You followed me here?” he asked. “What is it with you people?”
    Nell looked at Gabi. “Have you two met before?”
    “No. We saw each other at Cupcakes