Slightly More Happens - February Fun

Get more Nothing Much Happens with bonus episodes, extra-long stories, and ad-free listening, all while supporting the show you love. Subscribe now. Hi, I'm Katherine Nicolai, and if you're looking for something gentle to listen to that isn't news or true crime or self-improvement, I made this for you. Stories from the Village of Nothing Much is like easy listening, but for fiction. Cozy, warm, calm stories about ordinary moments that feel a little magical. They're grounding, soothing, and quietly uplifting without being cheesy. Relaxing without putting you to sleep. And just dreamy enough to remind you that there's still sweetness in everyday life. Perfect for your commute while you're tidying up or when you want a little escape that feels simple and good. Search for stories from the village of nothing much wherever you listen. January always carries this quiet question with it. Not, what should I fix, but what do I finally want to begin? Most of us are walking around with some good ideas, skills we've honed, things people tell us we should be selling. and usually it's not the idea that holds us back. It's that moment of starting. So here's your nudge. Stop waiting to feel ready. 2026 is the year you launch. The year you stop waiting and take one real concrete step toward the thing you've been imagining and the simplest way to do that is with Shopify. Shopify gives you everything you need to sell online and in person all in one place. Millions of entrepreneurs already use Shopify, like me, from household names to people launching their very first business. You can choose from hundreds of beautiful templates and customize your store to look and feel like you. Shopify's built-in AI tools help write product descriptions, headlines, and even edit product photos so setup doesn't feel overwhelming. marketing is built in too you can create email and social campaigns that meet customers wherever they scroll and as your business grows shopify grows with you helping you manage more orders and expand to new markets from the same dashboard in 2026 stop waiting and start selling with shopify sign up for your one dollar per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com slash nothingmuch. Go to shopify.com slash nothingmuch. That's shopify.com slash nothingmuch. Hear your first cha-ching this year with Shopify by your side. Welcome to a special, longer episode of Bedtime Stories for Everyone, in which slightly more happens, you feel good, and then you fall asleep. I'm Katherine Nicolai. I create everything you hear on Nothing Much Happens. Audio engineering is by Bob Wittersheim. We give to a different charity each week, and this week we are giving to Living Hope Canine Rescue. Their goal is simple but powerful, to keep dogs out of shelters before they ever have to enter. Learn more about them in our show notes. Many of you have asked for longer episodes, and we're bringing them to you. Once a month, we will give you a two- to three-story episode on the free feed, and a five- to six-story episode on our premium feed. In fact, over on premium, we regularly publish episodes that are over nine hours long, and we're always adding more. So if that sounds helpful or joyful to you, let me remind you that the cost comes out to just 10 cents a day, and that the first month is on us. Also, your support literally keeps us going. Learn more at nothingmuchhappens.com. Just as with our regular episodes, these stories are simply a soft place to rest your mind, to keep it steady, and allow you to drift to sleep. All you need to do is listen. I'll tell the stories twice, and I'll go a little slower the second time through. If you wake later in the night, don't hesitate to just start them over again. Our stories tonight speak to the magic of the inn on the lake, a secret space behind a hidden door coffee cake and cat companions getting to redo a formative moment with your present day heart and mind music and glimpses of midwinter sun and the hope that comes from bravely wearing your heart on your sleeve there are days when my brain feels crowded. Too many decisions, too many open tabs, back-to-back work that asks me to stay sharp even when I feel a little foggy. And on those days, it's tempting to reach for something caffeinated, but I've learned that jittery energy and an afternoon crash don't help me think any better. They certainly don't suit the work I do. That's why I've been using Nature Sunshine Brain Edge. 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It fits easily into my broader wellness routine, especially on mentally demanding days. so don't fight through feeling foggy and lethargic ignite your mental performance with brain edge nature's sunshine is offering 20% off your first order plus free shipping go to nature's sunshine.com and use the code nothingmuch at checkout that's code nothingmuch at nature's sunshine.com so settle in be at ease the day was what it was and now we are here with nothing to do and no plans to make or hold on to just deep restorative sleep take a breath in through your nose and sigh from your mouth Again, breathe in. Release it. Good. Valentine's. At the Inn. Part 1. During the summer, we serve breakfast on our back porch. It is such a lovely spot. The porch wraps around the whole back of the house with tables and chairs, and at the far end, a swing is suspended from the ceiling. There are screens to keep the mosquitoes out, and rolling blinds that we lower in the afternoon when the sun begins to drop. and of course, the open view down to the lake. Like I said, lovely. But in February, breakfast on the porch just doesn't work out. The lake was frozen over, and several inches of snow lay on the ground. Our summer cafe tables were neatly stacked against the wall and a few dun brown leaves tumbled across the porch boards Luckily the inn is not short of rooms So a few weeks ago, when I'd begun readying for our first visitors in months. I'd open the pocket doors between the formal dining room and the drawing room. These two spaces, when combined, would be perfect for our breakfast service. I'd spent a few days dusting, ironing the creamy white tablecloths and putting together vases of roses that had been delivered from the greenhouse outside of town. The fireplaces were laid with seasoned logs, and when Chef arrived and had gone straight down into the kitchens, the place began to fill with good smells. Sycamore, my cat, and the inn's chief welcoming officer had been sitting on windowsills and fireplace mantles as I went room to room batting the feather duster around and swatting at the curtain pull cords Today I dressed in my neat corduroy trousers and comfortable shoes since I'd be going up and down the many stairs countless times helping guests with their bags and delivering extra towels on request but I'd added my favorite pale pink sweater and some heart-dotted socks since it was Valentine's Day after all Around noon, the first cars had made it down the long drive to the inn, and Sycamore had been overcome with excitement. He raced from window to window, watching couples climbing from their vehicles, meeting them as they came through the door into the large entryway. For guests who had already had the pleasure of meeting Sycamore There was a reunion of purrs Dare I say, an expectation of treats And in any case, lots of ear scratches We weren't quite full up The vacancy sign still hung on the gate at the road, but only by a room or two, and we found we definitely had our hands full. That first evening, chef prepared beautiful trays of small bites that we set out in the cozy library, where our guests could serve themselves at their leisure. The fire was crackling and popping in the grate, and I walked among the couples with bottles of sparkling juice and champagne. Besides the crudités and dips, the voulevants and fruit, crackers and baguettes, Chef had made a beautiful squash soup with coconut milk and ginger. And though I thought a few folks might find the pull of the restaurants in the village irresistible, no one had left everyone seemed content to sip and snack to listen to the music playing from the record player and relax by the fire this morning we were all up early Sycamore and I were in the butler's pantry starting the coffee and getting out the sugar bowls and creamers for each table when Chef paused in the doorway on their way down to the kitchens. We smiled at each other as I filled a cup and passed it over. It was good to see them in their apron, a neat bandana tied over their hair and a pocket full of Sharpies. I love my quiet time here, alone but for Sycamore. But having an inn full of guests and chef packed by my side made me feel so happy, and like everything was as it should be. First round of coffee cakes will be ready in a half hour, they said, over the brim of the coffee cup. the smell of fresh coffee mixed with the old wood and the not-quite-nameable smell of the inn itself. They gave me a wink and turned back to the hall, took a few steps to the kitchen stairs, and stopped. By the way, they said in a low voice from the hall You mentioned something in one of your letters Right after I left in November About something you found the night of the Halloween party? I've been curious about it ever since Are you going to let me in on it? I stuck my head out into the hall and we eyeballed each other for a moment there was a secret I was carrying around but besides sycamore and apparently a loose-lipped moment of my own in a missive to chef I hadn't shared it with anyone and wasn't sure I wanted to yet. I bit my lip and tilted my head. I opened my mouth, though I wasn't sure what I was going to say when Chef stopped me. Listen, it's your business, but I just want to suggest that there might be secrets I've stumbled upon in my time down in the kitchens that you might be interested in. So think about it, but swapsies are available. They turned back toward the kitchens, and I looked down to where Sycamore was sitting on my foot. My mouth was hanging open. Could Chef know things about the inn that I didn't? Sycamore's tale twitched with interest and we both wandered back to the trays of coffee cups and sugar bowls I took one and made my way to our winter breakfast room where the fire was already burning bright as I laid out cups and bowls the sun began to rise over the snowy landscape. The weekend had just begun, but it was promising to be an exciting one. Part Two Up in the ballroom, on the second floor, things were nearly ready. It was Valentine's weekend at the inn, and we had a nearly full house of lovebirds and sweethearts, ready to clink glasses and wander into the lonely corners of our vast rooms. Today we'd served breakfast in the dining room and drawing room With fires burning in the grates And flowers on each table Chef had made our famous coffee cake As well as cinnamon rolls And cardamom buns we poured cup after cup of coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice there was a light snow falling the kind with tiny thin flakes and the sun came out now and then to sparkle on the frozen lake It was romantic. There was no argument there. But tonight was going to top it. Our guests were encouraged to visit town for lunch. We'd put out some soup and sandwiches in the dining room. self-service style, but we'd highlighted the excellent cafes and bistros downtown. The shops and sites that were perfect for idling away a winter afternoon. And thankfully, most of them took us up on it. because I was a bit like a parent who needed the kids out from under my feet for a bit so that I could set up the ballroom. I'd had an idea, a little cheesy maybe, but I hoped it would prove to be both romantic and fun. We were hosting a little grown-up prom for our guests tonight. The ballroom was decorated with streamers and balloons, flowers and bowls of chocolates I was up on a ladder in the far corner behind the piano twisting the last of the crepe paper streamers into place while my cat Sycamore chased a red balloon under a table I'd been telling him about my own prom many years before how it had been mostly a letdown a night that had been overhyped for years and could not have lived up to all that I'd expected that, in the end, I'd wished I'd danced more, cared less about my hair and dress, and just had fun. Well, that's why we're having a do-over, called a voice from the hall. I smiled to myself, as I climbed down from the ladder. Sycamore and I had been alone at the inn for a few months now, and I'd forgotten that we could, ahem, be overheard. Chef came through the door, their hands full of a large tray of desserts. I went over to help them set out the tarts and cakes on the buffet by the window. Did you like your prom? I asked. They paused, smiling down at the sweets. Oh, come on. I knew it. You had a blast, didn't you? You probably had a line of people waiting to dance with you. What can I say? I've always been popular, they laughed As they tucked the empty tray under an arm And headed back to the kitchens for more Well, tonight, everyone would have fun would dance as much as they liked, be fed wonderful food, celebrate, and hopefully fall even deeper in love with their person Sycamore and I kept at it through the afternoon and just as I was lighting the candles on the tables, I started to hear gas coming through the entryway downstairs. shoes clapping against the slate floor I checked my watch and realized the band would be here soon we closed the double doors to the ballroom as we left not wanting guests to come peeping till we were ready we followed the sweeping curved staircase down into the entryway saying hello to guests as we passed them the sun was setting and sending her rose red glow through the windows it burnished the dark wood of the banisters and caught the silvery sparkles in sycamore's black coat on the central table at the bottom of the stairs beside the giant fern I'd kept alive for three winters now were urns of coffee and hot tea. Guests who needed a pick-me-up were filling mugs, and we wove past them to the front office, where I'd spotted the members of the band we'd hired. there was a piano player and singer who would serenade us during dinner and then a drummer and guitar player who would join in to get folks dancing afterwards Sycamore loves music and had heard the band play for our Halloween party. He rushed toward them, rubbing against their legs and instrument cases. I followed and greeted them, taking their coats and leading them down to the library where they could relax and nosh on the snack plates chef had prepared for them before they took the stage. I liked this part. Everything was coming together. Before I'd been an innkeeper, I'd never organized anything more complicated than a brunch reservation. But now, I'd overseen weddings and parties, busy holiday weekends, and summer fates. Tonight, I was sure, would be magical, with dinner, music, and dancing cheek to cheek. This old place had seen lots of magic over the years, and this would be another night for the books. Part Three The busy weekend was winding down. What fun we had had. The inn had bustled with activity for the last three days. Guests, of course, our small staff. A band of musicians, florists, and Sycamore the Cat. We'd served fantastic meals, poured many cups of coffee in the breakfast rooms. and kept the fireplaces burning through the days. Now, as guests were checking out, I was behind the tall desk in the office, sliding room keys back into their cubbies and tidying up paperwork. I could hear our maids in the halls above, vacuum cleaners running along the floorboards and doors opening and closing as one room was finished and another began poor Sycamore was exhausted he lay in the inbox on the desk his long black tail slung onto the keyboard and his nose pressed against the blotter. I stopped to massage his little body. Oh, sickie, I crooned. Was it hard to have so much fun? All those people telling you how handsome you are, wanting to pet you and give you treats. he purred thickly and I lifted one of his legs to free the stapler from underneath him he would sleep all day I stepped into the hall and saw the last couple of guests coming down the stairs there was a sparkle about them as they smiled at each other, their hands clasped between them. This weekend had obviously done them good, and I took a bit of pride in whatever part we had played in that. As they stopped to hand over their room key and fill to-go cups, from the urn in the entryway. They thanked me for the special event we'd hosted the night before. We'd had a fancy dinner in the ballroom, with musicians and beautiful decorations, a kind of grown-up prom. I didn't have a great time in high school, one of them confided in me and I feel like I got a do-over last night I nodded smiling brightly that's the nice thing about having some space from those moments, right? we can rewrite them when we're older and own the best version He slung his arm around his partner and nodded, and I saw them out to their car in the drive. On the way back in, I sighed, realizing that the inn was now empty, besides her caretakers. I'd loved the weekend, but it was a relief to know no one needed anything from me for a bit. I stopped back into the office to put away the last room key and scooped Sycamore into my arms like the baby he was. He trusted me completely and if there was a better feeling than being trusted by a small animal who'd had a rough start in life, I hadn't yet found it. We walked through the hall and into the dining room and drawing room. the sun was bright today and the rooms were lit with an echoing shine as it bounced off the snow I would need to put away the sugar bowls to launder the tablecloths and sweep the floors but there was no rush I went through to the hall again and stuck my head into the stairway down to the kitchen. Chef, I called. Are you busy? Do you have time for a little adventure? There was silence for a second. Then a low call back of, Should I bring cookies? Duh, I said. and waited till they arrived, still in their apron, with a plate of treats. I turned and led them down to the library, with Sycamore still in my arms. I dropped Sikki on the sofa and went back to the door. I looked up and down the hall. The vacuums were still going upstairs, and probably would be for the foreseeable future. I closed the door and turned toward Chef. At the Halloween party, something was revealed to me. I was well aware I was being a little dramatic and mysterious, but I was having fun. Chef nodded and extended the plate of cookies to me. I took one, crosshatched on its dark brown top with tine marks. Chocolate peanut butter, Chef said a little breathlessly. Well played, I replied. so my friend with the gray cat you know her, right? cinders, mom? yes she pulled me in here and told me the inn had a secret it was ready for me to learn she didn't know exactly what or how but after a minute or two in this room she asked me if there were some questions I'd been carrying around about the inn. Chef had taken a large bite of their cookie but had forgotten to chew so caught up in the excitement of the story. I took a deep breath and told them that And sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of the first innkeeper. That I'd been looking through old pictures and newspaper clippings for her. That I felt a connection to her. maybe it was just the house and the job that we'd both done I walked over to the fireplace mantle and took the ring of keys from my pocket I held up the small iron key I'd been given that Halloween night and fitted it into a hidden keyhole just under the bracket on the side of the mantle. Chef let out a satisfying gasp and jumped to their feet. Is this really happening? Yep, I said, as I grasped the key with both hands and turned it forcefully. a panel in the wall beside the bookcase moved back and slid away revealing the bottom step of the hidden stair the first time I'd gone up those stairs I'll admit the hair on the back of my neck had stood up But I'd quickly learned that this wasn't an eerie place, but a protected one. It felt now, as I led the way, chef behind me, and sycamore at the rear. Like showing your childhood bedroom to your best friend for the first time. I was excited. The stairway itself, curved as it climbed, not quite a spiral, but definitely hugging along the inner walls of the house in a way that disguised its existence. at the top it opened into a small room about the size of one of our guest rooms but instead of a chest of drawers and a bed there was a large desk and a straight back chair along the walls there were shelves lined with books and several large trunks. Chef, who still held half a cookie in their hand, gulped as they looked around and stuck it into the front pocket of their apron. Sycamore, who by now had spent plenty of time in this room, jumped up onto the ledge in front of the single window and looked out. What is all of this? Chef said with wonder in their voice. Well, it took me a while to understand, but I think the first innkeeper was a kind of archivist, All these books, I trailed my fingers across their spines. They're full of local people's stories, and the trunks have pictures and family trees, maps and histories. Stories like folk stories? um some but plenty are just the stories of people's lives like look at this I picked up a book that was open on the desk and turned it around to show this whole book is about people's birthdays who lived when the innkeeper did here in the village. How almost everyone celebrated that year, their cake of choice, what kind of punch was served, the gifts and the decorations. I opened one of the steamer trunks and squatted down to gather a handful of artifacts and pictures. This whole case is full of stories about people's pets. Sometimes just a date of birth and a name. Sometimes stories about their favorite places to dig and play. And there are pictures. We looked through a few. Sepia tone shots. awkward as many photos from that time period seemed, but still the animals and their humans seemed happy and relaxed. Chef pointed to a snapshot of a small gray cat sitting on a velvet poof. That one looks just like cinder. I agreed. So, I still don't understand. What is it about? What's it for? I scratched my head and looked around the small room. I didn't have an exact answer. I think she just collected stories, kept them like other people collect music or paintings. I think they were beautiful to her and she felt the need to document the lives of the people in her village even if it was really small, simple stuff. Like someone might be an artist and just sketch a friend. or a house in the neighborhood. She did that, but in a different way. And Chef asked the question that had been nagging at me since I'd found this room on Halloween night. Why is it hidden away? Didn't she ever show it to anyone? I plopped down into the straight-backed chair and rested my hands on the desktop there were dust motes floating in the air sunlight cutting through the small window Sycamore turned his head and looked at me as if he wanted to hear my answer too I think that's what I'm meant to do, I said, my voice quiet but sure. She anthologized, and I'm going to share it all. It's all been so perfectly organized. It's just waiting for someone to exhibit these stories. Sycamore jumped down and came to rub against my ankle. I reached down and lifted him into my lap. I think we'll set up an exhibit. Some of it can be here, some at the library, the museum, other places in town, and we can share the stories of her villagers. with ours. I turned to look up at my friend. What do you think? Are there recipes? I laughed. That was just what I'd hoped they'd say. I reached up to pat their shoulder. My friend, there are even pickle recipes. we would have a busy summer ahead of us of curating and cooking, of sharing and showing. Valentine's at the Inn, Part 1 During the summer, we serve breakfast on our back porch it is such a lovely spot the porch wraps around the whole back of the house with tables and chairs and at the far end a swing suspended from the ceiling there are screens to keep the mosquitoes out and rolling blinds that we lower in the afternoon when the sun begins to drop and of course the open view down to the lake like I said lovely but in February breakfast on the porch just doesn't work out the lake was frozen over and several inches of snow lay on the ground Our summer cafe tables were neatly stacked against the wall, and a few dun leaves tumbled across the floorboards Luckily the inn is not short of rooms So, a few weeks ago, when I'd begun readying for our first visitors in months, I'd opened the pocket doors between the formal dining room and the drawing room. These two spaces, when combined, would be perfect for our breakfast service. I'd spent a few days dusting ironing the creamy white tablecloths and putting together vases of roses that had been delivered from the greenhouse outside of town the fireplaces were laid with seasoned logs and when chef arrived and had gone straight down into the kitchens the place began to fill with good smells sycamore my cat and the inn's chief welcoming officer had been sitting on windowsills and fireplace mantles as I went room to room, batting the feather duster around and swatting at the curtain pull cords Today, I dressed in my neat corduroy trousers and comfortable shoes. since I'd be going up and down the many stairs countless times, helping guests with their bags and delivering extra towels on request. but I'd added my favorite pale pink sweater and some heart-dotted socks since it was Valentine's Day after all. Around noon, the first cars had made it down the long drive to the inn, and Sycamore had been overcome with excitement. He raced from window to window, watching couples climbing from their vehicles. meeting them as they came through the door into the large entryway. For guests who had already had the pleasure of meeting Sycamore, there was a reunion of purrs, Dare I say, an expectation of treats. And in any case, lots of ear scratches. We weren't quite full up. The vacancy sign still hung on the gate at the road. but only by a room or two. And we found that we definitely had our hands full. That first evening, Chef prepared beautiful trays of small bites that we set out in the cozy library where our guests could serve themselves at their leisure. The fire was crackling and popping in the grate, and I walked among the couples with bottles of sparkling juice and champagne. Besides the crudités and dips, the voulevants and fruit, crackers and baguettes, Chef had made a beautiful squash soup with coconut milk and ginger. and though I'd thought a few folks might find the pull of the restaurants in the village irresistible no one left everyone seemed content to sip and snack to listen to the music playing from the record player and to relax by the fire. This morning, we were all up early. Sycamore and I were in the butler's pantry starting the coffee and getting out the sugar bowls and creamers for each table when chef paused in the doorway on their way down to the kitchens we smiled at each other as I filled a cup and passed it over It was good to see them in their apron, a neat bandana tied over their hair, and a pocket full of sharpies. I love my quiet time here, alone but for Sycamore. but having an inn full of guests and chef back by my side made me feel so happy and like everything was as it should be first round of coffee cakes will be ready in a half hour, they said, over the brim of the coffee cup. The smell of fresh coffee mixed with the old wood and the not-quite-namable scent of the inn itself. They gave me a wink and turned back to the hall, took a few steps toward the kitchen stairs, and stopped. By the way, they said in a low voice from the hall, you mentioned something in one of your letters right after I left in November about something you found the night of the Halloween party I've been curious about it ever since Are you going to let me in on it? I stuck my head out into the hall, and we eyeballed each other for a moment. There was a secret I was carrying around. but besides sycamore and apparently a loose-lipped moment of my own in a missive to chef I hadn't shared it with anyone and wasn't sure I wanted to yet I bit my lip tilted my head. I opened my mouth, though I wasn't sure what I was going to say when Chef stopped me. Listen, it's your business, but I just want to suggest that there might be secrets I've stumbled upon in my time down in the kitchens that you could be interested in. So, think about it. Swapsies are available. they turned back toward the kitchens and I looked down to where Sycamore was sitting on my foot my mouth was hanging open could Chef know things about the inn that I didn't Sycamore's tale twitched with interest and we both wandered back to the trays of coffee cups and sugar bowls. I took one and made my way to our winter breakfast room where the fire was already burning bright. As I laid out cups and bowls, the sun began to rise over the snowy landscape. The weekend had just begun, but it was promising to be an exciting one. Part Two Up in the ballroom on the second floor, things were nearly ready. it was Valentine's weekend at the inn and we had a nearly full house of lovebirds and sweethearts ready to clink glasses and wander into the lonely corners of our vast rooms. Today, we'd served breakfast in the dining room and drawing room with fires burning in the grates and flowers on each table. Chef had made our famous coffee cake, as well as cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns. We poured cup after cup of coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice. There was a light snow falling. the kind with tiny thin flakes and the sun came out now and then to sparkle on the frozen lake it was romantic there was no argument there but tonight was going to top it. Our guests were encouraged to visit town for lunch. We'd put out some soup and sandwiches in the dining room, self-service style. But we'd highlighted the excellent cafes and bistros downtown. The shops and sites that were perfect for idling away a winter afternoon. And, thankfully, most of them took us up on it. Because I was a bit like a parent who needed the kids out from under my feet for a bit. So that I could set up the ballroom. I'd had an idea. A little cheesy, maybe. but I hoped it would prove to be both romantic and fun. We were hosting a little grown-up prom for our guests tonight. the ballroom was decorated with streamers and balloons flowers and bowls of chocolates I was up on a ladder in the far corner behind the piano twisting the last of the crepe paper streamers into place while my cat Sycamore chased a red balloon under a table. I'd been telling him about my own prom many years before. how it had mostly been a letdown, a night that had been overhyped for years and simply could not have lived up to all that I'd expected, that in the end, I'd wished I'd danced more, cared less about my hair and my dress, and just had fun. Well, that's why we are having a do-over, called a voice from the hall. I smiled to myself as I climbed down from the ladder. Sycamore and I had been alone at the inn for a few months now, and I'd forgotten that we could ahem, be overheard. Chef came through the door, their hands full of a large tray of desserts. I went over to help them set out the tarts and cakes on the buffet by the window. Did you like your prom? I asked. They paused, smiling down at the treats. Oh, come on. I knew it. You had a blast, didn't you? You probably had a line of people waiting to dance with you. what can I say I've always been popular they laughed as they tucked the empty tray under an arm and headed back to the kitchens for more well tonight everyone would have fun would dance as much as they liked and be fed wonderful food, celebrate, and hopefully fall even deeper in love with their person. Sycamore and I kept at it through the afternoon. and just as I was lighting the candles on the tables, I started to hear guests coming through the entryway downstairs, shoes clapping against the slate floor. I checked my watch and realized the band would be here soon we closed the double doors to the ballroom as we left not wanting guests to come peeping till we were ready we followed the sweeping curved staircase down into the entryway saying hello to guests as we passed them the sun was setting and sending her rose red glow through the windows it burnished the dark wood of the banisters and caught the silvery sparkles in sycamore's black coat on the central table at the bottom of the stairs beside the giant fern I'd kept alive for three winters now were urns of coffee and hot tea. Guests who needed a pick-me-up were filling mugs, and we wove past them to the front office where I'd spotted the members of the band we'd hired. There was a piano player and singer who would serenade us during dinner, and then a drummer and guitar player who would join in to get folks dancing afterwards. Sycamore loves music and had heard this band play at our Halloween party. He rushed toward them, rubbing against their legs and instrument cases. I followed. and greeted them, taking their coats and leading them down to the library where they could relax and nosh on the snack plates chef had prepared for them before they took the stage. I liked this part. Everything was coming together. Before I been an innkeeper I never organized anything more complicated than a brunch reservation But now, I'd overseen weddings and parties, busy holiday weekends and summer fates. Tonight, I was sure would be magical, with dinner, music, and dancing cheek to cheek. This old place had seen lots of magic over the years, when this would be another night for the books. Part Three The busy weekend was winding down. What fun we had had. the inn had bustled with activity for the last three days guests, of course our small staff a band of musicians florists and Sycamore the Cat we'd served fantastic meals poured many, many cups of coffee in the breakfast rooms and kept the fireplaces burning through the days now, as guests were checking out I was behind the tall desk in the office, sliding room keys back into their cubbies and tidying up paperwork. I could hear our maids in the halls above vacuum cleaners running along the floorboards and doors opening and closing as one room was finished and another began poor sycamore was exhausted. He lay in the inbox on the desk, his long black tail slung across the keyboard and his nose pressed against the blotter. I stopped to massage his little body. Oh, sickie, I crooned Was it hard to have so much fun All those people telling you how handsome you are Wanting to pet you and give you treats He purred thickly And I lifted one of his legs To free the stapler from underneath him. He would sleep all day. I stepped into the hall and saw the last couple of guests coming down the stairs. There was a sparkle about them as they smiled at each other. Their hands clasped between them. this weekend had obviously done them good, and I took a bit of pride in whatever part we had played in that. As they stopped to hand over their room keys and fill to-go cups from the urn in the entryway, They thanked me for the special event we'd hosted the night before. We had a fancy dinner in the ballroom with musicians and beautiful decorations. A kind of grown-up prom. I didn't have a great time in high school one of them confided in me and I feel like I got a do-over last night I nodded, smiling brightly that's the nice thing about having some space from those moments, right? I said. We can rewrite them when we're older and own the best version. He slung his arm around his partner and nodded. and I saw them out to their car in the drive. On the way back in, I sighed, realizing that the inn was now empty, besides her caretakers. I'd loved the weekend, too, but it was a relief to know no one needed anything from me for a bit. I stopped back into the office to put away that last room key and scooped Sycamore into my arms like the baby he was. he trusted me completely. And if there was a better feeling than being trusted by a small animal who'd had a rough start in life, well, I hadn't yet found it. We walked through the hall, and into the drawing room and dining room. The sun was bright today, and the rooms were lit with an echoing shine as it bounced off the snow. I'd need to put away the sugar bowls to launder the tablecloths and sweep the floors but there was no rush I went through to the hall again and stuck my head into the stairway down to the kitchen. Chef, I called. Are you busy? Do you have time for a little adventure? There was silence for a second. then a low call back of, Should I bring cookies? Duh, I said, and waited till they arrived, still in their apron with a plate of treats. I turned and led them down to the library with Sycamore still in my arms I dropped Sikki on the sofa and went back to the door I looked up and down the hall the vacuums were still going upstairs and probably would be for the foreseeable future. I closed the door and turned toward Chef at the Halloween party. Something was revealed to me. I was well aware. I was being a little dramatic and mysterious. But I was having fun. Chef nodded and extended the plate of cookies to me. I took one, cross-hatched on its dark brown top with tine marks. A chocolate peanut butter, chef said, a little breathlessly. Well played, I replied. so my friend with the gray cat you know her right uh cinders mom yes she pulled me in here and told me the inn had a secret that it was ready for me to learn she didn't know exactly what or how but after a minute or two in this room she asked me if there was some question I'd been carrying around about the inn chef had taken a large bite of their cookie but had forgotten to chew so caught up in the excitement of the story I took a deep breath and told them that sometimes out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of the first innkeeper, that I'd been looking through old pictures and newspaper clippings for her, that I felt a connection to her, Maybe it was just the house and the job we'd both done. I walked over to the fireplace mantle and took the ring of keys from my pocket. I held up the small iron key I'd been given that Halloween night and fitted it into a hidden keyhole just under the bracket on the side of the mantle. Chef let out a satisfying gasp and jumped to their feet. Is this really happening? Yep, I said, as I grasped the key with both hands and turned it forcefully. A panel in the wall beside the bookcase moved back and slid away, revealing the bottom step of the hidden stair. the first time I'd gone up those stairs I'll admit the hair on the back of my neck had stood up but I'd quickly learned that this wasn't an eerie place but a protected one It felt now, as I led the way, chef behind me and sycamore at the rear, like showing your childhood bedroom to your best friend for the first time. I was excited. the stairway itself curved as it climbed not quite a spiral but definitely hugging along the inner walls of the house in a way that disguised its existence at the top it opened into a small room about the size of one of our guest rooms. But instead of a chest of drawers and a bed, there was a large desk and a straight-backed chair. along the walls there were shelves lined with books and several large trunks chef who still held half of a cookie in their hand gulped as they looked around and stuck it into the front pocket of their apron. Sycamore, who by now had spent plenty of time in this room, jumped up onto the ledge in front of the single window and looked out. What is all of this? Chef asked with wonder in their voice. Well, it took me a while to understand. But I think the first innkeeper was a kind of archivist. all these books I trailed my fingers across their spines they're full of local people's stories and the trunks have pictures and family trees maps and histories we stared at each other for a second And stories, like folk stories? Um, some, but plenty are just the stories of people's lives. Like, look at this. I picked up a book that was open on the desk and turned it around to show this whole book is about people's birthdays how everyone celebrated their cake of choice what kind of punch was served the gifts and decorations. I opened one of the steamer trunks and squatted down to gather a handful of artifacts and pictures. This whole case is full of stories about people's pets. sometimes just a date of birth and a name sometimes stories about their favorite places to dig and play and there are pictures we looked through a few sepia-toned shots awkward as many photos from the time period seemed. But still, the animals and their humans looked happy and relaxed. Chef pointed to a snapshot of a small gray cat sitting on a velvet poof. that one looks just like cinder I agreed so I still don't understand what is it about what's it for I scratched my head and looked around the room I didn't have an exact answer I think she just collected stories kept them like other people collect music or paintings I think they were beautiful to her and she felt the need to document the lives of the people in her village, even if it was really small, simple stuff. Like someone who's an artist might sketch a friend or a house in their neighborhood. She did that. but in a different way. And Chef asked the question that had been nagging at me since I'd found this room on Halloween night. Why is it hidden away? Didn't she ever show it to anyone? I plopped down into the straight-backed chair and rested my hands on the desktop there were dust motes floating in the air sunlight cutting through the small window Sycamore turned his head and looked at me as if he wanted to hear my answer too I think that's what I'm meant to do I said my voice quiet but short She anthologized, and I'm going to share it all. It's all been so perfectly organized. It's just waiting for someone to exhibit these stories. Sycamore jumped down and came to rub against my ankle. I reached down and lifted him to my lap I think we'll set up an exhibit some of it can be here some at the library the museum other places in town we can share the stories of her villagers with ours I turned to look up at my friend What do you think? Are there recipes? I laughed That was just what I'd hoped they'd say I reached up to pat their shoulder my friend there are even pickle recipes we would have a busy summer ahead of us of curating and cooking of sharing and showing sweet dreams