Page 88 - Homestead By Ann Newhouse

chillier weather, the hotel had few guests. This gave me a chance to take stock and work out how many staff I would need for the summer season. Margarete needed an assistant to help with the housekeeping, cleaning, and everyday chores. Although Mitch helped on the weekends in the restaurant and bar, we needed a permanent barman. I had promised Sofie I would help Tom with the cattle run for the next couple of drive’s, but they would have to sort out their lack of suitable staff.
Josh and Liz were busy arranging their up and coming wedding. Her parents were paying for it to be held in the hotel, with Bob organising the catering. With all that was going on, Bob had decided to fully support Shelly, and give up the drink. So far so good. Margarete told us she and Mr. Choo had arranged to take a trip to Las Vegas for a couple of days around the time of the wedding, so there wouldn’t be any awkwardness between her and the Tully’s. John Tirrell declined the offer of attending his son’s wedding, saying he would not be able for the journey. Everyone understood. Johanna’s parents offered to look after John by moving into the big house for the weekend of the celebrations. This gave Sofie some freedom and she had no excuse not to stay in Truth for the duration of the wedding.
Back in the Homestead, after a three-day cattle drive, Sofie and I sat down to try and sort out our relationship. She promised me, she would organise a full- time nurse for her father, and come to stay in the hotel, while Josh and Liz were on honeymoon. Josh was taking Liz back to where he lived, as a young child, in Texas. It would be a trip down memory lane, not that Josh would remember much of it. He had promised his father he would take lots of photographs. The gate to the ‘enchanted garden’ was now well and truly open for me. The hotel was buzzing the day of the wedding. Every room was occupied. Liz, her mother and Sofie had decorated it in Liz’s favourite colour, pale pink. . . everywhere. I took Josh’s father’s place and gave him away to Liz in marriage. A sober Bob walked Liz down the aisle. It was a wonderful week with Sofie by my side. She loved pottering around the hotel and sometimes took over being the boss. The only thing I objected to was her trying to do the private quarters all feminine and frilly. Sofie compromised and decorated just the bedroom in a girly pink.