New Beginnings: Oakwood Inn Series, #2

By Beverly Kovatch

Wendy learns she has co-inherited the beautiful Oakwood Inn with her missing Uncle William. For her to remain, her Aunt Margaret placed some stipulations. She must marry and produce a Carrington heir within five years. Randolph, the family butler, then informs her that a feud that started years before between the Carringtons and the Cassidys is still going on, and she must be careful, just as the handsome Luke Cassidy has caught her eye.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beverly Kovatch
• Release date: Mar 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215206027

Beverly Kovatch

This Author is about as unknown as one can become. She sometimes lives in the past, sometimes in the future, sometimes right in the middle of the present. Her mind wanders from what was to what is to what could be. That is the power of the written and spoken word. There are so many opportunities for so many people, and she wonders why no one seems to seek them out. She lives on a farm in what was once a vast farmland area. A few people still believe in farming, but each year, there seem to be fewer and fewer of them. This past year, it appears that the moral background of the world is rapidly disappearing. It takes hard work to be a farmer nowadays. It is a lot easier to sit back and watch others do it. People have taken this place we call home for granted. The pandemic threw us all for a loop, but it also made some realize that unless we fight for what we believe in, our country, the one we all grew up in, could be lost. It took hard work and determination for us to be where we are, and all of it started with a small dream. You see, everything in life begins with a dream. This Author once dreamt she could one day write a book that others might enjoy reading, and here she is. She has written not one book but more than twenty books. Some people dream of owning just a small piece of land, owning their own little business, raising their families in a free land, a place where we are allowed to say what we feel in our hearts, fight for what we believe in, worship at the church of our choice. These past few years have taught this Author that there is power in our words. Once our words are silenced, we have given up one of our most treasured rights. It is my hope, my dream, that the power that you, my readers, have within you will never be silenced. The dreams you hold inside will always be fulfilled, and that you will always and forever … Keep on Dreaming!

Book preview

Chapter One

The sun shone into the window through the curtain of Wendy’s window. She rose from her bed and walked over to the window that looked over the bay. Luke was already out and working. He was bundled up in his oversized Navy blue baggy jacket. He was wearing the red scarf she bought him for Christmas tied around his neck. He was also wearing the black cowboy hat she had gotten him. She had been teasing him that even though he was born in Vermont, he was definitely a cowboy.

She put her hand to her neck, where it touched the heart locket that he had given her. Inside was a picture of them that Randolph had taken at the Grand Opening of Oakwood Inn. Angie and Norman had settled into the first cabin, and he had managed to set it up as an office with their living area in the back. Norman was one of the most devoted people Wendy had ever met. He was a hard worker and went right to work promoting the Inn.

Angie was nervous working with Nancy; however, she soon fell into place in the kitchen. It wouldn’t be long before a new baby would be in the house to join all of them. Wendy wasn’t sure who was more nervous about the soon-to-be new arrival, her or Norman. Angie seemed calm and collected, at least for the moment. Meanwhile, she kept herself busy learning every new recipe she could.

Good Morning Ms. Wendy, Randolph said, greeting her as she descended the stairs. Sleeping in this morning, I see.

Well, Randolph, Luke, and I were quite busy into the wee hours of the morning working on the schedules for the Valentine’s Day banquet for our registered guests. It is coming up fast, and we have to be ready.

I am sure everything will be just fine; you still have a few weeks, Randolph replied, handing her a morning cup of coffee with her usual dash of chocolate.

Since the masquerade party, weekends at the Inn had been booked solid. She wished the fiasco of the cabins was over, but still, she could not get the inspectors to budge on moving the inspection date up. Just then, Luke walked in the side door stomping the snow off his feet.

Is that coffee done yet? he hollered up the stairs. I am freezing and need something to warm up my hands.

Wendy went to grab a cup and the pot, but Randolph beat her to it. Here you go, he said as he handed the cup to Luke. 

Thanks, Randolph, he replied. Did you see all that snow? It took me over an hour to plow that out. It’s going to be great for the snowmobile riders this weekend. They are going to love it. I think you and I should check out the trails and make sure that it’s all perfect. What do you think, Wendy?

Sure, maybe this afternoon. I made an appointment to return to the inspector’s office to see if I can’t change their mind. We could have every cabin booked for Valentine’s Day if they would relent and come out and inspect.

If my father has any part in this, you know that the Inspectors will not relent, right? I told you that worrying about it will not do any good.

Still, Luke, I have to try.

He nodded; he knew that she was as stubborn as they came.

Alright, but I will go with you. I need to run out to the lighthouse and check things out. I have Danny staying out there to make sure things run ok, but with that huge snowfall, we had, I would like to check on it anyway. I need to make sure there are no issues. In these kinds of storms, the incoming boats need that light working.

Sure, we can do that, then stop at Rosie’s for lunch and see the inspector before going on our snowmobile run. I will go and get dressed and be back in a jiffy, she said as she grabbed another cup of coffee and ran up the stairs.

What to wear? That was the real question she asked herself as she looked at the outfits. Something warm for sure, but she still wanted to look nice. She decided to wear something blue; she always looked good in blue.

As she got dressed, she felt a sudden chill in the air. Like someone had opened the window a crack, but the window was tightly shut and locked. It was a weird feeling, though, as if someone was watching her, yet no one was there. She hurriedly got dressed and ran down the stairs.

What do you think? she asked Nancy as she ran into the kitchen and grabbed a hot muffin off the counter.

I think you look wonderful, Angie replied. I can’t wait until I have my waistline back.

Ahh, but Angie, you will be holding a precious little package when you’re all done, Wendy said, feeling just a tad jealous.

She liked Luke, but the timeline to getting married and having an heir to keep this place seemed to be moving more rapidly than her love life, and there was no one she could confide her feelings to about this so-called deal she had made, especially Luke. She wasn’t sure why her Aunt would put such a clause into keeping Oakwood Inn.

Luke was her only prospect, and she still wasn’t sure he was the best choice, considering the rivalry between their families. She never asked Randolph if there was a clause in the contract that she couldn’t marry a Cassidy but as weird as the deal was, that could be another stipulation that she hadn’t been told about.   

Then, her mother’s twin brother, William, could show up and take away everything at the last minute. He was the rightful heir of this place. What would she do if that happened? Where would she go? Would her uncle kick her out or let her stay?

We should get going, Wendy, Luke said as he walked into the kitchen and grabbed one of the muffins.

You know that those muffins are for the guests, right? Nancy said, scolding them.

Sorry, Nancy, we’re gone, Wendy said as she grabbed her coat and scarf from the hall closet and rushed out the front door.

Phillip had the car out front, running and warm for her. He held open the door for her as Luke walked to the other side and got in.

Phillip, we are going to start out at the lighthouse. I have to check on Danny and make sure things are going ok there.

Yes, sir, he replied, watching Wendy closely in the mirror. Is that the plan, Miss Wendy? he asked.

Of course, Phillip, we are heading out there first, then having lunch at Rosie’s, and you can come in and join us. After that, we are going to the inspector’s office to fight with them again.

Phillip nodded, and they were soon on their way. The roads to the lighthouse were not shoveled, the snow was deep, and Phillip struggled to keep the car on the road. You would think someone would have this road cleared, he said agitatedly.

I will call someone and make sure that that is done, Luke replied, knowing that Phillip was implying that the lighthouse owner should be more responsible for the upkeep on the only road that led there.

I am sorry, Wendy. I should have thought about this road not being plowed.

It’s not your fault Luke. I have had you so busy at the Inn that you haven’t had time to think about this place.

It’s no excuse. I should have thought about it before bringing you out here.

The snow started coming down heavier than expected, and Phillip could barely see when suddenly, out of nowhere, a deer ran in front of the car. Phillip hit the brakes, causing the vehicle to spin around, slide off the road, and into a ditch.

When the car finally came to a stop, Luke grabbed Wendy.

Are you alright?  

I think so; what about Phillip?

He is out cold. We can’t just sit here. We have to get some help.

His head is bleeding, Wendy said as she looked to see if she had something to press on the gash.

I am afraid there is not going to be much help out here, Luke replied. He looked at his phone. There is no signal. I can’t believe this. How stupid could I be to drag you out here like this?

It’s alright, Luke; it is not like you planned this.

I am going to see how far we are from the lighthouse. You stay in the car where it is warm, do you hear me? I do not want you hiking out in the snow.

I promise I will stay here with Phillip.

Luke zipped up his bulky coat and threw the hood over his head.

Remember what I said. Stay with the vehicle. Do not go out in this.

Promise if it is too far, you will come back to the car, she pleaded.

He nodded and repeated, Stay in the car.

She nodded her head that she would not leave. Wendy was terrified and did not want Luke out in this storm, but she knew that Phillip needed help and there was no other way. She kept checking her cell to see if there was any signal, but still nothing.

Luke could see the light shining from the lighthouse, but it was not as close as he