Free Spring Comes To Barncastle Inn by Lynette Sowell Page A

Anyone who wanted to dress up could come in late 1800s costume, the bigger the hat the better for ladies, or at least come in their Sunday best. After the stroll, the inn was hosting an egg roll for the kids.
                  Peter preferred to be a hermit and stay in his lounge pants and old T-shirt. They planned to have a small ham tomorrow, provided he didn't burn it, and he had promised to let Marin make Kate's cheesy potatoes for one of the side dishes.
                  “We're going to the parade, right?” Marin called from the living room. “Andy told me they have hats we can wear for costume. I want to wear a lavender one—if we go.”
                  “I wasn't planning to go today.” Anticipating her next question, he added. “And, no, I'm not planning on dropping you off there, either.”
                  “I won't run off, I promise.” She entered the kitchen, right as he was pouring his first cup. “I don't want to go without you, anyway. Besides, I don't think Mommy would have wanted us to sit home because of her.”
                  He nodded and took the first sip of coffee, then swallowed. “I don't think she would have, either.”
                  “I already know what dress I want to wear.” She grinned at him, her eyes sparkling like Kate's did.
                  He figured he could be ready within thirty minutes. “All right, we'll go.”
                  He had no idea what to say to Sadie when he saw her today. Likely she'd be helping out with the activities and running the shop; still, he couldn't avoid her. Not that there was anything to say.
                  She'd already told him she was looking for a job near Boston, once the shop took off and someone else could run it.
    **
    Sadie just knew if she turned the wrong way, she was going to knock something, or someone, over with the brim of her wide hat. She liked the bright color, a happy shade of coral, with a darker coral ribbon bow. Anything to boost her mood today, after last night's events.
                  Her 1800s costume had a high neck, perfect to sport an antique cameo broach that Jayne lent her. She felt like she'd stepped off the set of Meet Me in St. Louis, with her swirling skirt and petticoat, high top boots.
                  “I can't help with the eggs and carry a parasol at the same time,” she told Jayne, who was loading the eggs into large baskets with the kids' help, although Hank had started rolling one egg across the kitchen floor.
                  “That's why you have a gigantic hat.” Jayne wore a similar gown, except in navy blue, with her hat a natural straw with a wide brim. A navy blue ribbon under her chin held it firmly on her head.
                  “Do we have our kid-count?” Sadie kept putting eggs in the basket in front of her. Would Peter and Marin show up? After last night, she'd made a hasty retreat after Luke arrived with the ladder to get Marin out of the tree. She yawned.
                  “Besides my kids and the guests' children, we're prepping for about twenty more. We have Nate, Kayla, and Alex—although Alex is still a baby and not walking.” Jayne paused and looked at Sadie. “Late night?”
                  “Not really.” Sadie glanced at Andy, who wore khaki pants and a white shirt, along with a striped clip-on tie. He'd managed to somehow arrange his unruly hair.
                  He tugged at his collar. “Mom, may I go outside to see if anyone's here yet?”
                  “Yes.” Jayne looked up from the eggs. “If you could, please bring two pitchers of lemonade out to the refreshment tent? We'll start serving as soon as the egg roll is over with.”
                  “Okay.” He left the basket of eggs on the table, with Hank running after his older