Free At Bluebonnet Lake (Texas Crossroads Book #1): A Novel by Amanda Cabot Page B

as she’d thought the previous day, there was no denying that Rainbow’s End needed a massive infusion of cash if it was going to attract enough guests to be profitable.
    Peeling paint, broken railings, and holes in window screens were the most obvious effects of years of neglect, but Kate suspected they were not the only problems. The water heater in their cabin made ominous clunks, and the lights had dimmed when Sally turned on her hair dryer. In all likelihood, the cabins hadn’t been upgraded in far more than the five years that the Sinclairs had owned Rainbow’s End.
    “Was the gazebo here when you and Grandpa Larry visited?” Kate asked as she and Sally completed their circuit and returned to the heart of the resort. Directly across from the main lodge, the gazebo was a fanciful white building that probably vied withthe covered porches for shelter from the midday sun. When Sally shook her head, Kate realized that might be one reason why it wasn’t as dilapidated as the other buildings.
    “Do you want to have our lunch here?” Though it was still another hour until noon, Kate hoped that by introducing the idea, she’d be able to convince Sally to rest. Her grandmother would undoubtedly deny it, but she had become visibly tired, her early morning pep seeming to have evaporated along with the dew.
    Sally sank onto one of the benches that lined the inside of the gazebo and smiled. “That’s a good idea, but right now I’d like another cup of coffee. Do you think you can find one for me?”
    Kate nodded, pleased that Sally had agreed to rest. “Carmen said there’s always some in the dining room. I’ll get us each a cup.”
    When she returned bearing two covered paper cups, Kate found her grandmother staring into the distance, an enigmatic expression on her face. “Here you are.”
    Sally turned, obviously startled. “Thank you, Kate.” She removed the cover and took a sip. “This is wonderful.”
    “Carmen’s coffee is as good as everything else she makes.”
    Sally took another sip, then shook her head. “I wasn’t referring to the coffee. It’s wonderful being here. This is a special place.”
    A bird warbled somewhere in the closest live oak tree, then with a rush of wings flew to perch inside the gazebo. Kate looked up, wondering if she’d be able to identify it, but before she could form more than an impression of black-and-white feathers and a short beak, it flew away. Whether it was fanciful to think that the bird had checked out of Rainbow’s End almost as soon as it had checked in, Kate couldn’t help wondering if it was a metaphor for the resort’s guests.
    “It may be special, but it needs a lot of work.”
    Placing the cup on the bench next to her, Sally nodded. “I won’t deny that, but there’s so much potential. Rainbow’s End was once prosperous. It could be again.” She sighed and leaned back against the gazebo’s frame. “If I were forty years younger, I’d try to turn it around.”
    Forty years ago that might have been possible. Now Kate wasn’t certain. “Everything’s different now. I’m not just talking about the economy. People want different things when they take a vacation. Even when they go to national parks, they’re looking for modern conveniences.”
    “Like flat-screen TVs.” Sally’s words dripped with scorn.
    “And wireless access, not to mention refrigerators and coffeemakers in their rooms.”
    Sally straightened her shoulders and leaned forward, fixing her gaze on Kate. “You’re missing the point. Rainbow’s End is special precisely because it doesn’t have those things. Look around, Kate.” She gestured expansively. “Look at all it does have.”
    “I’ll grant you that the setting is beautiful.” Kate had been impressed with the Hill Country as they’d driven from San Antonio to Dupree. The rolling hills, the lush green of the trees and grass, the occasional patch of wildflowers had all been beautiful, and Rainbow’s End seemed to