“It sure is,” Amber said.
Bess sat down at an antique sewing machine. A raised, leafy design was carved on the surface of each of its drawers. “Someone in your family had incredible taste, Marisa. This is the most gorgeous sewing machine I’ve ever seen.”
“You sew, don’t you, Bess?” Marisa asked.
“Yes,” Bess said, “although some people might disagree with me.” She looked at George.
“Just because I never wear that skirt you made me . . .” George said. “It’s very pretty—I just don’t wear skirts. You know that.”
Marisa smiled. “Would you like to have this sewing machine, Bess?”
Bess’s mouth dropped open. “But—it’s for the Guiding Eyes, isn’t it?”
“No,” Marisa said. “My grandmother left the Guiding Eyes the inn and the money to start the school. She left me all the furniture.”
“Don’t you want it?” Bess asked.
“Where would I put it?” Marisa asked. “I don’t live here—I have a tiny apartment. Anyhow, I never learned to sew.”
“But isn’t the sewing machine worth a lot of money?” Bess asked.
“No,” Marisa said. “This is all good furniture, but it’s not especially valuable. I plan to sell most of it, but if there’s anything you like, it’s yours.”
“I don’t know what to say. This is so kind of you.”
“Then you’ll take the sewing machine?” Marisa asked.
“Let me check with my mother first, just to make sure we have room for it,” Bess said. “Could I let you know tomorrow?”
“Of course.” Marisa walked with Misty to a desk on the other side of the room. “I think this old secretary matches it, too. And there might be a table upstairs….”
Bess laughed. “I think one sewing machine will do for now, but thanks.”
Amber pulled aside a heavy drape and looked out a window that overlooked the driveway. “The puppies are here!” she cried as she sprinted down the hallway and out the front door. Everyone followed her outside.
Several cars now lined the driveway, and six fluffy golden retriever puppies played with a dozen volunteer puppy-raisers in the leaves on the front lawn.
“It smells like rain,” Marisa said as she drew in a deep breath.
“I hope not.” Amber wrinkled her nose. “I love the dogs—except when they get wet. Yuck.”
“The sun looks like it’s peeking out of the clouds a little bit,” Bess said hopefully.
A woman with a clipboard walked over to them. Her curly black hair was mixed with gray. “Hi, Marisa,” she said.
“Hello,” Marisa said. “Penny Rosen, meet Nancy Drew, George Fayne, and Bess Marvin. Penny is the coordinator of the Guiding Eyes project here in River Heights,” Marisa explained. “Penny, Bess is here to pick up Casey.”
Penny reached down and scooped up a puppy that had trotted over and was sniffing Misty’s tail. “What a coincidence,” Penny said. “This is Casey. Looks like she’s come to meet you.”
Bess gently took the squirming dog from Penny and held her at arm’s length. “You are so beautiful, Casey.” Casey’s chocolate-colored brown eyes and black nose stood out sharply from her light coat.
“Her hair is almost the same color as yours,” Penny told Nancy.
Amber looked at Nancy’s reddish blond hair. “It is. Oh, she’s so pretty. May I hold her, Bess?”
“Here you go.” Bess carefully passed the dog to Amber. Casey eagerly licked Amber’s hand and face. Amber kissed Casey’s tiny wet nose. Casey immediately jumped out of her arms and onto the lawn.
“I guess she didn’t like that,” Amber said.
Casey trotted over to Nancy.
“I think she just wanted to say hi to Nancy,” Devon said, putting an arm around his sister.
Casey sniffed Nancy’s shoe.
“Uh-oh,” Amber said.
Before Nancy could move, Casey squatted and made a puddle on Nancy’s shoe.
Bess gasped. “Nan! I’m sorry.”
Nancy bent down and patted Casey. “I’ve been through much worse. Don’t worry about it.” She turned to Marisa. “Would you mind if I went inside to clean my shoe?”
“Of course not,” Marisa said.
Nancy started up the hill. “I’ll be right back.”
Nancy took off her shoes before entering the inn. The floor felt cold through her socks. This huge place must be expensive to heat, she thought.
