It took several days for the Inn to get back to normal after hosting a week of celebrities. The couple of guests that were checked in for the week, had full run of the facilities while the Sables put the Inn back in order.
Lorna was taking inventory in the kitchen when five women entered. Shaking her head, she turned back to her duties.
“Oh no, girlfriend! You’re getting ready to spill all this tea.” Nadia told her, as the women came inside and took seats around the large counter.
Lorna turned back. “Don’t you all meet at Lana’s now?”
“We aren’t having a Book Club meeting,” Debra answered. “We’re having tea and you’re serving it.”
Lorna sighed. “What do you all want?”
Lena smiled. “I’m just here to be nosey, because I don’t find out stuff any other way.”
Lana grabbed some cups from the cupboard along with a coffee pot, sitting it on the counter.
“You have to tell us how you put the town on notice about Jamal,” Tiffany said pouring her a cup of the hot brew.
Lorna took a seat. “Is this all that you all do?”
“On Tuesdays and Thursdays…yes,” Nadia said, and poured herself a cup.
“This is why I don’t attend,” Lorna told them.
Debra frowned. “Girl, tell us what happened between you, Jamal and the ‘singer’.”
Lorna laughed at Debra’s air quotes.
“Fine, and then will you all leave me alone?” Lorna asked.
“They will.” Lena confirmed.
The Book Club looked at Lena and Tiffany agreed, “Yes, we will.”
Lorna smiled at her sister. “Okay, Cassandra wanted to start something with Jamal…”
“Start something?” Debra interrupted. “You mean rekindle?”
Shaking her head, Lorna answered. “There was nothing between Jamal and Cassandra besides being partners in crime, how he explains it.”
“And you believe him?” Nadia asked, lifting a brow.
“I have no reason not to believe him,” Lorna rebutted. “He doesn’t need to lie to me.”
Debra smirked. “Do they ever need a reason, though?”
“Well, he’s not,” Lorna said firmly. “Because even if he’d had a physical relationship with her, it wouldn’t matter now.”
“So, she was coming back to try to get what she missed out on?” Nadia assumed.
“This would be the time to get it,” Debra agreed. “Jamal definitely glowed all the way up.”
They all looked at Debra.
She shrugged. “Girl bye, everybody saw that, but every woman knew that he only came back to Grayling for Lorna.”
“That’s true,” Nadia agreed. “Plus nobody really knew what we were getting. He might’ve still had those…tendencies.”
Lorna’s eyes narrowed. “Nadia…”
Nadia smiled. “Not only did he glow up, Jamal grew up and we’re all happy for him…and you.”
Lana nodded. “We were worried that Cassandra would drive a wedge between the two of you.”
“No, she didn’t…” Lorna said quietly. “We’re closer than ever before.”
Tiffany smiled. “I love a friends to lovers story…”
Nadia rolled her eyes. “Girl, you live in a romance book.”
Lorna looked at the women. “Jamal has always been my best friend. I could tell him everything.”
“Well tell us, what exactly is going on with the two of you,” Debra prompted.
“We’re together,” Lorna said softly. “And when his business venture takes off, he wants to get married.”
There were shrieks throughout the room and Lorna shook her head.
“Will you all stop?” she told them as they gushed.
“We’re so happy for you!” Tiffany told her happily, joined by the others in the Book Club.
Lena looked at her sister. “Is that what you want?”
Lorna smiled. “Yes, he has to propose though and he says he’s going to do it in a way that the whole town remembers.”
“Oh, lawd!” Nadia said, putting a hand up. “Jamal doesn’t need to do anything else for this town to remember.”
Lorna looked away, thinking about what Jamal was getting ready to have the town talking about next.
Lana saw the look on her sister’s face and frowned, before glancing at Lena who saw the same thing.
“Okay, ladies, you’ve gotten your tea. My sisters and I need to get ready for our business meeting,” Lana told her friends. “Christmas is coming and we need to get to work.”
“Christmas?” Debra asked. “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet.”
“It takes a lot of work to get this place ready for Christmas and hosting the Christmas Eve sleigh rides,” Lana explained. “So we have to start early.”
“If your Daddy is going to be Santa Claus, can I sit on his lap?” Nadia asked.
Lana frowned. “What did I tell you about my Daddy?”
“He is fine,” Debra agreed.
Lena began clearing away cups. “Have a good day ladies.”
Nadia looked at Lena. “Okay, Lena…you don’t have to put us out.”
“I will, though…” Lena confirmed, cleaning the counter.
The Book Club laughed and got to their feet, before they were escorted out of the kitchen by Lana.
Lorna helped Lena finish cleaning to Mrs. Langston’s standards before the matriarch returned, and headed out to the lobby. They saw Russ rushing through filled with excitement.
“Hey, Russ.”
“Hey! Guess what?”
Lena lifted brow. “What’s going on?”
“Cassidee posted a pic of me on her social media. I’m famous!”
Lena looked at Lorna.
“What made her do that?” Lorna asked surprised.
“She’s been posting about her stay at the Sable Inn and she put up a picture of me,” he explained. “She is so bomb!”
Lena smirked. “She’s something…”
“Have you been in touch with her Russ?” Lorna questioned.
He shrugged. “We’ve exchanged messages a few times, she says she wants to keep in touch.”
“Be careful, Russ…” Lorna warned.
“I know, Lorna. You’ve told me,” Russ acknowledged. “But this is Cassidee, she doesn’t talk to just any guy. She said I’m special.”
“Okay, Russ,” Lorna backed off. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
He smiled. “I do, but thanks Lorna.”
The sisters watched him rush off to complete is duties.
“I don’t trust that woman,” Lorna said shaking her head. “And I can’t understand her fascination with Russ.”
“Maybe he reminds her of Jamal,” Lena offered and Lorna frowned. “What? I’m just offering suggestions.”
Lorna moved to the computer on the desk. “What is she posting about the Sable Inn?”
Pulling up the sites, Lorna scanned a few of the posts. “She’s said nice things about the Inn and about Daddy. Here’s the post with Russ,” Lorna told Lena. “She put a heart on his picture.”
Lena joined her at the screen and peeked over her shoulder. “Look, there’s a picture of Jamal.” Lena pointed at the post and Lorna scrolled down the page.
“Good times and great memories with ‘da one’,” Lorna read the tag underneath the picture of Cassandra and Jamal in his truck. He was behind the wheel and she’d snapped the photo while he was driving. Lorna knew it was taken from the night he’d driven Cassandra back to the Inn after their meeting.
Lorna glanced at her sister. “I really don’t like her, Lena.”
“I can’t stand her,” Lena said harshly. “She’s a pain in the ass.”
“I don’t think that Jamal has seen this,” Lorna said staring at his picture. “He’d be very upset.”
Lena shook her head. “He probably didn’t even know she’d snapped this. He certainly wasn’t posing for it.” She explained. “He actually looks like he can’t wait to get rid of her.”
Lorna laughed and closed the sites. “She’d better find another one.”
Lana returned from walking her Book Club to their car and joined her sisters at the desk as a few employees shuffled through.
“Who’s covering the desk, while we meet?” Lana asked.
“Daddy took Willie’s shift last night, so that Willie could fill in today,” Lena told her.
The three women headed to their meeting room where their father was already waiting. He greeted them all with a hug and a kiss.
“Here are my beautiful, brilliant daughters.”
They all smiled in return and took their seats at the table.
“And here is our very handsome father,” Lana returned.
Taking his own seat, Lloyd smiled at her. “I see Nadia’s been here.”
The women laughed. “She’s going to be crushed when you marry Lavender,” Lana told him.
“And who said that I was marrying Lavender?” Lloyd asked.
“What are you waiting on, Daddy?” Lorna questioned.
Lloyd chuckled. “I’m not waiting on anything. I’m simply living my life.”
Lena frowned. “So you’re not marrying Lavender?”
“You all let me take care of Lavender Masters while you get this place ready for Christmas,” he instructed.
“Is she coming for the holidays?” Lana inquired.
He nodded. “She’ll be here in between. She’s going to spend some time in LA, and in Atlanta with her grandchildren.”
Lorna smiled. “How are those twins?”
Lloyd laughed. “They’re something to behold…”
“Maybe the Sable babies will be twins,” Lorna said, turning to Lana.
“You can have the Sable twin babies,” Lana told her. “I’ll stick to one at a time.”
Lena slid Lorna a look. “You’d better not be having them while you’re still a Sable.”
Lloyd looked at his youngest daughter. “Is there something I should know?”
Lorna frowned at Lena. “No Daddy,”
He nodded slowly. “Okay, let’s get to work.”
******
The next day Lance and Khayla Johnson arrived at the Inn, much to the delight of the Sable family. Lloyd and Lance gave each other a manshake while the women hugged.
“You two look great!” Lana told them.
“Us?” Khayla said looking her over. “You’re glowing.”
Lana touched her stomach. “I have a good reason.”
Khayla gasped. “Congratulations!”
“Derek will be back later, he had some business to take care of this morning,”
“Congratulations on your wedding, too,” Lance told her. “Derek is a good dude.”
Lana agreed. “Yes, he is…”
“Where is the baby?” Lorna asked.
Khayla smiled. “He wanted to stay with the grandparents.”
Lance looked at his wife. “The grandparents wanted him to stay,” he corrected.
Khayla put an arm around her husband’s waist. “Either way, I’m not complaining, because I get this man all to myself.”
Lance kissed her face. “That’s what’s up.”
“Your room is ready,” Lloyd said with a smile. “We’re glad you came back to visit us.”
“We’re here for pleasure and business,” Lance told him.
“Business?” Lloyd asked. “In town?”
Lance and Khayla glanced at Lorna. “No, with Jamal,” Lance answered.
Lloyd and Lena turned to Lorna. “With Jamal?” Lloyd asked.
Grinning, Lance gathered his wife. “I’ll let the Sables work this out, while I spend some quality time with my beautiful Katydids.” He turned to Lorna. “We’ll be going over to the gardens later this afternoon.”
Lorna nodded. “Okay, thank you for coming.”
Khayla smiled again. “I’m so excited about this venture.”
“Jamal is too,” Lorna assured them. “Let me show you to your room.”
“I’ll get the bags,” Lloyd said, watching his daughter.
Lena and Lana watched them escort their guests away. When they were out of view, Lena turned to Lana. “Do you know about this with Jamal?”
“Lorna just told me that Lance was coming, about some business with Jamal, but I have no idea what it is.”
Lena looked confused. “What could it be?”
Lana shrugged. “I’m sure Daddy is about to find out.”
“He seems interested,” Lena agreed.
Upstairs, Lloyd placed their bags in the room while Lorna gave her spiel about the room and the Inn. He waited until she was done and they bid the couple a good afternoon before father and daughter headed back downstairs.
“I’d like to speak to you in my office, Lorna.”
Lorna blew out a breath. “Of course, Daddy.”
They descended the stairs and Lorna followed her father past the desk.
“Can we come too?” Lena asked.
Lorna glanced back. “You might as well…”
The two snagged Russ to cover the front desk then hurried to their father’s office. Inside, Lorna sat quietly across from her father. Lena and Lana took some empty seats and waited.
“So, would you like to share with us what’s going on?” Lloyd asked.
Lorna looked around the room. “I don’t know if Jamal wants me discussing his business.”
“Should I call him myself?” Lloyd asked.
Lena and Lana stared at Lorna.
“Can we please keep this between us, until he wants others to know?” Lorna asked.
“Of course,” Lloyd assured her.
Lorna paused. “Jamal is applying to become a medical marijuana grower.”
The room remained silent as she looked from one to the other.
“Could you repeat that?” Lloyd asked.
“The State of Michigan is taking applications, to license medical marijuana growers throughout the state and Jamal is applying. Lance has come up to discuss possibly being an investor or a partner.” Lorna explained.
Lloyd nodded his head slowly. “Lance is interested in joining him?”
“They’re going to meet and talk while he’s here.”
“Is there a reason Jamal wants to keep this a secret?” Lloyd questioned.
“Because, he knows how the town is going to react and he wants to get everything in place and lined up before he has to deal with that,” Lorna told him.
“Is he going to be smoking it as well?” Lloyd inquired.
Lena looked at Lorna. “Jamal wants to build a solid business and help people who need the relief from the plants, but he says, he will test his product to make sure it’s quality.”
Lana’s eyes widened, and Lena lifted a brow before turning to her father.
“I’m assuming this is something that he believes he can handle?”
“Yes,” Lorna answered.
Lloyd stared at his youngest. “And how do you feel about it?”
She swallowed. “I’m supporting Jamal one hundred percent. In fact, I contacted Lance to put him in touch with Jamal.”
“And if the town doesn’t agree?” Lloyd asked.
“Then I’ll still be supporting him, because he’s not doing anything wrong and he can make all his dreams come true,” Lorna said quietly.
Lloyd sat back. “And those dreams include you?”
“They’re all for me…because he loves me.”
Lena smiled and Lana felt her eyes water.
“And I love him…” Lorna finished.
“I’d also like to see Jamal’s plans,” Lloyd informed Lorna.
Lorna nodded. “I’ll tell him,” she agreed. “Jamal has the knowledge and the skill to make this into a very successful venture that can provide for his family for generations. That’s his main goal, to have a wealth legacy for his children.”
Lloyd nodded. “I would never fault a man for that,”
Lorna got to her feet. “I’ll see him later and I’ll relay your request.”
The sisters left the room and Lloyd sighed, sitting back in his chair. Slowly, he ran a hand down his face and shook his head.
“This boy…”
His phone rang and he answered, smiling when he heard the sweet voice.
“Lavender, how are you?”
“Hello, Lloyd. What is going on there?”
He laughed. “You tell me,”
“I felt all kinds of vibes coming from you and your daughters,” she explained.
“Well, I told you about the young woman from Jamal’s past that showed up for the Boot Camp,”
“Yes, you need to keep an eye on her,” Lavender warned.
“I am.” He confirmed. “Now, my daughter Lorna, has just told me that Jamal wants to become a medical marijuana grower.”
“Oh, how wonderful!”
Lloyd frowned. “Wonderful?”
“Yes, cannabis is a wonderful healing plant. It’s a shame how the government has regulated something that the earth has given us,” she said softly. “I’ve certainly had my share…”
“Lavender?”
She chuckled. “Oh, Lloyd…you’re such a wonderful man.”
“You’ve actually smoked marijuana?” he asked surprised.
“Lloyd, are you really surprised?” Lavender questioned with laughter. “I really need to continue keeping you away from my family.”
“Do they use cannabis too?”
“No love, they have other vices.” Lavender explained mysteriously.
He shook his head. “I was shocked that Lorna was so open to the idea. I know that she’s never indulged that way.”
“It sounds like Jamal is doing this for business purposes, and I applaud him. We need our young brothers on the other side of that enterprise. Has Jamal smoked before?”
Lloyd frowned. “Too much when he was a teenager.”
“Then he’ll know a good product,” Lavender advised. “It’ll make him a better grower.”
He put a hand to his head. “I can’t believe, I’m hearing you say this.”
“Keep an open mind Lloyd. Medical marijuana is now legal in your state and why shouldn’t a black man capitalize on a business that has terrorized our community to profit others?”
“The town is going to lose it and those two kids are going to be caught in the middle of this,” he sighed.
“And they’re going to need your strength and your support. Your word goes a long way in Grayling,” Lavender told him.
“Why couldn’t this boy just grow flowers?”
Lavender answered, “My sons-in-law are very dynamic men who wanted more for their lives, their wives and their families. They went after what they wanted and are very successful at what they do…and they don’t grow flowers.”
“This is Grayling, though, Lavender. This isn’t LA or Atlanta…” Lloyd protested.
“I think Grayling is going to advance into the 21st century,” she said. “Besides, you’ve had nothing but good things to say about Jamal, in the past.”
“He’s a great young man, and I know that he loves my daughter,”
“I hear a but…”
Lloyd sighed. “But, I hope he knows what he’s doing…”
“If he doesn’t try, he’ll never know.”
He closed his eyes and envisioned her lovely face. “I know that’s true, because if I’d never approached you in Jamaica, I’d have never known what an incredible woman you are…”
Lavender smiled. “Oh, Lloyd Sable, you’re going to make me push my trip to Michigan up a few weeks.”
“You know I always want to see you,”
“Very soon, my love.” She whispered. “Until then, let Lorna and Jamal grow together. I promise you, they will be fine.”
He smiled and opened his eyes. “You know I trust you.”
“How is Lana with that little Sable baby?”
“She’s been sick in the mornings, but Mrs. Langston has been taking care of her.” He relayed.
“He’s going to be a strong little boy,”
Lloyd laughed. “Speaking of little boys, how are your grandsons?”
“Oh, my little X-Men…they’re speaking three languages now, in addition to their sign language.”
He blinked. “Wow,”
“And their telepathic powers are increasing every day.”
“Telepathy?”
“Yes, they have the family gift.” Lavender explained. “And they know how to use it…”
Lloyd shook his head. “Are you sure it’s not the cannabis?”
She laughed. “No, it’s not. Their father is a genius and along with the gift, they’re double trouble…no pun intended.”
“Their grandmother is pretty amazing, too…”
“What do you want for Christmas?” Lavender asked. “I need to start shopping.”
Lloyd sat back in his chair. “Hmmm…I think I’d like to hear you say yes, to going away with me, very soon.”
“Where would you like to go?”
“We could hop back down to Jamaica,”
Lavender smiled and her dimples poked out. “That sounds nice.”
“I know that your schedule is full for the holidays, but maybe for Valentine’s Day?”
“You want me to be your Valentine?”
“I’d love for you to be my Valentine, Lavender because I love you…”
Lavender paused. “I love you too, Lloyd Sable, and pretty soon we’re going to figure this whole thing out.”
“I agree,” Lloyd said quietly. “Our families are important to us, but we also have our own lives to live.”
“Where are Lorna and Jamal?”
Lloyd frowned a little. “Apparently further than I knew…”
“So they’re actually a couple now?”
“Yes, and my daughter was out chastising the town about her new beau,”
“She’s a Sable,” Lavender chuckled. “She’s sweet, but she’s still your daughter.”
He agreed. “She is, and I was proud of what she did. Jamal has paid his dues and it’s about time people realize that.”
“And what about Lena?”
Lloyd sat back and closed his eyes. “Yeah, she may take awhile…”