A pleasure doing business with you

Business trips aren’t getting any easier the older I get. For years I’ve bounced from one newspaper town to the next, so the travel itself isn’t new. But these days, Veronica and I are splitting our time between Hardin County and Robertson County, and that balancing act makes it tough to manage both our schedules and where we’re going to stay.

This week came with a twist — our one-year marriage anniversary. Truthfully, we’ve both been so caught up in work we hardly stopped to think about it. That is, until Amy here at The Bee made a suggestion that changed everything: she recommended we try The Book Nook Inn in Lumberton.

Now, let me be clear — Veronica and I are used to booking in the $79–$100 range, which means our hotels usually fall in the “not terrible, but not great” category. Last week we stayed three nights at a $69 Days Inn. No bedbugs, thankfully, but if I were handing out stars, it’d be a generous 2.5.

So when Amy suggested The Book Nook, we took the advice. And let me tell you, it was the right call. This bed and breakfast is not just a room for the night — it’s an experience. The place feels like an extension of home, only quieter, cozier, and with much better coffee.

David and Stacie Hearne built The Book Nook from the ground up 20 years ago, and their fingerprints are everywhere. Each of the five guest rooms has its own character, and the amenities go far beyond the ordinary. There’s a library stacked high with books, a game room, even a small cinema with theater seating. Step outside and you’ll find a fishing pond, a pool, and plenty of porch space to sit back and let the Texas pines do the talking.

Travel sites rave about it — near-perfect ratings and glowing reviews about the hospitality and breakfasts. But you don’t need a website to tell you what you feel the moment you walk in: it’s home.

We’ll be here a few more days, and with our schedule in Hardin County, I suspect we’ll keep coming back all month long. For us, what started as a last-minute anniversary idea may just become routine.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway — even if you live close by — The Book Nook Inn is worth it. Sometimes the best hideaways are in your own backyard.

10405 Cooks Lake Road, Lumberton, TX 77657

(409) 225-9106

W: www.booknookinn.com

E: stay@booknookinn.com