“That’s me!”
“Come on inside, and I’ll get your key.” She led him into her living room and went to her roll top wooden desk that was along the wall. She kept all of her business things there, stamps, bills, extra keys. She found the keys to ACK and turned to him.
“I’ll show you to your room. Did you have a long trip to get here?” She wondered if he was coming from Boston or New York.
“Not too bad. I didn’t hit too much traffic coming from Boston, but the ride over was longer, because I brought my car.” The fast ferry was only an hour, but the bigger boat that carried vehicles, the one they’d nicknamed the slow boat, took over two hours.
Rhett followed her up the stairs, and she opened the door to his room and handed him the keys. He stepped inside and looked around while she found herself holding her breath, hoping he’d like it. He stepped toward a window and took in the view of the beach. And then he smiled.
“This is better than I expected. Thank you.”
“If you need anything, give me a call. Breakfast is from eight until ten. Just head to the dining room whenever you’re ready. You can help yourself to coffee and there will be cold cereals, fruit and pastries and I’ll bring in something hot as well.”
“I’ll do that, thanks.”
“Are you here on vacation?” She knew she was being nosy, but she was curious and thought she should make a little conversation. It seemed rude to just show him to his room and walk away after barely talking to the man.
He laughed. “I wish. But I’m going to try to make it a working vacation. I have friends here on the island. They insisted I come in today to go to their New Year’s Eve party. It’s the last thing I feel like doing, but it’s probably smart of me to go.”
“Oh, why is that?”
“It’s a good chance for me to meet more people on the island. And to up my chances of having the board of selectman approve my new restaurant. They say it’s a formality really as the sale of the building is contingent on my getting that license, and I know they want the sale to go through.”
“Oh! I didn’t realize that. I’ll be at the meeting too. I’m seeking approval to make this an official bed and breakfast.”
“I wouldn’t think they’d give you a problem about that. But you never know.” He glanced around the room and Lisa sensed he wanted to settle in.
“I’ll leave you to it. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
“So, what’s he like?” Kate asked as Lisa helped herself to an egg roll. The girls had all arrived within minutes of each other and they were sitting around the kitchen island eating Chinese food off paper plates. Kristen had opened a bottle of champagne and also brought some sparkling apple juice for Abby so she wouldn’t feel left out.
“He seems very nice. He’s a big man, a bit older than me.”
“Is he handsome?” Kristen asked.
“He is actually.”
“Married?” Abby asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Mom, how can you not know? Was he wearing a wedding ring?” Kate sounded exasperated.
Lisa laughed. “I don’t know. I didn’t think to look.” It was true. She didn’t make a habit of noticing if men were wearing wedding rings.
“You really should start paying attention to these things.” Kristen smiled as she reached for more chicken lo mein. “Have you considered dating?”
Lisa almost dropped the chicken finger she’d just picked up.
“Dating? No. It hasn’t crossed my mind. It hasn’t been that long since I lost your father.”
The girls exchanged glances and then Kate spoke.
“Mom, it’s been over three years. And you’re still young. I’m not saying go on Match.com, but maybe just be more aware and open.”
Lisa felt uncomfortable having this conversation with her daughters. She knew they meant well, but she wasn’t in any hurry to date anyone.
“I’m not making any promises, but I will start paying more attention, how’s that?”
“That’s perfect,” Abby said, and the others nodded in agreement. Lisa decided to change the subject
“How are things going with you and Jeff?”
“He wanted to take me out tonight, but I told him I wasn’t up to it. New Year’s Eve is such a party night, and it just didn’t feel right. I can’t drink, not that it matters that much, but I’ve also been so tired that I’ll probably be yawning and ready for bed by nine.”
“Why don’t you meet for dinner another night soon?” Lisa suggested.
“I think we’re going to do that. He said that he wants to cook dinner for me.”
“He does? I didn’t know Jeff knew how to cook?” Kristen laughed.
“As far as I know, he doesn’t. So, it should be interesting.”
“At least it sounds like he’s making an effort,” Lisa said.
Abby nodded. “I know. I’m hoping it’s a step in the right direction.”
“And Kate has a date coming up soon, with a celebrity, that famous writer with the good hair,” Kristen said teasingly.
Lisa and Abby both looked at Kate. It was the first that Lisa had heard about a date. Kate immediately made light of it.
“It’s not really a date. When I interviewed him, he invited me back that evening for a dinner with some people he works with at Netflix, and he mentioned going out sometime. But it might have been all talk. I haven’t heard anything further from him.”
“He reminds me a bit of Dylan,” Kristen said slowly. “He has that same kind of charisma about him, you almost can’t help but stare when he comes into the room. I see him out now and then at some of the local artist events. And now that I think about it, he’s always with a date. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with the same woman more than once or twice.”
“And that’s why I really don’t have any serious interest in dating him. If he does call me, I’ll go out with him, but I don’t want anything romantic. I do think he’d be an interesting person to get to know better though.” Kate took a sip of champagne before adding, “Jack Trattel was at the party too.”
“From Trattel’s Seafood?” Kristen sounded surprised.
“He said they’re poker buddies.”
“Jack lives on the same street as Paige. She mentioned that he moved in a year or so ago. He did a great job renovating his house. It’s cute as could be.” Lisa had noticed the transformation each time she went to visit Paige.
“He told me about that. Said we’re going to be neighbors. It will be nice to know someone else nearby as most of the people on her street are away in the winter.”
“And you’ll be just a mile away from here too,” Lisa reminded her.
After they finished eating, and put everything away, they collapsed in the living room and watched When Harry Met Sally, which they’d all seen multiple times but everyone loved it. As Abby had predicted, she started yawning just before nine and decided to head home.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay over? There’s plenty of room if you don’t feel like driving.”
But Abby stood and pulled on her coat. “I’ll be home in about ten minutes, and I’m exhausted and ready to fall into my own bed. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, and I’ll see all of you Monday night at the meeting.”
After she left, Kristen stood up.
“Well, I will stay over, and I’m going to have a little more champagne. Anyone else ready for some?” She refilled her glass and added more to Kate’s and Lisa’s as well.
And then she raised her glass and made a toast. “To a wonderful new year and new beginnings for all of us.”
“I’ll drink to that!” Kate laughed and took a sip of champagne. Lisa did the same and wondered what new beginning Kristen was referring to for herself.
“Has anything changed with Sean?” she asked.
“No. Nothing has changed at all. Which is why everything is going to change. He doesn’t realize it yet, but we’re done.
I’m telling him tomorrow.”
* * *
Lisa got up early the next day. She decided to make a Quiche Lorraine as her first hot meal. She figured that Kate and Kristen would have some too, so it wouldn’t go to waste and it was one of her favorite dishes. She rolled a pie crust into a dish and poured in the creamy custard filling, cheese, sauteed onion and crispy bacon. An hour in the oven and it would be ready. She’d already stocked the dining room with coffee, tea and a Keurig machine so guests could make a single cup at a time.
At about a quarter to eight, she slid the quiche out of the oven and set it on an iron rack to cool. The crust was browned perfectly, and the smell was heavenly. Her stomach rumbled a bit, and she made herself a piece of toast to take the edge off. She wondered if Rhett was an early bird or if he’d sleep in and make his way down closer to ten, if at all. For all she knew, he might decide to skip breakfast entirely.
But at a quarter past eight, she heard steps outside the door and went to check the dining room. Rhett had found the coffee selection and was brewing a cup.
“Good morning,” she said brightly. “I’ll be right in with the quiche. Or if you don’t like that, there’s fresh fruit in that small refrigerator, and bagels and cereal on the counter.”
“Quiche sounds great. I’ll probably have a bagel too.”
“Cream cheese is in the refrigerator if you need it.” Lisa went and got the Quiche and carefully carried it into the dining room and set it on a hot plate she’d plugged in earlier. She’d cut the quiche into slices and told him to help himself.
“Did you eat yet?” He asked as he slid a piece of quiche onto his plate.
His question took her by surprise. “No, not yet.”
“Would you like to join me? I’d love the company.”
Her stomach rumbled again, and she laughed. “Sure. I’d like that.” She made herself a second cup of coffee and joined him at the table along with her own plate of quiche.
“This is excellent,” he told her after he took his first bite, and she was pleased to hear it.
“Did you have fun at your party?” He must have stayed out late as she never heard the front door open. She and the girls had gone to bed soon after the ball dropped.
“I did. It was a good time. And a late night. I hadn’t seen most of these people in years and there was a lot to talk about. Most of them are excited about the restaurant.”
Something about the way he said it got her attention. “Most of them? You mean some aren’t excited?”
“Well, a few people seem to feel that there are already enough restaurants on the island. Adding another cuts into their profits. Or so they say.”
“Oh, it was other restaurant owners that have an issue with you opening? Will that be a problem, do you think?” She wondered if those people would be at the meeting Monday night.
“It had better not be. If they ran a better business, they wouldn’t have anything to worry about.” He spoke confidently, and she sensed that he knew his business well. She supposed he must if he had several successful restaurants.
“Hopefully, if they do speak up, it won’t matter much. This area does need a restaurant.”
“I agree.” He grinned. “And a bed and breakfast. Do you have a name picked out?”
“The Beach Plum Cove Inn.”
He nodded. “I like it. Simple and descriptive.”
“Thank you. What happens if you do get approved? Will you need to do much to the restaurant to get it ready to open?”
“I’ll start pulling permits right away and hire workers to get the renovation done. I’ve already got the plans all drawn up. It’s not too extensive really, just an update on what’s there and a slight reconfiguration to better use the space. I’m going to add more outside seating too and enlarge the deck.”
Lisa could picture the outside of the restaurant. It wasn’t on the water, but sat on a bluff and had an ocean view. It would be lovely to sit outside on the deck and look at the water while having dinner.
“Now I understand why you’re planning to stay a whole month.”
He laughed. “About that. I’d actually like to extend my stay for at least two more months if all goes well at the meeting Monday night. I didn’t want to book that far out until I knew for sure.”
“Oh! Of course it’s all right.”
“Fantastic. And if all your breakfasts are this good, I’m going to have to start taking long walks on that beach. Actually, I probably should do that, anyway.”
Lisa laughed. “I won’t make rich dishes every day, mostly just on the weekends. But definitely explore the beach, it’s great for walking.” She noticed that his plate and cup were empty and she quickly took her last bite and stood up. She didn’t want to keep him from his day.
“There’s plenty of quiche if you’d like more.”
“I would, but I should pass. I’m going to go take that walk now, actually. Thanks for joining me for breakfast.”
He stood, and she watched him go as she cleared the dishes. She’d enjoyed sharing breakfast with him and was excited that he might extend his stay. The steady money would be welcome and if all of her guests were this pleasant, she was going to enjoy running a bed and breakfast.
Chapter 8
Lisa changed clothes several times Monday night, trying to decide on the most appropriate outfit for the board of selectmen’s hearing. She finally settled on charcoal gray dress pants, a crisp white shirt and a navy wool button down sweater. Matching pearl earrings and a necklace completed the look.
Kate rode with her to town hall where the evening meeting was going to be held.
“Don’t be nervous,” Kate said as they walked toward the entrance.
But Lisa couldn’t help feeling jittery as they entered the room and looked around to find seats. It was early, but the room was filling up fast. Rhett was already there in the front row and waved them over. There were two empty seats next to him, and Kate started walking toward him. Lisa wasn’t sure she wanted to sit in the front row, but she was glad for Rhett’s support. They sat, and she introduced Kate to him.
“This is my first time attending one of these meetings,” Kate said.
“First for me too,” Rhett said and then added, “The crowd is bigger than I expected. It might make for an interesting evening.”
His comment didn’t help Lisa’s nervousness any. Did a large turnout mean people would be more likely to object?
In the next fifteen minutes, the room filled completely until there was standing room only. Lisa was relieved and grateful to see that all of her children were there, though seated in the back of the room. And both Paige and Sue were back there too. She recognized quite a few familiar faces, people she knew or knew of.
At seven o’clock sharp, the selectmen took their places at the front of the room and the chairman called the meeting to order. They talked for nearly an hour, going over old business and pending issues before they finally got to the two requests for approval.
First up was Rhett’s restaurant. Tom Goodwin, who was also an attorney, gave a summary of the request, the history of the restaurant and Rhett’s plans to improve the building and transfer the liquor license. When he concluded, he asked the crowd, “Does anyone have an objection to voice about this request?”
When several people raised their hands and then stood to speak, Lisa worried for Rhett’s chances, wondering how much weight the objections would carry. One was from Ben Hardy, who ran the nearest restaurant, which was in the next village over, more than five miles away. She could understand his concern as a lot of his business likely came from Beach Plum Cove. Yet, as a resident, she welcomed a new restaurant closer to home.
The other person objecting was Gladys Monroe who owned a summer home a few doors down from the restaurant. She was worried about noise and the impact on traffic. The selectmen allowed Rhett to respond, and he did so eloquently.
“Mr. Hardy, I can appreciate your concerns, but there already was a restaurant at this
location, so the precedent is there, and I’ve talked to many local residents who welcome a place to go closer to home.”
He then addressed Gladys Monroe, “This will be a family restaurant, not a nightclub. We won’t have entertainment, so there shouldn’t be any noise issues as we’ll also close by ten at the latest. Regarding traffic, I’ll speak again to precedent. My research shows that there was never a negative impact on traffic when the restaurant was open previously. I hope this addresses your concerns.” He looked around the room and back at the selectmen before taking a seat.
Tom Goodwin addressed the room. “We will have a short discussion and then a vote on the matter.” They spoke for just a few minutes before voting and unanimously agreed to approve Rhett’s restaurant.
“Congratulations,” Lisa said softly.
“Thank you. Your turn now.”
“Next up we have a request from Lisa Hodges to operate a bed and breakfast out of her home. The name of the business would be The Beach Plum Cove Inn, with four rooms to rent. She is planning to be open year-round. She has no experience in hospitality and has not worked in over twenty years. There are no other such businesses in Beach Plum Cove. Are there any objections to granting this request?”
Lisa was surprised and dismayed to see three women raise their hands. One of them was Lillian Hardy, wife of Ben Hardy, the man who objected to Rhett’s restaurant. Lillian ran a bed and breakfast out of their home, which was located next door to her husband’s restaurant.
“There is no need for another bed and breakfast. Ours is right over the town line, and we are more than able to meet the demand for this area. Adding another bed and breakfast would be too much. It’s simply not needed, and it’s not fair to existing businesses.” Lisa had never particularly cared for Lillian. She was one of those people who seemed to know everyone’s business and had an opinion about it.
“Thank you, Lillian. Dawn Jacobs, it’s your turn to speak.”
Dawn was Lillian’s mother and lived with them. She was in her eighties and had perfectly coiffed white hair cut into a chin-length bob. She was beautifully dressed and tiny, barely five feet tall. But she had a presence about her, and she wasn’t the least bit shy or afraid to state her opinion.
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