The Inn at Willa Bay: A Willa Bay Novel

by Nicole Ellis

  “Oh!” Debbie gasped. “Speaking of George, did you hear that Lara Camden is moving back to Willa Bay? Her mom, Greta, told me yesterday. Greta and George are over the moon about it. I think they’re hoping for some grandchildren in the next few years.” She looked pointedly at Meg and Samantha. “I know what that’s like.”

  “Oh, Mom.” Meg shook her head.

  “Yeah, you’re going to be waiting for a while if you’re expecting grandchildren from Meg or me. Brant and I aren’t planning on having kids for at least a few years after we’re married.” Samantha gave Libby a sly grin, then laughed. “Besides, Libby’s given you four already. Isn’t that enough?”

  Debbie shook her head. “Nope. I can’t wait until I have enough grandchildren to play flag football at Thanksgiving. I used to love doing that when I was a kid.” Her expression darkened for a moment. “I hope I’m around to see that.”

  “You will be, Mom.” Meg patted her arm. “I’m sure of it.”

  “Well, we’ll know next week when I get the results back from the scan.” Debbie clasped her hands together and smiled at them. “Enough of that kind of talk though.”

  Cassie searched for something to say to change the subject. “So, Lara’s really coming back to town?”

  “According to her mom.” Debbie leaned in closer to the group. “I heard her husband got fired from his last job, and they had to move home with her parents for a while.”

  Samantha snorted. “And he’s planning on finding a job in Willa Bay? Good luck with that. Brant’s been looking for something closer ever since he moved here.”

  “I don’t know about you, but I’d be happier if Lara Camden had stayed away for good.” Meg scooped up some chicken salad with a celery stick and bit into it with a loud crunch. “She’s always trying to stir up trouble,” she said around the bite. After she swallowed it, she turned to Cassie. “Remember that time she cheated off of you in math and then blamed you?”

  Cassie’s stomach soured. Lara had copied her answers on a math test, and when she’d been caught, she’d told the teacher that Cassie was in on it. They’d both been given two weeks of detention, and Cassie’s parents had been furious, grounding her for months.

  Libby rolled her eyes. “Yeah, or when she took advantage of Cassie being grounded and tried to make Kyle take her to the prom?”

  Long-forgotten anger boiled up as Cassie thought about Lara’s attempt to steal her boyfriend. Kyle had told Lara off and won Cassie’s heart in the process. She’d decided right then and there that he was the man she was going to marry. It was funny to think that Lara’s actions had cemented Cassie and Kyle’s relationship. If Lara hadn’t cheated on that test, would Cassie’s life be different now?

  “Wow, I’ve never met Lara before, but I’ll try to steer clear.” Zoe shivered. “She sounds like a real piece of work.”

  “No kidding,” Samantha said. “I’ve heard stories about her, but I was still in elementary school when all of that went down. I remember how mad Meg was about it though.”

  Cassie took a calming breath and mentally counted to ten. On top of the divorce, single parenthood, and having little time to spare, she had been warned by her doctor that her blood pressure was creeping up too high. She pasted a smile on her face. “I’m sure she’s changed. Maybe she’ll be completely different than she used to be.”

  “I hope so.” Debbie’s gaze was heavy on Cassie’s face, and Cassie braced herself for bad news. “I wasn’t sure how to tell you this, but it’s better you find out sooner rather than later. Her mom said Lara plans to open up a bakery in town and make wedding cakes.”

  Ice shot through Cassie’s veins, and she struggled to get control of her thoughts. Demand was strong for wedding cakes in Willa Bay, but she was barely making ends meet as it was. If she lost any clients to Lara’s new business, she may not be able to make her mortgage.

  Zoe sensed her dismay. “You have nothing to worry about, Cassie. Everyone knows you make the best cakes in town.” She stood from the table and walked over to the bottles Meg had lined up on the counter. “Can I interest anyone in a glass of wine?”

  Everyone’s hands shot up except Debbie’s. “Not me. I have to drive, and after not drinking for so long, I’m such a lightweight.”

  Libby lowered her hand. “Mom, I can drive you home if you want a glass of wine. After spending the day at the hospital, you deserve it.”

  Debbie eyed her oldest daughter first, then the wine bottle Zoe was tilting back and forth suggestively. Her lips spread into a wide smile. “Oh, all right. I guess I do deserve something. Give me a small glass of the red.” Zoe started pouring, and Debbie laughed. “Oh heck. I’m not driving. Fill it up to the top.” She grabbed the full glass from Zoe and took a long swig of wine. “I really hate those scans.”

  “I’ll take the red wine too,” Celia said. “You know, studies have shown it’s good for you to have a glass a day. We all want to stay healthy, right?”

  Everyone chuckled, and Zoe handed Celia a glass of merlot. The rest of them got their drinks and settled in at the table. Cassie sat back in her chair, enjoying the sounds of laughter as everyone relaxed and got into a festive mood.

  “How’s the Gustafson wedding going, Zoe?” Debbie asked. “Diana is one of the most demanding brides I’ve ever met. I think we’ve changed the catering menu at least twenty times.”

  Zoe sighed. “Not well. I thought we had a plan for the ceremony, but like the catering, she’s changed it so many times already. I don’t know if it’s her mom’s influence or she’s just indecisive, but I’m getting tired of it.”

  “Maybe I should be glad I didn’t get the contract for the wedding cake.” Cassie gulped her wine, hoping it would take away some of her stress. “She and her mother tried every type of cake I make, but decided to go with someone else.”

  “Sounds like you dodged a bullet there.” Meg reached for a chip and dipped it in the salsa. “And now that we’re on the topic of cakes, when do we get to dig into that beauty on the counter? Or did you set it there just to torture us?” Her eyes danced as she cast a teasing glare at Cassie.

  Cassie stood, her pulse quickening. Serving an untested recipe was always nerve-wracking, even when it was only to her friends. “Nope, it’s for tonight. It’s something new I’m trying out.” She picked up the chocolate cake. “Does anyone want some?”

  Everyone raised their hands and she brought the cake over to the table before slicing it and giving them each a piece.

  “This is amazing.” Zoe swallowed her last bite and reached for the cake server to get more.

  Cassie’s chest filled with pride. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it.” She cut into her own piece of cake with a fork, scrutinizing the texture. It was moist with a good crumb, always a good sign. She took a small bite and let the decadent chocolate ganache filling melt onto her tongue. Yep. This one was a keeper.

  Meg set her fork down and rubbed her flat stomach. “Oh man, that was delicious, but I’m stuffed now. You’re going to have to roll me into work tomorrow.”

  “Me too.” Debbie yawned. “I think I need to get home soon. I’m wiped out after being at the hospital today.”

  Libby jumped up. “I’d better get home myself and make sure Gabe has the kids in bed. It’s getting late.”

  “Well, you’re my ride, so I guess I’m leaving too.” Samantha stuffed a last bite of cake into her mouth, then pouted at her empty plate. “Cassie, can I get this recipe from you sometime? Brant loves chocolate.”

  “Sure.” Cassie beamed. “I’ll email it to you tonight. I found the basic recipe online, but I made a few tweaks to it.”

  Samantha and her mom left with Libby, and Meg walked out with them, carrying her mom’s serving bowl.

  “Do you need any help?” Zoe asked Cassie.

  Cassie looked around the kitchen. They hadn’t made too big of a mess, and since the kids weren’t going to be home until Sunday, she had plenty of time to clean up. “No, I’m good.”
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  Zoe eyed the kitchen with doubt. “If you’re sure.”

  “I am.” Cassie grinned at her. “This was fun though. I wish we could get together more than once a month.”

  “Me too.” Celia pushed herself up from the table and leaned on her cane. “Being around all of you young people makes me feel young again too – at least for a few hours.” She sighed. “But it does make me a little nostalgic hearing about everything that’s going on in town. I miss being in the thick of wedding season.”

  “I have more than enough work if you’d like some.” Zoe winked at Celia. “In fact, maybe you could come in with me one day and distract Diana Gustafson’s mother so I can root out what Diana actually wants for her wedding.”

  A smile formed on Celia’s thin lips, smoothing out the wrinkles in her rouged cheeks. “I’d like that.”

  They all walked outside together. Cassie stood on the porch and waved goodbye as Zoe helped Celia into the passenger seat of her car. When they were out of sight, Cassie went back inside and into the kitchen.

  She hadn’t been lying – there wasn’t that much of a mess. When all of the food was packed away in the refrigerator and cupboard, she wiped away a few crumbs and sat down with a second piece of cake and a cup of decaf coffee. She bit into the cake, and although she’d liked it earlier, now it tasted too sweet. She pushed the plate away. The news of Lara Camden’s impending return to Willa Bay had been unsettling. What if she lost clients to Lara? Without that income, she wasn’t sure how she’d make ends meet. After the divorce, she’d worked hard to make a life for herself in Willa Bay, but now she feared that all she’d built could soon come crashing down around her.

  3

  Zoe

  When Celia was settled into the passenger seat, Zoe slowly pulled away from the curb outside of Cassie’s house. When they’d arrived at the gathering, it had still been light outside, but now the sky was dark and drizzling. She turned on the windshield wipers to clear the raindrops accumulating on the glass. Next to her, Celia rubbed her leg and moaned softly.

  A ribbon of fear shot through Zoe. She stopped the car in the middle of the empty street and eyed the elderly woman. “Are you okay?”

  Celia pressed her lips together for a moment, then nodded. “I’m fine. It’s just my arthritis acting up again.”

  “Is it the change in the weather?” Zoe asked. “My grandfather always says his knee aches more when it starts to rain.” She eased her foot off of the brake, moving forward slowly as she continued to surreptitiously check on Celia.

  Celia shook her head. “I’m not sure what it is. I’ve been having to use my cane more and more because my leg feels a little weak at times.”

  Zoe returned her full attention to the road. Celia was fiercely protective of her independence and wouldn’t take too kindly to meddling, but Zoe wanted to make sure her elderly neighbor was safe. “Do you need any help at the house? I’m happy to come over to clean or do other chores if you need it.”

  Celia’s words were full of steel. “Thank you, dear, but I can take care of my own house.”

  “Well if you ever need any help, just let me know. I’m right next door to you.”

  “Of course, dear.” Celia sighed softly and her voice trembled a little. “I feel like I’m already taking advantage of you and the others too much. You shouldn’t have to drive around an old lady. All of you are too busy for that.”

  Zoe turned down the gravel driveway leading to her cottage and the old Willa Bay Inn. “It’s not any trouble. I don’t mind driving you places, and I know the others are happy to help in any way they can. You’ve been so kind to all of us over the years.”

  Celia didn’t answer but stared out the window while they lurched around the holes in the driveway. Although she’d lived on Celia’s property for years, Zoe realized she didn’t know much about her. Celia tended to be closemouthed about her own past.

  The few times Zoe had been a guest in Celia’s home, their conversations had centered around what Willa Bay had been like back in the day. As air travel became more common, fewer people came to stay at the local resorts, which foundered until they rebranded themselves as highly regarded destinations for weddings. According to people who’d grown up in Willa Bay, Celia had been instrumental in that transformation.

  “Have you ever thought about selling this property?” Zoe asked.

  Celia yanked her gaze away from the trees and stared at Zoe as if she’d grown a horn on top of her head. “I’m going to live on this property until the day I die. This is the only true home I’ve ever known.”

  Zoe cringed at the sharpness in Celia’s tone. She hadn’t meant to offend the older woman and hoped it wouldn’t affect their relationship in the future. She parked the car in front of the blue Victorian mansion, turned the engine off, and stepped out into a mud puddle. She cursed under her breath and came around to Celia’s side to open the car door for her.

  Celia carefully lifted her legs out and set her feet on the ground, then firmly planted her cane and pushed herself up to standing. “You don’t need to fuss over me.”

  Zoe just smiled and closed the car door, walking a few steps behind Celia as she made her way up the steps to the front door. Celia fiddled with her keys, her fingers refusing to pick out the correct one. Zoe hung back, resisting the urge to help her. Finally, Celia had the key in hand and inserted it into the lock, pushing on the antique brass doorknob until the door swung open with a loud creak.

  Celia leaned against the doorframe. “Thanks for the ride, Zoe. I had a good time with all of you girls.” She took a long breath like she was going to say something else, but pressed her lips together instead.

  “Goodnight,” Zoe said.

  “Goodnight.” Celia closed the door behind her.

  Zoe drove the short distance down the road to her cottage and let herself inside. The air in the small living room had a chill to it because she’d turned off the heat at the beginning of April. The temperatures were still in the low fifties at night, but she refused to turn the furnace back on again until next winter, even if it wouldn’t have taken much to warm up the small cottage.

  It had been a long time since Zoe had lived with a roommate, and she didn’t really want one, but there were still evenings like tonight where she was keenly aware of the remote and quiet atmosphere of the cottage.

  She curled up on the couch, clutching a turquoise throw pillow to her chest, and flipped on the TV. After the earlier high of being with her friends, she needed some background noise to make her feel a little less alone. Sometimes she wondered if she’d ever have someone to share her life with, but for now, she was content with her job at the Lodge and her little cottage by the sea.

  Celia

  Celia waved goodbye to Zoe, then closed the front door, obscuring the light from the car’s headlights. She leaned on her cane to keep Pebbles, her overly enthusiastic gray-and-white terrier, from knocking her off-balance. Running her fingers over the familiar ridges on the wallpaper next to the door, she found the light switch and flipped it on.

  Pebbles bounced on the rug by her feet, and she bent down to pet him. The little dog always brought a smile to her face. He’d been a stray that had shown up on her friend Elizabeth’s porch one day, and Celia had fallen in love with him the first time she laid eyes on him.

  “C’mon, Pebbles. Let’s get you some dinner.” Sometimes she felt odd talking to a dog, but her husband, Charlie, had been gone for ten years. It had to be better than having long conversations with herself.

  Pebbles trotted along beside her. The pattering of his little feet and the thumping of her cane beat out a rhythm on the scarred hardwood flooring as they made their way to the kitchen. Framed pictures lined the hallway – formal portraits of Charlie and her, favorite guests that had stayed at the inn, and one of her prized possessions: a photo of herself with the Wedding Crashers group after a successful fundraiser for the local food bank. She’d known Elizabeth Arnold, Elizabeth’s daughter Debbie, and
Debbie’s girls for years. But it was through her volunteer work with the chamber of commerce that she’d met Zoe, Cassie, and the rest of the younger members of the local hospitality-industry community.

  Although she and Charlie had always wanted children, they’d never been blessed with them. She’d often wondered if her actions in the past were to blame for their inability to have children, but when she’d confessed her worries to Charlie, he’d held her in his arms and told her that was ridiculous. Oh, how she missed that sweet man.

  A movement at the end of the hallway caught her attention, and Celia looked straight into the antique mirror that had been there for as long as she could remember. Although she’d slowed down in recent years, she’d always felt young at heart. However, the mirror revealed an elderly woman with curly white hair stooping over a cane. She touched the tips of her fingers to her face, and her reflection did the same. Her skin was soft from the cold cream she applied nightly but etched with wrinkles. Not for the first time she wondered, when did I get so old?

  Pebbles nudged her leg, and she shook her head. It didn’t matter how she looked. She was still living independently in her own house and didn’t plan to leave anytime soon – even if Zoe and her other young friends evidently thought she needed help. This had been her home for over sixty years, even before she’d married Charlie and they’d taken over the operation of the Inn at Willa Bay together.

  Memories of the Inn at its peak filled her thoughts as she dumped a scoop of dog food into Pebbles’s bowl. He was chomping away even before the last piece of kibble landed.

  She poured cold, day-old coffee into her favorite mug, grinning at the Maxine comic imprinted on the front of it. The old biddy reminded her that getting old had its perks – you didn’t have to worry anymore about what other people thought of you.

  Celia shuffled back to the living room with her coffee and sat down heavily in her favorite recliner, then aimed the remote at the television. Pebbles finished eating, and raced into the room, leaping onto her lap before the aging television had even flickered on. Since he’d come into her life, they’d settled into their own nightly routine. Per their usual arrangement, she scooted to the side to give him more room, and they settled down to watch whatever sitcom happened to be on.