Maxi surveyed the area, looking at the porch, the beach, the gardens. Her artistic eye immediately homed in on some things to highlight. “I think you can take an angle of the garden to show the new plants. Maybe use that bench and put some decorative pillows on it.” Maxi turned to look at the porch. “And we can set up some tables on the porch here and put up those sheers and add some pillows.” She turned again to face the ocean, framing a little picture in her hands with her thumb and forefinger. “And then take a picture of where you would set up the arbor. It’s too bad we don’t have that now.”
“Maybe I can get Sally and Shane to work on that first. Andie is working on the garden. I could have her concentrate on one area so it will look nice for the picture.”
“That sounds like a good plan. I can get some pillows, and we can have Sally tack up one sheer curtain, just so we can get it in the corner of one of the pictures.
Jane hugged her. “Thanks so much. I don’t know what I would do without you and Claire.”
“Same.” At least Maxi could count on her friends. Even if things went wrong with James, she knew she’d have their support. She put her hand in her pocket, and her fingertips brushed the sharp edge of the business card she’d found in James’s suit. It was Sandee Harris’s card, and it had a phone number written in pen. Her business number was printed on the card, so Maxi assumed that must be a personal number. Why would James need that?
“Hey, remember when you asked if James and I were buying a cottage? Was that because you saw James with Sandee?”
Jane looked uneasy, her gaze drifting out to the ocean. “Well, I thought I did, but it was from far away. I was walking the beach and only saw them for a second. I think it was just someone who looked like James. Why do you ask?”
Images of James and Sandee and some illicit tryst in one of the cottages bubbled up. Maxi bent to pet Cooper so Jane couldn’t see her face. “Oh, no reason, I was just curious.”
She didn’t want to voice her concerns, even to her best friend. It was a big accusation to call someone a cheater, and she really had no proof other than the business card. If she was going to accuse James of cheating, she owed it to him to discuss it with him first.
A movement over at the garden caught her eye, and she turned to see Andie straightening up from the flower bed. She wiped her brow, smudging dirt on her face as she turned in their direction and waved.
Jane waved her over. “Perfect timing. Now we can ask her to concentrate on one area of the garden for the pictures.”
Andie tugged off the hot, sweaty gardening gloves as she made her way toward Jane. She had to admit gardening was cathartic. It was satisfying to see the area come back to life with the colorful impatiens and lush, green hostas that she’d been planting.
“It’s hot out here.” Andie swiped at the sweat on her brow.
“The garden is looking great.” Jane’s kind words warmed her heart. “Maxi and I were just talking about taking pictures for the wedding client, and we were hoping you could concentrate on the area near the bench first.”
“Wedding client?” Andie looked from Jane to Maxi. Had Jane gotten a bite on her ad?
“I didn’t tell you?” Jane said. “Sorry, I just found out this morning. Someone emailed about having a wedding here. And they want pictures.”
“That’s great!” Andie was genuinely glad but a little worried about the amount of work. “It’s a bit different from what we are used to, though.”
“It is, but it will be good for Tides,” Jane said. “It’s just a small wedding, so I think we can pull it off.”
“It will bring in good money. What can I do to help?” A look of surprise crossed Jane’s face at Andie’s offer. She supposed she couldn’t blame her. Andie had never offered to get involved in the family business before, as she never stayed long enough. But for some reason, Andie felt this time was different. It wasn’t just that Doug had apparently forgotten about her—it was something more. Her mother’s words about the city not giving her what she really needed ran through her head.
“Thanks, I think the gardening will be a big help. I can handle everything else.”
Andie nodded, a little disappointed that Jane hadn’t called upon her for more, but why would she? She had Maxi and Claire, who were here to help all the time, and if the past was any indication, she probably thought that Andie was just passing through.
The French doors opened, and Chandler Vanbeck came out onto the porch. He stretched, inhaling deeply. “The sea air. Always so refreshing.”
Maxi looked at him curiously, and Andie introduced them. As Maxi leaned forward to shake hands, the tote bag slipped off her arm and fell onto the deck, spilling its contents. Pencils rolled, sketchbooks flopped open, erasers bounced. Chandler bent down to help her pick them up. He hesitated when he saw one of her sketches. It was just a pencil sketch of a seagull, and Andie was no art expert, but even she could see that the details were exquisite, the shading so precise you almost expected the bird to fly off the page.
“This is wonderful.” Chandler looked up at Maxi. “Are you the artist?”
“It’s just a little sketch. It’s nothing.” Maxi snatched it from him and stuffed it in her bag, clearly embarrassed by the attention.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You have talent.” Chandler turned to Andie. “I was sorry to hear about the Richhaven job.”
Andie frowned. “What about it?”
“You didn’t hear? It came through, and Elise was named as the lead appraiser. She called me this morning to see if I could come out and appraise some of the artwork.”
Andie felt as if she’d been punched in the gut. Elise had gotten the Richhaven job? That couldn’t be possible. Doug had never even called her.
Chandler must’ve seen her look of disbelief because he continued, “I thought for sure you’d get it because you have so much more experience, but I guess I just assumed you’re needed here and couldn’t accept the job.”
Jane and Maxi were looking at her. Could everyone sense how hurt she was?
“Right. It’s more important for me to be here. My mom needs me right now.” Andie started backing away. She had to get out of there before the tears that were threatening came. “Speaking of which, I better get going on the garden so you can get your pictures.” She turned and hurried down the path to the garden.
In a daze, she sat on the stone bench and pulled out her phone. Maybe Doug had tried to message her about it. She’d been having so much fun focusing on the garden that she’d actually forgotten about him. She hadn’t checked her messages in a while. But there was no message. No email. No text. No phone call. Doug had given the job to Elise without even consulting her.
Had they forgotten all about her at Christie’s in the few days that she’d been out here? Maybe she should get back there right away to secure her job and make sure she didn’t lose out on anything else. She could finish the section of the garden near the bench quickly, and Jane had made it perfectly clear that she didn’t need any help here at Tides.
She scrolled to the airline site and started looking for flights.
Chapter 19
Jane spent the next few hours rearranging tables; tacking up soft, flowing, sheer drapes; and strategically placing pillows Maxi had picked up from the fabric store. Maxi instructed, and Jane took the pictures.
Shane and Sally were just starting on the arbor and dance floor, so she couldn’t take pictures of those for a few days, but Jane wanted to get back to the client right away. She could send more pictures later.
By the time she was done, it was almost time for Mike to come and pick up Cooper. She took the laptop to the kitchen to organize the pictures and call the lobster-bake company and tent-rental place for quotes so that she could send that along with the pictures to the client.
She had to take all the expenses into consideration, but how much should she tack on for using Tides as the venue? Ten percent? Twenty? She had no idea what was reasonable but knew that weddi
ng venues charged a high fee. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a lot of time for research. She wanted the client to know that she was going to answer promptly and also really wanted to get that deposit in so that she could use it to pay the food-service people, who probably would not deliver food this week if she didn’t pay.
She did her best and sent the email off with her fingers crossed. Part of her was terrified they would say yes, but the other part was getting a little excited about the wedding. It was all overshadowed by worry for her sister and Maxi.
Jane had no idea what the Richhaven job was but could guess it was something important. Andie had acted like the news that someone else had secured it was nothing, but Jane could tell her sister was pretty shaken about it. She’d wanted to go to the garden and see if she needed to talk about it, but she wasn’t sure what to say or even if her efforts would be welcome. It wasn’t like they’d had any heart-to-hearts in the last twenty years.
Jane had been surprised by Andie’s offer to help with the wedding. She hadn’t known what to say. Was Andie planning on staying longer? She did seem serious about the garden, but Jane still wasn’t sure whether she wanted to open her heart to letting her sister in only to be abandoned again.
And Maxi… why had she asked about seeing James with Sandee? Jane tried to remember exactly what she’d seen at the cottage that morning. She’d really only seen a glimpse and couldn’t be absolutely certain that it had been James. The last thing she wanted was to jump to conclusions and cause a problem between James and Maxi.
Woof!
Cooper rushed to the back door, signaling Mike’s arrival.
“Hey, boy, are you ready to go for a ride?” Mike asked.
Cooper spun in circles.
Jane laughed. “I guess you said the magic word.”
“He does love rides.” Mike clicked the leash to Cooper’s collar, but instead of heading right to the door, he lingered at the end of the table.
“Have a good visit with your grandfather. Andie is there visiting my mom, so you might run into her,” Jane said.
“I will.” Mike still lingered, then at Jane’s questioning look said, “I was thinking when we get back, maybe you and I could take Cooper for a walk on the beach together. Since he’s been staying at Tides, I haven’t had much of a chance to walk him, and I noticed that you like to walk on the beach, too, so…”
Jane had been so busy with the wedding she’d forgotten that a big dog like Cooper needed exercise. Just another thing to learn about having a dog. “That sounds like a good idea. I should be done with my work by then.”
Cooper wagged his tail faster, glancing between Mike and Jane as if he knew what they were talking about.
“Should I message you when I leave Tall Pines?” Mike pulled out his phone, and Jane realized they didn’t even have each other’s numbers.
“Right. Good idea.” They exchanged contact info. It made Jane feel as if their relationship was taking a turn. Now Mike wasn’t just some guy she ran into on the beach and hired to make her website. He was becoming a friend.
“Okay, it’s a plan, then.” Mike’s eyes met hers, and Jane felt a little flutter in her stomach. As he left, Jane wondered if the walk was about more than just getting exercise for Cooper. Had Mike just asked her on some sort of date?
Shane and Sally had been working outside for hours, trying to finish the arbor and dance floor so Jane could take pictures. Jane decided to take them some lemonade and check on their progress.
Sally gulped down half the glass. “Thanks. It’s hot out here.”
Shane was a little more polite with his. He took a few sips and gestured to the work. “What do you think?”
Jane wasn’t sure what she thought. All she saw were a few boards and part of a trellis. “I guess it’s good progress.”
“Yeah, the dance floor will go here.” Sally picked up a stick and drew two very long lines in the sand. “Is that big enough?”
Jane nodded.
“And the arbor will be at the edge of the garden so that you can train the rosebushes to grow up it.” Shane turned toward the ocean.
“And then when the bride and groom stand under it, they’ll be facing the ocean, and the guests could be seated in folding chairs in the garden.” Sally chugged the rest of her lemonade and then burped.
“Sounds wonderful,” Jane said.
Sally smiled proudly. “Thanks. And then we can…” Sally paused midsentence, her gaze drifting past Jane’s shoulder. She pulled a face. “Ugh.”
Jane turned to see Sandee Harris stomping up the beach toward them.
“What’s going on up here?” Sandee demanded.
“We’re building a dance floor and an arbor for the new wedding venue,” Sally said.
Sandee raised a perfectly plucked brow. “Wedding? You’re having weddings here? You have to have permits for that, you know.”
“I know.” With all the excitement, Jane had forgotten about permits, but she wasn’t about to tell Sandee that. She made a mental note to check into permits.
“And if you’re doing anything on the beach, you need a special variance,” Sandee said.
Jane crossed her arms over her chest. “That won’t be a problem.”
“How many guests?” Sandee asked.
“Small weddings, around fifty.”
Sandee assessed the inn with narrowed eyes. “How many bathrooms do you have in there?”
“Each room has its own bathroom. My grandparents had it renovated that way for guest convenience decades ago.”
Sandee clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth and looked at Jane as if she’d just said something very stupid. “Not the guest rooms, the public space. If you’re going to have weddings with fifty people, you’ll need three bathrooms in the public areas of the venue.”
Was that true? Jane jerked her gaze toward the house. “We only have one…”
“Well, that’s going to be a problem.” Sandee’s voice held an air of superiority that grated on Jane. “And you won’t be able to add more until the town meeting the middle of next month.”
Jane’s hopes plummeted. The wedding was before that.
“I suppose you could always bring in porta potties.” Sandee wrinkled her nose, indicating her opinion of porta potties. “Well, good luck.” She flounced off back toward the ocean, leaving them all staring after her.
Sally made a face at Sandee. “Don’t listen to her. She’s a killjoy.”
But Jane was already starting to panic. She couldn’t use porta potties—the client had specifically stated she didn’t want that. Jane could’ve kicked herself. Why hadn’t she thought about the bathroom situation?
The inn had ten rooms. If ten couples stayed here, that would be almost half the guests that would have their own private bathrooms. Would that waive the three-bathroom rule if several of them had their own? Would ten couples from the wedding even stay at the inn?
“Look, I wouldn’t put much stock in what Sandee says,” Shane said soothingly. “But even so, maybe you should go down to the town offices tomorrow and find out what the real story is.”
Jane’s phone pinged, and she pulled it out to see a text from her bank. “The wedding client made a deposit. I guess we’re having a wedding.”
“Holy smokes.” Sally picked up her hammer and nails and headed toward the arbor. “We better get cracking. We only have a few weeks to get this place in shape.”
Only a few weeks to line up caterers, tents, tables, flowers, and lord knew what else. Jane rushed back to her computer and got to work, assuring herself that the toilet situation was only a minor worry. Sandee probably just made all that up because she was mad that Jane didn’t list Tides with her. At least now that she had some money, she could pay the food service. Of course, she’d need some to use for a deposit for the caterer and tent rental, but hopefully there would be some left she could funnel toward other bills. And if some of those wedding guests booked rooms, she’d get a small deposit and know that more w
as coming.
She was more than ready to take a break when Mike showed up with Cooper. As they set off down the beach, Jane was surprised to discover how much she’d been looking forward to their walk. She was really starting to get attached to Cooper, and Mike was good company.
They walked at a slow pace, and the conversation with simple and easy, like old friends’. Just friends, of course. Jane was sure that’s all Mike was interested in. She actually felt embarrassed that the thought that he might have been asking her on a date had even crossed her mind. What was she thinking? She was old enough to be his… older sister. And that’s probably exactly how he thought of her.
She glanced over at him as they walked. Sure, he was attractive, and she liked that he was tall—not many men were taller than her—but Mike didn’t live here. He would be going back to Seattle, probably sooner rather than later. Jane had had enough of people that she cared about leaving her. She didn’t want to get attached to someone else who would only be around for a short while. But being just friends while he was here couldn’t be a bad thing, and besides, it was better for Cooper to have Mike around.
Mike watched Cooper bound after the piece of driftwood he’d just tossed. The sea air was invigorating, the sun warm on his back, the water cold on his feet, and the company enchanting.
He and Jane walked along the edge of the surf, letting the water rush over their feet and up to their ankles. A shell caught his eye, and he bent to pick it up. It was a somewhat unusual shell—a squat brown-and-white spiral with a wide opening.
“Look at this. A basket whelk.” He held the shell out in his palm.
“You know what that is?” Jane seemed surprised. “Most people just call that a snail shell.”
“I’ve been interested in shells since I was a kid. I even found a fully intact purple dog whelk once when I was visiting Gramps years ago.”
Changing Tides Page 11