“Mom. Mom!”Olivia’s voice rang through the house.
Donna looked up from the sink where she was washing dishes. She grabbed a towel to dry her hands.“In the kitchen.”
Olivia rushed into the room.“I got it. The Redmonds said my offer was fair. I’ve got the building.”She whirled around in a close imitation of Emily’s antics.“I can’t believe it. It’s going to be so great. And I have plans to spruce up all of Parker’s after we get more space. Make it more like it was before when I was little. Before we loaded it up with so much stuff. Like an old-fashioned general store…only…well, with things people need now.”
“One step at a time.”
“It’s all part of the plan. Once it’s all done, it will be wonderful. Just you wait and see. You’ll love it.”
Donna paused, wondering if she should ask or not. She didn’t want to offend her daughter or make her think she didn’t trust her business decisions. She decided to take the plunge.“So, Barry said he’d look over your plans if you’d like. He does have a lot of expertise in remodeling businesses.”
Olivia stopped and stood still, staring hard at her.“Are you having doubts?”
“No, of course not. I just thought you might like some help. Or he could offer suggestions. Or…”She could see the troubled look on Olivia’s face.“Or not. If you’d rather not.”
Olivia stepped forward.“No, that sounds like a good idea. And if he looks at them and approves…will you feel better about all of this?”
“It’s not that I don’t feel good about this…”
“Mom, I know. It’s a lot of change. You hate change.”
“I don’t hate change.”But she did.
“I promise, it’s going to be great. And I’ll accept any help he gives. I want this to be a success, and if he can make it better, or more cost-effective, I’m all ears.”
“Good.”
“I’ll drop by The Cabot Hotel and talk to him. See if I can email him my business plan and some spreadsheets.”Olivia gave her a quick hug.“Mom, it’s all going to be fine. You’ll see.”
Her daughter turned around and hurried back out, the door closing with a dull thud as she left.
Now all she had to worry about is if Barry looked at the plans and thought they were in over their heads. Because, to tell the truth, that’s the way she was feeling.
She looked at her watch. If she didn’t hurry she was going to be late meeting Evelyn at the wharf. Her sister had called and invited her to dinner at Portside Grill again. She really preferred Jimmy’s, but Evelyn wasn’t a big fan of their casual style. Her sister had sounded a bit lonely, so she’d agreed to meet her again. When was that husband of hers going to come home? When Darren was in town, she rarely saw Evelyn while they wined and dined his business associates and partied at the country club.
She had just enough time to slip on the navy pants and red top that she’d gotten when she went shopping with Olivia and Heather. She could even grudgingly admit Olivia had been right. It was nice to have some new clothing options to wear.
Evelyn was waitingat a table for Donna when she got to Portside Grill. She joined her sister and smiled as a waiter came up with two glasses of white wine.
“I ordered us pinot grigio, hope that’s okay.”
“Yes, that’s perfect.”
“Here are your menus, and the special tonight is a basil and lemon ricotta stuffed salmon served with asparagus with a lemon sauce. It’s very good. I’ll be back soon to get your orders.”
He left them alone, and Donna took a sip of her wine.“Oh, that’s good.”
“They have an excellent wine list here. I’m glad. There’s a lack of good wine lists in this town.”
And there was something that would never even hit Donna’s consciousness. The quality of wine lists in Moonbeam. She and her sister had always been so very different.
Evelyn looked at her carefully.“Is that a new outfit?”
“Yes, Olivia and Heather took me shopping.”
“Heather went?”
Ah, that might have been a mistake to mention.“Yes, Olivia dragged her along. I got a few new things.”Her sister didn’t have to know just howmanynew things.
