Her own hair was furled about in a wild mess of curls from the day’s humidity. She hadn’t gotten the thick, beautiful straight brown hair her sister had inherited from their mother. Her sister had flawless skin, expertly manicured nails, and always kept a trim figure, unlike her own always-need-to-lose fifteen—okay twenty—pounds she carried with her.
They got to the end of the wharf.“I brought my car tonight. Shall I drive you home?”Evelyn asked.
“No, I think I’ll walk. It’s so nice out.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll see you soon.”Evelyn turned, walked over to her fancy sports car, and drove away.
Yet another difference. She’d always pick walking to places in Moonbeam if at all possible. Her sister avoided walking around town for more than a block. How could they have come from the same parents? She shrugged and turned to head back to Sandpiper Court. She still had time to sit outside under the stars and maybe have a cup of chamomile tea.
Donna made herself tea,pouring the hot water into a delicate floral teacup that had been part of her grandmother’s collection. It always made her feel close to her grandmother when she used one of her teacups. She kicked off her shoes by the back door. Just as she was ready to head outside, she heard a knock at the front door. She glanced at her watch, wondering who would come by at eight-thirty at night. She set down her tea and went to answer the door.
Barry stood there looking impossibly handsome, and she was glad she had on her nice new slacks and top. She self-consciously tugged at the hem of her red top to straighten it.
He smiled.“I hope I’m not too late. I saw your lights come on and knew you just got home. I came over earlier, but there was no answer.”
“I was out to eat with Evelyn.”She motioned him inside.“Come in. I was just going to have a cup of chamomile tea. Would you like one?”
“I’ve never had that before. Sure, I’d love to try it.”
“I’m using one of my grandmother’s teacups, but I could make yours in a mug.”She led him into the kitchen and motioned to her cup sitting on the counter.
“Might be safer. I’d hate to break something so delicate.”
She made his tea in a mug and they carried their drinks out to the Adirondack chairs on the point and sat down. He turned to her.“So, Olivia came by today and said she’d like for me to look at her business plan and her spreadsheets.”
“Oh, good. She said she’d take any suggestions you could give.”
“She emailed them to me and I went over them closely. She’s done a great job with the plan. I can see from what she’s done that she has a good head for business. Her numbers and projections are realistic, I think. She included photos of what she’d like the new cafe area to look like and how she’d make the store part more old-fashioned general store-like.”
“She did? I haven’t seen those.”
“I emailed her back a few minor suggestions and things to look into, but all in all, it’s a good, solid plan.”
Donna relaxed back against the chair.“That makes me feel better. Not that I doubted her, but it’s nice to have her plan confirmed as reasonable and hopefully profitable for us.”
“Is she going to run Parker’s after you’re…well, after you finish managing it? You know, after you retire?”
“I…ah…we’ve never really talked about it. I assume so.”She frowned. Why hadn’t she ever talked to Olivia about that? Olivia wanted to stay, didn’t she? Or…did she want to go out and do something different?
“I got the impression that this is her way of making her mark on the store, so I assumed she was going to take over eventually.”He gazed at her intently.
So, maybe this expansionwasOlivia’s something different.
She could see that more clearly now and promised herself she’d be more enthusiastic and supportive.“I should talk to her about the future of Parker’s. You’re right. And I appreciate you taking the time to look at the plans.”
“It was no problem. Love to help in any way I can.”He gave her an easy, friendly smile in the moonlight.“And this tea is good, by the way.”
She smiled back at him.“I sometimes come out here and sip chamomile if I can’t wind down enough to go to bed.”
“And does it help?”
“Either the tea, or the view, or the starlight does…or maybe it’s all of it.”
They sat and sipped tea and chatted until Barry finally looked at his watch.“Oh, look at that. We’ve been out here over two hours. I should go.”He stood.
She rose beside him, surprised that much time had gone by. He was so easy to talk to and a good listener, too. She’d loved hearing about the details of his day at The Cabot.
They went inside and she put their cups in the sink and walked him through to the front door.
