“Your days must not be very exciting,” she teased. “How’s Violet?”
“She’s… a handful. Grouchy. So cranky. Upset that she can’t do much with just her left hand. I caught her trying to paint with her left hand… it wasn’t pretty. I told her the resort would open when it opens. But I know she wants that to happen soon.”
“It’s probably like when we opened the cafe. You put all this time and energy and money into it… and you can’t wait for it to open and see how it does. See if it earns back your investment in money and time.”
“I can only do so much, and funds are running too low to hire people, so she’ll have to be patient.”
She nodded. “So, what can I get you?”
“You have any peach pie?”
“We do.” She wasn’t going to admit to him that she’d gotten into the habit of squirreling away a piece of pie for him, just in case he came in and wanted one. “I’ll get it for you.”
She placed the large slice of pie with the equally large scoop of vanilla ice cream in front of him.
“I think I could eat this every single day.” He patted his stomach. “Though if I keep this up, I’m going to have to start exercising.”
She couldn’t see an ounce of extra weight. He was in really great shape. Really great.Oh, answer him. Don’t just stare at him. “I’m glad you like it.” And she silently thanked her great-grandmother for the recipe. This recipe and so many others that she used for the cafe. She was certain it was part of the reason the cafe was so successful.
She continued chatting with Rob while he ate. An idea started to blossom as she talked to him. As soon as he left, she headed back into the kitchen. “Hey, Livy… I have this great idea and I need some help with it.”
“I’m all yours.”
Chapter 14
Late that week Rob looked up from where he was replacing yet another rotted board on yet another sagging deck to see Evelyn pulling into the rutted drive. She got out and her daughter, Heather, popped out too. Then a truck pulled in behind them and the Keating brothers that he’d met at the festival got out of it. Then a handful of other people he didn’t know arrived. What in the world… He set down his tools and walked over to the gathering crowd.
Violet came out of their cottage looking as confused as he felt and stood beside him.
Evelyn looked like she was going to burst with excitement as she approached them.
“Evelyn, what’s going on? What are all these people doing here?”
“We’ve decided to have a painting party.” She tossed him a self-satisfied grin. “We’re going to paint all the cottages today.”
“You’re what?” Violet’s eyes grew wide.
“I know you got a bit sidelined with that broken arm of yours. So we decided to come help you out.”
“But why?” Violet still looked bewildered.
“Because you’re part of this town now. And we help each other here in Moonbeam.” Evelyn looked at Violet, then back at him. “So… which one of you knows where the paint is? Let’s get started.”
The Keating brothers came forward. “We’re great at plumbing. Point the way to any plumbing problems you have.”
Heather stepped up. “And I’m an expert on trim. Just tell us what color goes where. Oh, and this is Jesse.” She tugged on the arm of a man standing near her. “Jesse, this is Rob and Violet.”
Evelyn motioned to the rest of the crowd. “And this is… everybody. They’ll introduce themselves. And I brought extra paint brushes and rollers.”
“Nice to meet you.Allof you,” he said to the large crowd, still stunned by the generosity of the town.
“I’m pretty good at carpentry. If you point me in the direction of any woodwork you need finished up,” Jesse offered.
More people came up and introduced themselves, and soon Violet was in her element, directing the helpers on which cottage needed which color. Everyone got busy. He helped carry paint to each cottage, then walked over to where Evelyn was stirring the paint can with the color he called orange—possiblypeach—but Violet insisted was coral. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you for this.”
“You don’t have to. I just wanted to help. We all did. We want the resort reopened and we’re all thrilled that Violet bought it. Murphy hadn’t done a thing to update these cottages in years. Such an eyesore on such a beautiful part of the beach. We couldn’t let a thing like a broken arm delay her opening.”
Relief and gratitude soared through him. He’d find a way to pay her back for this kindness she’d orchestrated. Somehow.
