She whirled around at the sound of Dale’s voice, and her lips slipped into a spontaneous smile. “Good morning.”
“I thought I’d grab breakfast and take a peek at the painting Beverly found.”
“Great. Just grab a table. I’ll let her know you’re here.”
They returned to his table with the painting. “Here it is,” Beverly said. “I can’t see a signature on it.”
Dale looked it over carefully. “I’d say it’s at least a hundred years old. Maybe a bit older, I’m guessing, from the age of the building here. Looks like it’s fairly new at the time of the painting. And the boats look like they’re from about that era, too.”
“I wonder if Eleanor might have any clues. Let’s show it to her,” Beverly said.
The three of them headed over to Miss Eleanor’s table. She looked up at them, clearly not pleased at the interruption. “Yes?” Her brow creased in a frown.
“That painting I mentioned finding, I have it here.” Beverly held it out to her. “Could you look at it and see if you might have any idea on who painted it? It’s the same building that we used to have at the landing, but it’s not of Magnolia Key. Any ideas?”
Eleanor signed, looking annoyed, but took the painting. She glanced at it for a moment and the briefest flicker of something crossed her features. Maxine tried to decipher what the look was, but it was gone too quickly.
“I really have no idea.” Eleanor gaze slid over to the other painting Beverly had on her wall and then she quickly looked back at the one she was holding. “No idea at all.”
Maxine swore Eleanor wasn’t telling the whole truth. But why? What was she hiding?
“Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my meal.”
“Of course.” Beverly took the painting. “Sorry to bother you.”
Miss Eleanor gave them a dismissive nod and they headed back to Dale’s table.
“I feel like she’s not telling us something.” Beverly frowned.
“You got that feeling too? So did I. But why wouldn’t she tell us if she knows something?”
“I have no idea.” Beverly shook her head.
“I could frame the canvas for you if you want to put it up here at Coastal Coffee,” Dale said.
“I’d love that. And who knows, maybe someone who comes in will have some idea of who painted it or where the location is. Thank you.” Beverly started to walk away. “Oh, and breakfast is on me. And Maxine, it’s time for your break. Why don’t you join Dale?”
“You sure?”
Beverly nodded. As she walked away, a small smile spread across her face.
“How about you tell me what you want for breakfast, and I’ll go get it?” Maxine glanced at Dale.
“Whatever the muffin is today, and some coffee. And you’ll join me?”
“I will.”
She returned with their food and sat across from him, enjoying a moment off her feet. “That was nice of you to offer to frame the painting. Maybe Beverly is right and someone who comes in will know more about it.”
“Hope so. I’m going to look at some old photos of the landing too. See if it really is an exact copy of the building we had.” He smiled. “I do love a bit of a historical mystery. The history of this island fascinates me. Like why did someone pick this particular island to settle on? What made them want to live here? And there appears to be some discrepancy on whether Belle Island or Magnolia Key was settled first. Though it appears both were settled at about the same time.”
“But Belle Island got a bridge. They’ve had it for a long time.”
“They are closer to the mainland, though. It makes sense.” Dale glanced at the painting again. “I guess it was inevitable that eventually we’d get a bridge too. But I’d like to preserve the legacy and traditions of Magnolia Key, even if we do have big changes coming with our bridge.”
“But at least you’ll still have Second Finds. That won’t change. I mean…” She frowned. “You’re planning on keeping the shop, right?”
“I am. I feel like it honors my aunt’s memory. She loved the shop.” He shrugged. “And so do I. I love being immersed in all that history. I often wonder how some items end up there.”
