“So soon?” she asked, both surprised and annoyed at her disappointment that he was leaving already.
“Got to go back to the shop. Have some repairs to finish up.”
She nodded. “Okay. See you tomorrow.”
“Yep. Tomorrow.” He strode out of the room and she stood there, the emptiness of the room echoing around her.
She closed her eyes against the memories. The thrill of getting ready for a performance. The jittery nerves of opening nights. The hours spent memorizing lines. The costume fittings. All of it.
But that was no longer her life, she reminded herself. This was. Bringing Magnolia Key Theater back to life.
Now that the renovations were moving along, it was time to look into getting a traveling troupe to perform for their grand opening. Then she had plans to try to do some local theater. See if any residents wanted to perform. And she’d see if she could get more actors from the mainland. Fill the seats like they used to be. Bring life back into this magnificent theater. It’s what it deserved. To be alive and full of people.
She walked over and flipped off the lights, leaving the star’s dressing room and the memories behind her.
Chapter13
Beverly wiped down the counter at Coastal Coffee the next morning, the familiar routine comforting and grounding. The cafe hummed with the bustle of the morning regulars. Nash had come and gone. Miss Eleanor was sitting at her usual table, immersed in the paper.
Maxine walked up to the counter. “At least I remembered to bring Miss Eleanor’s cream in her own special pitcher.” She grinned. “So I don’t getthat lookfrom her.”
“You are catching on.” Beverly laughed. The presence of her best friend brought an added warmth to Coastal Coffee. She loved having her best friend working with her. Maxine seemed to have settled in nicely to island life. It didn’t hurt that she was dating Dale now. She’d seen them out to dinner at Sharky’s and knew they’d had a beach picnic dinner just last week. It was heartwarming to see her friend was so happy here.
She reached out and touched Maxine’s hand. “You know. I’m really glad you returned to Magnolia Key. Glad you’re working here. Just… happy to have my best friend back.”
Maxine smiled and squeezed her hand. “I’m happy too. Best decision I’ve made in a really long time.”
The door opened, bringing in a rush of the fresh morning air. She waved as Tori headed their direction. “Morning, Tori. Haven’t seen you much since you started on those theater renovations.”
Tori slid onto a barstool. “I know. I’ve been so busy. But I wanted to come in today and show you something.”
Beverly put down her towel. “Oh? What do you want to show me?”
“This.” Tori took a gold pendant out of her pocket and set it on the counter. “I found it hidden in a drawer in a dressing room at the theater.”
Beverly picked it up, eyeing it carefully, her fingers tracing its edges. “It’s very pretty. Looks kind of old, doesn’t it? And there’s a magnolia on it. And maybe diamonds and emeralds?”
Maxine leaned in for a closer look. “Sure look like diamonds to me.”
“Unless it was just a prop. Then they might be crystals. But why would someone hide a prop?” Tori’s forehead wrinkled. “But I thought you might have some idea of whose it is?”
“We could ask Miss Eleanor if she’s seen it before,” Beverly suggested.
Miss Eleanor eyed them suspiciously as they approached. “Yes?” Annoyance was etched into the lines on her face at the interruption.
“Tori found this pendant at the theater. Hidden in a drawer. Do you recognize it?” Beverly held it out to Miss Eleanor.
She took one look at it and her eyes narrowed as she thrust it back to Beverly. “No clue. Now, can I eat my meal in peace?”
“Sure. Sorry to bother you,” Beverly quickly appeased her. “Can I bring you more coffee?”
“Yes.” Miss Eleanor nodded and turned back to the newspaper she was reading.
They went back to the counter and Tori sat back down as Beverly went behind the counter and Maxine went to get more coffee for Miss Eleanor.
“Did you see her? I think she recognized it.” Tori frowned, clearly puzzled. “But why wouldn’t she tell us where she’d seen it?”
“We’ve had a lot of that from her,” Beverly said in a low voice so Miss Eleanor wouldn’t hear them. “I found an old rolled-up canvas hidden in the bookcase in my office. And Maxine found a hidden letter in a purse she picked up at Dale’s Second Finds. But the letter didn’t make any sense, really. And it was just signed V. We showed both to Miss Eleanor and I swear she knows something about them. But she just acts like she has no clue. Not sure why.” She shrugged.
