“Maybe this summer will give you time to sort all that out.”
“I hope so because I don’t think I can go through another school year like last year.” She shook her head. “Enough about that. Let me bring a plate of these sticky buns out to the guests. They smell delicious.” And with that, she pushed all thoughts of the school year far from her mind.
Darlene was kind of sorry she’d brought up Felicity’s school year. Though it would be good if her granddaughter would actually talk about it a bit. It might make her sort it out. Come to a decision. Felicity had her whole future ahead of her—she didn’t need to work at a job that made her miserable.
When Felicity left the kitchen after cleaning up the breakfast dishes, there was a noticeable spring in her step. It warmed her heart to see her granddaughter’s smile, a genuine one that had been absent for far too long. The sparkle in her eyes when she talked about Brent and their research an unmistakable glimmer of the old Felicity, the one who had been so passionate about teaching and learning.
She worried about her granddaughter, though. Felicity had always been a dedicated teacher, pouring her heart and soul into her work. But over the years, Darlene had witnessed the light in Felicity’s eyes dimming, the weight of burnout slowly crushing her spirit. It pained her to see Felicity so lost and disconnected from the joy she once found in her profession.
But then Brent arrived at the B&B, and she was noticing a change in Felicity. The way she lit up when discussing their research, the excitement in her voice as she recounted their discoveries—it was like watching a flower bloom after a long, harsh winter. Brent seemed to have awakened something in Felicity, a purpose and curiosity that had been dormant for far too long.
She smiled to herself as she finished tidying up the kitchen. Brent was a fine man, indeed. Polite, intelligent, and genuinely interested in the island’s history. But more than that, he seemed to understand Felicity in a way that others didn’t. He listened to her, valued her input, and encouraged her to explore her interests. It was a partnership that brought out the best in both of them.
As she wiped down the counters, she felt a burgeoning hope for Felicity’s future. Maybe this summer on Magnolia Key would be the turning point her granddaughter needed. A chance to rediscover her passions and to find a new direction in life. And if Brent played a role in that journey, well, she certainly wouldn’t object.
She glanced out the window, catching a glimpse of Felicity and Brent walking together, deep in conversation. The sight brought a smile to her face. Yes, Magnolia Key had a way of revealing what people were searching for, even if they didn’t know it themselves. And for Felicity, it seemed that the island was working its magic once again.
Chapter8
Brent sat working on some research as he ate his breakfast. Felicity caught a few moments here and there to chat with him as she waited on the guests, but mostly they were really busy. After things slowed down, she grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down with him.
“Sorry I couldn’t help with the research this morning. It was like every guest decided to come have their breakfast at the same time.”
Brent laughed. “It was rather busy, wasn’t it? I think I’m going to go and talk to Dale this morning. See if he’s found out anything. Then, maybe I’ll catch lunch at Coastal Coffee. Want to join me?”
She nodded. “That would be great. I’d love to see what else Dale has found.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “We’re about wrapped up here.”
They walked the short distance to Second Finds. Dale looked up from where he was sorting through a box of old books. “Ah, Felicity and Brent. I was hoping you’d stop by today.”
“Morning, Dale,” she said. “We were hoping you might have some new information for us about the boardinghouse?”
Dale nodded, setting aside the books and gesturing for them to follow him to the back of the store. “I did some digging through the old records and found out that back in the early 1920s, the Magnolia Landing Boardinghouse also served as an inn for a while.”
Brent looked thoughtful. “Really? I hadn’t come across that in any of my research.”
“Apparently, the main inn on the island was damaged pretty badly in a hurricane around that time. While it was being rebuilt, most of the visitors to Magnolia Key stayed at the boardinghouse instead.”
“Really? That’s kind of cool that the house has always been used as some sort of inn or B&B through the years. Thanks for finding that out for us.”
Dale shrugged, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It’s what I do. Always happy to help uncover a bit more of the island’s history. Oh, and here.” He handed Brent a folder. “I found some articles on the island during that time period. Never know what else you might find out. Just return the folder when you’re finished with it.”
“This is great, thank you.”
She felt a thrill of excitement run through her. Every new piece of information they uncovered only made the mystery surrounding the prince’s connection to the island more intriguing. She glanced at her watch, realizing how much time had passed.
She and Brent thanked Dale for his help, and he smiled. “Make sure you let me know if you find out anything else.”
“We will,” Brent assured him.
They left Second Finds and headed for Coastal Coffee. As they entered, Beverly looked up from behind the counter and grinned. “Well, look who it is. How are you two doing today?”
“We’re good,” Felicity said, returning her smile. “Just stopping in for some lunch.”
“Take a seat anywhere you like. I’ll be right over.”
Felicity led Brent to a table near the window, and as they sat down, she noticed Miss Eleanor eating at a nearby table. The older woman glanced up, her sharp gaze assessing them before she returned to her meal. Felicity sat up straighter in her chair and straightened a fly-away lock of hair.
Brent leaned in and asked, “Everything okay? You have a look on your face. Like you just got caught misbehaving or something.”
