“I think I had a turkey hangover,” Faith said when she, Faith and Carrie met for happy hour the next night. “I slept like a baby, for the first time in a long time.”
“You look great,” Jen said as she cocked her head and took a better look at Faith—with glasses. “No bags under your eyes. I mean, not that you had bags under your eyes, of course.”
Faith laughed when Carrie nodded so hard that she almost dropped her plate.
Faith knew exactly why she had slept like a rock, though, and she was anxious to tell her friends. There hadn’t been a single second until now—people had come and gone all day, and Maggy and Max had both filled guest rooms overnight. Max had headed back inland to check on the house and had taken Daisy with him, so even Jen had had a good night’s sleep, Faith knew.
So now, Jen had brought up a plate of leftover appetizers from Thanksgiving the day before, and they all just sat and enjoyed the cool evening breeze. The waves were pounding the sand pretty hard, and in another week it should be high tide.
But the peace and gratitude Faith had felt the night before at the realization that people were actually buying her pillows had given way to the realization that there was no way in her current situation that she could ever—ever—make that many pillows by herself. Even with a four- to six-week window. She had a job. She’d actually be going back to school on Monday.
Even when Maggy had whispered, “Don’t worry. We’ll think of something,” it hadn’t made her feel better. She’d turned it over in her mind all day long and still hadn’t come up with a plan.
“You what?” Jen asked when Faith finally told them what had happened, that she’d gotten so many pillow orders.
“What the heck?” Carrie said as she tried to wrap her head around all of this, too.
“Yep. I can hardly believe it myself,” Faith said. “And I was excited, I really was. And I think that’s why I slept like a baby.”
“What do you mean was?” Carrie asked. “This is what you wanted. It’s a miracle. Well, not exactly a miracle, you deserve it, but you know what I mean.”
Faith laughed. “I do know what you mean. But I’ve been thinking about it all day. There’s no way I can produce that on my own. None.”
“Oh, I brought all my sewing stuff down, remember? I can help. You just need to show me the designs and I can make them.”
Faith shook her head slowly. “I appreciate you so, so much. And thank you. But you can’t do it either. It’s too much for even the two of us.”
“I don’t know how to thread a needle, or I’d help, too,” Carrie said.
“I know you would.” Faith knew deep in her bones that her friends would do anything they could to help, but she really didn’t see a way to pull this off.”
Carrie squinted at Faith. “If you didn’t have a job, could you do it? You and Faith? For now, with this level of orders?”
Faith thought it over. “I suppose so. The hardest part is the design. That’s already done. We’re just doing production. So yes, I think maybe we could.”
Carrie smiled, and she was practically bouncing out of her deck chair. “That’s a lot of money, between what you made at the boutique and these orders. Surely it would replace your salary.”
Faith wasn’t quite sure what she was getting at. “Well, for now, but I don’t know if it’s going to continue. That’s too big a risk. I can’t quit my job now, based on just what’s happened over the last few weeks. That’s too scary for me.”
“I know, I know,” Carrie said, gesturing for Faith to hear her out. “What if, though, you asked Cassandra if she could take over the class just until the end of the semester? You could take a leave of absence, and see how things go.”
Jen leaned forward. “That’s a pretty safe bet, Faith. If it goes great, maybe you could retire early. If it doesn’t, you still keep your job. What could go wrong?”
Faith wasn’t used to making these kinds of decisions. She hadn’t taken a risk like this ever—even though she’d wanted to long ago when she was moving to France.
But they were right—if Cassandra was willing and interested, it really would be the perfect way for her to try this out with as little risk as possible.
She didn’t even need to talk to Maggy to know that in her gut, she knew it was worth a try. Open door, and all that. Who was she to thumb her nose at such an opportunity.
“Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll ask her and Amy first thing in the morning.”
Jen’s looked at Faith, astonished. “Wow, I didn’t expect that. I thought we’d need several more hours at least to talk you into it. And wait for you to check your spreadsheet.”
“I did, too,” Carrie said, and she lifted her glass. “Here’s to turning a new corner, and seeing what’s on the other side.”
Faith laughed, and knew they were right. This wasn’t like her—not how she’d normally behave—but when you knew something was right, and smart, you just had to stick your neck out.
And that felt good, and right. And she knew that whatever happened, she’d be all right with her best friends by her side.
* * *
***
* * *
Thank you so much for reading A Newport Sunrise! I hope you loved Faith’s story as much as I did, and having happy hour with Jen, Faith and Carrie.
* * *
Look for the next book, A Newport Christmas, where Mrs. Russo, Mrs. Grover, Joe and Jen—well, all of them—are in for some surprises:
* * *
A Newport Christmas
* * *
I’ve also written a series that’s very special to my heart. They are set on the beach where I lived for many years, and while they are romances, they revolve around a big group of friends and family—all who are trying to help make the world a better place. You can check it out here:
* * *
As Deep As the Ocean
* * *
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Also by Cindy Caldwell
River’s End Ranch
Honest Horseman
Gallant Golfer
Mischievous Maid
Discovering Dani
Snickerdoodle Secrets
Bashful Banker
Mistletoe Mistake
Picture Perfect
* * *
Newport Beach Series
Newport Harbor House
Newport Beginnings
A Newport Sunrise
Coming Soon:
A Newport Christmas
* * *
Vaquita Beach Series
As Deep As the Ocean
As Bright As the Stars
By The Light of the Moon
As Blue As The Sky
* * *
Wild West Frontier Brides (Archer Family)
The Chef’s Mail Order Bride
The Wrangler’s Mail Order Bride
The Bartender’s Mail Order Bride
The Teacher’s Mail Order Bride
The Blacksmith’s Mail Order Bride
Christmas at Archer Ranch
Saffron: Bride of Archer Ranch
Carol: Bride of Archer Ranch
Sage: Bride of Archer Ranch
Tarragon: Bride of Archer Ranch
Coming Soon:
Pepper: Bride of Archer Ranch
A Newport Sunrise Page 13
