After the children had settled in, and Sara had taken a short nap, Carly drove them over to the apartment. Every night after work, she’d dreaded coming home. Now she understood the reason. She didn’t belong here.
While she packed her things, Carly thought through the sober facts that faced her. Reality said that Brand could be dead. Her heart throbbed painfully at the thought, but it was a fact she couldn’t ignore. If so, the question she had to deal with was what would happen to Shawn and Sara. Brand’s mother was traveling. Her long vacation was well deserved. Kay St. Clair had done her best for these children, but she’d more than earned a life of her own. The state could remand Shawn and Sara as they had Carly. She’d been five when she’d gone to her first foster home. Sara’s tender age.
Carly’s fist tightened at the ferocity of her emotion. No matter what it took, she wouldn’t allow that to happen. Not to Shawn and Sara. They would be hers, just as if she’d given them life. Nothing would separate the three of them. The path of her thoughts brought another realization. All these weeks that she’d battled within herself, she’d been fighting the even flow of her life’s rhythm.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t give Brand something he didn’t already have. It was what Brand, Shawn, and Sara could give her. Borrowed dreams were irrelevant. What they shared was new and vital. Brand had tried to tell her that in so many ways, and she hadn’t understood.
“Mom.” Sara stood in the open doorway, giving Carly a puzzled look. “I was talking to you.”
Holding out her arms, Carly gave the small child a loving squeeze. “I’m sorry. I was thinking.”
“Does thinking make you cry?”
Carly’s fingers investigated her own face, unaware that tears had formed. She wiped the moisture from her cheeks and tried to laugh, but the sound couldn’t be described as one of mirth. “Sometimes,” she said with a sniffle. “Hey, you know what I really need? A big hug.” Sweet Sara was eager to comply.
Both children wanted to listen to their favorite story once they returned to the house. Carly promised them a special dinner to go with the book. Somehow, she’d find a way to cook “green eggs and ham.” Luckily, neither child seemed to find it out of the ordinary to see Carly move her clothes from one house to another. At least, they didn’t mention it. But Carly wouldn’t be moving again. Her place was here.
The book was Shawn’s favorite Dr. Seuss story. The boy sat beside her while Sara occupied Carly’s lap. The thought slid through her mind as she opened the book that, although Shawn and Sara resembled their mother, they were amazingly like their father. The curious tilt of Shawn’s head was all Brand.
Carly was only a few pages into the book when a movement caught her attention. The front door was open and George stood just outside the closed screen.
A myriad of sensations assaulted Carly. Their eyes met and Carly’s clouded with emotion, begging him to tell her everything was all right. Tears blurred his expression. But in her heart she knew the news wasn’t good. If Brand had been found alive, George would have phoned.
“You weren’t here when I phoned,” George said. “But what I have has to be seen.”
Carly’s arms tightened around the children, drawing them protectively close to her. Again she confirmed the thought that nothing would separate Shawn and Sara from her.
The screen door opened and Carly braced herself.
“Dad.” Shawn flew off the love seat.
Carly jerked her head up to find Brand framed in the doorway. He scooped Shawn into his arms and reached down for Sara. Carly remained frozen.
“Mom said she didn’t know what time you’d be home.”
“Is that right?” Brand said, hugging his children close. “We’ll have to make sure Mom knows from now on, won’t we?” His eyes sought Carly’s, bright with promise. “Isn’t that right, Mom?”
“Yes.” Carly nodded eagerly and walked into Brand’s embrace. “Oh, Brand, tell me, tell me what happened? I was worried sick … I thought I’d lost you forever.” She wept into his shoulder, knowing he probably couldn’t understand anything she was saying. It didn’t matter now that he was here. Not when he was holding her as if his very life depended on it. Later, when the children were in bed, he could fill in the details.
“Mom unpacked all the suitcases,” Sara said happily. “Even hers.”
Brand relaxed his hold so that he could lift Carly’s chin and brush the wet strands of hair from her face. “Are you staying?” The husky question was so low Carly could barely hear him.
“Hey, kids,” George said, clearing his throat. “Why don’t you two show me your bedrooms? And wasn’t that a swing set I saw outside?”
A grateful smile touched Carly’s lips as George led the children from the living room.
“I’m never leaving. Oh, Brand, I know it all sounds crazy, but I realize I belong with you. Shawn and Sara are our children.” She couldn’t hide the breathlessness in her voice. “Everything’s clear now.… I’m not borrowing anyone else’s dreams, but living my own.”
Sara skipped excitedly back into the room and squeezed her small body between Brand and Carly. Brand reached down and lifted her up. Two small arms shot out. One went around Carly and the other around Brand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I’m home now,” Brand murmured in a raw, husky voice and his eyes found Carly’s. “We’re all home.”
The World of Debbie Macomber
Welcome to Rose Harbor Inn
About the Inn
Dining at Rose Harbor Inn
From the Guestbook
About Your Innkeeper
The Newcomers Guide to Cedar Cove
About Cedar Cove
Around Town
Neighbors
Starting Now
Overview
Character Guide
Blossom Street Brides
Overview
Character Guide
Reading Group Guide
Questions for Discussion
Angels at the Table
Overview
Character Guide
Questions for Discussion
Christmas Cards
A Review of Heavenly Delights
Overview
Character Guide
Questions for Discussion
Christmas Emails
Welcome to Rose Harbor Inn
Dear Guest:
I’m thrilled that your travels have brought you to Cedar Cove so I can welcome you to Rose Harbor Inn!
Here is some information to help you make the most of your stay, be it short or long. And since I’m still getting the hang of all this, I do hope you’ll let me know if there is anything I can do differently or better to help make you more comfortable.
About the Inn
The first time I saw this breathtaking property, I fell in love and knew I’d found the new home of my dreams. Maybe it’s had the same effect on you.
The house itself was built in the early 1900s and was once owned by a prominent banking family in Cedar Cove before falling into a sad state of repair. A lovely couple, Sandy and John Frelinger, saw its potential as an inn and returned it to its former glory. Though I’ve added many of my own touches, the Frelingers deserve credit for rescuing this grand old house.
Once you’ve checked in and have the key to one of our eight guest rooms, you’ll probably want to unpack and unwind. Or maybe take in the breathtaking view from the wraparound porch. Feel free to stroll the grounds as well—but please forgive where the yard is torn up in spots. I’m planning to add a garden of antique roses with an arched entry, stone pathway, and maybe even a gazebo. It’s a special project of mine, and one I’ve had planned since opening the inn. But it’s still under construction.
Since your room key also opens the front door, please feel free to come and go as you please. I don’t impose a fee for an early departure. I’ll be delighted if that’s one amenity you won’t find necessary.
Once you’ve settled in, plea
se don’t hesitate for a second to find me if you need something or even just want to chat. If I’m not around, I’m likely on a quick errand down Harbor Street and will be back shortly. Perhaps I’m just down at the bakery for some sweet rolls, hot from the oven. Speaking of …
Dining at Rose Harbor Inn
My friend and fellow innkeeper Peggy Beldon warned me, rather bluntly, that running a bed-and-breakfast can be hard on the waistline. So I try not to sample too much of my own cooking and baking. Please indulge me in a little vicarious living through you!
I usually have breakfast ready and on the downstairs dining-room table at around eight o’clock. Even if you may think you’d like to sleep late, the aroma of baking often has a rousing effect. I always have piping hot coffee or, if you prefer, a selection of teas.
Guests often rave about my cheesy breakfast casserole. I served it to my very first visitors, along with fruit, homemade muffins, fried bacon, orange juice, and steel-cut oatmeal. The typical buffet is usually a variation of that menu. But you can always count on cooked-to-order eggs and a variety of home-baked treats.
As is often true of inns like Rose Harbor, many guests have gotten to know one another and even found new friends at the breakfast table. I hope you’ll have the same experience if that’s what you seek.
I make it a point to have refreshments available—a chocolate chip cookie (or three!) or a carrot-and-pineapple muffin—if you’re peckish in the afternoon. Closer to evening, you might find a plate of cheese and crackers and a bottle of wine, likely a malbec or merlot.
If a craving strikes, please let me know if there’s anything I can get you and I’ll do my best to accommodate. One of our guests recently enjoyed noodles from her favorite restaurant … all the way from Seattle!
From the Guestbook
Ask anyone who runs an inn and they’ll tell you that the most effective and economical form of advertising is word of mouth. As you’ve likely gleaned, I think Rose Harbor Inn is a special place. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s a selection of recent entries from my guestbook, including from Josh and Abby, my very first guests.
“I was in town to take care of some family business. From the moment I stepped into Jo Marie’s inn, I felt welcome. The fireplace was lit, and I still remember the smell of fresh bread the instant I stepped through the door. The Rose Harbor Inn, along with reuniting with an old friend, helped ease the stress of my visit. I’m sure I’ll return. And not just because Jo Marie makes the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever eaten!”—Josh Weaver
“Jo Marie is the best! I left Cedar Cove a long time ago. A lot of stuff has changed around here.… I think mostly for the better. The people are amazing, and Jo Marie is a great addition to the town. I’m happy to be going back home to Florida with good memories of my stay. Thanks, Jo Marie! I’ll keep in touch for sure.”—Abby Kincaid
“Hi, Jo Marie! I wanted to say thank you for everything. My grandparents’ fiftieth-anniversary party was a huge success—I hope you’ll forgive us for making a bit of a scene. We couldn’t have found a better place to stay, and I’m looking forward to coming back … maybe when my grandparents celebrate their seventy-fifth anniversary. Or you never know, you might hear from me before that.”—Annie Newton
“Oh, Jo Marie, I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful stay at your beautiful inn. Kent and I had an even better time than we expected at our anniversary celebration. And renewing our vows on the waterfront made me feel as young as when Kent proposed there. You opened your home and your heart to us, and I’m so grateful our granddaughter Annie found your lovely inn. After our chat with you on the porch, I’ll keep you in my thoughts. Thanks for all you did to help make our return to Cedar Cove a magical experience. We’re eternally grateful.”—Julie Shivers
“Thanks for everything, Jo Marie. Especially the butter and bacon. And we got engaged at the movie theater, not the waterfront.”—Kent Shivers
“Please ignore Kent, Jo Marie. I tried to get him to erase what he wrote above. But it was in pen.”—Julie Shivers
“Jo Marie, you’re a real pro. Are you sure you’re new to innkeeping? You made our stay comfortable and memorable. Thanks again for being so flexible and saving a room on the ground floor for the Shivers. I’m off to the South Pacific soon.… I’m sure I won’t stay anywhere as amazing as your inn.”—Oliver Sutton
“I honestly thought I was going to regret staying at a bed-and-breakfast. But Jo Marie was so gracious and respectful of my privacy. She made me feel welcome and comfortable, going above and beyond to do so. Even something as simple as my favorite candy bar meant so much. Jo Marie, whether I’m home in New York or even back in Seattle, I’ll always be thankful for my stay at your inn. In so many ways, it was the trip of a lifetime.”—Mary Smith
About Your Innkeeper
Since you won’t yet see any roses around, you might be wondering about the inn’s name. Explaining why I chose Rose Harbor Inn will also tell you a bit about me and how I found myself in Cedar Cove.
“Rose” is more than simply my last name. It’s to honor my late husband. Paul Rose and I were married for less than a year before he was killed in action in Afghanistan. “Harbor” is because this is the place where I was meant to drop anchor and take refuge from the storm that followed his death. My friends said to give myself at least a year before I made any major life decisions. But six months later, I was still incapacitated by grief, and I had to do something. After searching the entire country for a suitable place to begin the next phase of my life, imagine my surprise when I found what I was looking for in my own backyard.
Buying the inn just made sense.
Though Cedar Cove isn’t at all far from Seattle, where I formerly lived and worked, it can seem like a world away from the rush and crush of the big city. It’s a place that’s brought me solace and peace just when I needed it most. And no matter what’s brought you to Cedar Cove, I’d like to thank you for allowing me to open my home to you and give you a small sample of the same welcoming spirit I feel here every day.
My mission is to make Rose Harbor Inn a place of healing and peace for all my guests. And, of course, to do everything possible to ensure you have a pleasant stay.
—Jo Marie Rose
The Newcomers Guide to Cedar Cove
About Cedar Cove
Located on the picturesque Kitsap Peninsula, our little town sits on a quaint cove across Puget Sound from Seattle.
There’s a dedicated parking area for guests at the inn. Since just about everything you’ll want to see is in easy walking distance from Rose Harbor Inn, you can leave your car and explore Cedar Cove on foot.
The visitors’ center is ideal as a first stop. There you’ll find plenty of information on what to do in the area. There are fun, unique events year-round. In springtime, you can try your vocal prowess at the annual Seagull Calling Contest. And the entire town turns out on summer Thursdays for Concerts on the Cove.
No matter what time of year you visit or what brings you to our close-knit community, you’ll find a warm welcome. We pride ourselves on it!
Around Town
While I hope you’ll spend much of your time relaxing at the inn, there are many local businesses that would be thrilled to welcome you. I’m also working on a binder with local restaurant menus and maps. So please let me know if you discover hidden gems!
Here are a few places of note:
I’m always ready to offer all my guests a fresh cup of hot coffee. But as we’re right across the sound from Seattle, your taste might run toward something more intricate than old-fashioned drip coffee. At the Java Joint, you can satisfy your craving for a latte or mocha—or even a concoction that tastes like cotton candy. Hopefully, you’ll find Conner at the helm of the espresso machine when you’re there. He’s a thoughtful young man who was very kind to one of my recent guests.
Abby Kincaid fondly remembers the steamed dumplings at Wok and Roll from when she lived in Cedar Cove.
&n
bsp; If you forget an essential toiletry or prescription, not to worry! The Harbor Street Pharmacy is close by. Patty is the pharmacist there, always ready to greet you like an old friend.
New to Harbor Street and already a local favorite is the Victorian Tea Room. It’s perfect for a light lunch on your own or as a rendezvous with that special someone. The Tea Room is also popular with the local chapter of the Red Hat Society.
The Candy Shop is the ideal place to satisfy an insatiable sweet tooth. Be on the look out for their Seagull Plops, a local delicacy you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
As Willy Wonka says, “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.” If that’s your motto, too, then you’ll want to check out the Pink Poodle. It’s the kind of place with sawdust on the floor. Be aware that until the sign is repaired, you’ll need to look for the “INK P O LE.”
Everyone loves the Pancake Palace. And not just for breakfast, either. My handyman, Mark, recommends the coconut cream pie. See if you can sit in Goldie’s section—everyone says she’s been a waitress there for years.
The Pot Belly Deli is the go-to place for delicious, hearty soups. It’s also a gathering place for the movers and shakers of Cedar Cove.
Whether you’re looking for flowers, a dry cleaner, or just about any other service, a quick stroll down Harbor Street will take you past a store that caters to your needs.
Neighbors
The residents of Cedar Cove have welcomed me into their community in a way that still warms my heart. I can’t tell you how many people, in the few months I’ve lived here, have walked right up to me to offer their best wishes. I’m hard at work planning another open house in hopes of meeting even more of my neighbors.
Borrowed Dreams (Debbie Macomber Classics) Page 19
