The Way Home

by Katherine Spencer

  But she didn’t want to overwhelm Jamie. He was trying to be a better worker at the inn right now, to prove he was serious about this job. That was enough on his plate.

  But summer was quickly passing, another voice reminded her. He wouldn’t be here for long, in reach of her help and influence. That was a reality that couldn’t be denied or avoided.

  * * *

  AVERY had a lot to do to prepare for the Fourth of July rush. The stream of visitors coming onto the island had begun steadily building on Thursday, each ferry from Newburyport more crowded than the last. On Friday morning she waited at the inn for her mother and sister to arrive.

  She sat on the porch, working on another flyer she wanted Jack to hand out at the beach and at the ferry station. She also had to tend to some bookkeeping and the payroll.

  The staff had been limping along with only one official waitress, Gena. The rest of them had been filling in and somehow managing without alienating every customer they had. Luckily, Jack’s girlfriend, Courtney, was going to start today. Just in the nick of time, Avery thought.

  Liza came outside with a tray and began picking up stray coffee mugs and dishes that guests had left after breakfast. “On the lookout for your mother and sister?”

  Avery nodded. “They left Connecticut very early. My sister always loves to beat the traffic. Even if she has to leave in the middle of the night.”

  Liza laughed. “Probably a good strategy this weekend.” She balanced the tray on her hip and stood by Avery’s chair.

  “My sister can be a bit intense. It’s just her personality.” Avery stood up to stretch. “She sounds like she can use a vacation.”

  “This is the perfect spot to unwind. I hear there’ll be beautiful weather right through next week.”

  “That’s good news.” Avery was thinking of business at her café. Good weather brought more people out to the beach and the boardwalk—and to the Peregrine.

  “I’m almost afraid to ask this, but . . . have you been to the beach at all yet, Avery?” Liza gave her a humorous, quizzical look.

  Avery felt a little self-conscious, almost guilty. She thought about the pleasant stroll she had taken down the boardwalk with Mike. That had been the highlight of her outings.

  “I do go out for some air for a few minutes in the afternoon. Before we start serving dinner. Some days,” she qualified.

  Those brief visits to the beach were precious to her and amazingly refreshing to her state of mind. But unfortunately, they were few and far between.

  “I can’t say that I’ve sat on the beach with an umbrella and all that,” she added honestly. “I think I will have to wait until September to unfold my beach chair.”

  “I hope not,” Liza replied with a kind smile. “Everyone deserves a little time off, even in the busy season. Maybe you’ll have a minute to get out to the ocean with your mother and sister.”

  “Maybe,” Avery said doubtfully.

  Even if she had the time, she wasn’t sure she really wanted to spend hours trapped on a blanket with her sister, Christine. They would be bound to get into a heavy conversation about the café and its prospects.

  Christine was an accountant and thought she knew everything about business. Even the restaurant business, which she did not.

  Avery was sure her older sister was making this trip mainly to check out the café’s prospects and decide if it was a safe investment for their mom.

  Avery knew very well that so far it didn’t appear to be a safe bet for anyone. Fortunately, their mother wasn’t one to listen too closely to reason when her heart got involved in a decision. Even a financial one.

  Helen Bishop had pursued motherhood relatively late in life, after trying hard to succeed in show business as a singer and dancer. She had spent many years performing on local stages and had even made a record while Avery was growing up. But eventually, she gave up her aspirations to make it to Broadway and focused instead on teaching music and raising her two daughters.

  Avery knew that her mother’s failed hopes had made her very sympathetic to Avery’s struggles and she was unerringly encouraging. Which more than made up for Christine’s skepticism. But Christine meant well. She was only trying to be the voice of reason, Avery reminded herself. One surrounded by irrational dreamers . . . who were all bad at bookkeeping.

  Avery leaned on the porch rail, gazing out at the vast swath of dark blue ocean and clear sky.

  “Families are . . . funny,” she said finally.

  Liza had put down the tray and was picking off a few wilting flowers from the hanging pots of pink geraniums. “Yes, they are,” she agreed.

  A small blue hatchback with Connecticut plates pulled up to the inn, and Avery recognized her sister’s car—a model voted the most economical and best on mileage by a consumer watchdog group.

  Avery waved and hopped down the steps to meet them.

  Her sister had dressed in comfortable clothes for driving, khaki shorts and a dark blue T-shirt. But her mother, always particular about her appearance, appeared ready for a garden party, wearing a flowered sundress and high-heeled sandals, her hair swept up and her lipstick fresh. She emerged from the car and quickly whisked on a stylish sun hat with a floppy brim.

  Always ready for the spotlight, Avery thought with a secret smile. Even this morning, after a drive of several hours. That’s my mom.

  “What a lovely place. What a breathtaking view,” her mother said as she gave Avery a hug.

  She stood back, admiring the inn, which did look picturesque and welcoming on this perfect summer morning. Avery had been here so long, she didn’t even see it anymore.

  “Look at those flower boxes. I can never get mine to look so abundant and colorful. I can’t wait to go inside.”

  “Very pretty,” Christine agreed. “A little pricey,” she added quietly, “but the customer reviews on the Internet say the food is good.”

  “It’s very good,” Avery promised. She walked to the back of the car to help with the bags, but Jamie quickly appeared.

  “Welcome. I can grab your bags. I’ll take everything up to your rooms. No worries,” he said.

  Christine seemed surprised but pleased by the service and took her purse from the front seat.

  They found Liza in the foyer, standing alongside Claire. She introduced herself and the housekeeper, and welcomed Avery’s family.

  “What a gorgeous place you have here, Liza,” Helen Bishop said. “I’m so happy you found a room for us.”

  “It helps to know important people around here,” Liza joked and glanced at Avery. “I’ve put you in a suite, right next to Avery’s room,” she added as she led them to the staircase.

  Avery walked next to her mother, who eagerly peered through the doorways at the sitting rooms near the foyer and back to the big dining room near the kitchen. “This is so lovely, like something out of a movie.” She smiled and squeezed Avery’s arm. “And I can’t wait to see the café. Can we come over this afternoon?”

  “That would be great. Claire has made lunch for you here, so why don’t you and Christine come right after lunch? The café will be empty, and I’ll have a little time to show you around.”

  Avery partly dreaded her sister and mother seeing the Peregrine. Not because she was ashamed of how it looked, but because business was still erratic. Some of her theme nights—pizza and a movie and Lobster Sliders—were going well. Other nights, the café was far too quiet. Traffic had picked up, but it was still slower than she wanted. The Peregrine was not yet what anyone would call a success.

  But they don’t know that. You aren’t open for lunch so it’s fine if the café is empty, she reminded herself.

  Still, she felt as if she was only putting off the inevitable. Embarrassment and disappointment on her part and her sister’s long-suffering looks.

 
She only hoped that the crowds of Fourth of July visitors would save her. Even if they didn’t rush into her café and fill every table, she hoped the place would look lively enough.

  After one of Claire’s delicious lunches, Avery took her sister and mother to the north side of the island, explaining that it was an up-and-coming area, a perfect opportunity for new businesses.

  “Oh, isn’t this charming?” her mother said as they drove past the ferry station. “I bet that ferry ride is fun. Why don’t we try it, Christine? I read about the town on the other side, Newburyport. We could go shopping.”

  “How many times a day does the ferry run?” Christine asked, ignoring their mother’s suggestion. “Is the fare expensive?”

  Avery didn’t want to admit that she didn’t know. “It runs very frequently. Even more on the weekends and holidays,” she added, thinking that must be true.

  The dock did look very busy with people coming and going off the island. A ferry had just arrived, and a throng of island visitors was crossing the street to the boardwalk.

  Dressed in shorts and T-shirts, or sundresses over bathing suits, they carried umbrellas, beach chairs, and bulging tote bags, marching along like the invasion of a small, disorganized army. Small children, toting plastic pails and sand toys, brought up the rear. A few families had even brought dogs. Avery could practically smell the sunblock in the air.

  “Well, it seems like you have a lot of potential customers around. For such an out of the way place,” Christine observed. “Of course, it is the Fourth of July. Every place is crowded.”

  Avery didn’t answer, steering her SUV into a space near the Peregrine.

  “My, look at that view. Can you see the water from your restaurant, honey?” her mom asked.

  “We have a great view. I opened up the front with big glass doors and made a patio,” Avery replied.

  “How romantic . . . I can’t wait to see it.”

  A few moments later Avery was unlocking the front entrance as her mother admired the French doors she had just described.

  “How lovely. It reminds me of a wonderful old restaurant your father and I liked to visit in New Orleans. I sang there once,” she added, smiling wistfully.

  “Maybe you could sing here sometime, Mom,” Avery said, thinking that would be a nice idea. She had been looking for some live music.

  “Oh, no, I couldn’t,” her mother demurred. “I haven’t performed for years . . . Well, maybe if I got my voice back in shape. We’ll see.”

  When Avery got engaged to Paul, her mother had promised to sing at their wedding. Avery wondered if she remembered. If she did, she never mentioned it. Avery was grateful for that.

  Once inside, her mother and sister were full of compliments for the decorating and atmosphere. Though her sister was not without a few needling comments and questions. “How many people can you seat in here at one time?” she asked as she began counting the chairs. “I read that the rate of turning tables over is really critical to a restaurant’s bottom line. I think they say you can’t let people take more than forty minutes for a meal.”

  Avery knew that some people made a science out of figuring how to maximize profit in a restaurant. Though she wanted to be efficient, asking her waitresses to carry a stopwatch wasn’t her style.

  “That’s very true. There are more seats outside, Chris,” Avery added, directing her through the glass doors.

  While Christine went outside to survey the patio, Avery stayed inside with her mother. Helen watched her older daughter a moment and shook her head. “She likes to count things. She’s always been that way, since she was a little girl.” Helen shrugged and turned back to Avery. “You’ve done a wonderful job, Avery. It’s a beautiful restaurant. Everything is so stylish and still relaxed. Beachy,” she added, smiling. “And look at that view. Anybody would love to have a meal here. You found a perfect place, honey.”

  “I hope so, Mom.” Avery felt very pleased that her mother “got it.” It was good to have her here. It meant a lot to hear her mother’s words of praise, more than she had even expected.

  “I can’t wait to try the food. Should we come tonight?”

  Avery wasn’t sure the café would be crowded tonight and tried to steer them toward Saturday.

  “I guess you could,” she said vaguely. “But Claire had a lobster bake planned at the inn tonight, to welcome Fourth of July guests. I thought you and Chris might want to do that, and come to the café tomorrow night. There might be some fireworks on the beach tomorrow night, too.”

  Christine had come back inside and heard the last part of their conversation. “I think we should have the lobster dinner at the inn, Mom. I mean, meals are included and we’re paying for it,” she reminded her.

  Saved by Christine’s calculator, Avery thought.

  “Oh, all right. That sounds nice, too,” Helen said agreeably. “I love lobster. But you won’t be there, honey?”

  “Sorry. I have to stay here until at least midnight. But maybe we can go to the beach tomorrow morning. I think you should take my car back and drive around to see the cliffs,” she advised. “Someone will give me a ride home later.”

  “Good idea. We ought to get in some beach time, Mom. We can go see those cliffs, and I think there’s a lighthouse somewhere, too.” Christine had a guidebook in her purse and pulled it out.

  “Sorry you can’t come with us, honey.” Helen gave Avery a kiss good-bye on her cheek. “Don’t work too hard. I just love this place,” she added. “I’m going to take a lot of pictures to show my friends. Maybe we’ll come back for a girls’ weekend sometime.”

  “Good idea, Mom.” Avery was glad to see her mother enjoying herself. But her mother was the type of person who rarely complained and seemed delighted wherever she went. It was, Avery reflected, a very rare talent.

  * * *

  THE brief visit with her family had been fun but exhausting. Avery was eager to get to work. Gena, Teresa, and Jack arrived, and they began to set up the café and prep food for dinner.

  “Sorry, Avery. Courtney couldn’t start tonight. She had to drive her folks to the airport. It’s a long story—” Jack began.

  “That’s all right. You don’t have to explain.” Avery didn’t have the time for a long story right now. “Does she still want the job?”

  “Oh, yeah. She wants it. She’ll be in tomorrow, I promise.”

  “Okay. Tomorrow then. In the meantime, we’ll all have to help Gena. That’s all we can do.”

  The dinner hour was busy but not completely unmanageable.

  Avery thought it was just the right amount of customers, especially shorthanded. She now regretted that she had not told her sister and mother to come. She would have felt some relief getting their visit over with.

  But tomorrow night should be even busier and make the café look more successful, she reasoned. That was the main thing.

  * * *

  BE careful what you wish for. Avery recalled the old saying as she peeked out at the dining room on Saturday night. It was only six o’clock, and the tables both inside and out were filled, and more people stood in line, waiting to be seated. She felt her heartbeat quicken. This could be their biggest night yet. Perfect timing for her mother and Christine, who would be coming in soon for dinner.

  “Wow, what a crowd! People are coming down to see the fireworks,” Gena said as she swooped through the kitchen. “Did Jack’s girlfriend get here yet? I thought she was going to be here by five.”

  “I don’t know what happened to her. Teresa went to ask him.” Avery had no sooner mentioned her name than Teresa marched into the kitchen.

  “Bad news, no Courtney. The lovebirds broke up.”

  “What do you mean, no Courtney?” Gena demanded. “I can’t handle all those tables on my own.”

  Gena was usually so cool and leve
lheaded, the sane one of the group who often calmed Avery down. Avery felt a prickle of alarm as she realized her ace waitress was in a panic. But something in this scenario wasn’t making sense.

  “What’s the difference if they aren’t dating?” Avery asked. “Courtney accepted the job.”

  Teresa threw her hands up. “You know kids. I spoke to her myself. She says she’s sorry but, ‘It would, like, be, like, too weird.’ Then she hung up.”

  Avery took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s just calm down a minute and figure this out. We’ll all just have to pitch in, like we’ve been doing since Serena left. We’ll be fine,” she told the others, though she hardly believed it.

  “That was barely working when we had no customers,” Gena moaned. “How will it ever work tonight? The customers are going to freak out. We might as well give up now and claim there was a kitchen fire or something.”

  For a single desperate moment, Avery considered the idea.

  Teresa, bless her soul, was undaunted. “Get a grip, Gena. I know how to waitress. It’s not exactly rocket science.” The feisty little woman pulled off her white apron and pulled out a black one with the café’s logo, the silhouette of a peregrine falcon, on the front pocket. “I’ll take the patio and the bottom half of the dining room, up to the photo of the lighthouse. You’ve got the rest.”

  “Okay, you’re on. Want some lipstick?” Gena offered up a tube, and Teresa looked at it doubtfully. “Take some, you need it.”

  “Oh, all right.” Teresa swiped on some glossy pink lipstick and suddenly looked about ten years younger. She forced a fake smile. “Welcome to Café Peregrine. My name is Teresa. I’ll be your server tonight,” she recited.

  “That was pretty good. I didn’t even know you were paying attention at those rehearsals,” Avery said.