Elyse gasped. "What an amazing idea."
"It's the best of both worlds,” Gertrude said. “Between residents and tourists, you should do well. You can count on me to tell all my friends about it, dear."
The others nodded and agreed to help spread the word.
Connie gave them a grateful smile. "Over the next couple of months, with Sam's help, I'll identify promising artisans in developing countries and get them set up in safe working conditions and producing jewelry. Then I will purchase it a fair price and sell it in the shop. I hope to bring some unique accessories to Sapphire Beach and to sell online, as well. The proceeds from the sale of my condo in Boston should be more than enough to get things off the ground, especially with the competitive price Elyse got me on the rent."
"What a perfect way to bring together two of your passions," Stephanie said. "Your jewelry is beautiful. I can't wait to shop there."
Connie smiled mischievously at Elyse and then looked back at Stephanie. "I see your taste in jewelry is better than your taste in men."
"You can say that again," Grace said, shaking her head.
Stephanie made a fist and pretended she was about to punch Connie. "I would hit you on the back of your head if you weren't recovering from a concussion," she said.
"Okay, okay," Connie said, solemnly raising her right hand. "I promise, I will never mention it again. It's buried with the dead."
"Agreed," Elyse and Grace said in unison.
Connie was thrilled at everyone's reaction to her idea. It was the first time she shared her plans with anyone in Sapphire Beach, and she was ecstatic at their support.
She had had a long conversation with her parents and sister the previous night, and, while they would miss her, they said it was better than losing her to another country. "Besides," Jo said, "it's only a short flight away, and we've been doing it for years."
Deep down, it felt like the right move. Fr. Paul had reminded her on Sunday that she would recognize the next chapter in her life by the peace that would accompany her decision. And he was right. She had the same quiet certitude as when she left for Africa for her term of service after college and when she took her job with Feeding the Hungry. Fear and excitement, along with deep peace, coexisted within her.
"Will you teach me how to make jewelry like the bracelet you gave me?" Emma asked, pulling Connie from her thoughts.
"You bet," she said, gently squeezing her hand. "Once I get set up, you can come by the shop, and I'll teach you how to make anything you want."
Connie sat down next to Grace and pulled Ginger onto her lap. "Do you think you could take this sweet girl for another couple of months? After that I'll be able to keep her and take her to the shop with me."
Grace scratched Ginger behind her ears. "Oh, I think I can manage that."
"There's one more thing," she said to Grace, putting Ginger back on the floor. "Getting this business off the ground isn't something I can do alone. Between setting up artisans, making jewelry, and running the business, I will need some help manning the shop. Would you consider leaving your job at the coffee shop and working with me instead?"
Grace put both hands over her heart. "Honey, I would be honored to be part of this project. Concetta really is watching out for me. She knew I needed something to fill the void she left in my heart when she went to her reward, so she sent you," she said, her voice quivering.
"Welcome to Sapphire Beach, Connie," Zach said, as he opened a bottle of champagne that Connie had set aside.
Elyse handed out the glasses.
"Maybe I can help you can cross parasailing off your bucket list sometime in the near future," Zach said, pouring Connie's first.
When he finished, Connie raised her glass. "To new beginnings," she said, smiling at Stephanie.
"To new beginnings," they all toasted.
When she took the first sip of her champagne, out of the corner of her eye she caught Elyse and Josh sharing a glance that was clearly meant to communicate something. She put her glass down and studied them for a moment. "Okay, what's up with you two?"
"Are you going to tell her, or should I?" Josh said. "She needs to know."
"Alright," she said, holding Connie’s gaze. "The reason I was able to get you such a good deal on the shop is that the last tenant up and vanished about eight months ago, and nobody knows for sure what happened. Josh thinks you might want to reconsider the location of your shop."
“Oh, was there some sort of problem with the building?” Connie asked
“We don’t think so,” Elyse said. “According to the landlord, the tenant seemed happy there, but then six months ago, she suddenly disappeared without a trace. The police investigated, but they never figured out what happened.”
"Is that all?" Connie said. She leaned toward Grace. "Sounds like another Sapphire Beach mystery. It’s a good thing we don’t scare easily, right Grace?"
"You bet, sweetheart," Grace said, with a firm nod. "We're here to stay."
The End
Other Books in this Series
Free Prequel: Vacations and Victims
(Meet Concetta and Bethany in Vacations and Victims, the Sapphire Beach Prequel)
Book 2: Surf, Sand and Skeletons
Book 3: Piers, Pliers and Problems
Book 4: Candy Canes and Cadavers:
Coming in early November!
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Angela K. Ryan, John Paul Publishing, P.O. Box 283, Tewksbury, MA 01876
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angela K. Ryan, author of the Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Series, writes clean, feel-good stories that uplift and inspire, with mysteries that will keep you guessing.
When she is not writing, Angela enjoys the outdoors, especially kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snowshoeing, and skiing. She lives near Boston and loves the change of seasons in New England, but, like her main character, she looks forward brief escapes to the white, sandy beaches of southwest Florida, where her mother resides.
Angela dreams of one day owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel like Ginger, but isn’t home enough to take care of one. So, for now, she lives vicariously through her main character, Connie.
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