The Guestbook

by Andrea Hurst

  The Island Farmer’s and Flea Market sprawled over several acres around a pond on what used to be an old chicken farm nestled in a central valley of the island. Some of the dilapidated chicken coops had been cleaned thoroughly and turned into stalls to show off the fine wares for sale–from local honey and fresh fruit, to used baby furniture and handmade crafts. The dirt parking lot was filled with cars, and crowds of tourists and locals meandered along the straw-covered paths to find bargains and delicacies. Children ran along the edge of the pond chasing ducks. Family dogs wandered along with their people. The sun was out, and after a long winter, it was a welcome relief.

  Lily stepped out of the car, happy to finally be wearing sandals and a light cotton blouse. The lively sights and rich smells left her wondering where to go first.

  Jude pounced out of the car and, hands on her hips, surveyed the scene. “Pretty nice spread today. Yum, I smell cinnamon rolls. Brett must be here. Let’s go.”

  Lily had heard of Brett’s famous cinnamon rolls and was glad she would finally be able to taste one. Brett’s booth consisted of boxes of gigantic cinnamon rolls, half iced, half plain.

  “What’ll you have?” he asked with a smile.

  “Two with the icing,” Jude said. “And this is Lily, owns Maggie’s old place.”

  Brett shook her hand, “Nice to meet you. I hear you’re gonna be opening the B&B again soon?”

  “Word travels fast,” Lily said. “Hope you’ll come to the grand opening July fourth.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. I’ll bring the missus and the kids too.”

  They wandered on, admiring other booths. The scent of fresh kettle corn permeated the air. A booth overflowing with fresh-picked produce called to Lily, but the lilac-scented soaps and creams won out as her first destination. “Delightful,” she declared. Lily turned to a young woman wearing a colorful print blouse and blue jeans. Her dark hair swung down her back in a single long braid. “Do you make these yourself?” Lily asked.

  “Sure do, out at the Lavender Farm,” she said. “We also do tea-rose-scented soaps. They’re in the back. Come on in and have a look.” Hearing the word “rose,” Lily had a flash of inspiration. She would place local handmade soaps and hand creams in each guestroom, in the color and scent associated with the room. She would use rose, lavender, and for the Honeymoon Suite, jasmine. Lemon verbena for the pale yellow room would be perfect. She liked the idea of supporting her community’s businesspeople. Lily turned over the thick, hardy, sweet-smelling soaps, holding each to her nose, and exhaled, “Aaahhhh.” She tried the fragrant cream on her own hands and squirted the rose onto Jude’s hands.

  Jude leaned in close and whispered, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  Lily nodded her head a definite yes.

  “Kyla can make up some products for you too,” Jude continued.

  “Right, I’ll give her call.” Lily took the Lavender Farm’s card, planning on visiting the website that night.

  The next booth had fresh goat milk and creamy goat cheese samples smothered over crackers. This is a must have, Lily thought. “Hi, I’m Lily Parkins,” she said, stumbling a little on her maiden name, “and this is my friend, Jude. I own Madrona Island Bed and Breakfast, and I wonder if we could talk sometime about stocking your products at my inn?”

  “Happy to talk any time. I love that old place. My husband and I were married there a few years back.” She reached out her hand. “Gina Marino, nice to meet you, Lily.”

  Lily took Gina’s card and price list and promised to call soon. She and Jude moved along the gift and craft booths, passing candles and pottery, crocheted potholders and wood carvings. The produce and flower area lay straight ahead. One of the larger old chicken coops was strung with every size of hanging basket, each one filled with ferns and flowers, ivy and herbs. Perfect for her front porch. On the ground there were some clay pots full of seedlings ready to plant, marked with little signs telling the name and whether they took shade or sun. She could use those to fill out the garden.

  “Jim, so good to see you,” exclaimed Jude as she hugged the tall, long-haired gardener in the planter stall. “Lily, come meet Jim, the best gardener on the island.” The two exchanged hellos.

  Jude questioned him. “Haven’t seen you around town for a while, I was wondering if you’d be at the market.” Jim stared at Jude for a minute too long, Lily noticed; sort of a shy but interested look. She’d just leave them alone for a little while. “Jude, I’ll be right back. I’m going to check out the old dishes and stuff over there.”

  The table was covered with old, mismatched pieces of china. Lily looked at the price on the soap dishes and teapots covered in baby roses. They would go perfectly in the rose suite. The old restored aprons hanging on a rack reminded her of the aprons worn by women in 1950s television shows. There sure was no shortage of creative people on this island.

  After purchasing a few items, she wandered along sampling smoked hazelnuts, golden honey, and fresh-pressed apple cider. It was a pure delight to her senses. On the opposite side of a duck-covered pond was the flea market, which was of special interest to Lily today. She was hoping to find some unusual planters to put in the garden and along the walkways, and some more knickknacks for the guest rooms. Walking in that direction, she noticed Jason and a friend feeding the ducks. “Hi, Lily,” he called out as he ran by. She smiled as she turned to wave at them. She stepped back and plowed right into Ian.

  “Sorry there, Lily, I was just trying to keep up with the boys. Where are you heading?”

  “Across the pond to look for this and that for my place.” She could feel the heat of his presence. She had not seen him in a t-shirt before—well, not one that fit him, anyway; it nicely highlighted his smooth, solid muscles. “I best get on with my shopping.”

  “Can you use an extra pair of hands to carry your purchases? I have Granddad’s pickup with me if you need it,” he offered.

  “Sure,” she said.

  Ian fell into step beside Lily as they strolled through the flea market. Old wooden tables laid end to end were covered with every imaginable thing, from CDs to toasters. Lily meandered up and down the aisles and spotted a small old-fashioned wooden wheelbarrow with metal handles. It would be perfect with colorful nasturtiums flowing out it, placed just off the rocky path leading to her pond. “How much?” she asked.

  “Six dollars and it’s yours, miss.”

  “Sold!” She was pleased with her first purchase. Ian followed close behind, pushing the wheelbarrow. She noticed the amused look in his eyes but chose to ignore it. “I’ll be happy to push it myself,” she said.

  “No problem, this way your hands will be free to pick up other finds.” She wasn’t used to a man who was patient while she shopped, and helpful. Brad wouldn’t last five minutes shopping here. Jude caught up to them and joined in the search for treasures.

  When everyone’s arms were full, including the wheelbarrow, Jude suggested they call it a day.

  “A profitable excursion, I would say, Lily,” Ian commented as he loaded several items into the back of the truck. “I’ll follow you home and drop this off.”

  “I have to drop Jude off first, so I’ll meet you there in a while. Thanks, Ian.” Lily loaded the crate of fresh brown eggs into the back seat of her car and the still frozen, just-pressed apple cider onto the floor.

  “Quite helpful, that Ian,” Jude said with a sly smile.

  “Look who’s talking. You’ve been smiling like a Cheshire cat ever since you bumped into Jim. So, what’s up with that?”

  “Oh, he’s just a good friend.”

  Lily smirked. “Does he know that?”

  “Besides,” Jude said, “I have my eye on someone else.”

  “Let me guess,” Lily said. “Does he wear a black chef’s coat?”

  Jude just smiled.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Lily turned off the burner and lifted the bacon out of the pan to drain on a paper towel. The familiar thump, t
hump on the porch stairs alerted her that Gretel was approaching. The sound of the hundred-pound dog’s paws scratching the screen door sent Lily running to let her in. “Ok, Gretel, come on in.”

  The shiny black dog rubbed against her legs and covered her hands in doggie kisses. “Yes, yes, I love you too,” she said, petting her soft fur. “Ok, enough kisses you silly girl. You’re just in time for breakfast.”

  Gretel knew the routine. Wagging her tail, she followed Lily into the kitchen for a treat.

  “I have some thick bacon today, will that please you?” Lily made the dog sit before tossing her a small piece. Gretel swallowed the bacon in one bite. To be truthful, Lily knew Gretel would eat anything. She’d found that out the day Gretel lifted her giant paws up onto the counter and snatched a whole stick of butter. Lily had tried to grab it out of the dog’s mouth, only to feel completely ridiculous when the butter squeezed between her fingers as it was being swallowed whole in Gretel’s giant mouth.

  Lily patted her leg. “Come on, girl, sounds like someone’s at the door.” Ian’s tall frame was standing behind the screen and she felt her heart start to pound.

  “Knock, knock. You there, Lily? I think my dog wandered over again.”

  Lily looked at the dog with a mock scowl and walked to the door.

  “The runaway is here, come on in,” Lily said holding the screen door open. “I’m afraid it was the bacon that brought her over this time.”

  Ian grinned. “The smell would bring me over too.”

  Gretel bounded happily over to Ian for some petting and sat down hard on his foot. “Look at her. With the whole floor to sit on, she picks my foot.” Ian scratched behind Gretel’s ears and stroked her coat.

  Lily knelt down and ran her fingers over the dog’s sleek ebony fur. She could feel the energy flowing from him through the dog to her. Small beads of sweat broke out on the top of her lip. She looked into his eyes and could see passion. She knew he wished he were stroking her, and that Gretel was only a stand in. She wanted to reach over and touch his face, his hair, kiss his lips. Her eyes met his. Was that a smirk?

  He was laughing! Ian was laughing at her like he’d read her mind. Feeling foolish, a flush rising up her neck, she quickly stood up. “I, ah, I need to go finish breakfast.”

  Ian rose quickly and grabbed her lightly from behind. He turned her around to face him. “I am not laughing at you, Lily. You fight me so hard, yet your eyes tell me a different story. I just wish you could let go, just for a minute.”

  The warmth of his hands on her arms set off waves of desire. She could feel his breath on her face. His lips brushed hers. She curved her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, tasting and probing his mouth. The heat between them built. She was lost in his arms, bliss coloring her world.

  She broke the embrace and took a few steps. What she saw completely broke her. His eyes were filled with love and pain; she had hurt him. Her heart reached out. “Ian, oh Ian, I’m sorry.” She was holding him now, stoking his head. He had lost a lot too. He was not Brad. “I do care” she whispered, “just give me a little more time. There is so much happening at once, with the divorce and trying to reopen the B&B.”

  “Of course,” he said. “Meanwhile, I’ll just hang around and help out. I’ve been working up a new logo for your product labels.”

  “But, Ian, you know I can’t pay you right now, and I can’t just let you work for free.”

  Ian smiled. “I think I smell something really good in the kitchen, and I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

  “Oh, I see. Paid in food! In that case, can I talk you into staying for breakfast? Your dog has already sampled the bacon and found it to her liking.”

  Ian started for the kitchen. “Thought you’d never ask. And how about later we take a short walk on the beach?”

  He was pushing it, but the sun was out today. A short walk would do her good, help stretch her tight muscles from painting. “Ok, but only if we get a lot accomplished today. Now let’s eat.”

  ✦✦✦✦

  They stood together gazing out over the Sound like two silhouettes, outlined by the setting sun. Shades of deep rose blended with a full spectrum of golds and purples that seemed to dance on the water’s surface, reflecting back the vibrant palette in the sky. The island ferry was making its nightly crossing in the distance, and a lone heron flapped slowly home.

  Ian draped his arm around Lily’s shoulder and nuzzled closer. “I’m happy, Lily, content. I can wait as long as it takes for you to feel the same.”

  Lily looked up into his deep blue eyes and felt herself falling into them. Into this man, into his heart. The feeling of happiness and complete rightness overtook her. But could she trust it?

  “I…I need to go, Ian, let’s head back.”

  He held her tight. “Whoa, filly, not this time. You look like a spooked horse.”

  The image of a spooked horse hit home. Images rushed through her head. Pictures of watching her mother run from her father, of herself as a young girl running from her mother, and as a woman running from Brad’s words and insults whirled through her mind. Panic rose up, the walls closed in, no way out, no one to help. She burst into tears. Ian pulled her gently into his arms.

  She fought him off half-heartedly. “I hate crying, let me go. I’m okay,” she managed to get out. Then something inside her just let go, of the pain, of the fight, of the struggle of having to do it alone. Her body surrendered into the warmth and comfort and Ian’s arms.

  “Ian,” she whispered.

  The sun made its final descent behind the Olympic Mountains, and night began to set in. He took her hand and they started back. Lily shivered, the breeze off the water had ice in it.

  They picked up their pace. “Let’s go inside,” she said. “We can build a fire. And I’ll make fresh chocolate chip cookies.”

  “Ah, you know the way to my heart. Race you back and I’ll even give you a head start. Go!”

  Lily’s long legs made her a fast sprinter, and the two hit the wooden porch at the same time. Out of breath and laughing, Ian picked her up and started to carry her into the house. He stopped at the doorway. “Permission, Lily?”

  “Permission granted, Ian.”

  He carried her to the parlor, and they curled up together in front of the fireplace.

  “Better?” Ian asked.

  “Yes,” Lily said, yawning into her hand.

  They sat there together, staring into the fire, just holding each other for a long while. To Lily, it felt like they’d always been together. Always.

  “It’s getting late and we have a big day of work tomorrow.” Ian rose and started for the door. “I’ll be here first thing and get started on the painting.”

  “Good night,” she said. Lily laid her head on the sofa arm and let herself drift off to sleep.

  ✦✦✦✦

  She was already late getting supplies for the day and chastised herself all the way into town.

  She parked and headed first for Tea & Comfort to pick up a few items. Kyla’s head perked up from a book when the bell announced Lily’s entry.

  “Good morning, Lily,” she said, her eyes narrowing.

  “Why do I always feel under inspection when you look at me that way?” Lily grumbled.

  Kyla came out from behind the counter and took Lily’s hand. “Looks like you could use some tea. Let’s go in the back.”

  Lily sank into the velvet rocker, her mind wandering to last night and Ian’s passionate kiss. Business first, she reminded herself.

  Kyla set two steaming cups of tea on the pedestal table beside the lavender candle. “Something weighing on your mind, Lily?”

  Lily hesitated, blowing on the hot tea and taking a small sip. “It’s Ian.” She could feel her blush as it warmed her face and neck. Was it safe to share this with Kyla?

  “That bad, is it?”

  Lily tried to will back her memories, Kyla saw too much. “Good, bad…the timing is wrong.”

  Kyla was
quiet, her gaze in the distance. Lily wished she could read the redhead’s thoughts and the secrets she kept so guarded. Silence filled the room, the only sound the clinking of the teacups as they rested back into their saucers.

  Kyla’s eyes looked like a deep well. “Lily, the problem with running away from love is that you never know if it will find you again.”

  Her words pierced Lily’s heart. The two women stared at each other, a recognition passing between them like a spark. Kyla rose collecting the teacups. “I really must get back to work now. Your packages are on the front counter.”

  Lily stared after her from the back room. One sentence from Kyla and her whole world went upside down. She had a lot to do and would just go home and face it now.

  ✦✦✦✦

  There were lists upon lists scattered across her office desk. Lily’s calendar was scribbled in with appointments. Meet Kyla to discuss soaps, candles, and teas, check with the carpenter, match paint chips, finish final edits for Ian to design the brochure. In the daily reminder block, red letters caught the eye—Remember to Blog and find the Brownie Recipe!

  “Yoo-hoo!” Betty’s voice resonated as she walked in the screen door. “Anyone home?”

  “Hello, hello,” Lily said, throwing her arms around Betty. “I’m so excited, so much to do.”

  “Wow, girl, I know. I’m here to volunteer my services.” Betty hugged her and patted her on the back. “I’m happy to do it. Now, where shall I start? Plumbing done, what else do you need? Got a couple big saws in the basement if you need anything cut.”

  Lily marveled at how an almost 80-year-old woman could be so spry. “Well, let me think…how are you at painting trim?”

  “Just point me toward the brushes. I’ll go get my ladder if you think you need one.”

  “We might. Can you come back this afternoon?”