The Guestbook

by Andrea Hurst

The phone started ringing again, and Lily waved goodbye to Betty and rushed to answer it. It was an offer from an editor at Coast Flight Magazine to do a spread on the grand re-opening. Her mother was arriving tomorrow, thank goodness, and could take over making the reservations and fielding the calls.

  She glanced at the clock, where was Mary at? It was already after 3:00. Mary slid in the door a second later and stood at attention. “Reporting for work.”

  Lily paced the kitchen floor. “Mary, if we’re going to reopen by the fourth, we have a lot to do. How many extra hours a week can you give me in the next month or so? I promise I’ll pay you soon.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I have some time, and I’m sure there are others who’ll help. We could clean out the pond. Aunt Shirley will spiff up your garden, and Aunt Betty has more energy than the two of us together and nothing but time.” Mary started for the door. “Let’s go outside and see what else needs to be spruced up.”

  They stepped out and surveyed the grounds. A few yellow tulips were still blooming among the late rhododendrons, and the bright magenta azaleas were in full display. “Start a list, Mary,” Lily said. “We’ll have to find someone to fix these fences and plant some grass in the brown spots.”

  “Hey, ladies. What are you talking about so intensely?” Lily looked up to see John, a big smile across his face, as usual.

  “Making a list of everything that still needs to be done,” Mary said.

  John stared at the fence. “Needs some patch-up, that’s for sure. I think I can help you, though. Got some extra fencing in the garage, some tools, and plenty of nails. He pointed to the front of the house. “Needs paint, Lily. No way around it. Charm is one thing, but I think it’s a year past that.”

  “I think you’re right,” Lily said with a frown.

  He put a friendly arm around Lily’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, dear. It’ll all get done.”

  She looked at John. This is what it felt like to have a real father. She sprinted up onto the porch. “I got it. White trim! That’ll brighten it right up. We can leave these porch rails blue, add a few more hanging baskets and some new cushions for the swing.” For a moment, she was lost in her vision and stood there imagining.

  Mary took furious notes, trying to keep up. “Great idea, less expensive too.”

  John headed back toward his house. “I’ll be back tomorrow, ladies, and I’ll bring some fencing and white paint.”

  “That would be great,” Lily said. “We’re having the big work party and Coast Flight Magazine is coming to take some photos of the inn. I insisted they come on a Saturday so everyone can be in the picture.”

  “I’ll be there, and I’ll help spread the word.”

  She waved after him. “I’ll cook up a great lunch with lots of cookies and lemonade too.” Lily turned to Mary. “This island certainly works its magic.”

  Mary smiled. “Only for those it loves.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Someone else was cooking her breakfast for a change. Kyla had suggested that Lily pick the place for their meeting today, and she couldn’t wait to see the samples of herbal soaps, scented creams, and specialty teas Kyla had designed exclusively for Madrona Island Bed and Breakfast. Matt’s Diner was the perfect not-too-greasy spoon, and it sounded pretty darn good right now.

  The bell over the door rang as she entered the diner, and she was greeted by a waitress in a crisp orange apron who looked like she’d stepped out of the 1940s. “Morning, ma’am, table for one?”

  Kyla was nowhere in sight, and for once Lily was glad to say, “Table for two, please.”

  Lily slid into the red vinyl seat of a corner booth and opened her laminated menu. A light breeze from the ceiling fans sent the mouth-watering smell of sizzling bacon her way.

  “Coffee for you today?” the waitress asked.

  Gratefully, Lily turned the white coffee mug right side up. It was the perfect fit for this place—coffee shop coffee—watered down but warm and pleasing. The clanging of dishes, pots, and pans were the background music, accompanied by the low buzz of people talking. The place was crowded, mostly with locals. Some had on worn t-shirts and baseball caps, faded jeans and nylon parkas, typical island dress.

  Lily perused every item on the menu. The hot homemade biscuits with sweet butter, smothered in loganberry jam, were a must. The four-egg Spanish omelet with home-fried potatoes was tempting, and the blueberry sour cream pancakes sounded downright decadent.

  “’Morning, Lily,” Kyla said as she slid into the booth. She placed a large basket filled with samples right next to her on the seat. “What looks good to eat?”

  Lily peeked over, trying to see what was in the basket.

  Kyla held up the menu to block her view. “Food first…business second. I’m starved, and the smell in here isn’t helping. Ok?”

  “Well, I guess I can wait a few minutes longer. And as for the food… everything looks good, too good!”

  Kyla scanned the menu. “I think I’ll order the cinnamon roll French toast,” she announced.

  “Not fair,” Lily said. “Talk about overkill, how can you eat like that and look like you do?”

  “What are you talking about? With all those goodies you’re always making, you look pretty good yourself.”

  Lily decided on fried eggs over easy, hash browns, thick crisp bacon, and of course, a buttermilk biscuit with their specialty, marionberry jam.

  After they ordered, Kyla reached into the basket and pulled out a product order form. “Here’s a preliminary list of the products I’ve come up with. I do think they’ll suit your business and clientele very well.”

  She slid the lavender-colored paper across the table for Lily to take a look.

  Tea & Comfort Kyla Stewart, Proprietor

  “I love your logo,” Lily said. “Who designed it for you?”

  Kyla waved the waitress over for a refill on her coffee. “Ian did a splendid job on it.”

  Lily tensed. Kyla and Ian really seemed to know each other pretty well. It was silly to be jealous, she wasn’t technically dating Ian.

  “He’s doing my design too,” Lily said, watching for a reaction from Kyla. There was absolutely none. She scanned the products. “Oh, I love this; rainforest mist shampoo and lemon verbena conditioner.” She closed her eyes and inhaled the imagined scents of lemon balm and honeysuckle rose candles. She visualized the color-matched votives placed in antique glass holders on every dresser.

  Kyla pointed to a section marked teas. “I have included morning and afternoon teas, and some special love blends as well.”

  “Love teas?” Sure enough, there they were: rosewater, chamomile spice, and chocolate mint. “I think these will be a hit.”

  Kyla’s Cheshire smile crossed her beautiful face. “So do I.”

  She imagined the smell of a rich cinnamon stick brew being poured from a silver pot for afternoon tea. “Kyla, this list is amazing. It’s perfect. Thank you so much!”

  “Lily, you deserve to have your dream come true, this one and many more. Don’t forget that.”

  The waitress appeared and placed the steaming hot breakfasts on the table. “Can I get you anything else, more coffee, ladies?” Both women shook their heads.

  Lily dove into her meal, savoring every flavorful bite. Salty bacon mixed with creamy, golden egg yolk, crisp-edged hash browns dusted with salt and pepper, and a moist, flakey biscuit smothered in jam…this was heaven.

  Between bites, Lily shared her plan. “I’ve drawn up breakfast menus for the B&B. I want them to make guests feel satisfied, comforted, and delighted, just like this one.” She took a large bite out of her biscuit then continued. “You know, Kyla, I’ll need a taste tester sometime soon to sample my recipes. Are you willing to take on the job?”

  “Depends on what you’re sampling,” Kyla replied between bites of French toast dripping with maple syrup.

  “Sage omelets, pork rind quiche, spinach biscuits...”

  “Ugh!” Kyla replied
with raised eyebrows.

  “Caught you. Just kidding. How does Lavender Orange French toast, black currant scones, and apple turkey sausage quiche sound for starters?”

  Kyla nodded appreciatively while continuing to relish her breakfast.

  Lily wiped the jam off her lips with her napkin. “When would be a good time for you to come by? Before opening your shop sometime or on a Sunday? We could have champagne mimosas, sample goodies, and talk.”

  Kyla’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Lily for a few long seconds. “Ok. Let’s do it.”

  Kyla was finally opening up to her a little, Lily was happy to see. She was curious to know why this young woman who was tall, model-thin, and strikingly beautiful with her cascading red hair, had opened up a quaint tea room on this relatively remote island.

  “It’s a deal, Kyla. How about this Sunday?”

  Kyla nodded in agreement as she finished off the last bite of her breakfast. She removed the packaged samples from her basket and stood to go. “Gotta hurry back and open Tea & Comfort.” Kyla laid a ten dollar bill on the table. “This should cover my part. Here are a few samples for you to smell and try out. You can let me know your opinions on Sunday. Bye for now.”

  Lily watched her walk out the door. There was something frail about her demeanor, but she sensed that this woman also held a deep well of strength. She took a last sip of now cold coffee, grabbed the check, and headed for the door. Today she would work on the breakfast menus, and a few recipes for afternoon tea treats. Tomorrow was the interview, and she had to be ready.

  ✦✦✦✦

  Saturday morning was bright and sunny, perfect to get lots of work done. Lily put on some jeans and an old sweatshirt and went into the kitchen to make coffee and heat up cinnamon rolls for the early arrivals. Later she would change into some nice clothes for the shoot. The photographers from the magazine were coming at noon, and she had promised them a lunch buffet.

  Cars honked as they made their way into her drive. She stepped out on the porch and waved. Dana, the grocer, was there with his brother, another friend, and lots of tools. Jude was right behind them, her car loaded with food for the buffet table.

  “Morning,” Lily called. “Coffee and pastries in the kitchen.”

  “Sounds good.” Jude and Kyla carried trays of sandwiches past her and into the kitchen. “This should feed the army that will show up. Everyone wants to help and be in the picture, even Kyla has come in jeans.”

  The place was a whirl of energy, loose boards being nailed, trim painted, yards cut, and Betty out there planting shrubs and flowers. Ian was up on a ladder finishing.

  “Lily, what would you like me to do with your order?” Kyla asked.

  Jude peeked over the rim of a basket. “They smell wonderful. Let’s put them out in all the rooms and parlor.”

  Lily surveyed the baskets of candles, soaps, and other items to put around the inn. “Yes, let’s put them out now.” They went upstairs and started in the Rose Suite. The tall, freshly made pillar candles in pale rose were placed in a glass holder on the antique oak dresser in the Rose Suite. The sweet scent immediately brightened the room. Before she could move to the next room, the doorbell rang and Lily froze.

  “Go,” Jude said, “we’ll finish up here and meet up with you.”

  Lily hurried downstairs and stopped at the entry. Standing at the door, suitcase in hand, was her mother. “Mom!” Lily raced over, opened the door, and hugged her. “You made it.”

  “Of course,” Katherine said. “You think I’d miss anything this important?”

  “How long can you stay?”

  “I’m here for the work weekend,” Katherine said. “But I’ll be back for the grand opening for sure.”

  Lily hugged her mother again. “Kyla, Jude,” she yelled up the stairs. “Come meet my mother. Mom, these are my best friends.”

  “So good to meet you both.” Katherine picked up her suitcase from the floor where she’d dropped it. “Point me to a place to sleep and then put me to work.”

  “We’ll start setting out the lunch buffet,” Jude said.

  “We’ll be right there.” Lily put her mother temporarily in the Rose Suite, as it was the only one that was completed.

  Katherine put a few things away and tied a sweatshirt around her waist. “The place looks amazing. You’ve done a marvelous job. And all these people helping you.”

  “I’m pretty lucky.”

  “It’s not just luck, my girl. Now let’s go help your friends with the buffet.”

  ✦✦✦✦

  The table was set out with mounds of potato salad, sandwiches on dark rye and country white bread, and pink lemonade. Shirley brought over bouquets of fresh-picked lilies in shades of yellows and reds and bright white daisies. Puffy lemon meringue and chocolate cream pies were set out with floral paper plates, and napkins completed the table.

  “They’re here,” Jason yelled as he ran up the front porch steps.

  A large van was parked in her drive, partially on the grass, and two men were unloading lights and equipment while one gave orders. He looked the part of typical photographer. Khaki button-up shirt with sleeves rolled back, tight jeans, and a two-day beard.

  “Hi, I’m Lily, the innkeeper.”

  He shook her hand. “CJ, we’re here for the shoot.”

  She pointed to the side yard. “We have lunch laid out on the lawn by the pond if you’d like to start there.”

  He yelled to his crew. “Set up over there by the pond.” He put a camera over his shoulder and walked across the drive toward the buffet. “We’ll shoot first, take a lunch break, and then do a few of the front and interiors.”

  Lily walked ahead to show the way. “Sounds good to me.”

  She watched them set up lights and agonize over each picture. First close ups, then wide-angle shots.

  CJ waved at his crew to take a break. “Lily, let’s break for lunch. All these locals here today gathered around the table will make a great shot.”

  “Sure thing.” Lily gathered up her friends and insisted they come have lunch.

  Lily entered the kitchen. “You too, Jude and Kyla, come out for lunch and get in the photo.”

  Kyla’s face paled. “What picture?”

  “Oh, it’s Coast Flight Magazine. Isn’t it wonderful? They’re doing a spread on the grand opening of Madrona Island B&B.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Jude said, taking Kyla’s arm. “You are coming, just turn your face if you don’t want your picture taken.”

  Lily looked back. Kyla was trailing behind. “Come on, let’s get there and have lunch.”

  The scene at the table took Lily’s breath away. All the people she loved, laughing, smiling, and obviously enjoying her food. What an amazing picture it would make in the magazine, too.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Dusk was falling as the sun made its last appearance before dropping behind the horizon. Lily wondered if it were too late to go over to John’s house. He would love to sample her new cookie recipe, and she wanted to tell him about getting her building permit in the mail today for the final remodel. Ian was back on the mainland for a few more days, so John was alone. She leaned out the window and looked between the trees across to the barn-red farmhouse. The lights in his kitchen were still on. In his deep warm voice he had said,” Lily, you are welcome any time, you hear? Anytime.” Carefully, she placed the still-warm cookies on a china plate and wrapped them with cellophane.

  The path leading across the field between the two homes was well-worn from years of foot traffic. She couldn’t wait to tell him the good news; after all, he was her number one fan and cheerleader. It was easy to see why her grandmother had fallen in love with this kind and thoughtful man. The twinkle in John’s eyes and that wide smile would have taken her heart too if he were fifty years younger. His grandson wasn’t half bad either.

  As she approached the front steps, she heard Gretel barking inside. The screen door was locked, so she rapped on the fr
ame. “John, it’s Lily. Are you home?”

  Gretel’s barks became a low whimper, and Lily’s heart suddenly went cold. Something was wrong. She raised her voice and pounded harder on the door. “John, are you there? Let me in.”

  Her gut instinct told her to move fast. She turned and ran around to the back of the house, trying not to trip on the long hose stretched across the yard. The back door was unlocked, and she rushed in and followed the sound of the dog’s cries. Sprawled across the living room floor, unconscious, was John.

  Lily gasped and ran over to him. There was a large gash on the side of his head and blood pooling under it. He’d probably hit his head on the corner of the coffee table when he fell. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what to do next. She crouched down and felt for a pulse in his neck. “Damn, I can’t find it.” She placed her ear closer to his face to see if he was still breathing. He was, barely. She tried to revive him.

  “John, wake up. John, it’s Lily.” She could see his chest rise and fall in a ragged fashion, but there was no response. Help, she needed help. Quickly, she moved to the kitchen and grabbed phone. With shaky hands, she dialed 911. “Please help, there’s a man here, he’s unconscious, we need an ambulance. Yes, about 80 years old, unconscious.” The operator asked for a location. Lily rattled off the address. “Off Sunrise Lane just outside of Grandview. Please hurry.”

  Ian, she had to reach Ian. She saw his mainland number posted on the wall over the phone and began to dial. “Jason?”

  “Hey, Lily, is that you?” the boy said with a yawn.

  “It’s me, Jason, this is important. Is your dad there?”

  “Yeah, he’s in his studio, as usual.”

  “Jason, listen, please run and get him real fast. Ok?”

  Lily heard Jason drop the phone and listened to his footsteps pattering across the floor. Outside the kitchen window, an ambulance siren blared and she breathed a bit easier. They were coming, help was coming.