by Kay Correll
As she glanced across the parking lot, she swore the man standing by the front of the hospital looked amazingly like—
But that was silly. He wouldn’t be here. He was off in some big city making a living. Probably already a partner at some big prestigious ad agency. That had always been his plan.
That had been her plan, too. And she was almost there.
She triumphantly found her keys, waving them in glee, and opened the car door. Shower time. Then coffee. She needed coffee.
Noah McNeil stood on the sidewalk outside the hospital almost hidden behind one of the pillars.
He’d always known there was a chance he might see Sara again, but she hadn’t been here in years, and he’d avoided her the one time she’d come back to visit her aunt.
No one in town was even aware he knew Sara.
But, of course, she’d come back now that Lil had taken that fall. Everyone on Belle Island knew she’d fallen. He looked down at the flowers he clutched in his hand. He was on his way into the hospital to drop them off for one of his employees who’d had minor surgery. But he made no move to enter the hospital. Instead he stood and watched Sara.
She stood in the parking lot, blinking against the bright morning sun. Her brown hair lay tousled about her shoulders, and she was digging in her purse.
A quick smile crossed his face. He remembered that quirk of hers. She was forever digging around in her huge purses, looking for something. She was so organized about some things, but not those big purses she loved to carry.
Noah knew he should probably just walk right up to her and say how sorry he was about her aunt’s accident, but the timing just didn’t seem right. What could he say after all these years?
And besides, she’d made it clear what her choice was all those years ago back in Boston. Not that he blamed her.
And he wouldn’t have done things differently, either. He’d made his own choice back then. He knew that and wouldn’t change a thing.
She took out a set of keys with a triumphant flourish and walked the last distance to her car. He watched her every step.
She glanced back his direction and he quickly stepped behind the pillar again.
No, this wasn’t the right time to talk to her. Not after all this time.
Besides, if he went up to her now, he’d have to explain why he was here on the island…
And that was really her fault, too.
Chapter 3
Sara pulled her car onto the crushed shell drive that led to the back wing of the inn with its own private entrance. She tried to figure out the last time she’d been here. It had been a year or so. Okay, maybe more. Lots more. Her aunt had come to visit her in Boston, though. And they talked on the phone all the time. Or they used to. She’d gotten so busy at work that their phone calls had tapered off.
Guilt washed over her. She should have come back more often. Her aunt had given up everything for her, and how had she repaid her? By being too busy to visit.
She looked at the familiar, large, rambling inn. The outside of it was in wonderful shape, as always. Her aunt took meticulous care of the place, always renovating the rooms to keep them updated. The cheerful shade of light yellow paint on the inn was barely weathered from the salty air.
She slid out of the car, grabbed her bags, and climbed the steps to the back door. She used her key to enter The Nest. The same key she’d had since she’d come to live with Aunt Lil as a young child. She could have gone in the front of the inn, but she loved coming in the back way. More cozy and just Aunt Lil’s and her area.
Memories attacked her as she stepped inside and looked around the wide, open space. Her aunt’s collection of lighthouse statues and carvings along the shelf to the left. Photos of Aunt Lil and her on the beach in frames of every shade of teal, her aunt’s favorite color. She crossed over and picked up a photo, tracing her finger over her aunt’s face. She set it down and picked up a photo of her mother and Aunt Lil when they were in high school. They almost looked like twins, though they were two years apart.
She set the photo down, walked over to the couch, and grabbed the worn teal wrap hanging off the back. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the scent. It smelled of Aunt Lil, The Nest, the salty air... everything she loved about the island. With a sigh, she set the wrap back on the couch, grabbed her things, and headed down the hall to her bedroom.
She looked around the room. Not much had changed since she’d lived here. The old posters were down and rolled up in a corner, though. The same bedspread and her dresser with a music box on top. She opened the box and smiled as the familiar tune drifted across the room in tinkling, metallic tones.
She opened the blinds to let in the sunlight. She loved this inn. Why had she stayed away so long?
She stretched her arms and turned around to unpack. She was exhausted and hoped a quick shower would revive her. She’d been so tired that for a moment, back at the hospital, she thought she’d seen Noah McNeil.
Which was ridiculous.
Yes, she must be overly tired.
Sara quickly took her shower, then headed into the main part of the inn. The place looked exactly the same. Cheerful teal lettering on the large sign behind the reception desk said welcome. Large windows stretched across the front, peeking out to the Adirondack chairs spread across the long front porch. The large wooden double door with who knew how many coats of paint on it.
How many afternoons had she spent here after school either doing homework or later helping her aunt? So many great memories. Her aunt always plopped her down wherever she was working at the time.
The door swung open and Sara glanced at the woman standing there in the sunlight spilling through the doorway. “Tally?”
Tally looked at her in surprise. “Sara, you’re here. Oh, I’m so sorry about Lil.” Tally walked up to her and gave her a hug. “I hope she’s up and feeling better soon. I hear it was quite the fall. If there’s anything I can do, you let me know.”
“Thanks, Tally. I appreciate that.”
“I was just dropping by to see if Jay had any updates on Lil or needed anything.”
“She’s in a lot of pain. Sleeping a lot.”
“I’m sure she’ll be better in no time. She’s a feisty one, that Lil.”
“She is that.” Sara nodded.
“And you come by Magic Cafe while you’re here and get a meal. We’ll catch up. I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
Tally and her aunt both owned restaurants on Belle Island—though her aunt’s was a small dining room compared to Tally’s Magic Cafe—but they were friendly competitors and often helped each other out. Such were the townspeople here on the island. She’d missed that. Everyone seemed to be not-so-friendly competitors in Boston. Really, more like cutthroat competitors.
“I will come by.” She nodded. She would try. She would.
Tally had welcomed her from the first day she’d come to the island to live with her aunt. Frightened. Not knowing what was happening.
One day she’d been at home with the babysitter while her dad took her mom up in his plane. They’d loved to get away and go flying for a few hours. Then the next thing the police had been at the door, then the next day Aunt Lil had come. And soon after that, her things had been packed up in a handful of suitcases and boxes and she’d moved to Belle Island to live with her aunt.
“You going to help out your aunt with the inn while she’s out of commission?”
“I’m going to try.”
“Jay can help you. He’s a smart man. Been here with Lil for a long time. I’m sure you two can work it out.”
“I hope so. I mean I grew up working here, and sometimes helped cook, but I know nothing about running an inn.”
“Well, the offer stands. I’ll help in any way I can. And Susan will help, too, I’m sure.”
She looked at Tally and must have looked confused.
“Susan took over running her brother’s inn, Belle Island Inn.”
She vaguely r
emembered her aunt telling her that someone had taken over running Belle Island Inn. She nodded. “Thanks.” Yet another competitor willing to help.
“I better run. Just wanted to hear how Lil was doing. And the offer stands. Come by Magic Cafe.” Tally headed out the door and Sara made for the dining room and the craved cup of coffee.
She paused at the entryway, amazed by the changes. The dining area was twice the size it had been. It looked like Lil had taken out the wall between the dining area and the large storage room and extended the room out farther toward the beach so that an alcove of tables had a wonderful view of the water.
She was immediately met with the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee. Exactly what she needed. She crossed over to the counter at one side of the room and started to grab some from the coffeepot.
“Hey, I usually serve the customers.”
She spun around. “Hey, Jay.” He looked exactly the same. Tall, lean, sandy blonde hair in need of a haircut, and a t-shirt that said I Cook, Therefore You Eat. He never disappointed. There was always a t-shirt with some kind of saying on it. She smiled.
“Sara?”
“Yep. It’s me.”
“Been a long time.”
She wished everyone would quit reminding her how long it had been since she’d been home. “I came as soon as I heard about Aunt Lil.”
“How’s she doing? I dropped by the night she had surgery, but she was out of it. Besides, I kind of have my hands full here. Want to keep things running smoothly while she’s out of commission.”
“And I’m here to help.”
He looked at her skeptically. “Really?”
“Yes, I promised Aunt Lil.”
“I’m sure not going to turn down any help.” He waved to some new customers coming in and motioned for them to sit anywhere.
“Here, I’ll get them.” She eyed the cup of coffee she’d just poured.
He laughed. “Drink your coffee. The breakfast crowd is slowing down.”
She gratefully clasped the cup of coffee and went to the small office her aunt had at the back of the inn. Collapsing into the desk chair, she stared at the pile of papers on the worn desk. She riffled through the pages. Orders in one pile. Bills in another. Her aunt’s business checkbook sprawled across the desk. Did Aunt Lil still write checks for everything? No online banking?
Her phone beeped and she looked at it. A text from Diane with a handful of questions. Ones that were answered if Diane would carefully read the report she’d given her. She typed in the answers, leaving out the snarky remark to just check the file.
She set the phone on the desk and took a sip of the coffee, trying not to despair. Somehow she was going to have to figure all this out and keep Diane happy and come up with a campaign for Coastal Furniture?
Chapter 4
Jay finally chased Sara away about six, saying it was a slow evening. She went to the hospital to check on Aunt Lil, but she was sound asleep, so she drove back to The Nest and sank onto the couch, grateful to be off her feet. She’d forgotten how tiring it was working at the inn. She’d worked the front desk for a while, handled some guests’ problems, and helped serve the beginning of the dinner crowd.
She glanced over to the photos, got up, and picked up a photo of Aunt Lil standing outside the inn.
“Oh, Aunt Lil, what am I going to do? I don’t know a thing about running your inn, but I can’t let you down.”
A quick double-knock at the back door grabbed her attention, and she put the photo carefully back in place. Before she could cross to answer the door, it swung wide open.
Robin swept into the room. “I figured you’d need some moral support. Heard you worked at the inn today.”
“I did. I’m exhausted.”
“You look horrible.” Robin grinned.
She shoved a rebellious lock of hair from her face. “Gee, thanks. I told Aunt Lil I’d help, but what do I know about the business side of things?”
“I’m here to help. Anything and everything. What can I do for you?”
“I don’t even know where to start…”
“I tell you what. It’s getting late. I’m going to raid Lil’s stash of wine… you know she always has a nice bottle of red around here somewhere. We’re going to go out on the deck and watch the sunset. Tomorrow we’ll deal with the inn.”
There were no words for how grateful she was for the support. She let Robin pour them wine and lead her out onto the deck. She took a deep breath of the salty air. She’d get through this, she would. But thank goodness for Robin’s help. And Jay’s.
They settled onto the wooden chairs lining the private deck tucked to the side of The Nest with an amazing view of the sea. Robin handed her a glass. Slowly the sound of the waves and their mesmerizing march to the shore soothed her. She glanced down the beach toward Lighthouse Point. She had to make time to go walk down there. The lighthouse had always been a touchstone to her. An anchor in her life. A constant watching over her.
“There you are.”
She turned to see Charlotte standing at the stairs at the end of the deck.
“I thought I’d find you out here.”
“Char.” She jumped up and hurried over to her friend. Charlotte threw her arms around her. “What are you doing here?”
“Heard about Lil and that you were actually here in town. Thought I’d come visit.”
“All the way from California?”
“Yep, made plans to come as soon as Robin called me.” Charlotte looked at them and eyed their glasses of wine. “Hey, you started without me. I’m going to go grab a glass and join you.”
She came back out, filled her glass, and sat beside them. “How’s Lil doing?”
“She’s still pretty out of it. Dropped by to see her tonight, but she was sleeping.”
“So how long until she’s up and about?” Charlotte looked at her. “You going to stay until she’s all recovered?”
That’s Charlotte. Always direct and to the point.
“I’m not sure how long I can stay. I’m going to try and work remotely, but I don’t know how long I can do that.”
“Who’s running the inn?” Charlotte took a sip of wine.
“Me?” She shrugged.
Robin laughed. “Sara offered to help out, but she’s in over her head with everything. I offered to help her.”
“I could help,” Charlotte offered.
“But your painting… I thought you had that gallery show coming up.”
“That… didn’t pan out.” She shook her head and looked out at the water. “I could stay here a bit. I miss the island. I miss you two.”
“I’m not going to turn down any help that’s offered, that’s for sure. Busy season is coming and Aunt Lil is already short a worker she said. I need to find her more help and figure out stuff like ordering and paying bills and… well, everything.”
“I’m your girl.” Charlotte tapped her chest with her finger. “Haven’t worked at the inn since high school, but I bet I can manage.”
Somehow she couldn’t picture Charlotte waiting tables in the expanded dining room or cleaning the cottages, but who was she to turn away help?
“Then you should stay here with me at the inn while you’re here. We’re not full yet. I’ll get you a room.”
Charlotte grinned. “I was hoping you’d offer.”
“Perfect, then it’s settled.” She leaned back in the chair and took a sip of the wine. The mild night air swirled around her, stirring up memories, reminding her how much she’d missed the island.
“I’m so glad you two are here.” She almost choked on the words. She was so grateful to have her friends with her, by her side. Everything seemed almost normal sitting here with them.
“No other place I’d be.” Robin’s lips curved in a quick smile.
“Me either,” Charlotte agreed.
They sat in silence and watched the sunset explode across the sky in brilliant oranges and purples.
“The three of us back t
ogether again, just like old times,” Robin said softly. “I’m just sorry it took Lil’s accident to make it happen.”
Chapter 5
Sara dropped in to see Aunt Lil the next morning after the breakfast rush at the inn. She had to hurry back soon, though, to meet up with Robin and Charlotte. They’d promised her they’d conquer the inn and get things running smoothly.
“Sara, dear. There you are.” Aunt Lil was sitting up in bed eating a bit of late breakfast. That was an improvement.
“Good morning. Glad to see you up this morning.”
“I told them they had to cut back on the pain meds. They were just knocking me out. That’s no way to live.”
“But are you in pain?” She scanned her aunt’s face for any signs.
“It’s manageable.”
“Don’t act too tough. You need time to heal.”
Aunt Lil frowned. “About that. The doctor came in early this morning and we had a talk. Well, she talked. I argued.”
“What did she say?”
“She thinks in a few days it would be best for me to go to a rehab place on the mainland. I need daily physical therapy and time to get my strength back.”
“You should listen to her.”
“I told her I could get stronger at home, but there is the daily physical therapy thing she insists I need.”
“Then you’ll go to the rehab place and get stronger,” she insisted.
Her aunt sighed. “But the inn and the busy season coming… oh, and did Jay tell you we’re in the middle of renovating two cottages and they have to get finished? We have them almost fully booked for the season. Well, at least one of them.”
No, Jay hadn’t told her that. He was probably afraid she’d run screaming back to Boston. “All of which I have under control.” Just a tiny exaggeration. She hopefully would after Robin and Charlotte helped her out.
“It’s too much for you to do. And your job…”
“I’m working remotely.” As if to taunt her, her phone beeped. She glanced at it, then slipped it back in her purse. Diane could wait a few minutes for her answer.
