I love listening to this woman talk. She and her sisters moved here from South Carolina a few years ago to open this incredible restaurant, and I’m so glad they did. Scoring something new in a town like ours is refreshing. And it doesn’t happen very often.
“But enough about us, how are you doing out there on the cliffs all by yourself?” Cordelia takes a seat in the chair next to mine rather than behind her desk and tucks a stray piece of dark hair behind her ear. She’s poised and always perfectly dressed, the epitome of what I’ve always pictured a southern woman to be.
“Oh, I’m great. But, based on what you just told me, I think your answer will be no. And I understand.”
“Well, honey, you won’t know unless you ask. What do you need?”
I press my lips together and then smile at her. “I’m opening a bed and breakfast.”
As I tell Cordelia about my plans, her face changes from surprise, to interest, to pure excitement.
“This all sounds absolutely wonderful,” she gushes and pats me on the arm. “And it’s exactly what our little town needs. I know folks are curious about your lighthouse, me being one of them, so inviting guests in to experience it all firsthand is just fantastic. Maybe you could do an open house just for the citizens of Huckleberry Bay to come inside and snoop around before you’re bombarded with guests.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” I reply, already loving the thought.
“Now, what do you need from us?” Cordelia asks.
“Well, I’ll be providing breakfast and an all-day snack bar for the guests. I would love it if I could work with you and your sisters on some baked goods to offer. I know you’re not a bakery, but your desserts are some of the best in town.”
Cordelia grins. “I know we can work something out. Mira would likely enjoy coming up with special items just for you. A Lighthouse Menu, if you will.”
“Mira is a genius in the kitchen.”
“That she is. And she loves coming up with new things. She’ll probably offer to do sack lunches with sandwiches and salads for you, as well.”
“Oh, that would be perfect.”
“When will you need us to start?” she asks, and I feel my cheeks heating with embarrassment. “That soon?” She raises an eyebrow.
“No.” I laugh a little and shake my head. “I haven’t even broken ground yet. But we should be underway by next week, and I hope to open for the summer season next year.”
Cordelia’s eyebrows climb into her perfect hairline. “That is fast.”
“I know it’s ambitious. Trust me, I know. But I’m crossing my fingers. Still, we have time to nail down the specifics. I just wanted to reach out to people I’d like to work with now, in case I’m told no and have to go to plan B.”
“And who was plan B for this?”
“I didn’t have one, so I’m relieved you said yes.”
She laughs, and a knock sounds on the door. Phoebe pokes her head in.
“Mr. Lovejoy is here to pick up pies, but Mary Beth accidentally sold one to another customer, and I’m pretty sure there’s about to be a riot out here.”
“I’m coming,” Cordelia assures her as we both stand. “Thank you for thinking of us. I’ll talk to Mira and Darla tonight after we close.”
“No, thank you for taking the time. I won’t take any more of it. Good luck with Mr. Lovejoy.”
“That man’s a teddy bear.”
I wave at Darla behind the pie counter and then hurry out of the restaurant to get out of everyone’s way. It’s an adrenaline rush in there.
Pleased with my first meeting, I sit in my car and pull my phone out of my purse to dial my brother’s number.
“Yello,” he says. I can hear a saw in the background. “Sorry, let me step out. Hold on.”
I grin and wait for a few minutes, watching a family walk down the sidewalk, all four of them eating ice cream from Huckleberry Delight. Maybe I’ll swing by there on my way home.
“Sorry,” Apollo says again. “We’re wrapping up a build, and it’s a madhouse in there today. What’s up with you?”
“It’s okay. I just have some good news and needed to share it. Three Sisters is going to work with me on the food side of things for the B&B.”
“We don’t even have walls yet, Luna.”
“I know.” I laugh and shrug, even though he can’t see me. “But I’m excited, and it doesn’t hurt to have things figured out. I’m organized.”
“I’ll say you are. Is the contractor there yet?”
“He’s coming tomorrow. June’s over there now, ripping out some rotten wood and cleaning things up. Hey, did you know there’s a super old car in the barn? It was in the corner, covered up.”
“No, I didn’t know that. How did we miss it?”