“That would be great!” I put down some money to cover our lunch, and follow her outside. As usual, the town is bustling with summer activity. Some people are putting up ticker-tape around the gazebo, and a banner too. “What’s going on?” I ask, as we stroll down towards the harbor.
“Oh, it’s a big party we throw every year,” Juliet explains. “There’s a cook-out and live music. It’s a lot of fun.”
“Sounds great. I’ll remember to tell my guests all about it. The first ones arrive tomorrow,” I add.
“Are you nervous?”
“Yes!” I laugh. “I don’t know what to expect. I’ve been baking around the clock, I just hope everything is how they remember. I’ve got a lot to live up to.”
“I’m sure they’ll have a great time,” Juliet reassures me. “And once they taste your cinnamon rolls, they’ll be too happy to complain about a thing.”
“I hope so,” I smile. Juliet and Emerson have been the main benefactors of my baking kick: taste-testing to help me get the recipes just right. “I don’t want to let Nana down.”
“No way. I bet she’d get such a kick out of all this.” Juliet turns by the bar, and takes the external stairs to the apartment above the main building. She knocks lightly, but there’s no reply.
“Carina?” she calls softly, opening the door and stepping inside. I follow her in, as a blonde woman emerges from the bedroom.
“Shh!” she whispers, hugging Juliet. “I just put him down.”
“This is my sister, Carina,” she introduces me. “This is Noelle, I was telling you about her.”
“The baker of all the cakes!” Carina lights up. “Oh my God, I’ve been loving all these deliveries. Every time Jules comes over, she’s got some new delicious treat.”
“Plus, I’m amazing company,” Juliet adds, laughing.
“That too.” Carina hugs me. “How are you? Sorry about the mess. I wish I could blame little Sawyer, but it’s all Garrett. My husband,” she adds with an affectionate eye-roll. “Somehow, he manages to keep the bar spotless, but can’t bring himself to put away a shirt.”
“Maybe because he hires someone to clean down there,” Juliet quips.
“Oh yeah, that.” Carina gestures us over to the living area. It’s a cute apartment, bright and breezy. She moves some toys off the couch to make room for us. “Jules says you’re starting a business?”
“Carrying one on, really. The B&B at Rose Cottage,” I explain. “I’ve been redecorating, and now I’d love to get the word out. Nana never did any advertising.”
“No problem!” Carina exclaims. “I have a ton of contacts at travel magazines from my old job. I can put together a press release, and send it out to the list. Do you have pictures?”
I nod, pulling out my laptop. “And a website too.”
“Perfect.” She smiles. “Leave it with me, magazines love the whole small-town charm thing,” she adds. “And with the grandmother angle, it’s perfect.”
“Thanks so much,” I tell her gratefully. “I’m learning as I go, and anything you can do will be a big help.”
A cry comes from the next room. Carina starts to rise, but Juliet leaps up. “I’ll go.” She exits into the bedroom, and reemerges a moment later with a baby in her arms.
“You don’t want to miss all the gossip, do you?” she coos, rocking the bundle of swaddling. “You’ve missed your auntie Jules too much.”
“You’re a natural.” Carina watches them fondly. She gives me a look, “I swear, sometimes she’s the only one who can get him to settle down.”
“Are you and Emerson planning any?” I ask, curious.
Juliet gives a coy little shrug.
“Come on,” Carina laughs. “You know you want one.”
“Maybe…” Juliet grins. “We haven’t really talked about it yet. We decided to wait until after the restaurant was up and running, and we’d had some time to ourselves.”
“Well, don’t wait too long. Sawyer needs a friend for playdates.” Carina leans over and kisses his head. “Thanks for taking him this afternoon.” She adds, already grabbing her purse. “I need some time alone.”
“Any big plans?” I ask, as we say goodbye and head out.
“Yes! I’m going to take a three-hour nap,” Carina says, smiling blissfuly. I laugh. “How about you?”
“More work back at the house,” I say. And avoiding Ash, I add silently. Whenever I think about my hazy memories of propositioning him, I cringe. “And thanks again for helping out.”
“Are you kidding? I love this stuff. I’ll make those calls and let you know,” Carina promises. “This is going to be fun!”
She heads off in a different direction with a wave. Then I feel my phone buzz in my pocket with a new message; I lift it out to find the thing I’ve been secretly dreading all week now.
A text from my mom.
Can you pick up the food on your way over? Order’s at China Kitchen.
I stop. I’ve been avoiding breaking the news, but now there’s no delaying it anymore—not with both my parents expecting me to dinner tonight, a few hundred miles away.
I brace myself, lift the phone to my ear, and dial.