Page 108 of Unexpected Entanglement

“Me, too. Excellent,” Chris said.

“Unfortunately,” Rae chimed in. “I heard there’s some opposition to the inn reopening?”

“There is.” Chris nodded with a heavy sigh. “Some local business owners are worried about the impact the inn reopening might bring to the island. You know, a big inflow of tourists coming in and out. Could be a nuisance for the locals.”

“I love tourists,” Morgan said. “I’d love the type of tourists who would buy my products. You know, like the tourists that stay at the inn, like Rae here. You came in because you just love the toiletries at the inn, right?”

“That’s why I’m here.” Rae smiled widely at Morgan and started taking bottles from the display.

“Which local business owners are you talking about?” Charlotte demanded. “You know that Ada’s and my husbands have a lot of influence in this community, right?”

“We do.”

“I’m sure our husbands can change these people’s minds. I think reopening Bright Head will be great progress for Vinalhaven,” Charlotte said. “Don’t you think, Ada?”

“Too many tourists could be a hassle to our way of life, Charlotte.” Ada wasn’t a follower, after all.

“I don’t think the capacity of Bright Head Inn would bring the throng of tourists some people are afraid of,” Chris added. “But it’s enough to boost the economy of the entire island. Rowan is already collaborating with businesses like Morgan’s and the yoga hut.”

Ada still looked skeptical.

“Are you an artist, Ada?” Rae asked, studying Ada’s hands and attire.

“I’m a potter,” she said. “But I’m not serious about it.”

“She is, too. Her dinnerware collections are gorgeous, but she only sells them from her workshop.”

“Do you have pictures of your work?” Rae asked.

Ada pulled out her cellphone and showed them pictures of a simple and elegant dish set and another with a more whimsical design.

“Those are beautiful,” Chris said, feeling relieved at the quality. “You know, Rowan hopes to display local artists’ work at theinn to show and sell on behalf of the artists. Perhaps you and your fellow artists would be interested in a conversation.”

“I can ask around,” Ada said.

“Perfect,” Chris said.

“You know, I have an idea.” Rae’s face was bright with inspiration as she smiled at the older ladies.

“You can’t say there have been no changes on the island,” Meredith said as they walked down Main Street.

She and Rowan had finished their nail appointments while Caroline and Daphne, Meredith’s best friend and maid of honor, were still finishing theirs.

“There are so many new businesses we didn’t have back in the day,” Meredith continued.

“Of course. But these changes didn’t come without a struggle,” Rowan said. “I’m all about preserving the island’s natural surroundings, but we can do that and welcome more tourists. Now, I’m not talking about thousands of tourists each day. I’m talking about specific types of vacationers. Maybe nature lovers who would love a seabird tour.”

“Eco-tourism?” Meredith echoed.

“Exactly.”

They reached the end of the storefront strip, so they turned around. They’d already dropped into Morgan’s store. Apparently, Chris had brought Rae in earlier, and they’d had an interesting conversation with Charlotte Gibbes and Ada Parker.

Rowan was making a mental note to ask them about that when a big man stepped out of the hardware store into their path. Both Meredith and Rowan stopped short.

“Excuse me. Sorry, ladies. Oh, hey, Rowan.” Greg smiled at her.

“Greg, how are you?” Rowan summoned a friendly smile.

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