Page 47 of Return to Rosewood Beach

“How is Vivian doing?” the waitress asked. “Is The Lighthouse Grill going to be all right?”

Julia sighed. “I hope so. We’re doing everything we can.”

The waitress nodded, and then lowered her voice. “That man—that Judd McCormick—has been lingering around more than ever. I know he’s got all those fancy ideas about him and his sons taking over your property. I heard him talking about it on the phone to someone one day. I hope he won’t manage it, but I know it’s hard for small businesses to fight against these big ones that are expanding.”

“I know.” Julia nodded, doing her best to smile, but internally her heart was sinking. The waitress was right. They didn’t stand much of a chance against the McCormicks.

“It would be such a shame if your pub turned into some silly brewery.” The waitress sighed. “Rosewood Beach loves that place. It’s been the town’s favorite restaurant for years.”

“Thank—oh!” Julia suddenly sat up straighter as she was struck with an idea.

“What?” Alexis asked, leaning forward.

“That’s true. Our community loves the pub. What if we had a fundraiser for it? Save The Lighthouse Grill!”

“Oh, that sounds like a wonderful idea,” said the waitress.

Alexis nodded, looking excited. “I think that could work,” she said. Her sadness over Grayson seemed to be fading as she became enthusiastic about Julia’s inspiration. “That’s a great idea.”

“We’ll absolutely put up fliers here if you decide to do that,” the waitress assured them warmly. “Keep us posted.”

She excused herself and returned a moment later with piping hot plates of eggs benedict. As she and Alexis started to eat the delicious food, Julia could see a worried frown return to her sister’s face.

“Hey.” She reached across the table and squeezed Alexis’s hand. “Things are going to be okay with Grayson.”

Alexis pressed her lips together. “I just—I’m not sure. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“I understand. I can relate—since I’m jobless, I’m also in an uncertain place and I know how hard that is. But let’s focus on what we do know—we’re here together now, and we want to keep The Lighthouse Grill. Let’s focus on saving the pub and push aside our other worries for a while.”

Alexis nodded, smiling a little. “I agree. Let’s focus on saving the pub.”

They continued to eat their lunch, beginning to talk excitedly about what a fundraiser for The Lighthouse Grill could look like.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Cooper glanced up at Vivian’s charming house as he walked up the front sidewalk. He felt butterflies dance in his chest, and he took a deep breath. He’d been to the house a couple of times to pick Julia up, but he’d never been inside it before. Now he was about to spend time with Julia and her family in the house.

She’d invited him to come over for dinner early that morning, and he’d accepted eagerly. He was looking forward to spending time with her, but he also felt nervous about going to dinner at her mother’s house.

Still, I feel better than I did the other night, he thought to himself with a chuckle.

He’d hired Callie to babysit for him again, and it was clear that she and Macey already had a bond. When he’d returned home from bowling with Julia the other night, Macey had been sound asleep and smiling happily. The next day, she’d kept talking excitedly about what a fun time she’d had with the babysitter.

He smiled to himself as he stepped up to the front door of the house. He was feeling better and more confident about everything—about his abilities as a single father, about leavingMacey with a babysitter, and about his blossoming relationship with Julia.

He rang the doorbell, feeling a surge of excitement overcome his flutters of nervousness. In the next second, Julia ripped the front door open and tugged him inside.

“Hi,” she said breathlessly. “I need to talk to you.”

“Oh, uh—” For a moment, he felt worried that something had gone wrong, but her eyes were bright and there was a smile on her face. “Sure.”

Taking his hand, she led him into the living room. He got a quick glimpse of cream-colored walls covered in family photographs and a vase filled with fresh flowers on the mantelpiece before Julia practically pushed him onto the couch.

“Sit here. I have an idea.” She stood in front of him, her cheeks flushed and her hands gesturing enthusiastically as she started to talk. “I think I know how we’re going to save the pub. I had an idea when I was out with Alexis this morning, and now I’ve formed a plan. We’re going to have a fundraiser to save the pub.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea!”

“Thank you. I’m still working out all of the details, but what I have so far is this. First, we advertise for the fundraiser in coffee shops, other restaurants, banks, and libraries. Also by word of mouth—that’s huge here in Rosewood Beach. We’ll need to spend some money on fliers, but not too much. I can cover those costs myself, as far as that goes.”

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