Page 25 of Captiva Café

Maggie smiled. “You’re right about that, but I didn’t do it alone.Webuilt this family.”

Looking at the calendar Paolo had prepared, with every single date marked with full occupancy, Maggie felt both trepidation and determination. The coming months would test them all in ways they hadn't experienced before. But if there was one thing she'd learned in her years on Captiva, it was this: challenges that seemed impossible alone became merely difficult when faced together.

And difficult, they could handle.

Once the sunroom had emptied, Maggie collected the remaining coffee cups and pastry plates, balancing them carefully as she made her way back to the kitchen. She found Iris already deep in menu planning, sheets of paper spread across the counter as she created different breakfast rotation options.

"I'm thinking we do themed days," Iris said without looking up. "Mediterranean Mondays with feta and spinach frittatas, Southern Tuesdays with biscuits and gravy—that sort of thing. Gives us a framework but still feels special."

"I love it," Maggie said, setting the dishes in the sink. "It gives guests something to look forward to, especially repeat visitors."

Iris nodded, making another note. "And we can prep certain components ahead, which will save time during the morning rush."

"You're brilliant," Maggie told her. "I don't say that enough."

Iris looked up, momentarily startled by the compliment. "Just doing my job."

"No." Maggie shook her head. "You're doing far more than that. We all know it."

A slight flush colored Iris's cheeks as she ducked her head back to her planning. "I should have these menu rotations ready by tomorrow morning. We'll need to adjust our ordering with suppliers too."

"Leave the supply orders to me," Maggie assured her. "You focus on what you do best."

She left Iris to her work and headed toward the office, where she found Millie on the phone, confirming a reservation with the careful, welcoming tone she used exclusively for guests. Maggie waited until she hung up before entering.

"That was Mrs. Harrington from Atlanta," Millie reported. "Party of four arriving September 15th for her husband's retirement celebration. She wanted to know if we could arrange a small cake for their first night."

"Of course we can," Maggie said, making a note on the desk calendar. "I’ll talk to Iris."

"Already noted." Millie tapped her notebook. "Along with Mrs. Harrington's shellfish allergy and Mr. Harrington's preference for room-temperature water with lemon."

Maggie raised an eyebrow, impressed as always by Millie's attention to detail. "What would we do without you?"

"Fortunately, you'll never have to find out," Millie replied with a smile. "I have no life and nowhere else to be."

"That's not true," Maggie protested, though they both knew Millie's dedication to the inn often did border on the extreme.After arriving at the inn years ago, she had channeled her considerable energy into her work, becoming indispensable in the process.

"It's true enough," Millie said lightly. "Besides, I like being busy. Keeps the mind sharp."

Before Maggie could respond, her cell phone buzzed with an incoming call. The screen displayed her mother's name, accompanied by a photo of her mother grinning from the driver's seat of her van, peace sign held up to the camera.

"Speak of the devil," Maggie muttered, showing the screen to Millie.

"The Van Influencer herself." Millie chuckled. "Better answer it. She might have another hundred guests to send our way."

Maggie groaned but accepted the call. "Hi, Mom. We were just talking about you."

"All good things, I hope," came Grandma Sarah's cheerful voice. "Though with that tone, I doubt it."

"We're dealing with the aftermath of your latest viral video," Maggie explained. "The inn is completely booked through Thanksgiving."

"Oh, wonderful!" Grandma Sarah exclaimed, genuinely delighted. "My manager will be thrilled to hear that."

Maggie nearly dropped the phone. "Your what?"

"My content manager," her mother repeated as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Belinda helps me plan my video schedule and optimize my keywords for maximum engagement. She used to work in marketing before she hit the road."

"Mom," Maggie said slowly, processing this new information. "Are you telling me you have a staff now?"

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