Page 34 of Captiva Café

Maggie slung her bag over her shoulder and looked at Merritt. “Are you ready?”

Merritt nodded. “Lead the way.”

“Have fun you two,” Iris called out as Merritt and Maggie walked out to the back porch to say goodbye to Paolo.

“We shouldn’t be too long,” Maggie said as she kissed Paolo on the cheek.

“Don’t forget to stop by the Captiva Chronicle. You wouldn’t want Merritt to miss meeting Linda,” he teased.

“Very funny,” Maggie responded as they walked down the driveway and toward the path leading to Andy Rosse Lane.

Maggie led the way as they passed the fire station, post office and Captiva Village Square with various shops.

“I’m always stopping in here for a Starbucks and a piece of jewelry. I’ve done it so many times now, I’ve decided it’s a tradition.”

Merritt smiled. “Don’t let me stop you.”

Maggie laughed. “I think just this once I’ll pass.”

They continued, passing Cantina Captiva and the Beach Stuff store they then stopped at The Bubble Room. “If you do nothing else while you’re on Captiva Island, you must come here and get a slice of one of their cakes. I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you. Trust me, you’ll never forget a Bubble Room cake.”

They rounded a curve in the path on Andy Rosse Lane. The small village center came into view—a collection of brightly colored buildings with metal roofs and homes with wide verandas, nestled among palms and flowering bushes.

"Island time is real," Merritt commented, seeming to relax as they walked. "I've noticed I've been sleeping better here, despite..." She trailed off again.

"Despite what?" Maggie ventured gently.

Merritt shook her head. "Nothing. Just some baggage I brought with me. Not the kind you can unpack and put in a dresser drawer."

Maggie nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Well, the island's good at helping people sort through that kind of baggage too."

They approached a colorful building with several tables already filled with tourists. A hand-painted sign reading "RC Otters” adorned the front and Maggie waved at a familiar waitress. “Hey, Caroline.”

“Hi, Maggie, looks like another beautiful Captiva Island day.”

Maggie nodded. The scent of fresh bread and coffee wafted through the open windows, and children played with the ring-swing game attached to a pole.

"This is my second favorite place on the island, after the inn," Maggie said. "Sandy runs it. As a matter of fact, she owns several of these buildings you see here. Captiva IslandInn is just over there. She’s got the main building and several smaller cottages, each named after a flower. RC Otters has the best coffee and pastries this side of Miami, and I can say that running a B&B myself."

As they stepped inside, the café was humming with morning activity. Behind the counter, a tall woman with silver-streaked dark hair was steaming milk, while a shorter woman with freckles and auburn hair arranged pastries in a display case.

"Maggie!" the taller woman called out. "And you must be the mysterious musician we've been hearing about."

Maggie made the introductions. "Merritt, this is Franny," she gestured to the taller woman, "and Cassy," nodding toward the auburn-haired woman. "They've been island fixtures much longer than Paolo and I."

"Going on twenty years," Franny said, wiping her hands on her apron before offering one to Merritt.

"Maggie tells us you're a musician," Cassy said, studying Merritt with interest. "We're always looking for new talent for our live music in here on weekend evenings." She nodded across the street. “Key Lime Bistro has music too. We hire for both places. Are you interested?”

Merritt's cheeks flushed slightly. "I haven't performed much lately. Just playing for myself."

"Well, we'd love to have you play here," Franny said, sliding a plate with two pastries next to the coffees. "On the house. Mango Danish—specialty of the day."

Maggie led Merritt to a small table just inside from the porch. Through the glass, they could see construction across the street—wooden framing for what looked like another small building.

"What's going on over there?" Merritt asked, nodding toward the construction.

"Another expansion," Maggie explained. "They're adding a little music venue and wine bar."

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