Page 70 of Captiva Café

Maggie considered the question seriously. "Better," she decided. "Still concerned about Lauren, but with a better perspective."

"Good. Then my work here is done."

Maggie laughed. "Thank you. For not letting me retreat into busy-ness instead of talking."

"That's what island sisters are for," Chelsea replied with a wink.

As Chelsea headed down the driveway toward her own home, Maggie stood for a moment on the porch, watching her friend's retreating figure. The newspaper in her hands represented one small victory—a problem identified and solved through friendship and a bit of creative leverage. Perhaps Lauren's situation, whatever it might be, would prove equally manageable in time.

For now, there were guests to welcome, rooms to prepare, an inn to run. And somewhere in Sarasota, a daughter who would call when she was ready, who would find her way through whatever challenge she was facing, bolstered by the resilience she'd inherited from her mother—whether Maggie fully recognized that legacy or not.

CHAPTER 25

Chelsea froze when she heard the distinctive rumble of an approaching vehicle. A large, gleaming RV painted in shades of turquoise and silver rolled into view, decorated with professionally printed graphics on both sides: "Silver Wanderings with Grandma Sarah" alongside a stylized image of a smiling, silver-haired woman with her arms spread wide against a backdrop of scenic vistas.

"Oh my God," Maggie murmured, frozen on the porch steps. "She didn't."

"She absolutely did," Chelsea replied, as she returned to Maggie’s side, admiration clear in her voice. "Your mother has branded her van. That's commitment to the influencer lifestyle. Wait a minute. That’s not the van she had when she left here last time. She upgraded?”

The Garrison Getaway, long gone, replaced by what could only be described as a traveling billboard, came to a smooth stop in front of the carriage house. Before the engine had even been turned off, several guests who had been lounging in the garden area were already approaching, phones raised to capture images of the famous vehicle.

"Is that her? Is that Grandma Sarah?" They heard an excited voice call out.

The driver's door swung open, and Sarah Garrison stepped out with a flourish, as if she'd been practicing her entrance. At seventy-nine, she cut an impressive figure—tall and straight-backed, her silver hair styled in a chic bob, wearing what appeared to be hiking pants made of some technical fabric.

"Hello, everyone!" she called out cheerfully. "What a lovely welcome!"

Maggie closed her eyes briefly. "This can't be happening."

"Oh, but it is," Chelsea said, not bothering to hide her delight. "And it's magnificent."

Two women who had been checking in rushed out the front door, nearly colliding with Maggie and Chelsea in their excitement.

"Grandma Sarah! We're huge fans of your channel!" one of them called out, phone already recording. "Your video about senior-friendly hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains inspired our whole trip!"

Sarah beamed, clearly in her element. "How wonderful! Did you try the Laurel Falls trail? It's my absolute favorite for the views-to-effort ratio."

"We did!" another woman exclaimed. "And we used your tip about going early to avoid the crowds. It was just like you said!"

A small crowd was quickly gathering around the van and its charismatic owner. Maggie watched in stunned disbelief as her mother—her seventy-nine-year-old, formerly retirement-community-dwelling mother—held court like a seasoned celebrity, graciously posing for selfies and answering questions about her recent adventures.

"I can't believe this is real," Maggie said faintly.

"I can't believe you're surprised," Chelsea countered. "Your mother has always had a flair for the dramatic.”

“I know, but this…this is...brand sponsorship. Look at the logo on her hiking vest!"

Sure enough, Sarah's outdoor vest featured a discreet but clearly visible logo for a high-end outdoor equipment company.

"Maggie!" Sarah finally spotted her daughter and waved, gesturing for her to join the impromptu meet-and-greet. "Come say hello to everyone!"

With a resigned sigh that Chelsea found deeply amusing, Maggie made her way down the steps and toward the gathering. Chelsea followed, unwilling to miss a moment of what promised to be excellent entertainment.

As they approached, Grandma Sarah was in the middle of describing her latest adventure to her rapt audience. "...and then the ranger said he'd never seen anyone my age navigate that particular trail, especially alone! But as I always say, age is just a number, and good preparation is everything. Speaking of which—" She reached into the van and pulled out what appeared to be an insulated water bottle with the same logo as her vest. "These are game-changers for long hikes. Keeps your water cold for twenty-four hours."

"Mom," Maggie said pointedly as she reached the group. "What a surprise. We weren't expecting you."

“I told you I was coming back for a spell. Besides, the best adventures are often unplanned, sweetheart," Sarah replied with a wink to her audience, who laughed appreciatively. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by to see my favorite daughter and her lovely inn."

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