Page 27 of Meet Me on Blueberry Hill

Dani shook her head. “Not directly.” Then she flashed another overly bright smile at Sadie. “So, what did you think about the meeting?”

“You and Liam were clear with your plans, and I think people are getting excited about your cousin and Miss Dahlia putting on a show for the island.” Sadie pressed her back against the brick next to Dani. “For what it’s worth, I agree with Asher about the stage. A modular unit would be a lot less clunky.”

“But much more expensive.” Dani turned and leaned her shoulder against the building. “How’s the ad copy coming along? Will you have it ready to go to the printer by Monday?”

Sadie nodded as the pressure of her looming deadline weighed on her. “Somehow, I’ll find a way to capture the essence of the island in order to stir up excitement for the festival.”

Dani grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “See, that’s why I knew you were the right person. I wouldn’t have come up with the idea of ‘capturing the essence of the island.’”

“I don’t know about that. I’ll have it to you soon.” Sadie returned the squeeze, then nodded to the business next door. “I’m going to check things in the bakery while Gran’s still chatting with Doris and Annabelle. If she asks, will you tell her I’ll be back shortly?”

Dani nodded, then held up a finger. “Wait. Mind if I tag along?”

“Not at all.”

“Great, I just need a few minutes to clear my head. I’ll pop inside and let Liam know where I’m going.”

Sadie remained where she was while Dani headed back into Martha’s.

A moment later, Dani joined her, slinging her crossbody bag over her chest. “I told them. Your grandma’s laughing with Annabelle over Doris’s latest stories from manning the desk at the airport. Liam’s deep in conversation with Uncle Seb about something regarding the hotel renovations. I’m not even sure they paid attention to anything I said.”

“I’m glad Gran came tonight. It was good for her to get out and see her friends. She loves the island.” Sadie moved down a few squares on the sidewalk and stood in front of the once-thriving storefront that now sat dark and abandoned.

Her stomach tightened as she stared at the faded and torn blue-and-white canopy that fluttered in the breeze. The dusty window, with the wordsHudson Bakerycurved over a loaf of bread, appeared lifeless and forgotten.

She sighed. “Gramps used to throw open the windows every morning so scents of fresh bread and cinnamon rolls would waft down the block and entice customers to come into the store. He’d be so sad to see the state of this place now.”

“He knew how to grow his business.”

“And he did it through word of mouth. Refused to let me create a website or put them on social media.” Gramps’s deep voice echoed faintly through her head as he disagreed with her marketing ideas.

“No website can capture the smell of fresh-baked bread, Sadie girl.”

Dani sighed along with her. “I miss this place. Your grandma made the best cookies. And your grandpa’s Italian herb bread always sold out within hours of being put on the shelf.”

Sadie blinked back unexpected tears as memories resurfaced of her and Lauren racing down the sidewalk ahead of their parents to be the first one inside to claim the first cookie from Gran. “This was one of my favorite places on the island. So much love and laughter spilled out of here. I wish we didn’t have to sell it.”

Dani grabbed her arm. “Wait a minute. What do you mean? Your grandma’s selling the bakery?”

Gnawing on the corner of her lip, Sadie nodded. “Her cottage needs repairs she can’t afford. She doesn’t want to sell, but by doing so, she’ll have money to improve her home so she can stay on island. Otherwise, she’s considering moving to a senior complex in Port Joseph.”

“I can’t imagine the island without her.”

Sadie used Gran’s key and unlocked the front door. As she turned the doorknob, tarnished bells jingled against the glass. She flung it open, stepped inside, waited for Dani to enter, then closed the door behind them.

Stretching on her tiptoes, Sadie unhooked the bells from the top of the window and curled her fingers around the faded blue ribbon. “Lauren and I saved up our money and bought these for Gran and Gramps for Christmas one year. I was eight and she was ten. They’ve been hanging here ever since.”

Dani slung an arm over her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Take them home and give them a good polish. You can rehang them in Henrietta’s kitchen.”

Sadie reached for the light switch. No matter how many times she flipped the switch, the room remained dark. “I guess Gran had the utilities shut off when she closed up the place.”

“Many owners did the same thing after closing their doors.” Dani’s words held a thread of wistfulness.

They pulled out their phones and tapped on their flashlights. Sadie shined her light over the dust-covered, round tables where guests used to sit as they chatted over coffee and Gran’s baked goods.

Faint scents of vanilla and sugar mingled with the mustiness from being closed up. More than anything, she wanted to throw open a window like Gramps used to and allow the fresh air to circulate once again.

If only…

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