Page 57 of Beachcomber Motel
“You did such a great job,” Maddie gushed.
“Sorry you didn’t win,” Jules said.
“I’m kind of glad Bronwyn won. She needed the money for her grandmother,” Gina said. “I know we could use the money for the motel, too, but I think this whole thing was a big win overall. We proved that people are welcome back to Shell Cove.”
“We did. And when the show airs on TV, more of them will come, at least for a while.” Maddie looked a bit stressed for a second, but then she brightened. “I say we celebrate with coffees from Ocean Brew.”
Gina felt better than she had in a long time as she joined her cousins at Ocean Brew. The divorce and all the self-doubt had taken its toll, but her time in Shell Cove had been therapeutic. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she belonged. Shell Cove was a beautiful town with great people, and it didn’t hurt that Cassie knew exactly how to make a latte just the way she liked it.
She turned from the counter with hers in hand and noticed Nick Barlowe coming in the door, his gaze pinned on Jules as he came toward them.
“I think someone might want to talk to you.” Gina jutted her chin toward Nick.
Jules frowned. “Who?” She turned just as Nick reached them.
“Hi, Jules.” Nick sounded nervous. He half smiled at Gina and Maddie.
“Hi,” Jules said.
The two of them stood there staring at each other. Gina could feel the tension and the attraction between the two of them.
“Can I talk to you?” Nick asked Jules.
Clearly he meant alone, so Gina took Maddie’s arm and pulled her away. “Let’s go sit on the bench across from Saltwater Sweets and watch them make chocolate. We’ll catch you later, Jules.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Jules stirred another packet of sugar into her coffee and watched the steam swirl up. Nick had suggested they sit in the corner booth, and she was brimming with curiosity over what he wanted to talk to her about. It reminded her of the day they’d sat in there talking about themselves. She’d felt a connection that day. Maybe things weren’t ruined between them.
“I’m sorry I got testy at the bank the other day and acted like a snob the other night when we were having ice cream.” Jules figured she would get that out of the way. She was embarrassed that she’d acted like a spoiled child. “I’m not usually prone to dramatics like that.”
Nick’s smile lit his face, and she couldn’t help but smile herself. “I’m the one who should be apologizing.”
“You already did.” Jules looked at him from underneath her lashes. “So maybe we should forget all about it. As it turns out, getting the occupancy permit was actually a good thing because we needed it to rent the rooms to the baking show.”
“I’d like that.” Nick put a stack of papers on the table between them.
“What’s that?”
He pushed the papers toward her. “It’s the loan for the Beachcomber. You and your cousins just need to look it over and sign in the appropriate spots. If you have formed a business entity, write that in and initial.”
Jules stared down at the paperwork. She’d actually been a little disappointed that Gina had lost the contest. That prize money would have come in handy at the Beachcomber. Even though Maddie was making it sound like they were doing okay, she knew that with the baking contest crew leaving, there wouldn’t be much money coming in until the show aired and brought a trickle of tourists, but even that wouldn’t be forever.
“You mean the bank approved it?”
“Yep. I worked it out with the main branch.”
Jules stared at him. She had a feeling that he’d had to jump through some hoops to work it out. “What about your grandfather?”
“It turns out he’s all for it.”
“Seriously? This is awesome.” Jules thumbed through the papers. Now she knew for sure she was right where she was supposed to be.
Jules looked out the window to see Rose, Pearl, and Leena walking past.
They were with Nick’s grandfather, talking and laughing.
“Your grandfather does seem happier lately,” Jules said.
