Page 19 of Starfish Cottage
No one raised a hand.
“Okay, then I guess we should vote.”
Rose was already out of her seat and replacing Maddie at the podium.
“I don’t need to tell anyone here how important it is to bring tourists back to Shell Cove. I think Maddie has proposed a fun and unique event. So, without further ado, everyone in favor, raise your hand.”
To Maddie’s relief, a sea of hands went up.
Rose counted. “It’s official. The event is on! We’ll set up a committee to study the details and for review of the progress. Now, you can all go eat.”
Chairs scraped back, and people raced each other to the food table.
Maddie unplugged her laptop with mixed feelings. She was glad the presentation had gone well and almost everyone was on board… everyone except Constance Harbinger. But the event was good for the town. Surely Constance wouldn’t do anything to get it shut down?
* * *
“This pie is delicious.How do you get the crust so flakey?” Cecily Swenson shoved another forkful of blueberry pie into her mouth and closed her eyes.
“And the presentation.” Alma Stonely held her hand to her chest. “So divine!”
Gina beamed with pride. After Maddie had finished her presentation, people had made a beeline for the food table, and several had gone directly to Gina’s pie.
She had to admit, the pie did look amazing. She’d made a fluted lattice for the top and sprigs of leaves made out of dough with blueberries in the center. It was the most attractive dish on the table even if she did say so herself.
Her gaze fell on the chocolate-dipped pretzels. Maddie had looked embarrassed when she’d dropped them on the table. Gina pretended to rearrange some of the dishes and slid the pretzels behind the triple-chocolate layer cake. She didn’t need anyone making negative comments and bringing Maddie down.
Gina was starting to get a reputation for the pies, and it felt good to have created something that people appreciated. She hadn’t felt that way in a long time, mostly due to her husband, Hugh, who had always made her feel like she couldn’t do anything right. But that was in the past. No sense in wasting time thinking about Hugh now… except… she might need to think about him, if she wanted to give herself the best future that she deserved. But not right now. Right now she wanted to enjoy the moment. Maddie’s presentation had been fantastic, and everyone in town seemed excited about it. She was positive things were going to work out for Shell Cove and her own future.
She smiled at Cecily. “The secret to flakey crust is in how you mix in the butter.”
“Oh, do tell exactly how.”
“I can’t give away all my secrets,” Gina teased.
Cecily and Alma laughed. “You are a treat! I’m so glad you girls moved to town.”
Gina’s heart expanded at the compliment. No one had ever said that to her in Boston.
“You really should start a bakery. We don’t want to have to wait for another town meeting to get some of this pie.” Cecily said.
“That’s a great idea.” Pearl had joined the group. She gave Gina a pointed look. “That old bakery shop in town is still empty.”
Pearl had once pointed out an old store in town that had been a bakery and still had the equipment perfect for pie baking. Gina wasn’t quite ready for that, but she was getting close.
“I have enough right now, practicing on the Beachcomber guests,” Gina said.
“Speaking of which, Maddie’s presentation was good. I think this event sounds fun,” Rose said. She and Leena stood beside them with full plates.
“It does sound fun, but at least one person here didn’t think so,” Leena said before taking a bite of a deviled egg.
Rose made a face “Constance.”
“I’m a little worried about her. Do you think she’ll cause trouble?” Maddie leaned over Gina to get to the cream cheese brownies.
“Hopefully not,” Pearl said.
“Don’t be too sure. She’s had a bee in her bonnet for years. Wouldn’t surprise me if she doesn’t evenwantthe town to succeed,” Leena said.
