Page 25 of Starfish Cottage
“You know it,” Nick said.
“Harley, I’ve been meaning to thank you for storing the Marco Rosone whisky.” Maddie smiled up at the man.
“No problem. I’m happy to help out. It’s downstairs where I keep the kegs, anytime you want it.”
“What are you going to do with it?” Nick asked.
“I was thinking maybe give it to the museum. I know it’s not open now, but if the town blossoms like I think it’s going to, we could get that up and running again,” Maddie said.
“And you could make a display and use some of the items from Deena’s trunk, if she’ll let you,” Jules suggested.
“That’s a great idea. Shell Cove’s most infamous resident,” Maddie said. “Maybe we could make the Marco Rosone event a yearly thing.”
“It does sound fun,” Dex said. “What’s the party going to be like?”
Maddie told them how she’d researched caterers so they could have some light food and even found a costume store that would come to Shell Cove and set up in one of the empty stores so anyone in town, including tourists, would have easy access to costumes. “I’ll have to get approval from the committee for that, but some of those stores have nothing in them, and the costume people said it would be easy for them to set up racks.”
“I love the idea of dressing up.” Jules looked at Nick. “I bet you’d look great in a pinstripe suit and gangster hat.”
Nick smiled at her and then steered the conversation in another direction. “You’re doing a great job on the event planning, Maddie. Everyone in town really appreciates it, especially me and Gramps.”
Maddie’s heart swelled. She wanted Shell Cove to succeed because of the motel and her cottage, but it pleased her to know that people appreciated her work.
“And I’m glad you guys are working together on the cottage and the event setup.” Jules raised her mug to them. “When you first started at the motel, I didn’t think I’d see you guys ever get along.”
Maddie glanced at Dex. Jules was right. At first, she’d thought Dex was too annoying to ever be friends with, but now she was getting used to him. Surprisingly she’d found him to be very helpful with the event too.
“It’s a minor miracle. We don’t actually have the same mode of operation.” Dex’s eyes twinkled at her over the rim of his beer.
“That’s true, but you guys do have some things in common,” Jules said.
“We do?”
Jules nodded. “You both have a good work ethic.”
“And you both care enough about Shell Cove to go the extra mile,” Nick added. “Besides, sometimes it’s better if you have different ways of approaching the job.”
Jules’s gaze shifted to the window, and her brows drew together slightly. Maddie turned to see that someone had stopped outside and was peering in. It was Lorelei. Her gaze scanned the bar then stopped at their table. Dex’s back was to the window, but she clearly recognized him, and then her gaze settled on Maddie. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips turned down.
“I think someone is looking for you.” Maddie poked Dex’s arm and then nodded toward the window.
Dex turned. “Oh. I guess she got in early. I gotta run.” He stood and threw some bills on the table. “See you guys later.”
They watched him rush out and greet Lorelei on the sidewalk. The two walked away hand in hand, and Maddie turned back to Nick and Jules. “Doesn’t she like beer?”
“Nope. She’s more the fancy-cocktail-bar type,” Nick said.
“Really?” Maddie sipped her beer and glanced out the window again. “Doesn’t seem like Dex is that type.”
“He isn’t, but I guess somehow it works for them.”
“Does it?” Jules asked. “I mean, they don’t seem very happy.”
Nick shrugged. “They’ve been together forever, so I guess I stopped noticing. Ithinkit works for them.”
“I’m sure it does.” Maddie turned her attention back to the table and Jules and Nick, but she caught herself wondering if things really did work with Dex and Lorelei. She’d sensed a bit of tension between them, but it was none of her business. She had more important things to worry about.
Chapter Fourteen
