Page 30 of Starfish Cottage
“Don’t worry. I have an idea that might help bring Connie around to our side.”
Chapter Seventeen
Gina peered into the empty store. It still looked the same, the tables and chairs stacked upon one side, gleaming display cases. She could picture her pies lined up inside.
Word had gotten out that she baked nearly every day now, and people had started to drop by the Beachcomber to see if they could snag a piece of pie. This plus the compliments she’d received at the town meeting had bolstered her confidence, and she was ready to take the next step.
How much would rent cost? She’d have to buy supplies and couldn’t count on making a profit right away. She finally had the confidence and motivation to try opening a shop, but now the problem was she didn’t have the money, thanks to her cheating husband who’d embezzled it all from their business and then disappeared.
She turned and looked down the street toward the ocean. It was so beautiful here, so much different than Boston. She hadn’t wanted to stay here when she’d first come to see the motel she’d inherited, but it had only taken a few weeks for her to fall in love with Shell Cove. But right now, the lack of tourists on the street drove home a painful reality. There might not be enough customers to make her business profitable.
Hopefully Maddie could get things rolling with this new event. Gina wasn’t worried that the event was already running up against some roadblocks. She was confident Maddie would figure it out.
She pulled out her phone and thumbed through the contacts, looking for a private investigator. She’d spend the last of her savings to try to find him again. She needed to recover the money he’d stolen from her if she wanted to start her own business.
Chapter Eighteen
Rose had always taught Dex to be kind to others, and she’d always helped people in need when she could. When Dex saw how dilapidated the Harbinger house was, he’d decided to do the same. Maybe Constance Harbinger would return the kindness by finding a way to ease the restrictions on the event.
He picked up some lumber, gutters, and paint, drove to her house, and started unloading. Rose had told him that she’d be in a meeting at the town hall with Constance for a few hours, so it was the perfect time to start working. He wanted the progress to be well underway before she came back so she couldn’t kick him out.
He’d finished hanging the new gutter and was replacing the rotted sill around the garage door when she pulled in.
“Just what do you think you are doing?” she demanded, her expression a mixture of anger and curiosity.
“Hi, Mrs. Harbinger. Do you remember me?” Dex held his hand out for a handshake. “I’m Rose Wisnewski’s grandson. I had some extra lumber and was just fixing some things up for you here on the property.”
Her suspicion deepened. “Rose’s grandson, you say? I was just with Rose at the town hall. She didn’t mention anything about this.”
“I don’t think she knew I was coming out today. I brought her to visit you yesterday, and we saw that you needed some work done. My grandmother said you’ve been so busy with town business that you probably haven’t had time. I had all this extra lumber that was taking up space, so I figured I’d put it to good use.” Hopefully he wouldn’t get caught in the tiny white lie, but it was for a good reason. And maybe the part about her being too busy with town business would soothe any hurt pride she might have in thinking that Dex and Rose thought she needed charity work.
“Well, you’ll have to stop. I don’t have the budget to pay for this, and I think it’s very presumptuous that you start working without my permission.” Constance looked pretty mad.
Dex held his palms up. “No worries. There’s no charge for this. Gram said she owed you a favor, and I’m repaying it. Besides, all these supplies sitting around cost me money. You’re actually doingmea favor.”
More white lies. He was getting in deeper, but somehow he had a feeling Rose would back him up.
Constance frowned. “I did help Rose out a long time ago…”
As she scanned the work he’d done, her pursed lips relaxed. “If it helps you out, I guess I could let you continue.”
“It sure does. I’m going to fix this frame so your garage shuts, and then I’ll tack the shutter back up and do some scraping and painting. Painting is like therapy to me.” Hopefully adding that last part wasn’t too over the top.
“All that for free?” She was still skeptical but a bit more friendly.
“Yep. It should only take me the rest of the day.”
“Well, okay then.” She started toward the front door. “But don’t be too loud!”
As Dex went to work, he wondered how he was going to strike up a conversation and persuade her to look into getting around those bylaws. He’d thawed her a bit though, he could tell. He’d think of something.
He needn’t have worried. An hour later, she came out with a glass of lemonade.
“It’s hot out, and I don’t want you collapsing and then suing me.”
Her voice was gruff, but Dex appreciated the gesture, and she even smiled, indicating that she was all bark and no bite.
“Thanks.” Now was the perfect time to try to sweet-talk her. “I appreciate it, and I’m glad you’re getting some of this fixed.”
