Page 8 of Starfish Cottage
Things had changed so much for her. She had a place where she belonged and family that wanted her here. And possibly the start of a new career.
No sense in getting ahead of herself. Right now she was happy to get the approval of her cousins on each pie she made. Starting a business out of it could come later. Of course, she still had that little problem with her missing husband, Hugh, who had run off with his assistant and all their money. But the bigger problem was that the wave of tourists who had discovered Shell Cove from the baking contest was starting to dry up, and a lack of tourists meant no business for any of them.
“This pie is delicious.” Maddie slid a forkful into her mouth and closed her eyes to savor it.
Gina still wasn’t used to accepting compliments, especially after Hugh had made her feel worthless for their entire married life, so she quickly changed the subject. “Thanks. So tell us what you’ve come up with for the town event. I bet it’s something even more exciting than the baking contest.”
Maddie had lucked into the baking contest. She’d run into the producer of theGreat New England Baking Contestin the local coffee shop. Their agreement with one of the coastal towns had fallen through, and they were looking for another town to host the contest in a hurry. Maddie had pulled it all together, and the contest itself and the show which aired the following week had been driving tourists to their struggling town.
Maddie’s dreamy expression faltered. She put the plate aside and reached for her wine. “Well, that’s the problem. It’s going to be hard to top that contest.”
“That did attract a lot of people.” Jules glanced at the row of motel rooms adjacent to the porch. “But now reservations have tapered off.”
“I know. I came up with some ideas and discussed them with Rose, Leena, and Pearl, but we need something big, and so far I’ve only come up with things that every town has. Sandcastle contest, food fairs…” Maddie sighed and leaned back in the rocker. “Do you guys have any ideas? Maybe something particular to the town that we can capitalize on?”
Gina’s heart pinched at the hopeful look on Maddie’s face. She wished she could help her cousin out, but Maddie was the best at thinking up great ideas and implementing them with all her day planners and schedules. Maybe she just needed more encouragement and less pressure. “You have the best ideas. I think you’re putting too much pressure on yourself, and it’s messing with your creative thinking.”
“I do only have two days until I have to present something at the meeting. I have been researching things, and I just need something unique to tie to Shell Cove, a famous event or maybe a family.”
“Maybe you should ask some of the people who have lived here for a long time. Don’t Rose or Leena or Pearl know of anything?” Gina asked.
“Or Dex. I’m sure you have plenty of time to talk with him.” Jules’s tone was teasing. Gina smirked, finding it ironic that Dex had been the one working on Starfish Cottage when Maddie had made a huge point of hiring Frank.
Maddie focused on her wine. “Dex? I hardly see him. He’s busy working. He still makes a mess.”
Jules and Gina exchanged a look. It was no surprise that Maddie complained about how messy Dex was since she was so neat and orderly. Still, the two girls felt like maybe she complained a littletoomuch, as if it were an excuse for her not to like him.
“He’s a good carpenter,” Jules said.
“True. He did a great job here at the motel,” Gina added.
“Oh, I know. We just aren’t buddies if that’s what you guys are thinking,” Maddie said. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask him about town history though.”
“Wine!” Aggie Fletcher came up the steps that led to the beach. She was in her late seventies and was always bright and bubbly. Tonight she wore a flame-red gauzy flowing top and had white slacks rolled up to her knees. Her feet were covered in sand, and she had a sand dollar in her hand.
“Would you like a glass?” Jules was already up from her seat, ready to fetch a wineglass.
“I’d love one, if you don’t mind.” Aggie sat in an empty chair. “I see you broke into the pie.”
Aggie had popped into the kitchen while Gina was making it and oohed and ahhed over how it looked. Gina loved that Aggie was always quick with a compliment and encouraging words for her pie experiments, and since Aggie was a baking expert herself, those compliments and encouragement meant a lot. Gina cut a piece for Aggie and handed it over.
Aggie put the sand dollar down and dug in. “So delicious! You really are coming along and have quite a knack for this.”
They settled back in their chairs as Aggie polished off the pie. “So what’s going on? You girls look like you have something on your minds.”
“Oh, it’s just the town. We need to attract tourists.” Maddie filled her in on how the contest had helped for a while, but now they needed something new and unique.
“Did you say you were looking for something to do with town history?” Aggie looked thoughtful. “I could ask Henry Barlowe. He’s been around a while.”
The girls laughed at her joke. Naturally, Henry had been around. He was over eighty.
“Where is Henry tonight?” Gina asked. Aggie hung around with him most nights, from what Gina could tell.
“He’s down at that brewpub, Sharkies, I think it’s called.” Aggie looked at them as if wondering if they knew the place, and they nodded. Gina had only been there once, but she knew Jules and Nick had gone a few times. “He’s with Nick. Grandpa-grandson bonding.”
“Oh, so that explains why Jules is free tonight,” Maddie teased.
Jules swatted her arm. “Hey! I don’t spendthatmuch time with Nick.”
