* * *
Maxine rearranged the lending library shelves as the lunch crowd died down. She liked the books arranged by subject, but as people came and looked at them or donated some, the books got placed in the wrong place. She laughed at herself over how particular she’d become about the library, but she couldn’t help herself. She like order.
She grabbed the copy of Tom Sawyer that had been Dale’s aunt’s and placed it by the classics. She hadn’t seen much of Dale since she moved into the guest cottage. He’d waved to her from across the courtyard a few times. That was it. He hadn’t come into Coastal Coffee either. Maybe he was regretting his decision to let her move into the cottage?
Somehow, she thought they might become better friends after she moved in. Maybe share a meal. Maybe find time to have a drink watching the sunset. And where he’d been eager to offer help about so many things before—but she really did like to do things for herself—now he hadn’t even come over to check on her and see how she was faring.
Maybe she’d read him wrong before. Maybe he was just being nice while she got used to being here in town. And now, he was leaving her alone to settle in and make a life for herself.
Which was exactly what she wanted, right?
“You okay?” Beverly stood as she walked past. “You look… perplexed.”
“I’m just sorting the books.” She didn’t want to spill all her self-doubts to Beverly. Beverly was always so self-assured.
“You do like them in perfect order.” She smiled, then headed to her office.
Just then, Judy and Harv McNally walked over. She was grateful she remembered their names immediately this time. “Hello, Judy. Harv.”
“Maxine. We heard about the lending library and thought we’d donate a few books.” Harv set a small box of books down on the floor by the shelf. Which was good, because then she could sort them where they belonged.
“Oh, this bookcase is nice.” Judy ran her finger along a shelf. “Look at the pretty color. And the finish. I love it.”
“It’s an old bookcase I got at Second Finds. I painted it, put some glaze on it, and waxed it.” She had to admit she was proud of how it had turned out.
“It’s lovely.” Judy’s brow furrowed. “Say, do you think you could do that on a piece of our furniture? We have this old coffee table that is so beat up. Harv has repaired it a few times. It’s still sturdy. But it’s a dark wood. It’s from our very first apartment, so I can’t bear to get rid of it even though it’s in such terrible shape and way too dark for my liking. I’d love for it to be painted a nice, light mint green to fit in better with our furnishings.”
“We’d pay you, of course,” Harv added quickly. “I think Judy is right. It would look nice.”
“I’d love to.” This was unexpected. But a way to earn a bit more money and do something she loved to do.
“I could drop off the table. Where would you like me to bring it?”
“I’m not sure… Let me figure something out.” Maybe Beverly would let her use the storeroom again because her cottage was crammed full of furniture now and she still had her things being delivered.
“We’ll drop by again in a few days and see where you want it. And I’ll bring some examples of the shade of mint that I like.”
“That would work. Then I’ll order in the paint.”
“Can you wax it like this bookshelf too? I love that.” Judy ran her fingers over the shelf again.
“I can.”
“We’ll see you soon, then.” Harv and Judy walked out of the shop.
Maxine sorted the books into their proper place, then went to find Beverly. She found her in her office. “Hey, guess what? The McNally’s came in and Judy wants me to paint a coffee table of theirs.”
“Oh, that’s great. You like doing that.”
“I do. And I was wondering if you’d mind if I used the storage room to do it? I’d do it in my cottage, but my furniture is getting delivered and then Dale wants to donate his furniture. It’s going to be a crowded mess for a bit.”
“Of course you can.”
“Hi, ladies.”
Maxine whirled around at the sound of Dale’s voice. “Dale…” She didn’t really know what to say to him.
“I finished framing the painting you found, Beverly. Thought I’d drop it by.”
