Maxine came over. “Why don’t you sit down with Darlene for a bit? You haven’t stopped since we opened this morning.”
“Thanks, that sounds wonderful.” She looked at her friend gratefully and grabbed a couple of cups of coffee.
“How’s the B&B, Darlene?” she asked as she sat down and slid a cup over to Darlene.
“Could be worse. Some water damage in two rooms on the bay side. The insurance adjuster’s coming tomorrow. My gardens are in ruins. Still a lot of cleanup to do. The B&B is filled with residents whose homes sustained a lot of damage. I’m glad to have a place for them to stay.”
“Let me know if you need any help. Maxine and I could come by after we close up here,” she offered.
“Thanks, but I think I have it covered. Say, did you see the bridge when you came back to the island? Quite a sight, wasn’t it?”
“I heard it might be months until they can safely get the barge moved. Then they’ll assess the damage. I’ve heard talk that there isn’t the funding to replace it, and the project might get cancelled for now.”
Darlene shook her head. “I have to admit, that wouldn’t bother me much. It was just going to bring more traffic to town. Change everything. I like Magnolia Key just like it is.”
They sat and chatted, but thankfully, not one word about Cliff. Darlene left after a bit, and Beverly joined Maxine at the counter. “Thanks for giving me a little break.”
“No problem.”
“I saw Cliff helping Patty with her roof,” Maxine said casually, glancing sideways at her. “He’s been all over town the past two days, from what I’ve heard.”
She busied herself arranging napkins. “So I’ve heard.”
“Interesting, isn’t it?” Maxine pressed. “The man who wants to change Magnolia Key with his high-rise is now helping folks repair what they already have.”
“People are complicated,” she replied, not wanting to admit that seeing Cliff help had stirred conflicting emotions within her. “Maybe he feels guilty about pushing his development before the storm hit.”
“Maybe.” Maxine didn’t sound convinced. “Or maybe there’s more to him than we’ve been willing to see.”
She turned away from her friend’s knowing gaze and began wiping down an already clean table. “Either way, it’s good he’s helping. The town needs all hands right now.”
A new group of customers entered, saving her from further conversation about Cliff. She greeted them warmly, taking their orders and moving efficiently behind the counter.
For the next hour, she kept herself busy, refilling coffee cups, making more sandwiches when supplies ran low, and listening to stories of storm damage and narrow escapes. All the while, she found her gaze drifting to the window, watching as Cliff finished with Patty’s roof and moved on to help Jake at the hardware store unload a truck that had just arrived with supplies.
Against her will, memories surfaced—younger versions of themselves, Cliff always ready to lend a hand when someone needed it. Before he’d left her waiting at the ferry. Before he’d become the developer who wanted to change their island with tall buildings and tourist attractions.
“Would you look at that?” Rachel Masters came up beside her and nodded toward the window. “Never thought I’d see the day when Cliff Griffin would be up fixing Patty’s roof. Or helping unload a truck.”
She nodded, not sure how to answer that.
“People can surprise you, I suppose.” Rachel shrugged before heading outside.
“Penny for your thoughts,” a voice said from behind her, startling her from her reverie. Miss Eleanor stood there, impeccably dressed despite the circumstances, with Winston on his leash beside her.
“Just wondering when the power might come back on,” she lied, turning to Miss Eleanor with a smile. “Can I get you some coffee? I don’t have your cream for it, though. Didn’t come in with the supplies. Or I have some sweet tea.”
“Tea would be lovely.” Miss Eleanor took a seat at her usual table, and Beverly returned with the tea. “Jonah’s helping with the cleanup at the church, and I thought I’d take Winston for his walk. The poor creature’s been quite disturbed by the whole ordeal.”
“How’s your house coming along?” Of course, everyone in town knew Miss Eleanor’s house had been damaged.
Miss Eleanor sighed, stroking Winston’s head as he settled at her feet. “It’s a disaster, frankly. The contractor says it could be weeks before the repairs are complete.”
She noticed Miss Eleanor didn’t admit she was staying at Jonah’s house, but everyone in town knew that fact too. And surprisingly, Cliff was also staying there.
Miss Eleanor took a sip of her tea. “I saw Cliff helping Jake unload a truck of supplies on my walk over. He seems determined to make himself useful.”
“Yes, he’s been busy,” she answered noncommittally.
