“Still sounds like a miracle to me.” He took a sip of his coffee and set the mug down. “And you know what? She made a point to tell me first, before anyone else found out.”
She could see how that moved him. She reached over and placed her hand over his. “I’m glad. It really seems like you and your mother are working things out.”
“I think so.” He shrugged. “At least we’re trying.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Next month, from what I hear. Small ceremony at the gazebo on the beach and a reception at Mother’s house. Nothing fancy, believe it or not. Doesn’t sound like a wedding I’d ever imagined for my mother.”
“Good for her for doing exactly what she wants.”
“She said she didn’t want to wait—at their age, they don’t have time to waste.” He shook his head. “Never thought I’d hear my mother talk like that.”
“She’s embracing life. It’s nice to see.”
The cafe was empty now except for the two of them. Through the front windows, she could see people walking along the street, stopping to chat with neighbors. Life on Magnolia Key was returning to normal, or as normal as it could be with half the bridge still out and repairs ongoing throughout the island.
“Any word on when they’ll start rebuilding the bridge?” she asked, changing the subject.
“County is looking into it, but you know how these things go. Could be six months… could be never. There’s talk of permanently adding a second ferry.”
“A second ferry would be nice.”
“That’s what Magnolia Key does,” he said. “Adapts and survives.”
She nodded. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. She realized how strange it was that she could now be comfortable in silence with Cliff when just a few weeks ago she’d wanted nothing more than for him to leave town and never come back.
“Beverly,” he said suddenly, “I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me tonight? To discuss another fundraiser,” he added quickly.
Another fundraiser. The first one last weekend had been a great success, and she mentioned in passing about organizing another one for the hurricane relief fund, but they hadn’t made any concrete plans yet.
“Sure,” she said before she could overthink it. “That would be nice.”
“Great.” His smile was warm. “I’ll pick you up at six?”
“Six works.” She tried to ignore the flutter in her stomach. This wasn’t a date. It was a planning meeting for a community fundraiser. That’s all.
“Looking forward to it.” He placed a few bills on the table, more than enough for the coffee. “Keep the change.”
“You don’t have to?—”
“I want to,” he insisted. “Every little bit helps, right?”
She nodded, unable to argue with that logic. “See you tonight.”
As he headed for the door, the bell jingled again, and Maxine walked in.
“Morning,” Maxine called out cheerfully, then noticed Cliff. “Oh, hello, Cliff.”
“Maxine,” he nodded. “Good to see you. I was just heading out.”
After he left, Maxine raised an eyebrow. “Just another late breakfast together?”
“It was nothing,” she said too quickly, and Maxine stared at her for a moment. “We were just talking about Eleanor and Jonah’s engagement.”
“Uh-huh.” Her friend didn’t look convinced. “And that’s why your cheeks are pink?”
“My cheeks are not pink.” She touched her face self-consciously.
