Winston lifted his head at her sharp tone, and she reached down to scratch behind his ears.
“I’m sorry,” she said, softening her voice. “I know you’re trying to help. To see both sides. But I’ve had years of watching Cliff do whatever suited him best. Years of hoping he’d grow into the kind of man who would make me proud. Instead, he comes back here with his fancy car and his big plans, ready to tear down everything we’ve built.”
Jonah reached over and placed his hand over hers, stilling her tapping fingers. “You’re allowed to be angry with him. To disagree with his choices. But don’t let it eat you up inside.”
She turned her hand over to squeeze his briefly before standing up. “I suppose we should finish with these shutters before the weather turns.”
Jonah stood up beside her. “Okay, but one more thing, Ellie.”
She paused and looked at him. “What?”
“You don’t have to protect me from what Cliff thinks or says about me. I’m sure other people in town are wondering the same thing he is.”
She looked up at Jonah’s weathered face, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes. “What do they wonder?”
“What you see in me.” His voice was soft, gentle.
She reached up and touched his face, her fingers tracing the lines etched around his eyes, signs of shared laughter from decades past. “I see a very kind man. A man who I was a fool to walk away from all those years ago, before I understood what truly mattered.”
Chapter 6
Beverly watched as Dale entered Coastal Coffee, a warm smile lighting up his face when he spotted Maxine behind the counter. Her best friend’s eyes sparkled as she looked up from where she was restocking coffee cups.
“Hey there, beautiful,” Dale said, walking over to give Maxine a quick kiss.
Beverly busied herself wiping down a nearby table, giving them a moment of privacy, but she was still unable to keep from smiling. After everything Maxine had been through with her ex-husband, Victor, seeing her friend so happy made Beverly’s heart full. Dale took Maxine’s hand when she came out from behind the counter. They fit together naturally, at ease with each other. He brought out a lightness in Maxine that she hadn’t seen in years.
Dale led Maxine over to where Beverly was pretending to be busy. “So, I have some news.”
She looked up and grinned. “Tell me the hurricane is turning away from us.”
He flashed a wry smile. “I wish I could say that. No, it’s about Vera and Prince Lawrence.”
“Oh, you found out something new?”
“I think so. I have to do some more digging before I share my news with Miss Eleanor?—”
“Beverly!” Darlene burst through the door of Coastal Coffee, breathless. She hurried over to them. “Did you hear? Mandatory evacuations for the island.”
She did a quick appraisal of the shop. They’d boarded up most of the windows except the front one so she could keep serving people. But now, it was time to shut it all down.
“The ferry’s running extra trips to get folks off the island, but the last ferry will run tomorrow about sunset,” Darlene continued, fanning herself with a menu she’d grabbed from a nearby table. “We got to hurry and finish battening down the hatches. My goodness, I still have half the B&B to secure, and those shutters are heavy. Luckily, Felicity and Brent are in town, and Mark is helping me too.”
Dale reached out and touched Beverly’s arm. “Let me help you finish with the hurricane shutters for the cafe. I already have Second Finds boarded up. Not many people looking for antiques with the storm approaching.”
“Thanks, I’ll take you up on that.” She nodded gratefully.
Darlene turned to leave. “Just wanted to make sure you heard. And I need a few things from the hardware store. They’ll be closing soon, I’m sure. Then I’ve got to get back to the B&B.”
“Thanks, Darlene. Stay safe.” She walked her to the door and turned to the remaining customers. “I’m sure you heard. Let’s get finished up here, and I’ll close up.”
Her customers hurried to finish up and pay as Dale and Maxine worked on putting up the hurricane shutters over the front window, plunging the cafe into an unfamiliar dimness barely illuminated by the lights. Coastal Coffee was supposed to be filled with light and… well, there wasn’t time to think about that.
Maxine came back in, and they rinsed the dishes, leaving them in the sink. Beverly took one last glance around the kitchen, making sure everything was secure. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to leave the cafe for an evacuation, but it never got any easier.
The three of them walked out of the cafe, and Dale peered down the street. “You know, I want one last check of Second Finds.” He gave Maxine a quick kiss. “I’ll meet you back at my cottage in a bit?”
“I’m going to go with Beverly and help her finish closing up her cottage.” Maxine turned to her. “Because I know you’ve put all your energy into making sure that Coastal Coffee was secure, and knowing you, you haven’t finished with your cottage.”
