Maxi remembered that desire well. It was like a rope of regret tugging at her even now. “Well, that wasn’t a very practical ambition, and I’m not reallythatgood.”
Claire slipped the scone into a white bag and folded the top shut. “I’m sure you’re better than you think. Your napkin sketches are lovely, and we’re all our own worst critic, aren’t we?”
Maxi mustered a faint smile. She reached into her purse to pay for the scone. Although Claire would have given it to her for free, it was important to Maxi to support her friend financially by buying the pastries she took home with her.
Claire handed the bag over the counter but kept hold of one end when Maxi grabbed for it. Gently, she said, “It might be good for you to take art up more seriously now that you’ve become an empty nester. How are you adjusting to that now?”
Maxi had shared her feelings with Claire and Jane when her youngest had gone off to college last year. After years of taking kids to sports events, doing laundry, and making sure the kitchen was supplied with snacks and meals, it was a bit of an adjustment. “It’s a change, but I guess I’m getting used to it.”
“It is a big change. Especially for the couples involved. How’s James taking it?”
Maxi shrugged. “He seems okay. He works a lot, but that is usual, so we’re doing fine.”
She kept on a cheerful face for Claire, but there were times when she wondered if the kids had provided a bond for her and James that was no longer there. Things between them were different now. Of course, there were times when he was sweet and considerate just like he had been when they’d first been married. But then there were times when he worked such late hours that he came home only to eat and sleep.
Maxi paid for the scone, then tucked the bag with the scone into her large, striped tote bag for safekeeping. Not wanting to burden her friend with her problems, she changed the subject. “Did you see the way Jane’s face lit up when she was talking about that dog?”
She and Claire moved to the side as another customer approached the cash register. Hailey took over to serve the customer, leaving Claire free to continue their chat.
“I did,” Claire answered. “If you ask me, what Jane needs is a pet.”
“It might help her during this transition time with her mom and the inn.”
“You would do well with a pet too,” Claire added. “But for different reasons. Jane is…” Her expression grew somber. “Jane is hurt. She needs to ease her way into opening up.”
Maxi nodded. “I know. I can’t imagine losing a child and a husband, and I know it still hurts her.”
“If she only had a cat or a dog to open her heart to, I think she’d be much closer to healing. I’m afraid she’s shutting too many doors and missing out on life.”
Maxi adjusted the straps of her tote bag higher on her shoulder. “You think she should find a new boyfriend?”
“Not necessarily. Just because I did doesn’t mean it’s for everybody. But if Jane decides to remain single, I think it should be because her life is full without a romantic partner, not because she’s afraid of losing someone again.”
“It would also help if her sister came back. I remember that Jane idolized her once, but I don’t think they’ve been close since Andie left for college. Do you know why she hardly ever visits?”
Looking weary, Claire shook her head. “Not really. I got the impression that Lobster Bay was just too small for her. I guess her dreams were too big to fit in the town. It’s too bad.”
Maxi noticed her friend’s gaze drift toward the front window of the bakery, which overlooked Bradford Breads across the street.
Dreamily, Claire added, “This town is the perfect size for me. It always has been.”
“Especially now,” Maxi teased.
Claire didn’t seem to notice, still staring across the street. Maxi smiled. Claire was smitten. And judging by the look on Rob’s face every time Maxi had seen him and Claire together, the feeling was mutual. It was so warming to see, especially after everything Claire had been through.
“You’re right. Lobster Bay has always been perfect for me too. I never even thought of leaving, except maybe to go to college.” But Maxi’s dreams had included art school in Paris, not a math degree from Massachusetts. In the end, she hadn’t even used the degree, but she had a beautiful home and three wonderful children. She couldn’t complain about any of that. “Well, I better run. I’ll see you tonight.”
Chapter 5
By midafternoon, Jane was sick of numbers. She’d gone over the books twice, set up an appointment with Shane Flannery, and sent messages to the web designers whose contact info Claire had given her. She was starting to think that maybe she could make this work.
She took a break to walk on the beach. Strolling at the edge near the surf, she watched for interesting shells. It was just past high tide, and you never knew what treasures the ocean might have left. A brown, striped spiral shell tumbled in the foamy surf, and she bent to pick it up. Some type of whelk or conch shell, she wasn’t sure. It was pretty common, and she had bowls full of them. Jane only kept the rare shells these days, so she tossed it back, the motion helping to loosen the stiff muscles in her neck.
She stretched, bringing her arms over her head, and turned away from the ocean. This part of the beach was practically deserted because there were no public parking lots nearby. It was dotted with quaint cottages that were painted in pretty colors—aqua, pink, mint green.
Wait. Was that Sandee Harris in the window of one of those cottages? Jane would recognize that bleach-blond haircut anywhere. Sandee was the last person she wanted to talk to. Hopefully she wouldn’t look this way. It was kind of hard to hide out in the middle of the beach.
But Sandeedidn’tlook at the beach. She was too focused on the man next to her, a man whose arm she was leaning over as she showed him something invisible from Jane’s vantage point. That wasn’t…
