“Almost done in here,” he said. “I’ve got another job out in Perkins Cove, but once they get the lines hooked up out at the street, call me and I’ll come right over to get things squared from this end.”
“Will do.” Jane was heartened by Ralph’s quick turnaround, but it didn’t erase her worry over the fact that everything might be for nothing if the sewer department didn’t find time in their schedule.
Cooper suddenly raced over toward Tides. Mike was coming around the corner, but not from the beach as he usually did. He was coming from the front. How odd.
Had he driven and parked in the driveway? Her stomach swooped. Why would he drive here? Was he leaving now and had come to take Cooper?
Mike crouched to pet Cooper then looked up at Jane. “I’ve got good news.”
“You do?” She couldn’t imagine what it might be.
“Turns out Gramps still has contacts in the town water and sewer department. He called in a favor and got the connection here at Tides fast-tracked.”
“He did? What does that mean, actually?”
Mike looked at his watch. “It means that they’re going to be here in two hours to hook up the water and sewer to your bathhouse.”
Jane didn’t know what to say. Was it really going to happen in time?
At Jane’s obvious fluster, Mike grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Looks like you’re going to get the bathroom finished in time for the wedding.”
Chapter 28
Andie stood on the back porch, watching Ralph Marchand hook the sewer and water lines to the bathroom. The town had come and hooked them up at the street, and now Ralph was here to hook everything up to the building and test the lines.
There was an air of excitement about the group gathered around the bathhouse as they watched. Several people stood around chatting. Jane looked happy and the most relaxed Andie had seen her. Claire was handing out scones from her bakery. Maxi laughed as she chatted with Sally. Even Cooper wagged his tail faster than usual.
The door opened, and Chandler came out.
He took a deep breath of air and let it out slowly. “There’s nothing like the sea air.”
“That’s for sure,” Andie said.
“Looks like you’ve got a project going on over there.”
“Yes, we’re putting in a bathroom so we can hold events and weddings here.”
“It’s looking good. Well, I’m off back to the city today.” Chandler glanced at the ocean. “I kind of hate to leave, but duty calls. Are you staying on?”
Good question. “I’m not sure. My world is about antiques, and this town isn’t like the big city. There’s not a lot of old antiques.”
Chandler frowned. “Oh, I wouldn’t necessarily say that. These old towns are rife with treasures. Yankee families never throw anything out. You never know what you could find in these attics.” Chandler turned around, surveying the area. “And I hear there’s a very old house on the cliff that has some interesting history.”
“Sadie Thompson’s house. She’s in the assisted living facility with my mom.” Andie had heard several rumors about the house that ranged from it being the headquarters of Blackbeard the pirate to it being a stop on the Underground Railroad. She didn’t believe any of them, but it was the oldest house in town and had been in the same family for generations.
A car horn tooted in the driveway. Chandler reached in his pocket and pulled out a card. “I have to run, but I was wondering if you would give this to Maxi. I’m going to be opening an art gallery, and I’d be interested in talking to her if she ever wanted to do a showing.”
Andie took the card. It was made of thick paper with embossed lettering. “I think she might like that. I’ll make sure she gets it.”
Laughter from over at the bathhouse drew her attention. Claire, Jane, and Maxi were clustered around the little shutters with the starfish cutouts. Someone must’ve told a joke because they were practically doubled over with laughter. It made Andie smile. It was good to see Jane happy, without the constant worry lining her face. She was lucky to have friends like Maxi and Claire to help her.
Andie didn’t have any friends she could depend on like that. She’d been too focused on her career, and everyone in her circle was too busy trying to make a name for themselves to have much time to hang out. But things in Lobster Bay were more relaxed, and there was more time for friends.
Maybe it was time for her to make a change. She started toward Jane, Claire, and Maxi with Chandler’s card.
Maxi stared down at the card in her hand. It was fancy, made with thick ivory paper and black embossed letters. A show in an art gallery? She didn’t think so—she was just a hobbyist.
She glanced over toward Tides, but Chandler was gone. “Thanks. But I don’t think I’m ready for that.” But even as she said the words, a tiny little flutter of excitement sprouted inside her rib cage.
