“And there is the rumor that it was part of the Underground Railroad,” Jane added.
“I thought a pirate lived there?” Maxi said.
“Either one is historical,” Claire said. “Have you found anything to tie into that?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean I won’t.”
The waitress came, and Andie mulled over the idea as the waitress took their order. Clam cakes for her, burger for Maxi, Caesar salad with shrimp for Jane, and fried clam plate for Claire.
“I don’t know if a museum would make enough money or if Emily would want people traipsing through her house,” Andie said once the waitress was gone.
“I think Emily might have to compromise here if she wants to keep the house,” Jane pointed out.
Claire nodded. “It’s going to have to generate some income. And it’s not that bad. I mean, look at Tides. Jane doesn’t mind people traipsing through there, do you?” Claire looked at Jane.
“Sometimes I do, but it has to be. I’m just glad it’s making a lot of money now and we’ll be able to keep it in the family.”
“A museum won’t make nearly that much,” Maxi said.
“Funny though, Sadie had actually sectioned off part of the house. She didn’t need the whole thing and didn’t want to heat it, so it could actually work quite well as an inn or some sort of Airbnb situation,” Andie said. “But that wouldn’t really tie into a historical preservation loan, would it?”
Maxi shrugged. “I don’t now, but the rate for those are great, and you don’t have to start paying right away.”
“Too bad you can’t tie the two together.” Jane pushed her drink aside to make room for her meal.
“What do you mean?” Claire asked.
Jane nibbled a crouton. “I don’t know, like a historical inn or something.”
Andie’s fork hovered over the golden crab cake. “Wait a minute. I might be able to do that. Jules Whitmore mentioned that her grandmother owned a string of boutique motels. She was going to do a vintage one. If Emily turned part of it into Airbnb units, would she still be able to get the historical preservation loan?”
Maxi picked a clam off her plate. “I can ask James. I know he likes to preserve the older homes, and Thompson’s might just be the oldest one in town.”
Andie dug into her clam cake. “I’d really appreciate that. I’m glad you guys invited me to join you. It’s been really helpful to talk about this.”
A spark of hope bloomed. If the loan worked out, it might just be the thing that helped Emily save the house.
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning Mary looked out the front window of Curlz to see Andie watering petunias in the window boxes in front of her shop. The flowers in the boxes were coming along nicely, with trailing ivy and a rainbow of purple, pink, and white flowers crammed in. Such a nice difference from the abandoned look it had before.
She caught Andie’s eye and waved her over. She wanted to see how things were going with the Thompson job and find out if Andie was realizing what her purpose was. Maybe if she was lucky Andie would tell her if Shane had ever made good on his invitation to get together.
“How are things at the Thompsons’? I expected to read about you making an astonishing discovery in the paper,” Mary said.
“Nothing like that has happened, though they do have some nice things.” Andie accepted the mug of coffee that Jules handed her, and the three of them stood around the reception desk.
“Sounds promising. Emily must be happy. I know she was worried about keeping Sadie at Tall Pines the last time she came in for a color.” Mary blew on the top of her coffee then took a sip.
“The auction will help bring in a lot of money. I can’t wait to see what you have there.” Jules gave Andie a knowing look. Mary wondered why. She’d never heard Jules express an interest in antiques before. Perhaps she was finding a new purpose. Good for her, Mary thought.
Andie grimaced. “Yeah, that’s a problem. The auction is off, unfortunately.”
“What? Why?” Jules asked.
“Damien Carruthers flunked us on the inspection, so we can’t hold the auction.”
“That Damien Carruthers is bad news. I used to cut his wife’s hair.” Mary made a face then patted her chest, burped, and reached for the Tums. “Sorry, indigestion again.”
