“No one.” Pearl glanced over at the pier, where the baking show crew was still busy inside the old donut shop. “The baking show has brought tourists to town, and that’s a good thing, but we need to figure out ways to keep those tourists coming.”
“That’s why we need Maddie to take the chamber of commerce position,” Rose said. “Her positive attitude is what this town needs. And we went to great lengths to convince Mayor Martindale to make that position available again.”
Tourism drying up in Shell Cove had had a domino effect. Businesses closed. The town took in less money in taxes and fees and eventually had no money to promote tourism. Any town jobs that had been related to that, and even some that hadn’t been related, had been eliminated.
“Lucky thing there’s money in the coffers now from the permit fees for the baking contest,” Leena said.
Pearl’s blue eyes gleamed with mischief as she took a five-dollar bill out of her purse. “How much do you want to bet that Maddie has this town back on its feet by the end of summer?”
Leena glanced at the money and shook her head. “No one wants to bet against that. We don’t want to jinx it. But it does look like I’m going to clean up on the Jules and Nick bet if the way she was acting at the ice cream parlor the other night is any indication.”
“Don’t count them out yet.” Rose looked smug. “You know how I usually win these bets. I’m a good judge of character. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to win the bet about the girls staying. At first I wasn’t sure about Gina, but now I think the town is growing on her.”
“She does seem interested in Rena’s pies,” Pearl pointed out.
Leena scowled. “It’s too soon to tell. She sold her car, and I still say she’s going to bolt.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” Rose’s gaze was now fixed on the Saltwater Sweets shop. “I’ll give you a chance to make some of your money back. I bet Deena will be remarried within the year.”
“What?” Leena jerked her head toward the store. “To her new guy?”
Through the window, they could see Deena beaming up at the tall man who they assumed was her new flame.
“Jeepers, it looks like they have it bad. But there’s always a honeymoon phase when couples first meet. Some people act a lot nicer than they really are at first,” Leena said knowingly. “I’ll take that bet. I hate to wish a breakup on Deena, and I hope it works out, but the odds are against it.”
“I heard he has a lot of money,” Pearl said.
“Even more reason to be suspicious of him,” Leena replied.
Pearl batted at her friend’s arm. “Oh, Leena, you’re always so skeptical. Everything is going to work out great for everyone. You’ll see.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Gina tucked her feet under herself on the porch rocker and balanced the dessert plate in her lap. Closing her eyes, she took a bite of pie. It was pretty good, if she did say so herself. Sure the presentation wasn’t exactly magazine-worthy, but she could work on that. Besides, she wouldn’t be serving the pie to anyone who cared what it looked like.
For the first time in a long time, she felt a glow of pride. It was so different from her previous life and better in a lot of ways. Not just the part about running the motel and being away from the stress and constant demeaning jabs of working with Hugh. The scenery here was a lot nicer than the city. The sound of the waves and the stars above trumped smog and city traffic any day, as far as Gina was concerned.
She’d been skeptical about Shell Cove at first, but she had to admit that the town had possibilities. Could there be a place for her in its community? Her relationship with Jules had improved, and she was actually enjoying the bond that was forming with her two cousins. They were practically the only family she had, and she was pretty sure they would both be staying in Shell Cove.
“It’s pretty out here at night. Isn’t it?” Maddie stood in the doorway, a steaming hot chocolate in her hand. “Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” Gina was surprised to discover she would actually enjoy the company.
“I knew things were all going to work out,” Maddie said. “Well, I mean, I know they haven’t totally worked out yet, but look how far we’ve come. The phone has been ringing all day with people wanting a room. Too bad we don’t have more to rent. But this proves the town can be revived and the motel will do well. We just need to get more people here.”
Gina smiled, thinking of the old avocado rotary dial phone ringing in the kitchen. “Yeah, but how?”
“Hey, you guys.” Jules came out the door and sat on one of the chairs. “I thought I heard voices out here.”
Maddie’s face creased in concern. “Were we being too loud? I don’t want to wake the guests.”
“No. I don’t think they can hear you over there. I was in the lobby making sure things are set up for tomorrow morning,” Jules said. “I put Mr. Coffee out there so people can pour their own.”
“Oh, hi.” Marilyn came around the corner of the motel. “Thought I heard voices. Did Aggie check in? She’s in room ten, right? She’s not answering her door.”
Maddie looked concerned. “No, I thought she might have called you to say she’d been delayed.”
Marilyn pulled her phone out of the pocket of her long cardigan. “Nope. This might be a problem.”
