“Well, what do you know?” Rose scanned the crowd. “I think we should make it a point to see that he gets it.”
* * *
Jules stayedbehind when the welcome-wagon ladies went off to find Henry, and Maddie ran up to Ocean Brew for coffees. She had a task of her own. She’d spotted Nick in the crowd and wanted to seek him out. She was feeling guilty about the way she’d acted toward him. She was still put off by the whole thing about the inspection, but maybe she should let past grievances lie.
Nick saw her coming toward him. His expression turned hopeful and a little wary, as if he were expecting her to yell at him again. She couldn’t blame him after the way she’d acted on the park bench.
“Hi. I can’t believe all the people that turned out for this. I heard one of your cousins is competing in it.” Nick gave Jules an inquisitive look, as if wondering how that had happened.
“One of the contestants didn’t show up, so Gina got roped into taking her place,” Jules said. “I think she’s secretly kind of excited.”
Nick laughed. “Well, I hope she wins.”
“I doubt she aspires to that, but if she didn’t agree to compete, then they would have had to call off the contest, so it’s good for all of us.”
“It sure is. I haven’t seen the town this busy since I was a kid.” Nick smiled down at her, and Jules’s heart fluttered. His eyes were kind and a little regretful.
She’d felt a connection at the coffee shop that day, but had she ruined it? Should she apologize? He was the one who messed up, but he had apologized for that. Not knowing what to say, she turned to a more general topic. “The motel is fully booked. Of course it’s mostly the crew for the show, but we’ve been getting calls from people who want to stay with us. We’ve even booked a few for next week.”
“Really? That’s great. Maybe there’s hope for this town after all.” Nick looked as if he were going to say more.
Jules figured that would be a good time to apologize and try to start over. “Look, I—”
Ding!
The ping of Nick’s phone stole his attention. He looked at the display then cast her an apologetic glance. “I have to get this.”
“Of course,” she said, but he was already turning away, the phone to his ear.
So much for apologizing and getting a second chance to continue on their path to becoming friends.
* * *
“Good news.”Gary’s voice on the other end of the line lifted Nick’s spirits even further. Not only was Jules being less hostile, but his hope that the loan for the Beachcomber would be approved might actually come true.
“You approved the loan?” Nick asked.
“Yes. The independent appraisal came back, and we’ll take the chance, especially with your branch’s guarantee.”
“That’s great news! Thanks so much for considering this.” Nick glanced around and lowered his voice. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to my grandfather just yet.”
“As you wish.” Gary hung up, and Nick turned to give Jules the good news. His heart fell when the space she’d been standing in was empty. He scanned the crowd, looking for her dark curls, but she was nowhere to be found.
Maybe she didn’t want to make up with him after all.
Nick put the phone in his pocket and headed into the crowd. It was time to come clean with his grandfather and hope he hadn’t ruined that relationship too.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Andy Sugarman… I’m sorry, but you’re eliminated.” Hogan Fillery looked at the pastry chef from his perch behind the judging table, his dark eyes filled with sympathy. “Please pack your rolling pin and go.”
Gina let out her breath and practically fainted. She’d made it through the first round? It was just dumb luck. Andy had burned the edges of his pie crust, and that mistake had gotten him eliminated.
Gina looked down at the mint cream Oreo cookie crust pie she’d plated. It sat on the white plate, a sprig of mint and two cookies on the side. It looked pretty good. Studying plating techniques online all night had paid off.
“Congratulations!” Maddie rushed up to give her a hug.
“Thanks. I lucked out.” Gina tried to play it off, but she was proud of her work. Still, she knew she’d gotten lucky and cautioned herself not to get too cocky about it. The second competition would start in an hour, and that one would likely be her last.
