“Gram’s will didn’t specify a time frame, just that we had to try to make a go of it, and I think this place has potential.” Maddie buried thoughts about the accounting spreadsheet. She wanted it to work out, and they were just getting started. Of course they wouldn’t show a profit right away.
“It is, but we need more time. The baking show has been great for bringing tourists in, but we don’t know if we can sustain that long-term. For now, it makes sense to take it day by day.” Jules looked out at the ocean. “But I have to say, I am getting pretty attached to this place. I wouldn’t mind staying.”
“Me too.” Maddie glanced at Gina. She’d been silent for the last part of the conversation, and Maddie hoped that her cousin would chime in about whether she intended to stay in Shell Cove or go back to her fancy lifestyle in Boston.
But instead of saying anything on the topic, Gina yawned. “Well, I guess I’ll turn in. Tomorrow’s a big day, and I need my beauty rest.”
Chapter Forty-One
The next day, Jules went with Maddie to the pier. Gina had left earlier and was already inside going over the day’s schedule with Marilyn and the rest of the crew and contestants.
“Do you think she has a chance?” Maddie asked.
“I don’t know, but either way, it’s an accomplishment that she’s come this far.” Jules glanced in the window.
They’d sectioned off the big kitchen area into individual spots, and Gina was at hers lining up ingredients, which Jules assumed, were for the first contest. “She’s changed. At first, I thought she seemed standoffish, but she’s really warmed up over the past few days.”
Maddie nodded. “She has. I thought she was going to bug out of the motel project, but now I think she is getting into it.”
Jules scanned the crowd, looking for Nick, but didn’t see him. It was just as well. It was clear they weren’t going to be friends. There were plenty of other friends for her in Shell Cove, she thought as Rose, Leena, and Pearl approached them.
“This is so exciting, isn’t it?” Rose asked.
“It sure is. Look at all the people! It’s like the good old days,” Pearl gushed.
“It’s great to see you. Almost everyone from town is here, even Deena and her new man.” Leena waved to the couple, who started over.
“Hi, girls. It’s good to see you. Have you met Chuck?” Deena gestured toward the man. He was tall with kind brown eyes, slightly balding, but had a pleasant demeanor.
Introductions were made all around. The entire time, Deena beamed up at Chuck. They made a cute couple. Deena was about a foot shorter than Chuck, and her soft brown eyes and honey-blond bob made her look a lot younger than she probably was.
Chuck patted her hand and beamed back. Clearly they were in love. Jules felt a pang of… regret? Her last relationship had been several years ago, and she hadn’t met anyone that she wanted to get serious about since—except maybe Nick. She brushed thoughts of him away. She barely knew the guy, and it was best not to wonder about what might have been.
“Well, we better get back to Saltwater Sweets. We just came down to check things out. We’re making sea salted caramels today.”
Jules’s mouth watered as Deena and Chuck bid their goodbyes.
“It’s time!” Pearl shoved her phone back into her purse. “Let’s head inside.”
* * *
The day wentby faster than Gina could have ever imagined. By some miracle, she made it through the first round. Brad got eliminated, probably because he couldn’t concentrate. His wife called at the beginning of the contest to tell him she thought she might be in labor. He’d wanted to just forfeit and rush off, but the wife begged him to at least finish one round since the doctor had told her it could be false labor or could take hours.
That had worked in Gina and Bronwyn’s favor, and the two of them stood in front of the judges for the final elimination. The task was to make a fruit pie, and Gina had used Gram’s recipe with the cream cheese filling. It was totally out of Gina’s realm, and the consistency hadn’t come out great.
Gina glanced at Bronwyn as the judges forked up pieces of each of their pies and whispered to each other. She couldn’t tell, but she thought Pia made a sour face when she bit into Gina’s. Bronwyn was staring straight ahead at the judges, the tension radiating off her.
Gina wanted to win, to prove to herself that she wasn’t without skills, as Hugh had always implied, but hadn’t she already proven that? The prize money would come in handy for the motel, but Bronwyn had a much more important reason to want the prize money.
The judges put down their forks, and Hogan Fillery spoke. “Gina, your pie has a certain unique flavor, but the consistency leaves a lot to be desired. Bronwyn, your pie brings back fond childhood memories, and the consistency is perfect.” He paused dramatically. “Bronwyn, you are the winner!”
Bronwyn let out a breath, her expression incredulous as she turned to Gina. Gina high-fived her. The crowd cheered.
Bronwyn gave Gina a hug before heading up to the judge’s table to accept her trophy and the check. “You did great, Gina. I’m sorry you didn’t win.”
“I’m not sorry. Congratulations.” Gina couldn’t be happier with the outcome of the contest.
Jules and Maddie joined her as she cleaned up her area.
