“I’m glad I didn’t wait. Sounds like Cadence isn’t sticking around long. You won’t even get to enjoy those new flowers you planted.” She pushed the second pie-filled plate toward Ford. “Such a shame.”
“You’re not leaving already?” Cadence asked.
“I’m afraid so. My oldest boy, Denver, is moving home this weekend, just in time for the festival. I have so much to do before he gets into town. My boys are competing in Maxwells’ competition, you know. But I couldn’t resist stopping by quick to see who was reviving this place. It’s been so sad to see it sit empty.”
Cadence didn’t have the heart to tell her they’d be putting it on the market as soon as it could be arranged. “Thank you again, Tillie.”
“Don’t take it personal,” Ford said once they heard the side door close. One Cadence had forgotten existed until just now. Would she have time to take another self-guided tour of the lodge to discover these details? She hoped so. If anything, she could use them for the listing description.
“What’s that?”
“Mrs. Grant is always going a hundred and ten miles an hour.”
“Seems accurate,” Cadence replied, taking a bite of her pie and savoring the tangy, sweet flavor. The filling was still warm and the crust flaky.
“The flowers really do look great. It was a good idea,” Ford said.
“I thought they might help give a pop of color for the main listing photo.”
“Too bad you can’t stick around longer. There’s a lot we could do to make those photos turn out better.”
Slowly chewing a bite, Cadence took in his words. Janine would be livid if she wasn’t in the office Thursday as promised. But if she stayed the rest of the week, she would have a chance to put the skills she’d spent the last eighteen months honing to the test. She thought of Sophie and how desperately her family might need the money. The more effort she put into this listing, the more buyers they could hope to attract.
But she also thought of Ed, coming to that kitchen window for months wondering why no one was there to slip him cabbage.
Ford cleaned his plate and went in for another slice. “Rilee better hurry up or there won’t be any left. I have no self-control when it comes to Mrs. Grant’s pies. She wins every baking contest at every festival.”
“Where did Rilee run off to?”
“She took Riggs for a walk, down along the beach. But she’s never too far when it’s meal time.”
“I guess we skipped right over lunch, didn’t we?” Cadence felt a twinge of guilt for not thinking ahead. Ford had been nothing but helpful, and he was eating pie for lunch. “Did you want me to order something?”
Ford nodded toward the stove. “Don’t you have a call soon?”
Cadence followed his gaze to the numbers on the stove and hopped up out of her seat the second she registered the urgency. “Crap!” She had five minutes to grab her laptop, rush upstairs, and hope the Internet hadn’t quit. If Tessa knew she wasn’t already logged in and waiting, she’d probably get a lecture.
Upstairs, Cadence plopped onto the cushy bed and waited for her account to log in.
“Hey, Cadence,” said Sophie, a yawn escaping. Her video option was off, and it left Cadence more than a little curious. Concerned, even. “Tessa should be on any minute.”
“Okay.”
“I have something to tell you.”
Cadence sat up straighter, ready to console her sister for whatever was wearing her out. They’d been so much closer once. Maybe they could be again. “We’ll get a good price for this lodge,” she said, hoping to sound encouraging.
“That’s good.” The relief Cadence expected to hear in her sister’s voice wasn’t there. “Listen, Caroline and I—”
“Hey, guys,” Tessa interrupted, sounding as if she might be out of breath. “Sorry, I only have a few minutes.”
“We can do the call another time,” Cadence said.
“No, it has to be now. I won’t be able to use a phone for a while.”
“What?” Cadence and Sophie asked in unison.
“I’ve got some news!” There was a squeal of delight in her voice, something rare for the super serious, super focused sous chef, Tessa Whitmore. “I’m going to be on TV!”
