“Congratulations.That must keep you busy.”
“Barbara’s also a social media consultant for a company in San Diego.At the moment, she’s working remotely.”
Tamsin frowned.“Do you think you’ll move back to the West Coast?”
“I’m not sure, yet.My clients are happy with only seeing me via Zoom, but I don’t know how long that can continue.”Theo’s hand tightened around hers.He understood why she was so conflicted, but it didn’t make her decision about where she’d live any easier.“But, for now, it’s working.”
Theo cleared his throat.“Eighteen months ago, neither of us thought we’d be living in Montana.It’s taking a little while for us to decide what the future holds.”
“At least you have options,” Phil said diplomatically.“Would you like a slice of peppermint and chocolate cheesecake, Barbara?Tamsin and I saw it in a small store in town and couldn’t resist buying it.”
She sent Theo’s dad a relieved smile.Cheesecake she could handle.Her future was an entirely different matter.“That would be wonderful.Thank you.”
Tamsin stood as her husband left the room.“I’ll help Phil.He’s hopeless when it comes to finding his way around a kitchen.”
“I heard that,” Phil said from the hallway.
Theo’s mom smiled.“You didn’t disagree with me, though.”And with a quick smile to Barbara, Tamsin followed her husband.
After she’d left, Theo sighed.“I’m glad you’re here.I had no idea Mom and Dad were coming to Sapphire Bay.”
Barbara kissed his cheek.“I thought it must be a surprise.How do you feel about their visit?”
“Anxious, stressed, worried.”
Barbara held his hand.“It will be okay.If it gets too much, bring them to the inn.Between everyone who’s there, we’ll keep them distracted.”
“Thanks.What else has been happening?”
“I have some news about my great-grandfather.”
Theo grinned.“Did the Smithsonian find a bank vault full of gold bars that he’d won?”
“Not quite.Do you remember the bereavement card I told you about?”
“The one your great-grandmother’s friend gave her?”
“That’s right.Well, it turns out Daphne Larkin, the lady who sent the card, loved documenting her life.Her journals were given to her granddaughter last year and she’s contributing parts of it to her local newspaper for a history column.Chloe from the Smithsonian found the extracts when she was looking for any record of Daphne.The journals mention my great-grandmother enough times that Chloe has asked if she could see them.”
“She must think it will help figure out what happened to your great-grandfather.”
“And how he was given the letter addressed to Abraham Lincoln’s son.”Barbara bit her bottom lip.“I don’t want to get my hopes up, but this could be the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for.”
“For your sake, I hope it is.How does your mom feel about what could be in the journals?”
“I’m not sure.Katie was going to tell her.”
Theo’s mom came into the living room with two plates of cheesecake.“Here you go.Phil will be in soon with our desserts.Tell me about the inn, Barbara.What’s the best part of owning a Bed and Breakfast?”
She didn’t have to think too hard about her answer.“It has to be the people.My sisters and I have met some lovely couples.They’re very appreciative of everything we include to make their stay memorable.”
When Phil joined them, they started speaking about the radio station.Barbara was happy to sit back and listen to the conversation flow around her.Regardless of what had happened, it was obvious that Theo’s parents were proud of him.
And he’d need their support even more in the next few months.Once it became public knowledge that Steve McGibbons had been charged with tax evasion, Theo’s world could come crashing down again.
CHAPTER 14
Aweek after his parents went home, Theo stood beside Ethan and Zac at the starting line of the half-marathon.He was so nervous that he felt as though a herd of elephants was stomping around his stomach.
