Her sons grinned and tapped their hands on the sales counter.
“We have some exciting news that’s guaranteed to make you smile. The loans officer from the bank sent me an email. She’s approved my application for money to open a café in Anchor Lane!”
“That’s wonderful!” Paris rushed around the counter and hugged her friend. “I’m so happy for you.”
“It will be a big adjustment, but I’m looking forward to it. Do you want to come with Jackie, Shelley, and me on Friday night to celebrate? Kylie said she’ll look after our children as long as we bring her some dessert.”
“She’s brave.”
“I think she’s looking forward to feeling needed. Ben has been making sure she’s not overdoing things. Which means she’s confined to their living room with a book or the TV remote.”
Paris laughed. “Am I supposed to feel sorry for her?”
“That’s what I said, too.” She put her hands over Charlie’s ears. “Who wouldn’t want a tall, dark, handsome man waiting on them?”
“Oh, Mom,” Andy said.
“A man who knows how to look after a woman is worth his weight in gold,” Andrea told her son. “So, what do you say, Paris? Does a night at the Bar and Grill in downtown Sapphire Bay sound like a good idea?”
“It sounds perfect. I’ll let Richard know my social calendar is filling up fast.”
“How is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?”
“He’s doing great. You should go and see him. He’s next door in your cottage at the moment.”
Andrea grinned. “Do you think he’d mind?”
“He’d love to show you and the boys around.”
“In that case, we’re going exploring. I’ll call you tomorrow once I’ve booked a table at the restaurant.”
“I’ll look forward to hearing from you. What are you going to call your café?”
“We’ve decided to call it The Starlight Café.”
“That’s lovely. Just hearing the name makes me feel warm and cozy.”
“And, hopefully, wanting a large mug of hot chocolate and lots of muffins and gourmet sandwiches.”
“I definitely wouldn’t say no to any of those things. Enjoy looking around your new café.”
“We will.”
After Andrea and the boys left, Paris went back to her laptop. Designing an over-the-top series of flower arrangements for a wedding was why she’d started her business. With a budget of astronomical proportions, and a bride and groom who were open to any ideas she might have, it was a match made in heaven.
Richard groaned. Tonight’s poker game wasn’t going to plan. In fact, he was playing so badly that he doubted he even had a plan anymore. “That makes four losses in a row. You’ve cleaned me out of chips.”
Wyatt rubbed his hands together. “It makes up for all the times you’ve made me go home with empty pockets. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be able to buy Penny the new circular saw she wants for her birthday.”
Ben’s eyebrows rose. “You’re buying your wife a power tool? Isn’t there something else she wants?”
“Nope. Penny’s got her heart set on the latest Bosch design. What can I say? She’s a woman who knows what she wants.”
“Aren’t they all,” Ethan grumbled. “Diana’s taking me to the animal shelter on Saturday. She’s seen a dog she likes, and it’s all Richard’s fault.”
“Mine? How do you figure that?”
“After she saw Louie, my days of only having one dog in the house disappeared. Even Charlie looks at me with his big, doggy eyes, pleading for a playmate. We have until Sunday morning to decide whether we’re adopting o
