As Bob sipped his coffee, Kathleen’s gaze drifted to the window. Across the street, the construction crew was already hard at work on what would soon become the new community arts and crafts center. The church-led project had been Pastor John’s idea. It was a place where local artisans would be able to sell their work and offer classes to visitors and residents.
“They’re making good progress over there,” Bob commented, following her gaze. “The foreman knows what he’s doing.”
Kathleen nodded, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest at the mention of Patrick Devlin, the person in charge of the construction crew. She’d met him when he first arrived in Sapphire Bay, and since then, they’d been good friends.
For the last two months, she’d taken coffee and cake orders to everyone on site. When Patrick wasn’t there, he made a special trip to the café to see her. His twinkling eyes and gentle teasing always made her feel younger than she had in years. Not that she was looking for romance, of course. At her age, friendship was more than enough.
By eight o’clock, the morning rush began in earnest. Tourists staying at the local bed-and-breakfasts wandered in for food to take with them while they were hiking or fishing, and locals stopped by for their caffeine fix and the latest town gossip.
“Kathleen, dear!” Mrs. Peterson waved from her corner table, where she sat with her sister, who was visiting from Billings. “Could we have two of your delicious lattes?”
“Coming right up,” Kathleen replied, steaming milk with practiced ease. When the lattes were ready, she took them across to Mrs. Peterson’s table.
“How are the renovations on your house coming along?” Mrs. Peterson asked.
“Slowly but surely,” Kathleen replied. “There’s always something unexpected that needs attention in a house that old.”
That was an understatement. The Victorian house she’d purchased had been her dream home since she was a teenager. But turning that dream into reality was proving more challenging and expensive than she’d anticipated. Still, every completed room brought her closer to the home she’d always imagined.
“It amazes me that you have the time to do any remodeling,” Mrs. Peterson continued. “You’ve been so busy, it was a wonder you had time to organize the reunion with your friends. It was such a wonderful idea to bring everyone together.”
Kathleen’s heart warmed at the memory. Organizing last year’s reunion had been one of the best decisions she’d ever made. Bringing Isabel, Lynda, and Susan back to the place where they’d first met as homesick teenagers at summer camp had given all their lives a new direction.
Isabel now owned the bookstore and was getting married to Frank in a few weeks. Lynda had found love again with Matt, the town veterinarian, and Susan’s catering business was thriving in Georgia, despite her being worried about the workload.
Mrs. Peterson’s sister smiled. “I met Isabel at the bookstore yesterday. She seems like such a lovely woman.”
“All my friends are wonderful,” Kathleen said as she took away the dishes they weren’t using. “I don’t know what I would have done without their support over the years.”
Chloe appeared at her elbow with a coffeepot. “Speaking of friends, didn’t you say Susan was coming back today?”
Kathleen nodded and glanced at the clock. “Her flight arrived in Kalispell a couple of hours ago. She should be here soon.”
As if summoned by their conversation, the café door chimed and Susan Fletcher walked inside. She looked elegant as always, but with shadows under her eyes that spoke of too many early mornings and late nights.
“There’s my favorite café owner,” Susan said, but her usual bright smile seemed forced.
Kathleen studied her friend’s face with concern. After fifty years of friendship, she could read Susan’s moods like her own. Something was troubling her, something more than being tired after her flight from Georgia.
“Coffee first, then we talk,” Kathleen said firmly, guiding Susan to a quiet table by the window. “Chloe, could you handle the counter for a few minutes?”
“Of course,” Chloe replied, already moving to take an order from a family of tourists.
Kathleen poured two cups of coffee and then settled across from Susan. Her friend’s hands trembled as she reached for the cream.
“It’s wonderful to see you,” Kathleen said gently. “But you look exhausted. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Susan said softly. “I’m tired, that’s all. I’ve been working long hours to be here for the weekend.”
Kathleen tilted her head to the side. “I’ve known you for more years than I can count. There’s more to it than that.”
Susan bit her bottom lip before speaking. “Can we talk later? I need a few minutes to catch my breath.”
Kathleen reached across the table and squeezed Susan’s hand. “Take all the time you need.” She gestured toward the steaming mug in front of her friend. “Try the coffee. It’s a new blend that Isabel discovered.”
Susan wrapped her hands around the ceramic mug and took a sip. “It’s delicious.” When she was finished, she looked around the café. “This place is lovely, by the way. The pale yellow paint is gorgeous.”
“I don’t know what I was thinking when I decided to repaint the interior,” Kathleen said with a frown. “Anyone would think I didn’t have an entire house to finish.”
