“Because it’s not for sale.”
Cressida wanted to make friends. “Please. I see you have another picture of the museum. I would love to include this in my father’s book. I’d love to own it. This is my last stop before I start compiling the manuscript. Name your price.” She wished she hadn’t added that last part.
Mavis stared at the image, pursing her lips. “I don’t know. A hundred bucks?”
“A hundred bucks it is.”
The woman’s smile seemed genuine. Cressida smiled too, feeling equally as genuine. The purchase was well worth it to earn this woman’s trust and cooperation. Whatever it took. “This will be perfect. I can’t thank you enough. You can have the frame though. Just stick this in a bag if you have it, or a large envelope. Anything.”
Mavis disappeared into the back room and, a few moments later, appeared again and handed off the gently wrapped photograph—at least the image was on hard card stock.
“I’ll contact you as soon as I pass your card along,” Mavis said, “so you’ll know.”
Progress.
“Thank you, Mavis. I’ll be here a few days, and I’ll see you again soon.”
Thrilled that she’d accomplished her task, Cressida left and strolled the sidewalk, taking in the salty, fishy smells and the chirps of seagulls fighting over dinner. In the distance, honking, noisy sea lions relaxed on a rocky outcropping. Holding the photograph under one arm, she lifted her cell to take a picture, wishing she’d brought her good camera.
She found Braden walking the planks—pacing back and forth, actually—and on hiscell? He eyed her as she approached. Even though he spoke into the cell, his bright-blue eyes were sharp and took her in like he focused on her alone. Her heart sped up.
He ended his call. “Well?”
“I want to know how you got a cell signal.”
He looked at his phone. “Sometimes you get lucky. So how’d it go?”
He glanced at the package she held.
She shrugged. “She’s going to pass on my contact information. I’ll give it a day, and then I’ll just have you take me out there. Not sure if I need to rent a boat or if you have one.” She gestured to the docked boats.
“I’ll take care of it. What next?”
“What about that museum you mentioned? I bought a picture of the museum when it was here at the marina. If possible, I’ll include it in Dad’s book.”
“Let’s grab a quick lunch, and then ... Hidden Bay Museum, here we come.”
12
In Forestview, they grabbed a quick sandwich at the local Subway, then headed to the Hidden Bay Maritime Museum. Once inside, Braden wasn’t sure what he’d expected. Considering the building was new, he was surprised at the overwhelming scent of salt water and burnt wood permeating the place. The builders must have brought some of the old in with the new.
A woman in her sixties welcomed them at the entrance. “Good afternoon. My name is Sheryl. Tickets are fifteen apiece. We used to be free, but with the fire—”
“Oh, no need to explain.” Cressida smiled. “We’re more than willing to pay. I’m paying for two tickets.” She looked at Braden as if to make sure he was okay with her paying.
He said nothing. This was her show.
“Do you want a tour?” Sheryl asked.
“I’d prefer taking my time going through, and then, if I have questions, will you be around?”
“Until two o’clock.” Sheryl glanced at the clock, then smiled at Cressida. “We close early today.”
Way to let them know that Cressida couldn’t really take her time, at least not today.
After Cressida paid, Sheryl stepped aside, and Cressida led the way into the first room, filled with all things nautical. “I’m surprised to see it so packed with artifacts. After a fire, I wouldn’t imagine they would have salvaged so much.”
Cressida’s eyes were bright and beautiful, filled with hope and possibilities. He’d never been interested in history. Marine history in particular. Maybe that’s because his dad had been a fisherman out of a small town in Maine and died in a storm when Braden had only been ten. He didn’t need the reminders. His mother raised him and his sister, Lauren, while working as a waitress. He didn’t relish remembering those hard times. Still, that experience growing up taught him how to work hard.
