Chapter 32
It was done. The bookshop was ready for business, awaiting the grand opening on Friday—the day after tomorrow. Rafe’s graduation would be Sunday—the all-terrain bike Maddie had ordered as his gift arrived that morning. If Maddie had forgotten anything, so be it. She was no longer a student, fearful of being graded as a shopkeeper or as a mom.
After scanning the shop for the one-hundredth time, she was pleased. Rafe had sent the sign—Kevin and Dave had already hung it over the front door, near where Arnie’s Bait & Tackle once had been. It looked terrific.
Somehow, everything had found its place and looked inviting, from the merchandise to the layout to the shades of sea glass on the walls, which were warm, not overpowering, enabling the multitude of books to be the stars. And stars they were, with their colorful spines promising entertainment, information, and everything in between. Maddie especially loved the children’s section upstairs that included fanciful play mats featuring characters from popular kids’ books. She’d gotten the idea when she’d seen the one Francine had for Reggie.
The tiered shelving for “Grandma’s Merch,” as Rafe hadbranded the crafts, filled a corner and looked inviting. Later, tins of Grandma’s herbal teas would join them—Rafe was in charge of acquiring the needed permits so they could be sold.
Having given Francine a crash course in checkout procedures the day before, Maddie had also talked with Evelyn, who’d offered to deliver fresh flowers from her gardens every few days—“They’ll speak to the beauty of the Vineyard far better than store-bought ones,” she said.
So, everything was ready. And Maddie had nothing left to do that day except drive to Chappy to pick up the giant batch of scones that she’d asked Rex to make, because when your baby’s father is a chef and master baker, why settle for less? He’d welcomed the task, saying it would help him feel like a real person—instead of a patient—again.
With a last glance around the shop, she went outside and locked up. Then, eager to waddle—which was how she now walked—to the lot where Orson waited, she turned and almost crashed into Chief Lawrence.
“Oh!” she exclaimed. “Hello.”
“Sorry,” he said. “I’m here unannounced.”
“The police don’t have to announce themselves. At least, not where I come from.” She felt silly for having said that, as if she’d had a slew of encounters with the Green Hills Police instead of none.
“I happened to be in the neighborhood, and decided to stop by and say I’m sorry, but I have nothing to report. Whoever wrote your notes didn’t write in cursive—not many people still do that—and it’s tough to track someone who’s good at printing block letters. And today most people own a Sharpie.”
Of course, Chief Lawrence didn’t know about the last message on the back of her mother’s yearbook photo. Under other circumstances, she might have told him then, but she’dbeen on her feet too long already that day, and she wanted to get to Chappy and back before the traffic started swelling with tourists who were arriving early.
“The fact that the paper and envelopes are garden-variety probably doesn’t help,” she suggested, trying to be polite.
“No kidding,” he said. “We checked Granite, the Paper Store, and daRosa’s—they all have similar types. But I did want to find out if you’ve had any more, let’s call them ‘events’? Like when the vehicle followed you? Or the phone call?”
She shook her head. And suddenly she had to pee. Which, unlike threats, could not be ignored.
“Thanks for the update,” she said, “but I’m in kind of a hurry. The shop opens on Friday, and I’m crunched for time today.”
He tipped his cap. “No problem. Let us know if anything else happens, though. I’d like to say we’ll keep digging, but starting this weekend …”
“I know. The season starts.”
“Right. We have extra hands, but …”
“No problem. Oh, and I just remembered something I forgot inside. Happy Memorial Day, and thanks again.” With that she gave him a small wave, unlocked the door, and hurried to the restroom before her baby girl or boy caused her to splatter the new floor.
The scones looked fabulous, of course. Rex had made five dozen—a dozen each of cinnamon, cranberry, and poppy seed, and two dozen blueberry, which he said would sell more because he’d spread a light glaze on top. “And who doesn’t like sugar?” he added.
Then he packed them up and told Maddie to be on her way, saying he was sorry he couldn’t deliver them up-island, but his sister had hidden the car keys.
Maddie kissed him and promised that once Taylor let him return to public places, she’d hand the bookshop over to her father for a day, and they could go to the Cape and buy baby things—and maybe a car for her. She told him to start making a list, the thought of which seemed to make him happy.
On the way back to Menemsha she was grateful to Taylor for keeping Rex from distracting her in these chaotic days. Which was exactly what Joe had been doing with Grandma, though they hadn’t needed to exchange any words about it.
Then, also thanks to Joe, who’d included WiFi in Orson’s retrofit for a new generation, Maddie’s phone rang. She touched a button on the steering wheel and there was Rafe, as if he were sitting next to her on the freshly upholstered bench seat.
“Hi, honey,” she said.
“Hey, Mom. Sounds like you’re on the road.”
“Breaking Orson in for you has been a dream. I’ll miss him when I have to drive a brand-new something-or-other. But I don’t think I’ll opt for a stick shift. It’s kind of fun, but annoying to have to keep thinking about.”
“Aww … sorry. But, hey, wouldn’t it be cool if you drove him here for graduation?”
