“And,” Elsie was saying, tapping on her tablet, “if you post the listing on the tourism site too, you’ll hit a whole new wave ofvisitors before Labor Day. Maybe even a feature in theMidwest Getawaynewsletter.”
Krista nodded absently. “Mmm. Sounds good.”
Elsie followed her gaze, took in Joe at the counter, and smirked. “Uh-huh. You have no idea what I just said, do you?”
Krista tore her eyes away, cheeks heating. “Of course I do. Labor Day. Tourism site. Great idea.”
“Sure,” Elsie said, laughing as she set the tablet flat on the table. “Okay, focus for thirty seconds, then back to ogling your very photogenic bartender.”
“I’m not?—”
Elsie held up a hand. “No lies before noon. Now. Summer Swap.” She swiped to a colorful little spreadsheet titled:Maple Falls Summer Swap––Overview.
Krista’s stomach dipped. “Wow, this is all very official.”
“Krista, this is the best content I’ve had in months,” Elsie said, her eyes shining. “It’s already working, and you haven’t even swapped lives yet.”
Krista blinked. “What do you mean?”
Elsie turned the tablet so Krista could see. “I did a soft launch last night. Shared that bonfire photo of you and Joe and introduced the Summer Swap. Liam from the farm shop offered a dollar for every like and share––up to two hundred—for your grandparents.” She tapped the number. “We hit a hundred and sixty-two before midnight. From one post.”
Krista stared at the number. It wasn’t huge. It didn’t magically fix everything. But it was real. It was something.
Elsie rotated the screen in Joe’s direction as he came to join them.
“And that was just the start.” Elsie grinned. “So, here’s how it’s going to work going forward, now that I’ve sobered up enough to organize it.”
She flipped to another tab, rows neatly color-coded. “Every day for the next five days, we’ll line up a Maple Fallsbusiness to sponsor you and Joe swapping lives. Flat donation, plus a small cut of their sales during a set window. Donations will pour in from locals too.”
Krista’s heart fluttered as she skimmed the names of businesses who’d already offered to sponsor them. The Maple Leaf Café, the Cinnamon Spice Inn, the Pumpkin Pie Bakery, the Cocoa Corner, the Cherry Crush Flower Shop. The town she loved, all coming through to help her grandparents.
“So tomorrow,” Elsie said, “we officially kick things off with the Cinnamon Spice Inn as our sponsor. They threw in a hundred dollars, plus a cut of their cinnamon roll sales.”
As Elsie continued, her excitement was contagious. Krista’s chest felt lighter than it had in days.
“Every night I’ll text you guys,” continued Elsie, “and we can do a little roundup of how the day went and what the plans are for the next day. You get to play musical lives, the town has fun, and your grandparents get help a lot sooner than if you tried to do this alone. Deal?”
Krista huffed a half laugh. “You really are dangerous with a margarita and an internet connection.”
“You knew this when we became friends,” Elsie said breezily, tucking the tablet back into her tote, glancing at Joe. “Go get caffeinated. Tomorrow we have a town to entertain.”
She stood, looping the tote over her shoulder. “And remember. The Cinnamon Spice Inn wants dreamy Maple Falls shots tomorrow. AndIwant at least one of Joe looking like a rugged lake god and a sexy barista. For the brand.”
Krista made a strangled sound. “Goodbye, Elsie.”
Elsie just laughed and headed down the dock, thumbs flying over her phone.
When she disappeared, the Hideaway grew quiet again. Just the hum of the espresso machine, the lake rippling beyond.
Joe held up a mug. “For you,” he said.
Krista eyed it. “Should I be worried?”
“Never. This is a Valerio original.” He set it down grandly. “The Summer Sweet.”
“What’s in it?”
“Honey, strawberry syrup, oat milk, and probably too much espresso.”
