She and Jacob went back out to his truck and clambered inside. For a moment, they sat there quietly and Jacob took a deep breath.
“Where to next?” Hazel asked softly.
Jacob picked up the list he had written down before leaving their house. “Seaside Sweets Bakery,” he said. “I guess they have a couple of busted windows.”
Hazel nodded but sighed inwardly. It was going to be a long day.
CHAPTER FIVE
Faith got out of her car, pressing her lips together with concern. A gust of wind rushed against her, causing wisps of her copper-colored hair to blow across her face. She shivered a little, since the spring wind blowing in from the ocean felt cold despite the sunshine.
She walked toward the physical therapy clinic where Noelle worked, feeling concerned. She’d been on her way to the McCormick Brewery to do a little marketing work when she’d seen that the physical therapy clinic had gotten damaged in the storm. She’d noted Noelle’s yellow Volkswagen Beetle outside and decided to stop by and see how bad things were there.
It feels like the whole town got hit with this storm,she thought, sighing as she tugged open the front door of the clinic. Everyone got affected in some way—if not directly, then someone they know and love got affected.
She stepped into the lobby, which normally was clean and tidy and smelled deliciously of seasonal essential oils. Now, however, the room was filled with boxes and pieces of furniture, making it clear that items had been moved out of a damaged storage area and at least one of the offices.
Noelle was standing next to Chip, the other physical therapist, and their receptionist Chloe. As the door closed behind Faith, Noelle turned and noticed her coming into the office.
“Oh, hey,” Noelle said, hurrying forward and giving her a hug. “Were you coming here for an appointment? We’re closed today, unfortunately.” She gestured around the lobby with a delicate grimace.
Faith shook her head. “No, I was just passing by and noticed the damage. I wanted to make sure you guys were okay.”
Noelle hugged her again, sideways this time. “We’re okay. Thankfully no one was hurt—but a window got busted in our storage room and in Chip’s office, and we have a lot of water damage. We’re doing our best to sort through everything now.” Noelle’s face was white and drawn, but she forced a smile as she looked at her friend. “But we’ll be okay. Is your place okay?”
Faith nodded. “Yes, thankfully. Sounds like all of our homes are okay, which is a mercy, and the McCormick Brewery sustained minimal damage. I haven’t heard about The Lighthouse Grill yet, though—it’s okay, right? I feel like someone would have told me if it wasn’t.”
Noelle nodded. “The Lighthouse Grill was also lucky, thank goodness.”
“What about your wedding venue?” Faith asked, feeling a twinge of concern. Noelle and Dean had already had so many hurdles to cross when it came to their wedding, and she hated the idea of something else going wrong for them.
“Dean is on his way there now, to check in on it and make sure they’re all okay there. I stopped by our storage unit earlier though and thank goodness everything there was spared as well. It’s a study building up on a hill with a cement foundation and no basement, so I guess that makes sense, but I was so worried during the storm.”
Faith nodded, understanding completely. She had started planning her wedding with Ryan, and the things she’d picked out were already dear to her heart. She knew that if she’d been in danger of losing any of the items she planned to decorate with, she’d be frantic with worry. She was glad that things had worked out for Dean and Noelle. They deserved that, after all the trouble they’d been through with Dean’s osteoarthritis surgery and recovery time.
Noelle looked around the lobby and sighed. “I guess I still am worried, truth be told. The storm has caused so much damage across town—I think there’s a good chance that our venue took a hit.”
Faith squeezed her hand. “Don’t think that, Noelle. Try to think positively. I know things look fairly bleak around town right now, but there’s no reason to plan on disaster when it hasn’t happened yet.”
Noelle laughed grimly and pointed to all of the damaged items surrounding them. “Faith, I’m pretty sure disaster has already struck.”
“You’re right, but I’m pretty sure you don’t care about your storage box full of paper towels as much as you care about having the wedding of your dreams stay intact. I just don’t want you to worry before there’s any real reason to, you know?”
Noelle smiled at her. “You’re right, I shouldn’t worry. I just have this pit in my stomach. I don’t know if it’s a premonition or if I’m just anxious because of everything that’s been going on.”
“I bet you’re just anxious.” Faith put a reassuring arm around Noelle. “It’s hard to stay positive when you’re experiencing bad things. It makes you feel like bad things are going to keep happening, but that isn’t necessarily true. I remember after my parents died, I expected bad things to happen all the time. And sure, some bad things did, but I finally learned to stay positiveno matter what. It’s so much better to live life hoping for the best than to be stuck under a cloud of worry all the time.”
Noelle let out a sigh and hugged Faith back. “I’m so glad you stopped by when you did. I needed that pep talk just now. You’re so right. Even if something bad does happen, I’m not going to be any less disappointed by being pessimistic first.”
Faith nodded. “I think I actually get more disappointed if I’m approaching an unknown outcome with pessimism. It’s like my energy reserves are lower that way, and I’m not as well equipped to handle disappointment.”
“I’ve experienced that too. It’s always so hard to fight that urge, though, isn’t it? It’s like our brains are so determined to try to protect us that way or something.”
“Our brains need to figure out it’s not helpful.” Faith laughed. “I should get going in a little bit here, but why don’t I run out and get you all something from Ocean Breeze Café? Maybe some coffees and doughnuts?”
At the mention of doughnuts, Chip, who had been burrowing inside one of his displaced desk drawers, looked up with a grin. “That would be amazing. It’s been my experience that any situation can be improved with doughnuts.”
Faith nodded with a mock serious expression. “I couldn’t agree more. I’ll be back in a little bit.”
