Page 24 of Windward Hearts

“Hi,” she said. “I’m Hope Landers, Miriam’s granddaughter.”

“Yes, hello!” Eleanor said, smiling broadly but trying not to overwhelm the newcomer. It hadn’t been so long ago that she was the new person in town, and she remembered feeling a little out of her depth with the friendliness of the townspeople. And she had moved here from Indianapolis, a friendly Midwestern city. Boston was nice enough, but it wasn’t known for being full to the brim of cheerful, welcoming individuals.

“I’m Eleanor,” she explained, pointing to herself. “I own the bookstore. And this is June, Diana, and Winnie,” she continued, pointing to each woman in turn. “Don’t fret if you don’t remember all the names. We’re happy to remind you.”

“Okay, great,” Hope said, coming all the way into the building. She handed Eleanor a bottle of wine, which was met with great appreciation by everyone around. “I am under strict instructions from Miriam to report everything back, so I don’t want to have to confess that I flubbed the names. Imagine her horror.”

Everyone laughed, and Eleanor watched as Hope’s expression relaxed.

“Let’s get you a drink,” Eleanor offered, guiding the newcomer toward the snack table. “And then you can tell us all about how you’re liking Magnolia Shore.”

When Hope was comfortably seated in Miriam’s usual armchair, a drink in her hand and a plate of empanadas at her side, she grinned at the group.

“Wow, okay, I feel like I’m getting the star treatment!”

“Only the best,” June said warmly.

“That seems to be everyone’s motto around here,” Hope said, laughing. “It has been really great being here, honestly. I mean, I’m not happy that Mimi isn’t feeling well, but being here has been nice, and it came at a great time for me. I didn’t recognize that at first, but it’s becoming clearer and clearer with every day.”

“You call Miriam ‘Mimi?’” Diana asked. “That’s adorable.”

Hope grinned. “Yeah, my sister and I started calling her that when we were kids. I think it fits her, though.”

“Totally,” Winnie agreed. “Very stylish. Very Miriam.”

“Yeah, she’s the best,” Hope agreed. “I hope this isn’t oversharing…”

“No such thing,” Diana reassured her.

“What happens in book club stays in book club,” June said with a playful smile.

Hope chuckled. “Amazing. Anyway, I was kind of… shaken by the restaurant where I’d worked for so long suddenly closing down. So, coming here is good for Mimi, but it’s also good for me to get a moment to just…”

“Catch your breath?” Winnie supplied kindly.

Hope nodded. “Yeah, exactly.”

“Oh, honey.” Eleanor reached over and patted Hope’s hand affectionately. “You are in good company for the ‘catching your breath’ crew. I came to Magnolia Shore after a divorce. June’s boyfriend came here to take a break from his country music career. The others have lived here longer, but we’ve all gone through stuff.”

“My first husband passed away,” June supplied, raising her hand.

“Really serious social anxiety,” Winnie offered, gesturing at herself.

There was a pause when everyone turned to Diana, who fluffed her hair playfully. “I don’t know why you’re all looking at me. I’m a gorgeous, successful business owner with a gorgeous, wonderful fiancé and perfect future stepdaughter. I’m an inspiration to the masses.”

June blew a raspberry in Diana’s direction, and everyone laughed.

“Well,” Hope said, looking even more reassured, “I’m glad that I’ve found a good place to land while I get my feet back underneath me.”

“And you’re welcome to come to any book club meetings while you’re in town,” Eleanor assured her. “You don’t have to wait for weeks when Miriam isn’t up to joining.”

“Wonderful,” Hope said, smiling in a way that made her look a great deal like her grandmother.

They had been talking about the book they were reading for a few minutes when Cadence hurried into the store, looking harried and stressed.

“Hi, hi, hi,” she said, hanging up her lightweight spring jacket. “Sorry that I’m so late.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Eleanor assured her. “This is Hope, Miriam’s granddaughter.”