14. Chapter 14
fourteen
Rowan watched lines emerge on Chris’ forehead after hearing about the opposition against the inn reopening.
“Why not?” he asked. “It’ll bring in more business to the local community and perhaps new investors, too.”
Rowan didn’t expect Chris to understand. He wasn’t from the island. Some islanders even considered her an outsider since she had been more of a summer visitor before moving here permanently this spring.
“That’s exactly what some people don’t want to happen,” Rowan explained. “They don’t want mainlanders to take over the island. What you call investing, they’d call invading.”
“I see.” He nodded thoughtfully. “I ran into the same issue at the beginning of each resort project.”
“Did you?”
“This island is similar to the places where I built my resorts on—secluded, with a tiny population that'd be impacted by what some would call a huge shake-up. And businesses like ours do bring in changes.”
“How did you convince the local community to accept you? Money?” Rowan asked.
“Money is part of it since we had to purchase the land we wanted to build the resort, but we usually started with a dialogue with the local leaders. It takes a lot of discussions and listening. I needed to listen to their concerns and respect their boundaries. It took a lot of time and diplomacy.”
“You didn’t deal with the local people yourself, did you?” Rowan asked skeptically .
“I did. With local help, of course. I try to stay involved with the negotiation with the community. It usually helps when they see I respect them enough to come myself.”
Rowan studied the man finishing his lunch in front of her. Alex was right: she could learn a lot from Chris Sullens. Unlike him, she had avoided the local Chamber of Commerce meetings, where people like Connor Gibbes had a great deal of sway and had cast doubts on the value of reopening the Bright Head Inn.
“What reason might some people have against the Bright Head Inn reopening?” Chris asked. “It isn’t like a huge resort that would bring hundreds of people each day. You have a capacity of forty guests max.”
“But we have enough land to build more,” Rowan said. “At least that’s what Gibbes has been saying to the others.”
“Wouldn’t that be a good thing? More work for construction companies and more job opportunities may sprout new businesses.”
“Yes, like Bobbie’s,” Rowan agreed. “She started a housecleaning business, then began offering services to the few rentals on the island. Now, if our arrangement works out well, it’ll make more sense for me to outsource the cleaning to her instead of hiring full-time cleaners.
“But then again, Connor and his gang of the older establishment don’t treat Bobbie with much respect, either. Though their wives love that they won’t have to lift a mop ever again,” she pointed out.
“What do they think about the farm? And Kieran?” Chris asked.
“They have no issue with Kieran. He speaks their language—a lot of grunting and few words. It also helps that he has the right appendages.” Rowan snickered, then added, “The farm makes it possible for the island to stop outsourcing produce from the mainland. The inn is the opposite.”
“How is it the opposite? You’re providing more income to the local economy. Your guests will want to stroll Main Street and spend money in the stores and restaurants.”
“They think our guests won’t spend their money on the small businesses and seclude themselves here because I plan to provide full services.”
“You need to show them how the Bright Head Inn will benefit them,” Chris suggested .
“How do I do that? Those against me are set in their thinking.”
“By proving them wrong. Yesterday, Sheila mentioned you threw a cheese-tasting event at the farm last summer.”
Rowan nodded. “We invited a brewery from North Haven to take part in the tasting. Sheila had her baker friends do a little friendly bake-off, then we had two food trucks to provide for the main meal. We had a band. People had a great time.”
“You can involve the community in the inn’s business in the same way. That café downtown roasts its own beans. Have them make the inn a special blend that you’ll serve here, and you can sell bags of them with co-branding. Work with a local yoga to provide special classes here a few days a week. I saw a lifestyle store in town that sells cute island home goods and fragrances if you can create special toiletries with them—”
“I did that. Morgan—that shop owner—is one of my supporters. The toiletries in your room are the prototypes we worked on together.”
“And they’re perfect. They smell fresh—not too sweet, not too strong—just right. Show those old codgers your collaborations with Bobbie and Morgan are only the surface of ways the inn can benefit the community.”
“Three women-led businesses won’t convince Connor Gibbes.”
“Who is this Connor Gibbes?” Chris questioned.
“He owns the biggest lobstering fleet on the island.”
“So he’s a big deal.” Chris sat back and drank his Coke.
Rowan grimaced as she wiped her fingers with her napkin. “He grew up with my dad, but they were never friends. There’s always been a rivalry between them. That might have something to do with his attitude.”
She let out an enormous sigh. “Either way, I can’t, nor do I have the energy to fight him and his misogyny right now.”
The feel of Chris’ warm hand on hers on the table jolted Rowan. She turned her gaze to him.
“You can, Rowan.” He looked at her. “After seeing what you’ve done with this place and the amount of preparation you’ve managed, I have no doubt you can.”
Rowan didn’t understand, but his words and touch eased the invisible vise around her chest that had made it difficult to breathe sometimes. How did this virtual stranger, with his perpetual smile, do that?
They spent the rest of the afternoon interviewing the farm staff, who signed up for the extra temporary work at the inn. Chris chatted with them, noted their skills and personalities, and unofficially assigned them to the slots he and Rowan had listed earlier.
Now, they had people with experience in waiting tables. A few stronger, younger men, willing to do extra hours for the money, would help transport the guests with their luggage and miscellaneous tasks. Rowan had also recruited an engaging high school senior to staff the front desk while Chris and Rowan provided guest services.
On the other side of the barn, Alex and Oliver already had their chosen team of bakers and cooks, plus kitchen helpers. Naturally, Sheila and Donna were there. Alex was happy to entrust the baking to them.
Chris walked the last of the interviewees to the open barn door. Rowan joined him at the threshold with a neat stack of paperwork she’d collected from the folks he’d sent her way after he’d finished talking with them. The two of them had worked together like clockwork this afternoon. It was amazing, remembering they’d only met each other yesterday. And she hadn’t even wanted him there.
“That’s a solid day of work, if I may so myself,” Chris commented.
“I agree.” Rowan had a pleased smile on her face, topped with a dollop of relief that Chris was glad to see. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a drink.”
“I’m down with that!” Alex joined in.
“You got yourself a good team?” Chris asked the chef.
“We’ll find out tomorrow. O and I will start basic training tomorrow for the kitchen helpers. The bakers I have full confidence in. Sheila and Donna know what they’re doing. I just need them to deliver by a certain hour.”
“Where’s Oliver?” Rowan asked.
“He went to start dinner. You’ll taste some authentic Korean cooking tonight, baby!” Alex said .
“That’ll be a first on this island, I’m sure.” Rowan grinned. “Wait till Connor Gibbes hears about that.”
Alex seemed to understand the local dynamic and, for once, sounded serious. “People need to understand just because something is different doesn’t mean it’s bad. Besides, we’re not serving it to paying guests. I know tourists want to look for the local taste.”
"Sure, but a bit of fusion should help make the food here unique compared to the places in town," Chris suggested.
“Hell yeah,” Alex agreed. “When the inn opens for real, we’ll have guests for over two nights. We’ll need a more extensive menu. I’d create a weekly menu based on local fare but with fresh twists. I’d feature the farm’s freshest offerings of the week.”
“You’re thinking about the inn menu? Like a real full menu?” Rowan stared at her friend as if she didn’t expect it.
“Bright Head isn’t just any inn, Rowan. It’s a destination. And any destination hotel needs a superb restaurant,” Alex claimed.
“That’s right,” Chris agreed. “Plus, dining experience and spa services are the biggest draw for day guests to places like Bright Head.”
“Who would come here as day guests? We’re a ferry ride away from the mainland. Our clientele would be tourists who book to stay here,” Rowan said.
“You forget the locals. Some people would love to come here for special occasions: anniversary dinner, graduation party, date night, or Mother’s Day brunch. And I’ve never met a lady who would refuse a day in a spa for a treat,” Chris spelled out.
“I’m not forgetting them, but I don’t have a spa or a world-class restaurant just yet,” Rowan pointed out.
“You gotta have the vision to make it happen, girl,” Alex said.
A light bulb flipped on in Chris’ brain. “Is Connor Gibbes married?” he asked.
Rowan frowned at his question. “Yeah.”
“Is his wife active in the community?” he followed up.
“I think so. I’m sure she heads some committee or club or something. Why?” Rowan asked.
“Maybe she’s the key to getting Connor Gibbes into your corner,” Chris suggested.
“Wait, what am I missing?” Alex looked confused.
“The inn has gotten some pushback from the community,” Chris explained .
“You didn’t tell me that,” Alex looked at Rowan.
“So many things are happening. I haven’t had time to update you on everything,” Rowan evaded.
“Then how comes he knows?” Alex side-eyed Chris.
Rowan didn’t seem to register Alex’s comment as she was tracking a truck coming up the driveway. “Speaking of the devil, you’re about to meet him.”
Both Alex and Chris turned to her. “Who?”
“Connor Gibbes.”