34. Chapter 34
thirty-four
One day to the wedding
After the Friday breakfast service, Chris took over Tim’s job of picking up the Friday noon arrivals and had Tim drive the bridal party to their salon appointments instead. A little distance between him and Rowan was probably a good idea. She’d managed to keep their engagement between Meredith and Sam by telling them she didn’t want to take any attention away from them.
That little spat between him and Rowan was an apt reminder he was, in fact, not Rowan’s fiancé. He needed to stop blurring the line they’d drawn that first day they’d fallen into lust.
They hadn’t touched each other last night. Chris had been the last to turn in. After making sure all guests were settled, the staff had clocked off, he’d had an end-of-the-day drink with Rae, Alex, and Oliver while Rowan had excused herself. She’d been asleep—or pretended to sleep—when he’d come in.
Great. Their fake relationship had progressed to faking sleep. How hilarious.
“You’re picking up guests in town?” Rae showed up at his side at the reception desk.
Chris noted the clock. “Not for another hour. You want to come?”
“I was wondering if I could. I didn’t get a chance to check out the town. ”
Chris picked up the shuttle key and said, “Let’s go now. We can walk around town before we pick up the guests. Let me just tell Alex we’re heading out.”
Twenty minutes later, Chris and Rae were walking down Main Street.
“This restaurant is pretty good, modern farm-to-table, started by a local chef who returned after working on the mainland for a while.” Chris gestured to a glass-front business at the beginning of the Main Street strip.
“Kieran’s customer?”
“Almost everybody on the island and the surrounding islands is directly or indirectly Kieran’s customer.”
“Wow, really?” Rae looked impressed.
“That’s the coffee shop. They roast their own beans,” Chris started.
“And we buy ours from them,” Rae finished.
“That you do. That’s right.” Chris chuckled. “Look at you, embracing the family business already.”
Rae shrugged with a grin. “I guess it’s in the blood. I’ve always loved country inns and B&Bs. I made decent money reviewing and writing about them.”
“Now you co-own one,” Chris said.
“Tell me straight, what is your verdict on the place?” Rae asked.
“It’s got a good potential. Rowan’s plan is solid. The only thing I never got privy to is the full financial picture. I studied her budget and her latest income projections, assuming the inn would reopen this summer, which will need to be revised. But I don’t see where the funds are coming from.”
“So, what money is she using now?”
“The wedding party paid upfront. I know Rowan has enough to pay for the extra hours for the hybrid staff and the outside vendor. Everything else will have to wait until the lawyers sort out things between the three of you.”
“I didn’t realize that. Rowan hasn’t said anything.”
“She has a lot of things on her mind right now. She may not want financials to be the first thing you discuss after meeting each other.”
Rae nodded with a thoughtful smile. “I like her.” She looked at Chris as they strolled down the short downtown strip.
“She’s great,” Chris agreed. “A little hard-headed, but yeah. ”
Rae eyed him with a small frown. “Did something happen? I sensed a little tension between you this morning.”
“Nah. Just, you know, wedding stress. Lots of things going on.”
Rae laughed. “You guys aren’t the ones getting married for real. You shouldn’t be getting wedding jitters.”
Chris grinned. “It’s nothing. She just wants me to back off a bit. I might’ve gotten too overprotective.”
“I wonder why that is?” Rae murmured.
Chris deliberately ignored the comment.
“Is that a home goods store?” Rae wisely diverted the conversation.
“That’s Morgan’s store. All the toiletries at Bright Head are custom made by Morgan at Rowan’s request,” Chris explained.
Rae didn’t need an invitation. She entered the store and inhaled deeply. “That smells good.”
“Thank you,” a cheery voice said from behind the counter. “Welcome to Scent-sational. Hi, Chris!”
“Hey, Morgan. Nice seeing you again.” He gestured to Rae. “This is my friend, Rae. I was just telling her you custom-made all the toiletries at Bright Head.”
“I did. How do you like them?” Morgan asked Rae.
“I love them. They smell fantastic, and the body lotion is so silky.”
“It has aloe. Sometimes people forget we can still sunburn here even though the temperature rarely gets above 80 in the summer.” Morgan smiled. “You’re here for the wedding?”
Rae nodded vaguely. “Uh-huh. I thought I’d shop while I can.”
“Try anything and let me know if you have questions.” Morgan asked Chris, “Did Rowan say anything about the samples I sent?”
“Yes, they’re great. We tried them,” Chris replied. “The oil is the perfect consistency, and the scent is lovely. But I’m no expert.”
“Oil?” Rae asked.
“Morgan created a line of spa products for Bright Head,” Chris explained.
“Scrubs, massage oil, and body masks to start with,” Morgan elaborated.
“A spa at Bright Head would be perfect,” Rae agreed.
“Did I hear someone mentioning a spa at Bright Head?” A blond woman in her late fifties browsing the opposite store wall turned around. Her brunette companion turned with equal interest on her face.
“I didn’t know Bright Head had a spa,” the woman said, approaching them.
“Charlotte,” Rae called, obviously recognizing the woman.
The other woman took a beat before smiling back. “It’s Rae, right?”
“That’s right.” Rae nodded and discreetly elbowed Chris. “This is Connor Gibbes’ wife, Charlotte. I met her at the ferry when I arrived.”
“Oh, yes. That was very neighborly of Mr. Gibbes for driving my good friend to Bright Head,” Chris said.
“I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure,” Charlotte looked at Chris.
Chris stretched out his hand to Charlotte. “I’m Chris Sullens.”
“You’re Rowan’s sweetheart, the Boston fella.” Charlotte squeezed Chris’ hand with a flirtatious glint in her eyes. “Isn’t Rowan lucky? Don’t you think so, Ada?”
Ada agreed, followed by a round of introductions.
“So, tell us again about this spa,” Charlotte said. “I’d love it if I didn’t have to take a ferry to Rockland just to have a day in the spa. Though I enjoy a trip to Camden every other month.”
“It’s still in the planning stage,” Chris said. “It’s Rowan’s dream to turn Bright Head into a great destination inn, with a full offering of spa services and world-class dining.”
Chris saw the joy on Charlotte’s and Ada’s faces as they heard the idea. He glanced at Rae, and she observed the same thing, too, and nodded to him.
“Picture it, ladies. Mother’s Day weekend, you are being pampered all day at the spa. You’ll start your day with a refreshing, freshly made, wholesome fruit and vegetable juice. You both look like you take care of yourselves. Your skin…” Chris exaggeratedly noted with his eyes. “…looks flawless. I bet you eat a healthy diet.”
“Absolutely.” Charlotte beamed.
“Our chefs will serve a delicious and healthy breakfast before you enter the treatment room, where the therapist will scrub you first. Then you can go into the sauna before you get your full-body massage,” Chris laid it on thick. “What kind of massage do you like, Mrs. Gibbes? ”
“Call me Charlotte, darling,” she said. “I enjoy a hot stone massage.”
“Me, too. Excellent,” Chris said.
“Unfortunately,” Rae chimed in. “I heard there’s some opposition to the inn reopening?”
“There is.” Chris nodded with a heavy sigh. “Some local business owners are worried about the impact the inn reopening might bring to the island. You know, a big inflow of tourists coming in and out. Could be a nuisance for the locals.”
“I love tourists,” Morgan said. “I’d love the type of tourists who would buy my products. You know, like the tourists that stay at the inn, like Rae here. You came in because you just love the toiletries at the inn, right?”
“That’s why I’m here.” Rae smiled widely at Morgan and started taking bottles from the display.
“Which local business owners are you talking about?” Charlotte demanded. “You know that Ada’s and my husbands have a lot of influence in this community, right?”
“We do.”
“I’m sure our husbands can change these people’s minds. I think reopening Bright Head will be great progress for Vinalhaven,” Charlotte said. “Don’t you think, Ada?”
“Too many tourists could be a hassle to our way of life, Charlotte.” Ada wasn’t a follower, after all.
“I don’t think the capacity of Bright Head Inn would bring the throng of tourists some people are afraid of,” Chris added. “But it’s enough to boost the economy of the entire island. Rowan is already collaborating with businesses like Morgan’s and the yoga hut.”
Ada still looked skeptical.
“Are you an artist, Ada?” Rae asked, studying Ada’s hands and attire.
“I’m a potter,” she said. “But I’m not serious about it.”
“She is, too. Her dinnerware collections are gorgeous, but she only sells them from her workshop.”
“Do you have pictures of your work?” Rae asked.
Ada pulled out her cellphone and showed them pictures of a simple and elegant dish set and another with a more whimsical design.
“Those are beautiful,” Chris said, feeling relieved at the quality. “You know, Rowan hopes to display local artists’ work at the inn to show and sell on behalf of the artists. Perhaps you and your fellow artists would be interested in a conversation.”
“I can ask around,” Ada said.
“Perfect,” Chris said.
“You know, I have an idea.” Rae’s face was bright with inspiration as she smiled at the older ladies.
“You can’t say there have been no changes on the island,” Meredith said as they walked down Main Street.
She and Rowan had finished their nail appointments while Caroline and Daphne, Meredith’s best friend and maid of honor, were still finishing theirs.
“There are so many new businesses we didn’t have back in the day,” Meredith continued.
“Of course. But these changes didn’t come without a struggle,” Rowan said. “I’m all about preserving the island’s natural surroundings, but we can do that and welcome more tourists. Now, I’m not talking about thousands of tourists each day. I’m talking about specific types of vacationers. Maybe nature lovers who would love a seabird tour.”
“Eco-tourism?” Meredith echoed.
“Exactly.”
They reached the end of the storefront strip, so they turned around. They’d already dropped into Morgan’s store. Apparently, Chris had brought Rae in earlier, and they’d had an interesting conversation with Charlotte Gibbes and Ada Parker.
Rowan was making a mental note to ask them about that when a big man stepped out of the hardware store into their path. Both Meredith and Rowan stopped short.
“Excuse me. Sorry, ladies. Oh, hey, Rowan.” Greg smiled at her.
“Greg, how are you?” Rowan summoned a friendly smile.
“Not so bad,” he said.
“Meredith, remember Greg?” Rowan prompted. “We all used to swim at the quarry when we were kids.”
“Yes! Greg, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Meredith replied. “What are you up to these days? ”
“He’s who you call when you have a plumbing problem. He’s the best in town,” Rowan said.
Did Greg blush a little?
“Though you haven’t called me much since your fiancé arrived on the island,” Greg said.
“Knock on wood. We haven’t had many plumbing issues,” Rowan said neutrally.
“I hope not. I don’t want plumbing issues ruining my wedding weekend,” Meredith quipped.
“It’s your wedding. Congratulations,” Greg said. “I’m sure everything will be fine. Rowan has worked hard on the inn.”
Rowan didn’t expect the compliment. “Thank you, Greg. That’s nice to hear.”
“I think my uncle is giving you too much of a hard time,” Greg said. “I’ll try asking him to back off.”
“You’re a good man, Greg. Thank you.” Rowan was so moved that she went and gave the big teddy bear a hug.
Obviously surprised by the gesture, Greg patted Rowan on the back. “Many of us want to see the inn reopen. You can count on my support. Anyway, I gotta split to Mrs. Foley’s house. Septic issue. Not something I want to deal with, but work is work.”
“Good luck with that,” Meredith said.
Greg crossed the street and hopped into his van. Meredith and Rowan waved at him as he drove away. When they resumed their walk back to the nail salon, Rowan felt the hair on her neck stand as if someone was watching her.
She looked back and scanned the street. A few day-tourists went in and out of the stores, but none stood out.
“What are you doing? Come on. We should get back,” Meredith said. “I want to freshen up before the rehearsal.”
“Your mom and Daphne should be done by now.”
Rowan followed her cousin, but she couldn’t help but turn her head back as the prickly feeling still plagued her.
“Rowan?” Meredith called.
“Coming!” Rowan shook off the feeling and hurried to catch up with Meredith.