Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
T he next morning Amanda headed to Coastal Coffee. She’d gotten into the habit of going there for breakfast two or three times a week. As much for the company as the delicious food. A bit of a sense of belonging washed over her as she waved to Beverly and took a table near the front where the sunlight filtered in through the windows. The aroma of freshly baked pastries made her mouth water.
Glancing at the chalkboard above the counter she saw that blueberry muffins were today’s special. Now she was torn between the pecan waffle—always one of her favorites—and the muffin. Or, she could go with the healthier yogurt, fruit, and granola.
Beverly brought her over a cup of coffee. “Morning. Looks like you’re becoming a regular.”
“I guess I am. I’ll have…” She frowned, trying to make up her mind between the tempting options. “Okay, the blueberry muffin. And a side of the yogurt.” That almost made her feel better about the calorie-laden muffin.
“Good compromise.” Beverly’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Back in a flash.”
Tori came in and hurried over to her table. “Oh great, you’re here this morning. I’ve been wanting to catch up with you and hear all about the festival. Mind if I join you?”
“Please. I’ve just ordered.”
Tori sat down and placed her order. They both sipped their coffee as Amanda told her all the things she’d accomplished with the festival planning.
“I’ve got the music lined up. Most of the vendors. I wanted to end with a fireworks display for the grand finale, but I’m a little short on funding. I know the auction at the actual festival goes to the next year’s festival, so I’m guessing not a lot was raised at last year’s festival.”
Beverly walked up, balancing their plates and catching the last of their conversation. “Did I hear you say you’re short on funding?”
“Some. There are a few more things I’d like to do, but I’m a firm believer in staying within budget.” She gave a resigned sigh. “Especially fireworks. I remember that from when I was a girl.”
“We haven’t had the fireworks in years. I miss them. Let’s make that budget larger.” Beverly’s eyes lit up. “I could have a small display of things for sale to raise money for this year’s festival. There’s room over by the lending library. We’d just have to get some donations. I could donate some baked goods.”
“I’ll donate some tickets to the play opening at the theater,” Tori chimed in. “I always love the fireworks at the end of the festival.”
Maxine walked up. “You guys talking about the auction at the festival?”
“Actually, we need more funding for this year’s festival.”
“Oh, I finished that small table. How about I donate it for this year’s funding and the desk can go to the auction for next year,” Maxine offered.
“That would be great. I really appreciate this. Every little bit helps. And I’m trying to get more donations for the auction at this year’s festival so next year you won’t be so tight on funding.” Amanda took out her notebook and scribbled across the page.
“If we can find someone to run the festival next year.” Beverly poured Amanda more coffee. “We couldn’t have pulled this year off without you.”
“I’m just glad to help.”
“And I’m sure Dale will donate something. I’ll talk to him.” Maxine paused. “Maybe something with a bit of history to it. That always seems to be a big draw.”
Amanda turned the pages of her notebook and frowned. “That’s another thing I don’t have nailed down. I mean, it’s called the Heritage Festival. And I don’t have much… heritage for it. Historical things, I mean.”
“We usually have a small display of things at the gazebo. Dale helps with that. He’s kind of our history buff,” Beverly explained. “And you know what else we could display? We’ve found some interesting and mysterious items recently. We’ve been trying to figure out more about them.”
“Oh, what have you found?”
“A rolled up canvas that I found hidden in the bookcase of my office. A painting of a building that looks like the one we used to have here by the landing, only not exactly like it.”
“Then I found a letter hidden in an old purse. But the letter seems to be written in some kind of code.” Maxine shrugged. “We couldn’t really figure it out.
“And I found this beautiful pendant hidden in a drawer of the theater. We found out later it’s Miss Eleanor’s great-aunt’s, but we don’t know why it was hidden in the drawer.” Tori shrugged. “Just another bit of town mystery.”
“So we could put these with the heritage display. See if anyone has any more information about any of them.” Beverly laughed softly. “Well, we’re pretty sure Miss Eleanor knows something about the painting and the letter, but she’s not saying anything. We’d love to know more about them.”
“This will be perfect. We’ll make a display and put up a sign asking if anyone has any information about the items.” Her mind raced with ideas of how best to display the items. “I’m really glad I came in this morning. And for all the help you’ve all given me.”
“No, we’re thankful you took over the task of getting the festival all organized. Otherwise, I’m afraid it would have just disappeared.” A sad smile slipped across Beverly’s face. “Another part of our town’s history forgotten.”
“I’m hoping I can make this festival one the town will never forget. Like I’ve never forgotten the festival I went to here when I was a young girl.”
“I remember going to the festival when I was young, too.” Tori’s eyes lit up with the memories. “My grandmother and I always looked forward to it. I can’t wait to go to it again.”
Amanda felt the weight of responsibility to make the festival come back to its former glory. And hadn’t that been the one thing she wanted to escape? All the responsibilities? But somehow, planning this festival was different. It was fun. And no one was constantly emailing her or texting her. She felt a sense of camaraderie with these women, and the chance to create something special for this town made it feel more like a labor of love than a burden.
All in all, a pretty nice escape from the reality of her life back in New York. Beverly and Maxine went back to work, their cheerful banter with the customers providing a cozy background. Tori regaled her with stories of her life on Broadway, her eyes lighting up as she talked about the plays and the actors she’d met, but she was most proud of all she’d done with the Magnolia Key theater.
All in all, a perfect and unexpected morning. Full of friendship and laughter that made her feel like she belonged.