Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
T he next morning Amanda woke up in a great mood, humming softly while she made coffee. She took the steaming mug outside onto her deck. Not because she was hoping to catch a glimpse of Connor or anything. It wasn’t that.
Everything was going so well right now. The festival planning was going smoothly. She and Connor were getting closer, and she liked that. And she had a date—or was it a not-date—with Connor to go to the new play at the theater. A smile crept across her lips as she stood and sipped on the coffee, running memories of last night over and over in her mind. Watching him work. Their time sitting on the deck.
Okay, she really needed to work, not sit here and think about Connor all day. She returned inside and flipped open her laptop. An email from one of the festival sponsors caught her eye. She clicked on it and a heavy feeling hit the pit of her stomach. They were pulling out due to what they said was a significant downturn in their business and they weren’t certain sponsoring the festival was a good business decision now.
Before she could fully process the ramifications of that, her phone buzzed and she opened the text from the funnel cake vendor. They were having problems with their equipment and had to cancel too.
She was almost afraid to answer her phone when it rang, but she did, only to be informed that one of the singers in the barbershop quartet lost his voice and they were hoping to find a replacement for him
Amanda regretted her naive, positive mindset of this morning, thinking everything was going as planned…
The weight of these setbacks clung to her, but as much as she needed to solve these problems, her thoughts kept drifting back to Connor. Not a very productive way to handle things.
Disillusioned by the morning’s setbacks, she headed to Coastal Coffee, hoping Beverly might have a lead on another sponsor.
She headed inside and sat at the counter, watching as Beverly efficiently waited on another customer, then she turned to her. “What’s up? You look a little frazzled.”
“A sponsor pulled out.”
“Luckily your fundraising sales are going like gangbusters here. I’ve had so many people come in and donate things. And everything is selling. I think the town is starting to really get excited about the festival this year. Everyone is talking about having fireworks again.”
She blinked, surprised at Beverly’s words. “Wow, I thought that everyone was still doubting me. Not trusting an outsider to plan it all.”
“You’re winning them over.”
Amanda grinned despite of all the problems of the morning, her spirits rising at the growing enthusiasm of the town. “Well, that’s good to hear. Now I need a new funnel cake vendor because I just have to have funnel cakes. I remember them from when I was young.”
“Let me make some calls with some of my suppliers. Maybe someone will have a connection.”
“Thank you, that would be great.” She sighed. “Now if the baritone in the barbershop quartet could just get his voice back or they find someone to fill in for him…”
“Bet it all works out,” Beverly said encouragingly, her optimism infectious.
“I hope so.”
“Pecan waffle?”
“I think I’ll just have the yogurt and granola. And more coffee, please.”
“You sure?” Beverly’s eyebrows arched, a playful challenge in her voice.
“I’m sure.” She couldn’t eat pecan waffles every day of her life, could she? Besides, she’d put on some weight since she’d arrived here in Magnolia. Not surprising since she skipped so many meals back in New York, just not taking time to eat.
Beverly brought her food out and slipped behind the counter. She waved to a woman coming in and the woman walked over to them. “Darlene, have you met Amanda?”
“No, but I’ve heard about her and all she’s doing for the festival. Nice to meet you, Amanda.” Darlene reached out and shook her hand.
“Darlene owns the Bayside B&B,” Beverly explained.
“Nice to meet you, Darlene.”
Darlene sat down beside her. “Just coffee. Thought I’d pop in on my way to the market.”
Beverly brought her a mug and turned to Amanda.
“So what else is new? Connor still helping you out?” Beverly said as she took out a stack of napkins and silverware.
“He is. And yesterday he invited me into his workshop to watch him work.”
“You don’t say.” Beverly mindlessly made up a napkin roll, her hands moving with practiced ease. “That’s surprising.”
“It was. And it was fascinating. I could have sat there for hours watching him. Then we had a drink.”
“Sounds like he’s opening up a bit to you.”
“He is. Some,” she said noncommittally. “I find it so intriguing that he can create something so beautiful out of nothing. Well, out of a block of wood. I bet that’s a great feeling. He asked me if I had tried any artistic endeavors, but I had to admit I hadn’t.”
“How about trying your hand at knitting?” Darlene asked. “I’m always hoping to convert people into knitters. I have my knitting group. We love newcomers. I could teach you to knit. That’s creating something out of nothing. Okay, yarn in this case.”
She considered the offer. “I think I’d like to try knitting.” The idea of learning a new skill appealed to her.
“Great. We’re meeting on Monday. About ten at the B&B. I’ll have yarn and needles for you. I have way too much yarn. More than I can knit in my lifetime.” Darlene laughed and shrugged her shoulders, her expression a mix of amusement and self-awareness. “But it’s what knitters do when we’re not knitting. We collect yarn. I’ve got needles too. You’ll be all set. We’ll start you out on a simple scarf.”
“Thank you. I can’t wait.”
“You’re making all kinds of new friends here, aren’t you?” Beverly smiled. “Like Darlene and Connor.”
“I guess Connor and I are friends. And…” She looked at Beverly for a moment before blurting out, “And we’re going to the play at Tori’s theater on Saturday.” She positively ignored the flutter of excitement that swept through her. She did.
Beverly’s hand paused mid-air. “Together? On a date? I’m pretty sure Connor has never been on a date since he moved here.”
“I’m not sure if he thinks of it as a date or not. Maybe just friends going out to a show?”
Beverly smiled. “Maybe.”
She dug into her yogurt and tried to ignore the fact that it wasn’t a pecan waffle. She comforted herself by saying it was definitely healthier for her.
Tori came into the cafe and up to the counter. “Morning all.” She slid onto the stool next to her. “You’ll never believe who came in and bought two tickets to Saturday’s show.”
“Connor Dempsey?” Beverly asked and grinned.
“Wait. How did you guess?”
“Because one of those tickets is for Amanda.” Darlene laughed, her eyes twinkling.
Amanda's cheeks grew warm. “We’re… ah… going together. I’m honestly not sure if it’s a date though.”
“Going to a show together sounds like a date to me,” Tori said as she took the cup of coffee Beverly handed her. “So, you two are getting close?”
“Close? No, we’re just friends. I think. I mean we’re closer than when I first came to town and he wanted nothing to do with me. But under all that gruff exterior and his claiming he needs his solitude… there’s a really nice guy.”
Beverly looked at Tori and Darlene, a knowing glance passing between the three of them. “Bet there’s something going on there.”
“Sounds like it.” Tori nodded.
“Hey, I’m sitting right here. How about we just wait and see how Saturday goes before jumping to any conclusions?” She shook her head. “I mean, maybe we’re just friends?” Were they? Is that all they were? How come this was so confusing?
“Well, we can’t wait to talk to you after Saturday night.” Beverly headed over to wait on a customer.
Amanda hoped that after Saturday, she’d have a better idea of what her and Connor’s relationship actually was. She frowned. And what did she want it to be? The honest truth was she did like him, maybe more than she cared to admit. She liked him a lot. But he was here, and she lived in New York, so maybe they shouldn’t even start anything. That would be the reasonable choice. And she was always reasonable, wasn’t she?