Chapter THIRTY-THREE
When they were dressed and ready to go, Melissa and her friends piled into her car. She began the tour by riding through her neighborhood, showing them the houses and the lake activity connected to them. Then, she pulled into the Lilac Lake Inn on her way into town.
“Come take a look at it,”
said Melissa, turning off the engine and getting out of the car.
The new owners, of whom Ross was one, had done a fantastic job of renovating the inn, bringing its original beauty to life with the updates.
They strolled around the grounds and went inside to look.
After speaking to the manager, they were offered a kitchen tour. It gleamed with the latest equipment. Melissa realized that if it came down to it, she could be happy cooking here. She noticed Nettie’s interest.
“The Inn is a beautiful hotel,”
said Jason. “It helps to know it’s drawing people to the area.”
“Wait until you see the town with its charming storefronts, shopping, and food. And as you’ve already seen, the lake is another reason for bringing visitors here,”
said Melissa with pride.
“I want to see where your restaurant was,”
said Nettie. “I mentioned it to a few people in Boston, and one person I spoke to might be interested.”
###
They drove into town and pulled up behind the cleared land where the family seafood restaurant, Fins, had stood. It made Melissa sad to see it.
“We can park here and walk to the café,”
said Melissa.
They moved past the fencing that had been placed around the perimeter of the land and entered Main Street.
“That was an ideal location for a restaurant,”
said Jason, turning back and looking at the bare spot. He gazed down the street and pointed to the sign for the Lilac Lake Café. “That’s another.”
“Main Street is a treasure trove for any visitor,”
said Melissa. “Beyond the café is a bar called Jake’s. It’s where many of us gather in the evening for conversation, drinks, and food. I’ll take you tonight and introduce you to some of the locals.”
“Now, let’s surprise Crystal,”
said Nettie. “I want to see the café in action.”
They made their way down the street, slowing now and then so Nettie and Jason could look in some shop windows. Each store appeared alive with activity, some more than others.
“It’s charming,”
gushed Nettie. “I love the colorful awnings and pots of flowers by each door.”
“Even during the winter months, the shopkeepers try to dress up their windows with color,”
said Melissa.
They entered the café and paused, observing the crowd and the waitresses moving through the tables carrying trays of food. Conversations filled the air with excitement that softened the flow of music from speakers.
Melissa breathed a sigh of relief. It was a normal morning.
Crystal noticed them and hurried over, the new streak of purple hair over her brow bobbing.
“This is Nettie Mancini and Jason Rockwell, whom you’ve met and talked to online,”
said Melissa.
Crystal hesitated and then hugged them both. “I know we’ll talk later, but I’m pleased to meet you in person. It’s such a beautiful day; why don’t you take a table outside, and I’ll send a waitress right over.”
Melissa led them to the last empty table on the patio and sat down, pleased by the smiles on Nettie and Jason’s faces.
“This routine is the opposite from what we’re used to,”
said Nettie, “but I think a change like this will allow us to have a more normal life, with time in the late afternoon and evenings for friends and activities.”
“We’ll see,”
said Jason, watching carefully as a waitress approached carrying menus and a pitcher of water.
“Welcome to the Lilac Lake Café,”
said the waitress, Dorothy, an older woman with gray-streaked hair. “How can I make your morning better?”
she asked, handing out the menus and pouring water into their goblets.
“I’d like regular black coffee,”
said Nettie.
“Me, too,”
Jason said.
Melissa said, “Make that three. Thank you.”
“Coming right up,”
responded Dorothy.
After she left, Jason said, “I like the fact that Crystal has older staff.”
“Crystal’s very aware that people of all ages need the opportunity to work. Dorothy is a gem. She works as a teacher during the school year and helps Crystal in the summer. You’ll find the community pulls together in many ways like this.”
Jason nodded thoughtfully, and Melissa and Nettie exchanged hopeful glances.
After ordering enough food for a broad sample and eating most of it, Jason put down his fork and sighed with pleasure.
Crystal appeared. “How was it?”
“That was one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had,”
said Jason. “The omelet was fantastic, and those biscuits were like eating melted butter. Wow!”
“Recipes can come with the sale,”
Crystal said, making them all laugh. She grew serious. “Today was busy as usual, with everyone starting a new week. Most days are like this, with locals making up most of the customers. Would you like to see the kitchen in operation?”
“Definitely,”
said Nettie as all three of them rose from their seats at the table.
After observing the kitchen routine, Crystal led them upstairs to show Nettie and Jason the apartment above the café. It contained two bedrooms, a small office, and a bathroom, kitchen, and dining/living area.
“The kitchen has been updated, the carpet is new, and the walls were painted a year ago,”
said Crystal. “The balcony is where I keep watch on the town, especially when a parade goes by.”
“If we’re not in the annual Fourth of July parade, we’re here watching it,”
said Melissa.
“My sister, Misty, is living here with me, but she’s about to move into one of the river cabins in town. I’ll be moving out to live with my fiancé.”
“When is your wedding?”
Nettie asked.
“We haven’t decided. We want to elope, but I’m not sure that’s possible,”
said Crystal. “We’re working on it.”
“It might be nice for us to be married here in Lilac Lake,”
Nettie said to Jason.
“First things first,”
said Jason, sliding his arm around Nettie’s shoulder.
They left the café and walked back to Melissa’s car. “How about a canoe ride on the lake?”
Nettie grinned and turned to Jason. “I’m game. Are you?”
“Sure. I haven’t had time to do something like that in a long while.”
“We brought our bathing suits as you asked,”
said Nettie. “We’re taking your suggestion and staying until the end of the week. This can be a working vacation.”
“Perfect,”
said Melissa. The longer they stayed in town, the more likely they’d choose to go forward with a deal. They just had to make the numbers work.
###
At the neighborhood dock, Melissa was relieved Ross wasn’t in sight. She needed time before discussing their relationship. She was on unfamiliar ground and knew it.
She asked Jason to help her move the canoe to the water’s edge. Nettie stood holding the life jackets and canvas bag containing water bottles and sunscreen.
Jason and Nettie got into the canoe, and Melissa pushed it off the shore and hopped in, rocking the boat enough to make Nettie gasp.
Sitting in the bow of the canoe, Jason helped keep it steady.
“Okay, let’s make our way down the lake. We may get as far as the Lilac Lake Cottage the three Gilford girls own. They’re my friends, and are the granddaughters of Mrs. Wittner, the woman who originally owned the Inn. I love that so many people our age have returned to town.”
“It makes it special because you already are friends,”
said Nettie.
“Not to worry,”
said Melissa. “You two won’t have any problem making friends here.”
They grew silent as they glided through the water, surprising ducks paddling on the surface and coming upon Great Blue Herons feeding at the edge of the lake where reeds grew.
Being close to nature like this, Melissa felt the tension leave her body.
They paddled as far as the cottage, saw no one was there, and headed back to the other end of the lake with Nettie paddling in the bow for the return trip.
When they reached the neighborhood dock and clubhouse, they were ready for a cool drink on Melissa’s back porch.
They quickly stored the canoe and the gear and walked back to Melissa’s house, where they stretched out on lounge chairs on the porch.
“This is the life,”
murmured Jason, accepting a cold beer from Melissa.
Nettie smiled at Melissa.
Maybe this idea would work.
###
Later, they dressed and went to meet Crystal. This meeting would be about the nuts and bolts of a sales contract. There was room for negotiation, but the basics had to be agreed upon. For this initial phase, there would be no lawyer. It would be a different story later when Jason would also need one to sell his share of the restaurant in Boston.
Melissa dropped Nettie and Jason off at the café for their meeting and, on a whim, decided to go see Mrs. Genie Wittner. Grandmother to Whitney, Dani, and Taylor, she was a woman who was generous with financial help to people in town and was willing to share wisdom with those who asked.
Since renewing her friendship with her granddaughters, Melissa had grown closer to Mrs. Wittner, or GG, as everyone called her. She played the role of a sweet grandmother for some of the kids in town, including her, who didn’t have one. For others, she was often the source of unrequested financial help just when they needed it most, almost like a Genie granting people’s long-held wishes. Melissa had always thought the name Genie was appropriate.
Before she left town, Melissa stopped in Petals, the flower shop at the end of Main Street. She knew GG loved flowers and had a sweet tooth.
A short while later, Melissa pulled into the parking lot at The Woodlands, the assisted living facility where GG lived. She stared at the lovely, one-story wooden structure. It was the first big project Brad and Aaron Collister had undertaken and demonstrated how clever and hard-working the half-brothers were. The whole town applauded them for it.
Inside, Melissa asked the hostess at the lobby desk if she could see Mrs. Wittner and was told to go right along.
Melissa eagerly went down the hallway and knocked on GG’s door. Hearing her cheerful “Come in,”
Melissa stepped inside to find GG sitting on the couch with an open book. Her warm smile erased some of Melissa’s nervousness.
“Well, hello, Melissa. It’s so good to see you. Come sit down.”
Melissa handed GG the flowers and chocolates she’d bought.
GG sniffed the flowers and sighed, then grinned at seeing the candy. “Oh, my! Two treats. We’ll have to open the box of candy. First, will you put my flowers in a vase for me? There are vases beneath the kitchen sink.”
Delighted to be able to do something for her, Melissa found several vases stored there, chose one, and added the flowers and water to it.
After Melissa set the vase of flowers on the coffee table, GG patted the cushion next to her on the couch. “Now, tell me what brings you here. Is it that baseball player that I hear about?”
A chuckle escaped Melissa. GG’s communication system was as complete as ever. “I was talking to Crystal the other day, and she mentioned how your words about time taking care of things have helped her. I wanted you to know I’m using them to help me decide about my future.”
Her blue eyes sparkled, and GG said, “I see. Sometimes, we simply must leave issues to resolve on their own so they unfold how they were meant to. I don’t mean we shouldn’t guide our lives; our determination makes many things happen. But there is a time for faith to play a part.”
Melissa drew in a deep breath and began. “Ross Roberts and I have been dating. It hasn’t been that long, but we enjoy one another. His family was excited to meet me and loved the idea of us being together. I don’t have much experience, so I was surprised when Dani asked him about our relationship, and he said we were just friends.”
Tears welled in Melissa’s eyes.
GG sighed and shook her head. “With the death of his father and all the emotional turmoil that accompanies it, I would think Ross wouldn’t be thinking too far ahead. As you said, it hasn’t been that long.”
Melissa forced herself to ask the question gnawing at her insides like some sharp-clawed beast. “Do you think I’ve been a fool?”
“No,”
said GG. “Women are planners who handle a lot of thoughts at the same time. Men think along one line at a time. Ross was probably shocked at the question, but that doesn’t mean he won’t ponder it now. I understand you’re afraid his feelings aren’t as deep as yours. I’d suggest letting things move at their own pace.”
Melissa sat back against the cushion and let out a sigh of relief. She turned to GG. “How’d you get so smart?”
GG laughed. “Many years of learning after making many mistakes. Now, let’s see what’s in that box of chocolates.”
“Like the line from Forrest Gump – Life is like a box of chocolates,”
said Melissa, smiling.
“It’s pretty much true,”
said GG, grinning as if she had a secret. She bit into a piece of candy and held it up. “See? This is sweet with a little sprinkling of nuts. That’s good enough for anyone’s life.”
Melissa gave GG a gentle hug. “Thank you so much for hearing me out. I’ve always admired you, and now I know why so many of my friends love talking to you.”
###
Leaving The Woodlands on a high note, Melissa drove to the café to see how talks were going for Crystal, Nettie, and Jason. She hoped they were coming to some agreement but decided to let things flow, as GG had suggested.
Her phone pinged. She waited until she parked to check. Her message was from Ross: I had to go to New Jersey to finalize some issues. I’ll see you when I get back. We need to talk. Call me if you get a chance.
Melissa replayed the message again. She was relieved she wouldn’t be seeing him. She needed more time to sort her feelings.
When she walked into the café, Crystal gazed up at her with a dazzling smile. “Hi, Melissa. I believe the three of us are on the same page. We’ve agreed on most points. Now, we’ll get the lawyers involved, finalize numbers, and take it from there.”
Melissa clapped her hands. “That’s a wonderful beginning.”
“There’s a lot to work out on our end,”
said Jason, “but it’s doable. First, I must complete the sale of my share of the restaurant. One of our financial backers is interested in buying me out.”
“We’re giving ourselves time to make it work, but I think it will,”
said Nettie, beaming at her. “In the meantime, I want to enjoy this area. I’m even going to talk to the owners of the Inn to see if they’d be interested in hiring me.”
At Melissa’s questioning look, Nettie continued. “I’ll have to work elsewhere until the café takes off under new ownership, especially with all the changes we want to make. Crystal has already mentioned putting on some gourmet dinners, and that sounds intriguing.”
“We won’t have to think of housing, to begin with,”
said Jason. “That makes a huge difference.”
Melissa listened to the excitement in their voices and knew she’d been right all along. Lilac Lake was a perfect place for Nettie and Jason. The town would be happy to have them.
Now, all they needed was time.