Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
“And then we found the pig upstairs in the farmhouse, sitting in the bathtub!”
Elaine laughed along with the rest of their table at the story Harper was telling. She and Audrey and Michelle were out to dinner at Crossroads Bar and Grill with Harper and Penelope. Audrey had arranged the dinner, and it was proving to be a fabulous night out for all of them.
“Oh, I hope somebody took a picture,” Michelle said, wiping a tear of mirth off her cheek.
“We did,” Harper said, grinning. “I just wish we’d gotten a video of him getting upstairs.”
“What a stinker.” Penelope shook her head, chuckling. “At least he was already in the bathtub so it was easier to clean him off right away.”
“If I had a pig that ate three perfectly good blueberry pies and made a total mess of himself and the kitchen to boot, I would make him write a letter of apology,” Audrey said, laughing. “It sounds like he’d be just about up for the task.”
Elaine laughed quietly at Audrey’s joke. She loved listening to the women around her chatting with each other. Their energy and fun senses of humor were a joy to be around.
Being around these four makes me feel young again, Elaine thought, bringing her glass of cabernet to her lips with a smile. I’m so grateful that my daughter and granddaughter don’t find it “uncool” to bring me along to dinner with their friends. Harper and Penelope are both so much fun.
The women grew quiet for a few minutes as they munched their meals in companionable silence.
Elaine had ordered a Reuben along with sides of mashed potatoes and fresh fruit, and everything on her plate tasted delicious.
She had a feeling that was partly due to the fact that she was ravenously hungry after a long day of hard work, but she knew that the cooks at Crossroads Bar and Grill were also famously talented.
“How are things going with The Birchwood House?” Harper asked after a while. “Are you feeling any closer to your grand opening?”
“We’re getting there.” Audrey laughed. “The little tasks seem to be never-ending, but we’re having fun. And we definitely are making progress.”
Elaine nodded. “Things are going well. And I think our hotel is going to do splendidly once we open—but I have been trying to think of ways to elevate the appeal of The Birchwood House. You know, like things we can advertise, things that set us apart from other hotels in the area.”
Harper shook her head. “I don’t think you need to worry about it, honestly. Our town doesn’t have anything like what you’re offering, and the neighboring towns don’t either. A hotel that’s so rich in history and charm is bound to be a big hit with tourists.”
“And our town is already a big hit with tourists,” Michelle said with a smile. “I think Harper is right. People will be excited to stay in Coral Sands, and they’ll be even more excited to stay in a cozy room in one of the oldest houses here.”
“I know I’ve always loved staying in cute bed and breakfasts like what we’re going to offer,” Audrey said. “There’s something about staying in an old house that’s an experience unlike anything else. I’m sure our hotel will be popular.”
“You’re all right, I know, but I’ve just got this tickling feeling in my brain, urging me to come up with something else,” Elaine said with a smile.
“I guess it’s just my gut instinct, and I want to follow it.
I want us to find something that will spark increased interest in the hotel—and I want that something to ensure that our patrons will have a truly exceptional stay. ”
“Hmm, we could have a costume theme,” Michelle said, grinning. “Patrons who show up in costume can get a discount on their rooms.”
“You mean like historical clothing?” Elaine asked, intrigued. “Like the kind of clothing our ancestors actually would have worn while living in the house?”
“No, I mean like clown costumes, pirate costumes, whatever.” Michelle laughed. “I’m only joking, really. I’ll have to spend some time thinking seriously about your idea before I can come up with a good suggestion, I think.”
“You could partner with one of our nearby dairy farms,” Harper suggested. “Then any children staying at the hotel with their parents could be offered a farm-school experience. And maybe you could get your milk for free.”
Audrey laughed. “That sounds like a great idea—cows are black and white just like birch trees and The Birchwood House. Or, how about we have a disco dance party every Friday night? We can turn the parlor into a rave dance hall.”
Elaine shook her head, laughing. “Ah, you’re all being silly.
” She turned to Penelope, wondering if the hair stylist, who usually had a wild sense of humor, was about to add anything to the conversation.
To her surprise, she saw that Penelope was looking down at the screen of her phone, her expression slightly pinched.
Maybe she just got a text of some kind, Elaine thought. I hope everything’s okay. Maybe she’s not joining the conversation just because she didn’t really hear it because she’s distracted.
“Maybe we should offer more than rooms and a historical experience,” Audrey said. “We could offer cookies.” She tilted her head. “Honestly, if we could make pastries as good as what Shep Townsend makes at his bakery, we’d be set for success.”
“Oh!” Elaine felt as though she’d been struck by a benevolent bolt of lightning.
“That’s a wonderful idea! We could partner with Townsends.
Why not? We could advertise each other’s businesses, and we could provide pastries from Townsends to our guests.
That will enhance their experience and it will ensure that Shep’s bakery becomes even more popular with tourists than it already is. ”
“Do we really want to partner with Shep?” Michelle asked doubtfully, wrinkling her nose.
“He’s a bit of a curmudgeon. Sometimes I wonder if he’s really the one baking for the shop all the time.
I mean, I know it sounds silly, but I just can’t believe that someone that grumpy can make sweet treats so well.
And I mean, I never see him. Did he just create the recipes and now his employees do the baking? ”
Elaine shook her head, smiling. “Shep isn’t really grumpy, he just doesn’t like talking to people the way most folks do.
And that shop has been his sole interest ever since his wife’s passing.
Baking is his passion. There’s no way he’s leaving the baking to anyone else.
Besides, recipes are one thing and talent is another.
Nobody can bake the way Shep can—he’s really got a gift. ”
“He does,” Audrey said, nodding. “I’ve never had cakes and pastries as good as his. Even Mom can’t bake quite as well as he can.”
“Oh, shucks,” Elaine said with a laugh. She felt warmed by her daughter’s compliment.
She was a good baker, but she’d never considered herself to be a spectacular one.
She knew, however, that food made by loved ones had a way of tasting wonderful that couldn’t be bought in a store.
She had a feeling that was why she’d earned the “almost as good as Shep” prize from her daughter.
“I’m glad you like my baking. But I think we can all agree that Townsends has the best baked goods in town.
I want to reach out to Shep about a business proposition. I think that’s a great idea.”
“I do too,” Audrey said.
“Fine by me.” Michelle shrugged, smiling. “It is a good idea—I’m sure our guests would love to have easy access to amazing baked treats.”
“Love it,” Harper said. “I think it’s a brilliant idea.”
Elaine glanced at Penelope, wondering what she thought of the idea.
She felt a twinge of concern when she saw that Penelope was still looking down at her phone with a frown of distraction on her face.
Elaine watched the hairdresser for a few more moments, noting that Penelope’s expression was becoming increasingly distressed as she typed out a text message.
“Penelope,” Elaine said gently. “Is anything wrong?”
Penelope looked up, startled, almost as if she’d forgotten that there were other people there with her. “I—it’s—” she began, the frown still on her face. A second later she forced a smile, shaking her head a little. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” Audrey asked, reaching over and squeezing Penelope’s arm. “You look upset.”
Penelope shook her head, her smile widening but simultaneously appearing less sincere. “No, I’m all good. I’m just tired. I actually should probably just be heading home.”
“Okay,” Harper said, looking at her friend with concern. “Can we do anything before you go? I mean, do you need anything?”
“Just some rest.” Penelope rummaged in her wallet and tossed some cash down onto the table.
“That’ll take care of my bill and my part of the tip.
Thanks for a fun evening, ladies. It was great to spend time with all of you.
” She smiled and stood up, waving quickly before exiting the restaurant so fast it almost looked as though she wanted to run.
“That was… is she okay?” Michelle asked, watching Penelope’s exit with a frown of worry.
“I hope so,” Harper said, shaking her head. “I’ve never seen her act like that before.”
“You should check on her, don’t you think?” Elaine asked Audrey softly. “Sometime when it’s just the two of you and she feels more comfortable sharing what’s going on with her.”
Audrey nodded gravely, her eyes on the doorway that her friend had just left through. “I think that’s a good idea. I want to make sure everything is okay with her.”
“She didn’t finish her pesto and chicken,” Harper said, glancing down at Penelope’s half-eaten plate.
“I’ll put it into a to-go box before we leave and drop it off to her,” Audrey said. She bit her lip. “It’s not like her to do that.”
The four women sitting around the table exchanged looks of concern.
I hope everything is okay with Penelope, Elaine thought. But at least she’s got good friends like Audrey and Harper who will have her back no matter what.
She smiled, thinking to herself that community was one of life’s true gifts.
She hoped that The Birchwood House would offer a place for people to gather, like she was gathering with Harper and her daughter and granddaughter.
Being able to share good times with good people was one of the greatest blessings in life, and she felt excited about being able to offer that to people who, like Penelope, might be in serious need of it.