Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
T he day after Thanksgiving, Riley couldn’t wait to return to the Key Lime Garden Inn. She had planned to stay at her parents’ house and return to work on Monday, but too much had happened, and she’d already exhausted several hours into the night talking to her mother and sister, Grace, about her unexpected dilemma.
She and Andrew had spent the holiday with her family, but he’d left to go to Atlanta for an important meeting. Riley didn’t know about the meeting until just before they arrived at her parents’ home on Sanibel Island. Although it wasn’t surprising, everything else about the day rocked her to her core. There was much to celebrate, and she needed to share the news with Maggie and the rest of the Key Lime Garden Inn family.
When she walked through the front door of the inn, the place was eerily quiet. “Hello Maggie?”
When no one answered, she went outside to the garden to look for Paolo, but he wasn’t there. Riley went to the carriage house and called out again, “Hello…where is everybody?”
She walked down the garden path to the cottage and heard Iris, Maggie and Chelsea’s voices.
“Hey, what are you doing back so soon?” Iris asked.
“Andrew had an important meeting in Atlanta, so I thought I’d come back early.”
“Great, why don’t you get your swimsuit on and come join us?” Maggie asked.
“I don’t feel like swimming, but I’ll get a chair and be right back.”
Riley returned to the cottage, picked up a beach chair from the porch, and returned to the beach.
“Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?” Maggie asked.
Riley nodded. “I did…but, well, it didn’t turn out the way I thought it would.”
“Oh dear, I’m sorry to hear that. Do you think it was a mistake taking him to meet your parents?”
“No, it was great. Everyone loved him. Grace thought he fit in with the family, and I couldn’t agree more. It was perfect.”
“I don’t know, Riley. For someone who had a wonderful time, you don’t look happy,” Chelsea said.
Iris smiled, “Yeah, we all thought you’d be showing up with a big rock on your left hand.”
Riley reached inside the pocket of her sweater and pulled out a small blue box. “It’s in here.”
“What?” Iris asked.
Riley opened the box for all to see.
“You did get engaged!” Iris said.
“Congratulations,” Maggie said, getting up to hug Riley.
“Wait,” Iris yelled. “Why is the ring not on your hand?”
Waiting for an answer, everyone looked at Riley.
“I didn’t exactly say I’d marry him,” she answered.
Maggie sat down on the beach chair, and no one said a word.
Riley looked like she wanted to cry.
“Andrew is in Atlanta right now because he’s going to open a new restaurant there. He’s got financial backing from a venture capital firm, and they see the possibility of expanding to other locations in the U.S. If I marry him, I’d have to leave the Key Lime Garden Inn and Captiva Island.”
The shock was too much for Iris.
“You can’t leave, you just can’t. You’ve been here since the place opened. The inn won’t be the same without you. You can’t leave,” she yelled before running off the beach toward the inn.
“I’ll go talk to her,” Maggie said, getting up from her chair.
Riley stopped her. “No, I’ll go. This is all my fault.”
“Don’t be silly. You love Andrew, I know you do, or you wouldn’t have brought that box home with you,” Chelsea said.
“Chelsea’s right. Okay, so you’re not wearing the ring, but you must seriously consider marrying him. What’s holding you back?”
Riley started to cry. “I don’t want to leave you.”
Maggie teared up as soon as Riley did.
Chelsea reached into her beach bag and pulled out a package of tissues. She handed a few to Riley and then Maggie. “You two need to stop that, or I’ll be crying next, and I don’t cry.”
Through tears, Riley described Andrew’s proposal. “You were right, Maggie. He wanted to ask my father for my hand. It was so sweet. But before we got to my parents’ house, he’d already told me about the new restaurant. I was a wreck. The whole time I thought he was leaving me. It didn’t make sense, because why did he want to meet my parents if he was leaving?”
“That must have been awful,” Maggie said.
“It was. I tried not to think about it during dinner, but then, at the table he stood up and took out the ring. He got down on one knee and proposed in front of my family. It was crazy. I was so confused. Here I was with everyone looking at me, and I couldn’t say yes. It was horrible.”
“I can’t even imagine. What did Andrew do?” Chelsea asked.
“We excused ourselves and went outside near the pool. It was such a beautiful night. The moon was full and everything seemed struck by the moonlight. Andrew clarified a few things about Atlanta. He told the investors he wouldn’t take the deal unless it was a husband and wife running the new potential restaurant chain. He wants me to work with him creating amazing recipes and for us to build the business together.”
“Oh, Riley, that’s incredible. You can’t possibly turn down an offer like that,” Maggie said.
“That’s the best marriage proposal I think I’ve ever heard. You get a husband and a restaurant. Nice,” Chelsea teased.
“Honey, I still don’t understand how you could not say yes. What did you say to him? If you think I’m going to let you give up the most amazing life with the man you love to stay here, you are crazy. Sweetie, what do you want to do?
Riley looked down at the box and smiled. “I want to say yes.”
Maggie clapped her hands and screamed. “Yes! That’s my girl.”
Riley took the ring out of the box and put it on her finger.
“It’s beautiful,” Chelsea said. “Congratulations.”
“I’m so happy for you, honey,” Maggie said.
The three women stood up and hugged.
Riley looked up toward the inn and sighed. “I better go up and talk to her.”
Looking at Chelsea, she laughed. “Mind, if I take the rest of your tissues, I think I might need them.”
Chelsea handed the tissues to Riley.
“Wish me luck,” Riley said as she made her way to the Key Lime Garden Inn, and her best friend.
As always, when Iris was upset, she’d reorganize the kitchen drawers and cabinets, and that is what she was doing when Riley walked into the room.
“I think I’m going to get those pretty shelf liners. I saw cute ones at Home Depot the other day,” Iris announced, looking at Riley. “What do you think of tiny palm trees with pink flamingos?”
Riley smiled and walked toward her. “I think that would be pretty. I’ll help you put them up.”
Iris looked at Riley’s left hand. “I guess you’ve made your decision.”
Riley nodded. “I have.”
“I’ve never been to Atlanta. Is it nice?” Iris asked.
Riley shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never been there either. I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”
Iris wrapped her arms around Riley and leaned her head on her shoulder.
“I can’t do this without you,” Iris said, letting her tears fall.
Riley pulled back and put her hands on Iris’s shoulders. “Yes, you can. You’re an amazing chef, everyone says so,” Riley said. “But, it’s not really about that, is it?”
Iris shook her head and looked down at the floor. “I don’t have many friends, Riley. You know that. I’ve always said it’s because I’m picky and discerning, but I know I don’t fit in.”
“That’s crazy. You’re beautiful, funny, talented and the best friend anyone could ever have. I expect you to be in my wedding. If I didn’t have my sister, Grace, you’d be my Maid of Honor. And, as your best friend, I forbid you to talk about yourself this way. Not to mention, you’re so unforgettable that Alex kept you in his mind and heart all these years. You’re special, Iris Bowman, and I love you.”
Iris smiled, and hugged Riley. “I love you, too.”
While Iris and Riley talked inside, Maggie and Chelsea stood outside on the back porch, waiting for the right time to come into the kitchen.
“All clear?” Maggie asked, as she opened the screen door.
Iris wiped her eyes and nodded.
“Good. I’m glad you are okay, because we’ve got some planning to do.”
“Yes, and we have a million questions, starting with, when do you have to leave for Atlanta, and when and where will the wedding be?” Chelsea asked.
Riley sighed. “Oh gosh, I have no idea about the wedding, but I expect to travel back and forth to Atlanta starting in January. I’ll know more when I talk to Andrew…oh my goodness, I forgot about Andrew!”
She held up her left hand. “I’ve got to call him and tell him I’m ready to be Mrs. Andrew Hansen.”
They all laughed, and Maggie said, “Go! Use my office for privacy.”
Riley smiled. “Thank you, Maggie. I’ll be right back.”
Just as Riley went to Maggie’s office to call Andrew, Millie and Linda came storming into the kitchen.
“What in the world?” Maggie said.
“Maggie, we’ve got to talk,” Linda said. “Hello Chelsea. I’m glad you’re here as well. Good morning, Iris.”
“What is this all about, Linda?” Maggie said, annoyed at the intrusion.
“We have a problem, and to deal with it, I think we’re going to need your help.”
“Linda, if this is about the Christmas Parade, or my lack of abundant decorations, I plan to get a Christmas tree this weekend.”
“No…no. This is far more important than that.”
Linda looked at Iris and then again at Maggie. “I think we need everyone to get involved, so I’m glad Iris is here. The more the merrier,” she said.
“I think you mean, there’s strength in numbers,” Millie corrected her.
“Whatever. Is your mother here with you?” Linda asked Maggie.
“No, she went home last night, why?”
“I’ll get her up to speed later. You know Kristin Anna Wright, correct?”
“The woman who owns Seashells and Such? We’ve met but I don’t really know her.”
“Same here,” Chelsea added.
“Well, Millie and I have become friends with her and her sister, Claire.”
“Don’t forget, Katie,” Millie added. “That’s Claire’s daughter. She’s gorgeous and works for Marriott International. We spent Thanksgiving with them at Kristin’s house. Oh, Maggie, you should see her place. The backyard is to die for, and…”
“Millie!” Linda yelled. “This is not a social call.”
“Sorry,” Millie responded.
“Anyway, do you know anything about her ex-husband, Nick Caruso?”
“I’ve read online all about him,” Chelsea answered.
Maggie turned to look at her. “You have?”
“Yeah, he’s some big time crook and in jail.”
“Only for a few more days,” Linda added. “Kristin thinks they’re letting him out because they’ve got bigger fish they’re after. She said she believes he’ll help the Feds, but in the meantime, she’s concerned that he’s going to come directly to Captiva the minute he’s out.”
Riley came back into the kitchen.
“Hello, Linda…Millie. Nice to see you. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving,” Riley said.
“Riley got engaged yesterday,” Iris announced.
“Congratulations. That’s so wonderful,” Millie said.
“Yes, congrats,” Linda said, and then immediately turned back to Maggie, who was deep in thought.
“This is terrible for Kristin and her family. I assume the police will keep an eye on her and the store?” Maggie asked.
“Yes, of course…well, I don’t know the details, but I have to assume so. They’re the ones who let her know he was being released.”
“Linda, thank you for letting us know, but I’m not sure what you think we can do about this.”
“I say let the cops handle it, and everyone should report anything suspicious,” Chelsea added.
“Let the cops handle what?” Riley asked.
“The woman who owns Seashells and Such, her ex-husband is getting out of prison, and she thinks he’s going to come to Captiva to look for her.”
“You mean, Kristin Anna Wright?” Riley asked.
“Yes, do you know her?” Linda asked.
“I don’t know her well, but I’m friends with her niece, Katie. We’re in the same yoga class.”
Linda turned her attention back to Maggie. “You see, these are nice people, and I think we should form a task force to support her and her family. Maybe have a neighborhood watch. We each can watch the place in shifts.”
Chelsea laughed out loud. “Seriously? I know you wear a lot of hats on the island, Linda, but super sleuth is a new one. I’m sorry, but you’ve gone too far this time. Let the authorities handle this, or you’re going to find yourself in big trouble.”
“Trouble? I see her coming face-to-face with someone who is dangerous. This isn’t funny, Linda. It’s not something to mess with,” Maggie said as she walked closer to Linda. “I’m warning you. Do not include my mother in this. I don’t want her in harm’s way. Do I make myself clear?”
Maggie knew there was a good chance Linda wouldn’t heed her warning, and she also knew her mother would jump at another adventure given the opportunity. With everything else on her plate, Maggie now had to keep an eye on Linda St. James and her foolish antics.
Maggie then looked at Millie.
“I hate to say this to you, Millie, but if you continue to listen to this woman, you might find yourself following her into serious trouble. I’m your friend, but I’m also your employer. I can’t tell you who to hang around with, but I hope you take my concern seriously. I won’t allow you to bring danger to the inn, our guests, or my friends and family. Do you understand?”
Millie nodded. “Yes, of course.”
Linda fumed and started for the front door.
“If Kristin is hurt because no one cared enough to have her back, I hope you can all live with yourselves.”
Maggie put her head in her hand and sighed. She remembered only hours ago she’d been sitting on the porch swing, drinking her morning coffee. Without a care in the world, she never expected the day to unfold as it had. Thanksgiving was over, but the chaos of the holiday was just beginning.