Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
A manda met with Beverly and Tori the next day, and her notebook rapidly filled with a growing list of things to do. Just like in New York. But this was refreshingly different. Not only had she picked up a cute notebook with seashells on the front instead of the heavy leather binders she used back in the city, but nobody was making demands or piling on pressure. Their appreciation was genuine, and their suggestions were offered freely. As she reviewed the checklist, the workload seemed surprisingly manageable, even with the short five-week timeline.
Luckily Judy, the previous organizer who’d been sidelined with an injury, had already nailed down a few musicians and food vendors. She’d need to get more options for food. And nothing had been done about the arts and crafts sale, but Beverly gave her the names of local artists, and they did have a small gallery on the island. She made a note to visit with the owner. Her mind buzzed with ideas and tasks.
After a few days of phone calls and meeting with locals, she realized not all the townspeople were on board with an outsider planning the festival. Even though she assured them that she wanted it to be just like she remembered from her childhood visit, they were skeptical. But she was determined to bring it back like it used to be or even better. Not everyone in the close-knit island community was convinced.
Beverly put up flyers in the cafe announcing the festival was on and took it upon herself to rally support for Amanda. She heard Beverly talking it up to her customers and saying that Miss Eleanor had strongly approved Amanda for the job.
Despite these efforts, a smattering of the locals were vocal with their doubts. She did her best to ignore it and tried to use her usual charm to win people over. Although it wasn’t totally working…
She went into Coastal Coffee, hoping to see a friendly face, someone who was actually pleased she was working on the festival. Beverly didn’t disappoint. She looked up from where she was wiping off the counter and waved her over.
“Amanda, there you are.” Beverly motioned for her to sit on one of the stools lining the counter. “I’m glad you’re here. Now I can introduce you to Maxine. My very best friend since we were kids. Maxine, this is Amanda, the event planner I was telling you about.”
“Oh, it’s great to meet you. And Beverly told me how much you’re doing to help organize the festival. I know we usually have an auction that will benefit the next year’s festival so we always have funding in place. Are you still doing that?” Maxine’s smile was warm and friendly. Not tentative like so many of the locals when they talked to her.
“We are. I only have a few items though. I’m afraid not all the townspeople trust me. But I can understand their hesitation. I am an outsider.”
“An outsider with event-planning experience is just what the island needs to breathe fresh life into the festival. Don’t you worry. I’ll talk to some people and they’ll all come around.” Beverly’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
“And you can count on me to donate one of my pieces. I refinish furniture. I have this cute desk I’m redoing now. I’ll donate that,” Maxine chimed in. “And if I get enough time, I’ll donate this small side table I found. It needs a lot of work, but I bet I can finish in time.”
Beverly slid a piece of pecan pie over toward her. “Here, on the house for all your hard work. How about some coffee with that?”
“Thank you.” She picked up her fork and took a bite, savoring the rich buttery flavor and the flakiness of the crust. “Oh, my. This is the best pecan pie I’ve ever tasted.”
“Get it from Julie over on Belle Island. She does all our baked goods. I get them delivered daily on the first ferry of the day.”
“Well, Julie is a master at her craft. I’ve been trying out some new recipes with my free time, but I’m sure not up to this caliber. I burnt the crust edge on an apple pie a few days ago. I’m going to try again, though.”
“Absolutely. And if you perfect something, you can enter it into the baking contest at the festival.”
Her fork froze midway to her mouth. “The baking contest? Did we talk about that?” A hint of panic crept through her.
“Didn’t we? Well, don’t worry. I’ll put a signup sheet here at the cafe. We’ll get lots of entries. We’ll just need a judge or two from out of town to keep the judging impartial.”
Amanda opened her ever-present notebook and jotted down a note about the baking contest, her pen scratching across the page. She frowned, hoping she hadn’t forgotten something big that everyone would be expecting.
“Oh, and I contacted Heather Parker. I’m friends with her mother, Evelyn. She’s from over in Moonbeam. She’s going to show a couple of her illustrations at the arts and crafts show.” Beverly smiled. “It pays to have friends with talented daughters.”
Amanda looked up from her notebook, relief washing over her. “Thank you so much. I haven’t gotten very far with people entering the show.”
Beverly’s eyes brightened. “You could ask Connor.”
She hesitated, recalling her somewhat unpleasant encounters with him. “I don’t know… He was very clear that I shouldn’t bother him.”
“Well, if you run into him, you could at least ask. It wouldn’t hurt. He does wonderful wood carvings, though I haven’t seen one in years. He used to sell them around town, but not anymore. Not sure where he sells his work.”
“Maybe. If I just happen to run into him.” And if he’d even talk to her. Which she doubted.
“Connor who?” Maxine asked.
“Connor Dempsey. He came to town while you were away. I think he’s been here about eight or so years now.”
“Hm, haven’t met him.”
“He doesn’t get around much. I don’t think he’s ever been into Coastal Coffee.” Beverly shrugged. “Kind of a loner.”
Amanda finished every single bit of her pie, relishing each decadent, flakey bite as they chatted about the festival. She finally rose to leave. “I really appreciate your help. Both of you.”
“No problem. We’re glad to help.” Beverly took the empty plate. “Just ask if you need anything at all.”
“And thanks for helping with the festival. I’d hate for Magnolia not to have it after all the years it’s been an annual thing.” Maxine came out from behind the counter and waved to a customer. “You’re really a godsend to this town and the festival.”
Amanda walked out of the cafe feeling much more positive than when she’d entered. She could do this. She’d show Magnolia the best Heritage Festival they’d ever had.
Beverly and Maxine cleaned up the cafe after closing, carting the last of the dishes to the kitchen and starting up the dishwasher. “You got time for some tea?” Beverly asked. “It feels like ages since we’ve had much time to chat and catch up.”
“Sure, I have time. I’m just headed over to Second Finds this afternoon. And I think Dale and I are going to have dinner at his place afterward.”
Beverly poured them both large glasses of tea and handed one to Maxine. They sat down at a small table in the corner of the kitchen. “So, it seems like you and Dale are getting along fine. Seems like someone is always telling me they saw the two of you somewhere.”
Maxine laughed. “We do a lot together, I admit. Then he sells my refinished furniture pieces at his shop so there’s all that time when we’re out scouting new pieces for his store or for me to refinish.”
Maxine’s eyes lit up when she talked about Dale. Beverly couldn’t be happier for her friend. She deserved someone like Dale. Someone who appreciated her.
Beverly paused, then plunged on. “I almost hate to ask… but how are things with you and your kids? Did Tiffany ever forgive you for not moving back and taking over the care of her baby?”
Maxine’s expression darkened and sadness crept into her eyes. “I haven’t heard a word from her. I’ve emailed and texted. No answer. But knowing Tiffany, she’ll get over it when she needs something.”
“And your son?”
“Not a word. No, he did send me a long scathing email about what a disappointment I am.” Her voice faltered slightly.
She reached out and took Maxine’s hand. “Don’t listen to either of them. You’re a wonderful mother. They are just…” She caught herself before she said they were spoiled brats. But they were.
“They just… expect things to be how they want them to be. They’ve never had to work very hard for anything in their lives,” Maxine said, her voice full of frustration. “It’s partly my fault. I spoiled them and did everything for them.”
“But they’re adults now. They need to learn to take care of themselves.”
Maxine let out a long sigh. “I know. They do. I just hope they’ll come around soon. I would love to be there for the birth of the baby.”
Beverly fumed silently. It would be just like Tiffany, with her stubborn and vindictive nature, to deliberately withhold the news of the baby’s birth, simply out of spite. Maxine deserved so much better from her ungrateful children.
Maxine picked up her tea, the ice rattling in the glass. “Anyway, let’s change the subject. Any more news on Cliff’s plan to build the high-rise at the end of the boardwalk?”
“Not that I know of. I haven’t seen Cliff except for one time at the end of the street. He was talking to his mom. And Miss Eleanor was chewing him out.” Beverly relished the sense of satisfaction of Miss Eleanor putting Cliff in his place. “I turned right around and hurried away. I have no desire to run into him again. Or speak to him.”
“I heard there’s going to be another town meeting about it soon.”
“That’s what I heard. When we find out the date, we’ll make sure that everyone shows up. We’ll show Cliff that’s not what we want for Magnolia.” Not that she thought Cliff cared one bit about what Magnolia wanted. He’d left Magnolia behind all those years ago. Left her behind. A hint of bitterness stabbed her every time his name was mentioned. Now she didn’t want anything except for him to leave town again.
“Well, if Miss Eleanor gets her way—and she usually does—her son doesn’t have a chance.” Maxine grinned. “She’ll send him packing, which is just what we need.”
They clinked their glasses and toasted Cliff’s departure.