Chapter 12
Two days later, Susan pushed open the door to the Starlight Café.
With a smile, she breathed in the familiar scents of freshly baked bread and Andrea’s signature roasted chicken soup.
The midday crowd filled most of the tables, creating a pleasant hum of conversation punctuated by the clink of silverware against plates.
Isabel waved from a corner booth, already settled with a menu open in front of her. Susan made her way through the maze of tables, returning greetings from several cooking class students who said hello.
“Sorry I’m late,” Susan said, sliding into the booth across from Isabel. “I got caught up at the Welcome Center. Pastor John wanted to discuss expanding the kitchen facilities for next year’s classes.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Isabel said with a smile. “I’ve only been here a few minutes myself. I already know what I’m ordering—the grilled vegetable wrap. Andrea’s been perfecting it for weeks, and I’m dying to try the new herb combination she mentioned.”
Before Susan could respond, Andrea appeared at their table, her apron covered in pictures of Christmas elves. “Ladies, it’s wonderful to see you both. Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“Iced tea for me,” Isabel said.
“Make that two,” Susan added. “You make the best sweet tea this side of Georgia, Andrea.”
Andrea grinned. “That’s high praise from you. I’ll be right back with those drinks and to take your lunch order.”
As Andrea headed back toward the kitchen, Susan studied Isabel from across the table. With her hair pulled back in a casual style and wearing a comfortable sweater that suggested a day without bookstore duties, she looked relaxed. “It’s nice to have an afternoon off, isn’t it?”
“Frank insisted,” Isabel said. “He said I’ve been working too many consecutive days and need a break. I tried to argue, but you know how he is when he gets a bee in his bonnet about something.”
Susan smiled. “That man adores you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.” Isabel’s expression softened before brightening again. “But enough about my domestic bliss. Tell me what’s happening at the Lakeside Grill. The last time we talked, you were still working through the new menu options with Paul.”
“We’re slowly getting there. Changing dishes is a big deal, and we want to get them right.
He had a meeting with Olivia at BioTech the other day.
On top of all his other bookings, she wants him to provide the catering for a series of Christmas events.
He’s got it under control, but it’s creating more stress than he wanted at this time of the year. ”
Susan accepted the iced tea Andrea brought back, taking a grateful sip. The sweetness balanced perfectly with the tea’s slight bitterness—just how she liked it. “Between the regular holiday bookings and the BioTech celebration, December will be his busiest month yet.”
Isabel sighed. “That must be the hardest part of being in the hospitality business. You’re either run off your feet or as quiet as a mouse. Are you helping with the BioTech events?”
Susan traced her finger along the condensation on her glass. “I am. I just hope everything runs smoothly.”
Isabel tilted her head. “I’ve seen the events you’ve run. They’ll be everything Paul imagines and exactly what BioTech wants.”
After Andrea took their lunch orders, Isabel talked about the new books that were arriving at her store and Susan told her friend about the recipes she wanted to show Paul.
They were halfway through their meal when the café door opened, admitting a blast of cool air along with Cassie Devlin. She spotted them immediately and headed over, the sparkly logo on her shirt catching the afternoon light.
“Hi, you two!” Cassie’s smile was warm and genuine. “Do you mind if I join you for a moment? I’m meeting someone, but he’s running a few minutes late.”
“Of course you can join us. Grab a seat.” Isabel gestured to the space beside her in the booth.
Cassie slid in and looked at Susan. “Lynda told me you’re providing all the food for her wedding. How are the preparations going?”
“Everything’s coming together nicely,” Susan replied. “Although planning a wedding dinner so close to Christmas is more stressful than usual.”
“I imagine it would be.” Cassie accepted the coffee Andrea brought over. “Thanks for letting me join you. I’m meeting Cole Morrison—Noah’s business partner on the Finley Point resort project. Would you like to meet him?”
Susan and Isabel exchanged interested glances.
The resort had been the subject of considerable discussion around town for weeks now.
“We’ve heard quite a bit about it,” Susan said.
“From what people are saying, they’re planning to hire locally and make the resort something the community can enjoy, too. ”
Cassie nodded. “They want the resort to benefit Sapphire Bay, not just use it as a backdrop. I’ve been introducing Cole to the owners of the businesses in Sapphire Bay.”
Before Cassie could continue, the café door opened again.
The man who entered carried himself with the confidence of someone comfortable in any setting.
He looked casual enough for Montana in his jeans and a quality fleece jacket, but he had an underlying polish that told Susan he’d lived in a big city.
“There’s Cole now,” Cassie said, standing and waving him over.
Cole’s smile reached his eyes as he approached their booth. “Hi, Cassie. I’m sorry I’m a few minutes late. The site engineer had questions about the water access survey.”
“It’s no problem at all.” Cassie turned to make introductions. “Cole, these are two of my favorite people in Sapphire Bay. Isabel owns the bookstore on Main Street, and Susan teaches cooking classes and does catering work.”
Cole’s handshake was firm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’ve heard wonderful things about your bookstore, Isabel. And Susan, Cassie mentioned your name when I asked about local caterers.”
“Guilty as charged,” Susan said.
Cassie grinned. “I told Cole you ran a successful catering business in Georgia for decades and brought that expertise here to Montana.”
Cole stepped sideways when a server walked toward them with a tray of food for another table.
Susan slid along the bench seat. “Cassie’s already here, Cole. Why don’t you join us?”
“Are you sure we won’t be interrupting you?”
Isabel shook her head. “Not at all. I have to be back at work in half an hour anyway.”
Cole glanced at Cassie.
“I don’t mind,” Cassie told him.
“In that case,” Cole replied to Susan and Isabel, “that would be great.”
Once he was settled, Isabel leaned toward him. “We’ve been hearing about your plans for Finley Point. It sounds like you’re taking a different approach than most resort developers.”
Cole nodded. “It’ll be a boutique vacation property. We’ll provide luxury accommodations with an emphasis on authentic regional culture and environmental sustainability.”
“And employing local people wherever possible,” Cassie added.
“Absolutely,” Cole confirmed. “We’re not just talking about hiring locally for housekeeping and maintenance, though that’s part of it. We want department heads, managers, and event staff—people who understand this area and can help guests experience the real Montana.”
While Andrea poured Cassie and Cole a cup of coffee each, Susan ate her ravioli.
After Andrea left, Cole leaned forward. “The challenging part of any development is finding the right people to make the vision work. It’s even harder when the location of the resort is remote.”
“Are you planning a restaurant as part of your plans?” Isabel asked.
“It will be a cornerstone of the experience,” Cole confirmed. “We want dining that showcases regional ingredients in a way that guests expect from a luxury property. We need an executive chef with business experience and local connections.”
Cassie leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement. “That sounds like you, Susan.”
Cole tilted his head to the side and looked at Susan. “Is working at the resort something you’d consider?”
Everyone’s eyes shifted to Susan, and her mind raced through a dozen competing thoughts. The resort wouldn’t be operational for at least a year. This wasn’t Paul asking for her help at the Lakeside Grill—this was something entirely different. Bigger. More structured. Potentially more demanding.
“I—” Susan started, then stopped. What did she want to say?
The professional part of her brain was already calculating the possibilities.
It could be a massive job. Just sourcing ingredients in Montana’s shorter growing season would be problematic.
But there were many advantages, too. And the most satisfying would be building something from scratch.
Cole seemed to sense her hesitation. “I should clarify—we’re not looking to hire someone tomorrow. We’re still in the planning phases, finalizing permits and designs. But I’m starting conversations with potential key personnel now because those relationships need time to develop properly.”
“What exactly would the role entail?” Susan heard herself ask, even as part of her wondered if she should be having this conversation at all.
“Essentially, developing and managing the entire dining program,” Cole said. “Menu planning, hiring and training the kitchen staff, and establishing relationships with local suppliers and producers. The restaurant would be entirely your domain.”
Isabel, who’d been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. “That sounds like the type of job that could consume your life.”
“It could,” Cole agreed. “Which is why I’m looking for someone who’s done it before.
Someone who knows the difference between creating an impressive menu and operating a profitable restaurant.
And someone who cares about this community enough to make sure we’re adding value to a visitor’s experience. ”
Susan took a long sip of her iced tea, buying herself time to think.
Was she looking for something like this?
She’d come to Montana to slow down, to reconnect with friends, to teach cooking classes and enjoy a quieter pace.
But beneath that surface contentment, hadn’t there been a restlessness?
A sense that teaching basic knife skills and decorating birthday cakes, while pleasant, didn’t fully engage the professional experience she’d spent decades building?
“It sounds like an exciting opportunity,” Susan said. “But it’s not something I thought of doing when I moved here.”
“Of course,” Cole said easily. “If you’re open to the possibility, maybe we could arrange a more formal conversation? I can show you where we’d like to build the resort and get your perspective on what would make the dining program successful.”
When Susan didn’t immediately reply, Cassie filled in the silence. “When can Susan contact you?”
Cole smiled. “I’ll be here for another two weeks, so whatever works in that timeframe.” He turned to Susan. “Even if you’re not ready to commit to anything, that’s okay. Noah and I want to do this right, even if it takes longer than a conventional development.”
Cassie checked her watch and made an apologetic face. “I hate to rush you Cole, but we’re supposed to meet Noah at the site in twenty minutes.”
Cole stood, pulling out his wallet. “Let me get everyone’s lunch. Consider it an apology for hijacking your meal with business talk.”
“That’s not necessary,” Isabel protested.
“I insist,” Cole said in a tone that was friendly without being pushy. He handed a business card to Susan. “Let me know when you want to talk, and I’ll schedule it into my calendar.”
Susan looked down at the heavily embossed card. “Thank you. I will.”
After Cole paid for their lunch and left with Cassie, Isabel and Susan sat in silence for a few minutes.
“Well,” Isabel said finally. “That was interesting.”
“That’s one word for it.” Susan pushed her half-finished ravioli around her plate. Her appetite had mysteriously vanished.
“Will you talk to him about the resort’s restaurant?”
Susan met her friend’s eyes, seeing only genuine curiosity. “I don’t know. He seems serious about creating an amazing resort for people coming to Sapphire Bay.”
“But?” Isabel prompted gently.
“But I moved here to get away from that level of responsibility,” Susan said. “Running a restaurant isn’t teaching cooking classes twice a week. It’s long hours, constant pressure, and endless decisions. I’ve been there, done that, and sold the business to escape it.”
“That’s a good point.” Isabel finished her wrap, then added, “The only thing I’ll say is that you’ve been restless lately. Every time we get together, you mention feeling like you’re not quite doing enough. As if you’re waiting for something.”
Susan wanted to deny it but couldn’t. Isabel knew her too well. “Maybe that’s just me being unable to relax. Maybe I need to learn how to be satisfied with a quieter life.”
“Or maybe,” Isabel said softly, “there’s a difference between your old life in Georgia and working in Montana. If you’re worried about the resort consuming all your time, we’ll keep you grounded. It doesn’t have to be the same just because it’s a professional kitchen.”
Susan thought about what Isabel had said as they finished their meal. Cole seemed like the type of person who meant what he said. As Isabel pointed out, Noah wouldn’t partner with someone who didn’t share the same values as he did.
After they’d finished lunch, Susan walked back toward Main Street with Isabel.
The weight of the new opportunity settled on her shoulders.
It wasn’t uncomfortable exactly, but it was significant.
It was a feeling Susan recognized. It came before any major decisions.
Before life shifted in ways she couldn’t fully predict.
“Do you want to walk with me to the bookstore?” Isabel offered. “I have a cookbook I know you’ll enjoy.”
“That sounds perfect,” Susan said, grateful for the normalcy of the suggestion. Cookbooks she could handle. Professional decisions about her future could wait.
At least for now.