Chapter 13
Beverly wiped down the counter at Coastal Coffee the next morning, the familiar routine comforting and grounding. The cafe hummed with the bustle of the morning regulars. Nash had come and gone. Miss Eleanor was sitting at her usual table, immersed in the paper.
Maxine walked up to the counter. “At least I remembered to bring Miss Eleanor’s cream in her own special pitcher.” She grinned. “So I don’t get that look from her.”
“You are catching on.” Beverly laughed. The presence of her best friend brought an added warmth to Coastal Coffee. She loved having her best friend working with her. Maxine seemed to have settled in nicely to island life. It didn’t hurt that she was dating Dale now. She’d seen them out to dinner at Sharky’s and knew they’d had a beach picnic dinner just last week. It was heartwarming to see her friend was so happy here.
She reached out and touched Maxine’s hand. “You know. I’m really glad you returned to Magnolia Key. Glad you’re working here. Just… happy to have my best friend back.”
Maxine smiled and squeezed her hand. “I’m happy too. Best decision I’ve made in a really long time.”
The door opened, bringing in a rush of the fresh morning air. She waved as Tori headed their direction. “Morning, Tori. Haven’t seen you much since you started on those theater renovations.”
Tori slid onto a barstool. “I know. I’ve been so busy. But I wanted to come in today and show you something.”
Beverly put down her towel. “Oh? What do you want to show me?”
“This.” Tori took a gold pendant out of her pocket and set it on the counter. “I found it hidden in a drawer in a dressing room at the theater.”
Beverly picked it up, eyeing it carefully, her fingers tracing its edges. “It’s very pretty. Looks kind of old, doesn’t it? And there’s a magnolia on it. And maybe diamonds and emeralds?”
Maxine leaned in for a closer look. “Sure look like diamonds to me.”
“Unless it was just a prop. Then they might be crystals. But why would someone hide a prop?” Tori’s forehead wrinkled. “But I thought you might have some idea of whose it is?”
“We could ask Miss Eleanor if she’s seen it before,” Beverly suggested.
Miss Eleanor eyed them suspiciously as they approached. “Yes?” Annoyance was etched into the lines on her face at the interruption.
“Tori found this pendant at the theater. Hidden in a drawer. Do you recognize it?” Beverly held it out to Miss Eleanor.
She took one look at it and her eyes narrowed as she thrust it back to Beverly. “No clue. Now, can I eat my meal in peace?”
“Sure. Sorry to bother you,” Beverly quickly appeased her. “Can I bring you more coffee?”
“Yes.” Miss Eleanor nodded and turned back to the newspaper she was reading.
They went back to the counter and Tori sat back down as Beverly went behind the counter and Maxine went to get more coffee for Miss Eleanor.
“Did you see her? I think she recognized it.” Tori frowned, clearly puzzled. “But why wouldn’t she tell us where she’d seen it?”
“We’ve had a lot of that from her,” Beverly said in a low voice so Miss Eleanor wouldn’t hear them. “I found an old rolled-up canvas hidden in the bookcase in my office. And Maxine found a hidden letter in a purse she picked up at Dale’s Second Finds. But the letter didn’t make any sense, really. And it was just signed V. We showed both to Miss Eleanor and I swear she knows something about them. But she just acts like she has no clue. Not sure why.” She shrugged.
“That’s kind of strange.”
Maxine came back from refilling Miss Eleanor’s coffee. “I think she’s seen that pendant before.”
“We were just both saying that.” Beverly nodded. “Hey, speaking of Dale…”
As Dale walked up to them, Maxine’s eyes lit up, and a smile brightened her face. “Hi,” she said softly to Dale.
Dale smiled back at her, and for a moment, it was just the two of them. Beverly was certain no one else in the cafe existed for them. She smiled to herself, pleased with how things were progressing for Maxine and Dale. She gave them their moment, then cleared her throat. “Dale, have you met Tori yet?”
“No, I haven’t.” He pulled his gaze from Maxine and smiled at Tori. “But I’ve seen her around town. Heard you’re the one restoring the theater. Very happy to see that.”
“Nice to meet you,” Tori said.
Dale turned to Maxine. “I just wanted to make sure we’re on for our date tonight.”
“We’re on. Six o’clock?” Maxine blushed just the tiniest bit, and Beverly smothered a smile.
Beverly switched her attention to Dale. “Hey, look at this.” She held out the pendant and turned to explain to Tori, “He’s kind of our history buff around here.”
He took it and looked at it carefully. “It looks old. At least a hundred years, I’d estimate. Maybe more. And if I’m not mistaken, those are real diamonds and emeralds. That must be worth a pretty penny.”
“I found it hidden in a drawer at the theater.”
“Interesting.” Dale looked at it again. “Let me take some photos of it, and I’ll do some research. See if I can find out anything. I would think someone would remember a pendant this remarkable. I’ll let you know if I discover anything.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate it.” Tori nodded.
Dale took a series of photos and handed the pendant back to Tori. “Well, I better run now. Just wanted to check in.” He reached out and squeezed Maxine’s hand. “See you tonight.”
Dale left and Tori ordered her breakfast. “Maxine, why don’t you sit? Things are slowing down now. Let’s join Tori for coffee.”
When Tori’s order was up, Beverly brought it to her. Then she stood behind the counter making napkin rolls and chatting with her and Maxine. “So, Tori, how are the renovations going?”
“They are going really well. Nothing big that was missed on my plans. Well, except for the new popcorn machine and the soda dispensers. Those needed to be replaced. Gavin noticed I didn’t have them listed in my plans.”
“That Gavin is a stickler for details. When the lighthouse was being restored…” Beverly paused. “Well, let’s just say he wanted things done a certain way. He has… opinions.”
“I’ll say he does. Lots of them.” Tori laughed with a twinge of amusement in her tone. “And the annoying thing? His suggestions usually have at least the hint of a good idea in them.”
“I haven’t seen him around much since I’ve been back,” Maxine added.
“He’s kind of a loner these days. Ever since the whole lighthouse restoration.” Beverly wasn’t sure how much more to say.
“Why is that?” Tori prodded.
“Well… things got a little bit difficult for him during that project. The town got a bit, ah… critical. He pulled back. Been pretty much a loner since then.”
“That’s too bad. I remember him as an outgoing kid when we were growing up,” Maxine said.
“He was. Then he moved away for years. Suddenly, he was back in town. Opened The Bike Shop. He was more reserved than I remember him as a kid.” Beverly shrugged. “But who knows? We don’t really ever know what’s happened in someone’s personal life, do we?”
Tori stared at her coffee mug, her expression thoughtful. “No, we don’t, do we?” she said softly.
Beverly got the feeling Tori was talking more about herself than Gavin.
More customers came in and she excused herself, her mind still full of questions about the pendant and wondering what secrets Tori might be hiding. But of course, it was none of her business.