Chapter 14
Claire slept better than usual and woke early.
Everyone was still asleep as she made her way to the kitchen and popped a coffee pod in the Nespresso machine.
A few minutes later, she took her mug of frothy coffee and sat in the living room, where she could stare out the window at the ocean.
The waves were a bit choppy this morning and tipped with white.
The wind rustled the trees as Claire watched the sun rise over the water.
As the coffee worked its magic, she felt her energy and excitement build for the day ahead.
She knew it was likely to be another slow day, but she didn’t mind.
She was just thrilled to be running her own business, to have something of her own.
She didn’t know if it would be a success, but she would try her best and see if that might be enough.
If it wasn’t, then she’d figure something else out.
Claire wasn’t sure if was just the caffeine, but she was feeling confident and optimistic.
After a quick breakfast of peanut butter on toast, Claire hunted around in the refrigerator for the container of chicken salad her mother had made.
Her mother’s chicken salad had spoiled Claire for all others.
She poached the chicken in chicken broth, which kept it moist, and then tossed it in mayo, a bit of celery, a squeeze of lemon, Dijon mustard, and a generous drizzle of honey.
She finished it with slivered toasted almonds for crunch.
Claire piled it onto two soft bulkie rolls and grabbed two mini bags of chips from a drawer.
She packed everything in an insulated bag and added an ice pack to keep it cold until lunch.
She headed downtown and stopped at the jeweler her mother had suggested. The shop opened at ten, and Claire arrived a few minutes later. The store was quiet this early in the day. A nice-looking middle-aged man looked up from behind the counter and smiled as she stepped inside.
“Welcome. Let me know if I can help with anything. Are you looking for anything in particular?”
“Are you Brad by any chance?”
He nodded and she explained why she was there.
“I don’t know if you do any wholesaling, but I love your bracelets. My mother suggested I check in with you—she loves your stuff too.”
He looked pleased to hear it. “I do a little wholesaling. Tell me more about your shop.”
Claire did, and he looked intrigued.
“I didn’t realize those bags sold so well on the resale market.”
“Well, to be truthful, I don’t know if they will. I’ve sold some to friends, and I hope it will continue. But I know not everyone coming into the shop will buy an expensive designer bag. So I’d love to have some other options at different price points.”
“Okay. Well, what if we start with two styles and see how that goes? The solid gold wave bangle is popular, and the Nantucket basket bangle of course. How does that sound?”
“Perfect. I love both of those styles.” Claire also thought the Nantucket basket was another great Nantucket option to offer.
They agreed that Claire would start with three of each piece and then reorder as needed.
She handed Brad her business credit card, and he wrapped them up for her.
A few minutes later, after stopping at the Corner Table for a to-go decaf coffee, she was in her own shop and unpacked the bracelets.
She arranged them by the register in a small clear acrylic case.
The case didn’t lock, but she was the only one who could access them as the opening was behind the counter.
The day started out much busier than the day before.
Claire knew that there were people in town that weekend for the Daffodil Festival, which was always a draw.
There were events all weekend, but the highlight was the tailgate parade and picnics that happened during the day on Saturday.
That morning, about a hundred vintage cars paraded from downtown Nantucket to Siasconset.
That was where there would be elaborate tailgate picnics; some would even have private chefs, filet mignon, champagne.
Claire used to love to go, and Ellis had enjoyed it too.
The last time they’d gone was a few years ago with the whole family and their friends.
It had been a fun day, and Lily had loved it.
Claire knew Lily was looking forward to the parade today and was meeting up with Kenzie and a bunch of their friends. Marsha wasn’t going this year though. She said she and Warren didn’t want to deal with the crowds. They planned to have lunch downtown and stop into the store after.
As soon as Claire flipped her sign to Open, people started coming in. Most were just window-shopping, but she made a steady flow of small sales, including two bracelets, which was a nice surprise. Marsha would be pleased to hear it.
Around one, it died down, and Claire stepped into Cody’s shop. He was just finishing up with a customer and smiled when he saw her.
“Did you eat lunch yet?” she asked.
“No. I was just thinking I’d run out for something. Do you want me to pick you up a sandwich?”
She smiled. “How do you feel about chicken salad? I brought in an extra sandwich, and my mother’s recipe is the best.”
“Sold. I’ll wash my hands and be right over.”
“You were right about the chicken salad.” Cody reached for a chip as he prepared to take his last bite. He’d inhaled his sandwich in a few quick moments while their shops were quiet.
Claire still had half of hers left and took a small bite, savoring it.
“The shop has been busier today. Still no bags sold yet, but the other stuff is moving,” she said.
“That’s great. This is the first really busy weekend of the season. It should be good tomorrow too before everyone heads home.”
“Do you sell much to tourists?” It wasn’t like it would be easy to take his furniture home on the ferry.
“You’d be surprised. People order and have it shipped. I do a lot of that. But most of my sales are to locals and summer residents who are always renovating and filling up their huge houses.” He looked amused.
“The wealth here is astounding at times,” she agreed. “But hopefully that’s good for business for us both.”
“I hear you’ve donated something for the silent auction at the club tonight? My sister hit me up for that too. I donated a rocking chair. I was planning on going anyway.”
“Oh, you’ll be there?” Claire was surprised. It didn’t seem like his type of event.
“I’m a member. My other addiction besides woodworking and fishing is golf. So I usually make it to events like that. They’re fun and good for business.”
His door chimed, and he stood. “Thanks for the sandwich.”
As he walked out, Claire’s door opened, and Marsha and Warren walked in. A trio of women walked in behind them.
“The shop looks great. Have you made any more sales today?” Marsha asked anxiously.
Claire laughed. “Yes, several. Including two bracelets. Thanks for suggesting I go see Brad.”
“Oh good!”
“Where did you go for lunch?” Claire asked.
“I made a reservation earlier in the week for Mimi’s Place. Otherwise we’d never get in. It’s mobbed everywhere today because of the Daffodil Festival. I saw Mandy and Emma. They both said to say hello. Mandy will be at the club tonight too. And Carol will be there. It should be fun.”
Warren made a face. “Thank you for not inviting me.”
They both laughed.
“Warren’s playing cards with the guys tonight,” Marsha said.
“Oh, that sounds fun.” And much more up his alley, Claire knew. “Cody told me he’s going to the event tonight. That surprised me. But he said he’s a big golfer.”
“You used to love golf. When was the last time you played?” Marsha asked.
“It’s been a few years now. I only play when I’m here on Nantucket. None of my friends in the city play.”
“You should get out there this summer. Something to do, and it’s good exercise,” Marsha mused. “Carol and I were thinking about joining a ladies’ league. You should do it with us.”
Claire hesitated. “I don’t know. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“The baby’s not due until the middle of October. You should feel pretty good all summer. Just think about it.”
“I will.” Golf hadn’t crossed Claire’s mind until Marsha mentioned it. It might be fun, and as she mentioned, it was good exercise.
“All right, we’re off. I’ll see you at home later this afternoon. I still have to figure out what I’m going to wear tonight.”
As her mother left, Claire thought about what she’d planned to wear that night.
She wasn’t overly excited about what she’d decided on.
It was a simple black dress that was boring but fit well.
Maybe she’d pop into the Hospital Thrift Shop on the way home and see if there might be something that jumped out at her there.
Claire got lucky and found a dress at the Hospital Thrift Shop that fit perfectly and was flattering.
It was a deep royal blue with ruching around the middle, which helped define her waist and hide her slightly protruding stomach.
It also fit loosely, which meant it was more comfortable and she could relax.
Her mother wore a bright rose-pink dress, and Lily chose a simple black A-line dress that she’d previously worn to several formal events in the city.
“Are any of your friends going to this?” Claire asked as her mother pulled out of the driveway.
“Kenzie and her mother will be there. She’s the only one I know of who’s going.”
“Well, that will be fun though. At least you’ll have one friend there.”
Twelve minutes later, they pulled up to the valet station by the club entrance, and Marsha handed the keys to the young man who opened her door.
They headed inside and followed the crowd to the main function room, which was like a huge ballroom.
There were round tables like those at a wedding reception, and along the walls, the silent auction items were displayed on side tables.