Chapter 6
6
M aileah pedaled one of her grandmother’s vintage bikes along Orange Avenue, relishing the burn in her muscles after conquering the Queen’s Ride, a mountain path her mother had told her about. The late afternoon sun was warm, though a sea breeze cooled her skin.
She passed Regal Bikes and spotted Adrian outside talking to a couple on their bikes. In the next block, she spied a boutique with sunny yellow awnings and a beach mural painted on one side of the corner building.
She slowed her bike for a better look. Beach Babes had attractive window displays. She couldn’t keep borrowing Junie’s new island wardrobe. Maileah was taller than her sister, so many of her clothes were too short.
She needed suitable clothes if she was going to stay on Crown Island. Todd had asked her out tonight, and she hated to raid her sister’s closet again. A turquoise blue sundress in the window caught her eye.
She eased her bike to a stop. As she locked it to a light pole, a woman about her age with wavy, mahogany-colored hair leaned against the door, watching her with a smile .
Maileah stood. “You have some cute outfits in the window.”
“Thanks, and welcome to Beach Babes,” the woman said, stepping aside. “I’m Babe. Are you visiting the island?”
After introducing herself, Maileah said, “It started that way, but I decided to stay. How could you tell?”
“Most locals don’t lock up their bikes,” Babe replied. “People can’t get too far on an island. And that sweet ride is unique.”
“It’s one of my grandmother’s.”
“Nurse Ella, right?”
“Wow, good guess. How did you know?”
Babe gestured for her to follow her inside. “Adrian and Sailor restored your grandmother’s bikes. Your mother has been here a few times, so I’ve seen April on a couple of those old beauties. If you’re from Seattle, you’ll need a different wardrobe here.”
“That’s why I stopped.” Maileah glanced around, impressed with the clothing assortment and accessories. “May I see that turquoise sundress in the window?”
“Sure. I think I’ve got your size.” Babe plucked a dress from the rack. “I have some new summer dresses that would look great on you.” She scooped a couple more into her arms.
“What do people wear for work around here?” Maileah still had money left over from the sale of her luxury vehicle. Maybe splurging a little would motivate her to expand her career search here. And the shot of confidence from a new outfit never hurt.
“This is Crown Island. Everyone is casual—bankers, lawyers, and other professionals. You don’t see many suits except on visitors.”
“Would you call it business casual?”
Babe laughed. “Even more casual. What do you do for work?”
“I’m in marketing. I used to work for a major software company until I was laid off.” Maileah hated to admit that, but it was better than being fired. “I’m pretty good at online marketing. I just set up my sister’s website, ad campaigns, and mailing list. I can do a lot more than that, too. I’m looking for clients here.”
“Sounds like what almost every shopkeeper I know here needs,” Babe said. “We all want to keep the customers who shop here on vacation. People are more comfortable ordering online now, but organizing all the technical details is out of my wheelhouse. If you approach people right, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of opportunities here.”
Maileah was happy to hear this. “I’m ready to work.”
Pressing a finger to her lips, Babe paused to size up Maileah. “I know just what you need.” With a flick of a short, manicured nail, she added, “Come with me. I’ll show you what I mean.”
Maileah followed her as she wound through the racks. “Probably nothing too sexy.” Even for her dates, she thought.
No sense attracting the men who were only browsing.
Babe gestured to a display of clothing in beautiful shades and fabrics. “Deb Whitaker is one of my best customers, and she works with top clients from all over the world. You want to look professional, but in an island way.”
Maileah eyed a butter-yellow linen shift. “Like that one? Except for the color, it’s plain.”
“You can pair that with great accessories. You’ll see; I’ll style it for you.” She grabbed a few more items and led her to a fitting room. “Let me see them on you. I can work magic with accessories.”
This may be the fresh start I need, Maileah thought as she changed. A new look, a new career goal—maybe even a new place to land until she could buy a sweet little bungalow.
As Maileah tried on clothes, Babe helped her style the look. The two women chatted and traded stories, and by the time Maileah finished, she felt like she had made a new friend.
Babe nodded toward the bike chained up outside. “This is too much for you to carry. I can deliver it for you after I close.”
“I’d sure appreciate that,” Maileah said, excited about her new look. “I’m staying at my sister’s house on Sunshine Avenue.”
“Oh, sure.” Leaving the clothes on hangers, Babe slid a covering over them. “I know where that is. My friend who owns Cuppa Jo’s lives on that street.”
“We’re right across from Jo,” Maileah said. “My sister bought an old house that needed renovations. We’ve been cleaning and painting. I’ll give you a tour.”
“Jo mentioned that. Sadly, that house was terribly trashed. I’d love to see what you did with it. And I’m glad you found a great place to live.”
“That’s my sister’s home,” Maileah said. “I’m only there temporarily until I can find my own place.” She was usually reluctant to share too much, but Babe was nice, and this was a small town. “My sister is dating a great guy, and I’d like to give them their space.”
“I know just what you mean.” Babe looked up from the register. “Do you want to rent or buy?”
“I’m sort of in flux,” Maileah replied. “I’ll rent something. It’s only me; I don’t need much.” That would serve to motivate her, too.
Babe finalized the sale. “I have a cozy little guest cottage on my property that I rent out. I have to be careful because some people visit the beach to party. They keep me and my neighbors up all night.”
“I’m fairly quiet,” Maileah said. “Except for the thundering clicks of my laptop keys.”
Babe laughed. “It’s small but cute and has its own parking spot.” She mentioned a price less than what Maileah had paid in Seattle. “The last tenant left it in a bit of a mess, and I need to do some repairs. If you can overlook that, come have a look at it.”
Maileah blinked. If she could make a go of her work, this could change everything. “I’d like that,” she said, excitement gathering in her chest.
They decided on a time to meet in the morning before Babe opened the shop.
“See you soon,” Maileah said happily. She left to cycle to her sister’s house.
On the way back, she had a lightness she hadn’t felt in a long time. In fact, she couldn’t remember when she’d had such a wide-open vista in her life. Certainly not at her high-pressure job in Seattle.
A fresh sense of confidence filled her. Babe hadn’t treated her like an unemployed failure but as a professional with a valuable skill to offer other business owners. She lifted her chin, pleased that she was embarking on a new phase of life.
The guest cottage sounded intriguing, too. She didn’t need much. With Babe’s sense of style, it was probably livable, which is all she needed. While she could save money staying with Junie or her mother and grandmother, she needed to act like an adult.
When Maileah arrived at Junie’s house, she rolled her bike around the back. Her sister had just arrived home and was taking groceries from her car.
“Need a hand?” Maileah asked.
“Thanks,” Junie said. “How was your day?”
“I monitored your ads, then I went for a ride and stopped at Beach Babe’s.”
“That’s a cute shop. Mom got me a couple of things from there.”
“I bought a few outfits,” Maileah said. “Babe is delivering them soon. I won’t be sneaking clothes from your closet anymore.”
“Should you be shopping as long as you’re unemployed?”
“They’re clothes for work,” Maileah replied, sounding more defensive than she’d meant to. “I washed and returned your stuff as quickly as I could. ”
Junie started up the steps, holding the door open for Maileah. “I do have a favor to ask of you, though.”
“Anything. I owe you for putting me up here.”
“I don’t mind, and you’ve helped me out,” Junie said quickly. “But I was wondering if you could stay at Nana’s for a week. Knox doesn’t have a guest room with his parents and Penny. His mother’s sister and husband are visiting soon and want to be nearby. I wouldn’t ask if they weren’t family. They’re a little older, so this will be easier on them.”
“No problem,” Maileah said. “When I was shopping at Babe’s, she mentioned that she has a guest cottage available to rent. I’m going to see it in the morning.”
Junie surprised her with a frown. “I’m not kicking you out. This is only for a week.”
“It’s time I got a place anyway.”
Her sister pressed her lips together as she placed groceries on the kitchen table. “New clothes, a place to live. I’m not sure those are good decisions. How can you afford all that without a job?”
“I’m working it out.”
Junie sighed. “But so often you don’t. You jump before you have a plan. I don’t want to see you on the hook for a lease before you can pay for it, especially when you have options.”
“This time, I’ll make it work.”
Junie gave her a sad look. “If you need money, I can?—”
“Absolutely not,” Maileah said, holding up her hand and speaking a little sharper than she’d meant. “I can manage. I don’t need anyone’s help.” Staying here was one thing, but she was trading work for her room. Taking pity money from her younger sister was more than her pride could take.
A hurt look washed over Junie’s face. “I’m only looking out for you. I hate to see you make a mistake like you did with Hawk.”
That was a sore point with Maileah. She’d moved in with Hawk and given up her apartment lease, only to discover he’d been unfaithful to her. Since she’d been laid off, she had nowhere to go, and no job for a new lease.
“That’s enough, Junie.” Her sister was treating her like she was incapable of making good decisions. “You think you can criticize me because you have such a perfect life here. You have no idea what it’s like to be on your own. You married young, and then—well, you have Mark’s settlement and life insurance.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Maileah regretted them. But she was hurt, too.
Footsteps sounded on the steps, and the screen door creaked open. “What’s going on?” Knox asked. “I heard some commotion.”
“It’s Mayday,” Junie said.
Maileah hated that nickname, so she shot back, “It’s always my fault, isn’t it? I know I’m in the way here. And you think I’m silly for changing my name. But see, it’s my name and my life. I decide what I want.”
“Hey, you two,” Knox began.
Just then, a knock sounded at the front door. “That’s probably for me. Babe wanted to see the house.”
“Who’s Babe?” Knox asked.
“Absolutely none of your business,” Maileah snapped while Junie pressed a warning hand against his chest. “She wanted to see the house, and I’m going out with Todd tonight. Soon, you won’t have to deal with me anymore.”
Maileah spun around, already feeling guilty for lashing out. But her sister could press her buttons like no one else. Just when she’d thought they were getting along, too. She was shocked and dismayed that Junie had so little confidence in her. Still, Maileah knew she’d crossed the line when she mentioned Mark. Their lives had taken different paths, but that wasn’t Junie’s fault.
Although Maileah hadn’t suffered the tragedy her sister had, her life had still shattered into a thousand pieces.
She paused at the door to collect herself. Arranging a smile on her face, she opened the door to Babe. “Thanks for delivering everything. Would you like to come in?”
“I can’t. Something just came up with another customer, and I have to run,” Babe said with a note of apology in her voice. She held out Maileah’s purchase.
Had Babe overheard her argument with Junie? Maileah wished the old wooden floor would give way and swallow her. She took her new clothes and cleared her throat. “So, are we still on for tomorrow?”
Babe pressed her lips together. “I’m not sure. I’ll call you in the morning.” With a little wave, she hurried back to her car.
Maileah closed the door and went to her room. Had she ruined her chance to rent Babe’s guest cottage? No one wanted a raving maniac to live with them. After hanging her clothes, she flung herself onto the bed. Hot tears trickled from her eyes.
One step forward, two steps back.
She had been feeling so happy and positive this afternoon. Was it Junie’s fault for doubting her or hers for lashing back?
Staring at the ceiling, she considered how quickly relationships could deteriorate. Having a sister was complicated. And now, Knox surely thought she was ungrateful and unhinged.
Still, Maileah needed to pull herself together before Todd arrived. She hadn’t yet antagonized him, though the night was still young.