Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kate awoke to one cat walking around her head and the other pinning her feet in place.
She glanced at her clock, the same pink digital one from her high school days.
Six a.m. meant she still had a half an hour to sleep.
When she was a teen, one of her parents’ rules was that her cell phone stayed in the kitchen on the charger at bedtime.
It was still a habit. She turned her alarm off and untangled her feet.
“Come on, you two. Breakfast.”
Her feline housemates ran into the kitchen, their tails standing tall, as she staggered behind.
After popping the top off a can of soft food, she scooped salmon paté into their dishes.
She chose her favorite coffee blend, Sumatra, and loaded it into the machine.
She placed a mug underneath and then removed her phone from the charger.
Several texts had arrived earlier this morning.
She wiped her eyes of sleep. Doesn’t anyone sleep in around here?
The first message was from Maggie Jacobs, who’d done the interior design on Kate’s reno.
She had a request, and Kate was to call her when she had a chance.
The next was from Pete. He said he needed to discuss something regarding her renovation and to meet him inside the church.
He’d be starting at 8 a.m. Her stomach tumbled, hoping it wasn’t anything serious.
And the last was from her mom: I received the book! I’m heading to the beach this morning before it gets too hot. Thank you so much. Love you, followed by three heart emojis.
Kate sat at the island with her coffee, warming her hands on the mug and inhaling the fragrance of the rich dark roast. She took a few sips, savoring the smooth and complex taste, before answering her texts.
First, she replied to her mom with her own heart emoji, then found Maggie’s number in her contacts.
“Good morning!” Maggie said as she answered the call. “Thanks for calling me. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Nope. Lucy took care of that.” Kate set her phone on the table and put it on speaker.
Maggie laughed. “Athena is the same way. She’s been up for several hours.”
Kate had never met the dog but knew Athena, a Belgian Malinois, belonged to Maggie’s husband, Owen.
Maggie continued, “I had an idea for Paige’s bachelorette party. Chloe filled you in that she and I are planning it for the weekend before the wedding, right?”
“Yes. She said you’re keeping the plans secret from the men.”
“Correct. I have a favor to ask.”
“Sure.”
“Could you make some suggestive cupcakes?”
Kate set her coffee down, playing with the handle of the mug as she listened. She could see where this was headed and smiled. “Are you talking anatomically correct body parts, boxer shorts, and maybe kissy lips?”
Maggie burst out laughing. “Exactly! So, you’ve done them before?”
“Oh yeah. I’ve gotten pretty good at making provocative cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.”
“Brilliant! I know you have a lot going on, so if this is too much right now, please say no. I can easily pick up a cake at the grocery store if you don’t have time. Otherwise, let me know how much I owe you.”
“Don’t you dare! This is fun for me. How many and what flavor?”
They nailed down the details and promised to meet up soon. Kate finished her coffee, placed the mug in the sink, and headed to the bedroom to get dressed. It was a comfort that Maggie had mentioned payment. The extra money would help.
Kate pulled on a pair of jeans and decided on a red sweater. She chose a pair of short black boots and laced them up. She didn’t bother with makeup most days, but she elected to add foundation and lip gloss in hopes it would make her look more alert than she felt. Her sleep had been restless.
Nyla was sound asleep on her bed, and Lucy was in the living room window. The sun had just peeked over the horizon.
Kate gathered her purse, keys, and phone, filled the cat dishes with hard food, and grabbed her coat from the hook by the door.
Last night’s impromptu dinner with Nick had been fun, and she looked forward to the day he had planned today.
She sent him a text: Meet me in the church, you can use the side entrance, it’s unlocked.
So far, she enjoyed spending time with the sheriff.
Maybe this friend-zone thing could really work.
Not waiting for a response, she locked the kitchen door and unlocked the door to the future home of Sacred Grounds. She loved that she could enter her home and the back entrance to her bistro from the large mudroom, never having to step outside.
When she walked into the church, Pete and Alexis greeted her with a wave.
Kate shoved her hands into her pockets. Between Pete’s need to discuss something with her and now Alexis being here as well, she worried. This couldn’t be good. Don’t jump to conclusions, Kate.
Pete and Alexis approached her. “Good morning. Thanks for meeting with us. How are you liking your new living space?” Alexis inquired.
“I absolutely love it. It’s beautiful. Maggie did a great job picking out the furniture.”
“Good. I’m pleased about how it turned out,” Alexis said. “Sorry to call you here, but we have good news and bad news.”
Kate grew more nervous. Her budget couldn’t afford any setbacks. She had to be open for business in time for fishing opener in May, or her savings would run dry. She hunched her shoulders as if to ward off the cold. “I’ll take the bad news first.”
Pete glanced at Alexis and then said, “When we removed the bolts from some of the pews, they pulled free too easily. We investigated further, and there’s significant rot.”
Alexis took over. “Unfortunately, a portion of the subfloor needs replacing, and so do several stringers.”
Kate knew little about construction, so she continued to listen, waiting to hear the hit her budget would take.
“We’ll need to fix the drainage problem in the spring because of how the water is pooling under the foundation.”
“Wait. Can we save the original floors?” Kate asked.
Alexis nodded. “Yes, but with the cost of lumber and tearing out a good portion of the floors, we’re talking an additional twenty thousand dollars. I’m sorry, Kate, I wish I had better news.”
Kate’s hand rested on her stomach. It was good she hadn’t eaten yet. She swallowed and asked, “What’s the good news?”
“It won’t set us back on timing; you’ll still be able to open as planned.”
Kate tried to find the positive, but this hurt. “I have to be honest, that’s a huge hit, and I’m working on a tight budget. I have a little contingency money, but not nearly that much.”
“There are things we can do to offset the cost. We don’t have to match the hardwood, and we can discuss different flooring options,” Alexis said.
With a sigh of frustration, Kate massaged her forehead.
“I really want the floors to match. They’re part of the charm.
” She looked at Pete and Alexis, open to any suggestions.
She knew it was hard for them to give her this news, but she didn’t have any ideas.
“Wait. My booths are on back order. They’re costing a small fortune.
Maybe I can cancel the order and only use tables. ”
Pete snapped his fingers. “I have an idea. Yes, cancel the order for the booths. We set the pews off to the side because I needed to ask what you wanted to do with them. How about repurposing them into booths?”
“Do you know someone who could do that?”
“My brother could,” said a familiar voice behind Kate.
She jumped, and her hand flew to her chest. She was so focused on the conversation she hadn’t noticed a presence behind her until it was too late. “You scared me.”
Nick smiled and shook hands with Pete and Alexis. “Cole is a talented furniture maker and wood-carver.”
Alexis agreed. “This is why I hired Pete. He has great ideas and has saved me in the past. If you and Cole could work something out, that would make up for part of the cost. The other option would be to hold off on the patio and start with indoor seating, maybe set up a few picnic tables on the lawn.”
Pete continued, “You won’t need all the pews, but maybe you two could make a deal.”
Kate addressed Nick. “Doesn’t Cole work full-time at the lodge? Will he have time?”
Nick shrugged. “Talk to him. Woodworking is his escape.”
Maybe woodworking for Cole was like baking for her. Feeling better about the newest blow to her budget and not sold yet on the idea of putting off the outdoor space, she agreed. “Okay. I’ll talk to Cole.” She’d figure out something and rework her budget to accommodate the recent development.
“Ready to go?” Nick asked.
Pete glanced back and forth between Kate and Nick. Alexis smiled. Kate appreciated them not making a big deal about her and Nick leaving together, though by the way Alexis and Pete grinned, she could tell they wanted to pry.
“I’m ready.” Kate zipped up her coat. “Text me if you have any other issues,” she said to Pete.
“Will do. Enjoy your date—I mean, day,” Pete said, and Alexis smacked him on the arm.
As they walked away, Nick grumbled, “This is going to be harder than I thought.”
“Agreed. Let’s get breakfast.”
When they arrived at Rosie’s Diner, Nick held the door open for Kate, then followed her in.
Patrons stopped and stared, some with their forks halfway to their mouths.
It was almost comical. Almost. So, this was what it was like to live in a small town.
Kate supposed having breakfast with the sheriff warranted a few extra stares.
Nick pointed to an open booth near the back.
The server, a young woman with long black hair, came forward to greet them. “Good morning, Sheriff. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your date?”
Nick audibly groaned. “This is Kate Davis. Kate, this is Lily Chen.” Lily’s ponytail bounced as she practically vibrated in place with excitement.
“Nice to meet you, Lily. I’m renovating the church into a coffee shop. Nick has been generous enough to show me around town. We’re just friends. This isn’t a date,” Kate was quick to add.