Page 109

OUT OF IDEAS

Amanda: The theater troupe is out.

Jason: The Gaming Guild was no help.

Amanda: I have an idea…

Jason: I’m scared.

Amanda: Hear me out…

Jason: Very scared.

Amanda: What if we hire strippers?

Jason: Strippers running a carnival?

Amanda: I’m sensing judgment.

Jason: Consider yourself judged.

Amanda: I don’t see you coming up with better ideas.

Jason: Stripper carnies are NOT a good idea.

“So this is the Bistro on Maine?”

I gave Evie a deep bow as I opened the door.

“I know you’re craving city food.” It was less about a good meal and more about her having a conversation with Simon about the bed-and-breakfast. She remained shaky about the idea, and I thought a talk from one business owner to another would settle her nerves.

“It’s charming,” she said, as if surprised Firefly had more than a grocery store. “ Really charming.”

Dorothy waved her in. “Welcome to Bistro on Maine. Simon’s on fire today. I’m going to recommend the breakfast sandwich. We also have fresh squeezed orange juice. It’s a little pulpy for my taste, but what can you do?”

She guided us to the only empty table. I dropped my backpack to the floor as I took my seat.

I knew the town showed up for their own, but I didn’t expect it to be this busy.

Gladys and Gloria waved from three tables away.

Harvey and Walter moaned while chowing down their meal, loud enough to be unsettling.

Almost everybody I knew in town was having a late breakfast today.

“Whatever you suggest, I’m game. But coffee, please.” Staying up late packing with Evie had left me a phantom of a person. “Strong. Like, moose levels strong.” Dorothy shot me a wink before vanishing into the kitchen.

I spotted Sheryl reading the paper. If Laurel walked in, we’d have the entire carnival committee.

I prayed they didn’t come up and ask if I had found a solution.

I did not. The longer I thought about it, the more I liked Amanda’s idea of strippers.

She continued bombarding me with every listing in the state.

Who knew there were so many exotic dancers in Maine?

“Coffee.” Dorothy set down two cups of coffee. “Sip slowly. I’m not responsible if your heart races.” She leaned back, eyeing us both. “So you’ll both be having the breakfast sandwich?”

Eggs were calling my name. “I was thinking?—”

“Breakfast sandwich, right?”

Evie raised an eyebrow at Dorothy’s determination. I opened my mouth to object, and she leaned in, making it clear there was no arguing. “Breakfast sandwich sounds great.”

“I would like?—”

“Two breakfast sandwiches coming up.” Dorothy took the menus off the table. “Good choice.”

I smiled at Evie’s confusion. “I don’t think you understand how small towns work. Embrace the madness.”

“That was the most city experience ever. If she had hurled an insult, it’d be just like Boston.” Comparing Firefly to Boston bordered on comical. “She pronounced her R’s, so we know we’re not in Boston.”

“Wait till she speaks in Quebecois.”

“Really?”

I tilted my head. “You came here every summer. Did you learn nothing? What did you do for two months?”

“Made out with boys, mostly. Stole alcohol with Laurel from her dad’s liquor cabinet.” My eyes widened at the confession. “Did you know they grew pot behind the elementary school?”

“Evie!”

She gave a slight shrug. “Who’s more of a native now?”

My sister took after Mimi more than I imagined. I wondered if Evie had ever drank the whisky from the flask? Or worse, the image of them on the back porch smoking a joint came to mind. No. No. No. I refused to think about my sweet little grandmother… never mind, it wouldn’t shock me if she had.

“Chef will be out in a moment,” Dorothy said as she zipped by our table.

“Oh, good,” I smiled at Evie. “He’ll have great info for you.”

“What do I ask him? What if he?—”

I reached across the table, resting my hand on Evie’s wrist. “Remember who ran that hellhole? You’re a boss. You’ve been ready for this for a long time.”

“Thanks.”

It was barely a minute before the door burst open, and Simon came out holding six plates.

I was impressed with his balance as he moved through the tables like a dancer.

For a big guy, Simon had moves, and as he reached us, the remaining plates slid down his arm onto the table before he grabbed a seat.

“I hear somebody’s starting a business.” He poked the plate closer to Evie. “Go ahead and eat. I’ll do the talking.”

I didn’t need encouragement. The breakfast sandwich had been the right call. I’d thank Dorothy before entering a food coma. I barely had time to smell the herbs before I bit into the sandwich.

“Here’s the good news. You’d be the only bed-and-breakfast in all of Firefly. I don’t even think Merryville has one. You’ve cornered the market. That’s the easy part. The trick will be maintaining occupancy during slow times.”

I’d compare this sandwich to sex. Amazing.

Messy. Delicious. I had barely started on this one, and I already plotted the next time I ordered.

I’m pretty sure whatever he put… oh, I tasted the bacon.

Cue the orgasm. I was about to melt into a puddle on the floor.

They both eyed me as I let out a slight moan.

“Keep talking,” I muttered between chews.

“I only do special event dinners because I wouldn’t have enough customers for it. Firefly is a brunch town. Figure out your high and low seasons, and then, in the low, come up with strategies to hit those minimums.”

I mostly understood. Evie, on the other hand, nodded along in agreement. I hoped whatever he said instilled confidence. While they talked, I’d just drown myself in the sticky goodness of my sandwich.

The front door chimed, and to my delight, Bobby stood at the front of the restaurant, scouring for an empty table. Without thinking, I waved at him, gesturing for him to join us.

Bobby pulled up a seat, and Evie and Simon gave him a wave before they continued talking about partnerships and reaching the broader community. It turned technical. It’d be another minute before their business talk went over my head.

“Are they talking about the bed-and-breakfast?” Bobby asked in a low whisper.

I nodded, swallowing. “Yup. Speaking of, do you think you could come over and help us price out some work?”

“What are you thinking?”

“We have a massive attic, and it’d be good to have extra rooms to rent out.”

“Don’t just think of the Inn,” Simon added. “There are always other opportunities.”

Bobby nodded. “Sure. It might not be cheap, but if you guys help, we might be able to drop the price.”

“How do you mean?” asked Evie.

My raising a hammer would only end in disaster. I could help paint; at least, that was in my skill set. “I’m sure you’re super busy, but?—”

Bobby stole a hash brown off my plate. “It’s what neighbors do.”

Simon chuckled, pulling me back into their conversation. “I’ve started doing cooking classes online. It started with me teaching Jason how to cook, and the internet loved it. It’s become our fun evening activity.”

“Do you want just rooms, or thinking of plumbing as well?”

“We could feature all the small-town things that happen here.” Evie said, getting more excited with every word. “Selling Firefly’s small-town charm wouldn’t be hard.”

“Suites would be great,” I said.

Bobby and Simon grew silent before eyeing one another. What mischief went through their heads as both grinned. The boyfriends were up to no good. I could sense it.

“Are you talking about Valhalla?” Gladys to the rescue.

She and Gloria had purses in hand, stopping by our table before they exited.

Before anybody could answer, she continued.

“I have some bed frames you’d love. Oh, and armoires, they’d be perfect for a small bed-and-breakfast. Consider it a fair exchange for all the treasures you gave me. ”

“Why don’t we all sit down and have coffee one night?” Gloria said. “Hazel must still have her kettles. We’ll get a few people together and see how we can help.”

“I’ll bring cupcakes.” Glancing past Gladys, I spotted Patty at a nearby table. This had snowballed.

“Are you having coffee without us?” Harvey asked.

“They don’t need roosters in the hen house,” Walter chimed in.

Evie’s face had grown slack as all conversations in the bistro turned to the bed-and-breakfast. Her eyes darted back and forth until she stared at me.

Their goodwill had turned into an overwhelming force of positivity.

She feared that she’d start something, and at best, it’d survive; at worse, it’d fail, and we’d be out of a lot of money.

I smiled. Evie had the support of Firefly, and they wouldn’t let one of their own fail. I watched the expression as she transformed from flatlander to local. From here on, Firefly would do everything in its power to ensure she succeeded.

“I’ll text everybody,” I said, taking the heat off her. “I’ll make sure there’s coffee.” Gladys patted me on the shoulder as she and Gloria exited the bistro.

Evie leaned forward, eyeing me and Bobby. “What just happened?”

“Remember how you said your bosses did nothing to support you at work?” Her confusion amused me, and I couldn’t help but snicker.

“You’ll never have to worry about that in Firefly,” Bobby said.

“Now, eat your food before it gets cold,” Simon added. “Let us know when you have details on coffee night. I’ll bring snacks.” He hopped off his chair, and a second later, he vanished into the kitchen.

“I’ll come by later tonight and check out the space. Now I need to see some men about a chicken coup.” Bobby’s attention turned to Harvey and Walter. He slid off his chair before walking to their table. “How’d you break the coup this time?”