“I think you’re wrong, Lee. He’s a sweet guy. Remember when he saved that duck that got stuck in the ice at Pine Pond?” Pearl asked.
“That was really sweet of him.” Leena smiled at the memory. “He took a big risk, and he could have fallen in, but that’s different from romance. I think Henry has turned him off of that.”
Rose twisted in her seat to look at Leena in the back. “I think Jules might change his mind. Have you seen the way he looks at her?”
“Well, there’s only one thing to do in this situation,” Pearl said. “We need a wager.”
“Great idea. I’ll put five on the romance,” Rose said.
Leena whipped a five-dollar bill out of her wallet and handed it to Rose. “And I’ll put five on no romance.”
Pearl dug in her coat pocket and produced a crumpled bill. “I’m going for the romance too.” She handed it to Rose.
Rose shoved the bills into the little compartment in her console, unclipped her seat belt, and opened the door. She turned to look at the other two women. “Are you guys coming? I need a cappuccino to get me going.”
Jules was just exiting the coffee shop with three to-go cups in hand as they got to the door. She smiled when she saw them. “Hey, how are you today?”
“Just dandy, and you? I noticed you with Nick Barlowe.” Rose nodded toward the booth they’d been sitting in.
Jules blushed, and Pearl shot Leena a smug look. Leena wasn’t worried. She was actually rooting for Jules and Nick to get together. The boy needed to be reminded that having someone in his life was a good thing. Henry’s attitude was starting to poison him, but she didn’t want to admit that. She had to keep up her gruff reputation.
“We ran into each other here,” Jules said. “It doesn’t hurt to be nice to the person who is handing out loans.”
The ladies nodded.
“So how is the loan going?” Rose asked.
“Good, I applied for the occupancy permit just this morning.”
The three ladies exchanged glances.
“So soon?” Leena asked.
Jules nodded. “I need it for the loan.”
“You don’t say. That seems odd,” Rose said.
Jules shrugged. “I thought so, too, but that’s what Nick said.”
“I’ve never applied for a loan for a motel, so I guess I don’t know the procedure,” Rose said.
“Hopefully the inspection will be okay. We do need some work done there.”
Rose nodded. “Yes, I suggested my grandson to Gina the other night.”
“She told me. We’re going to call him for an estimate.”
“That’s good. He’ll do a good job for you.”
“I’m sure he will. Well, I better get going.” Jules held up the coffees. “Don’t want these to get cold.”
“Of course not. Has Maddie mentioned anything more about her idea?” Rose asked as Jules turned to leave.
Jules frowned. “No, but she’s working on it.”
“I know she’ll come up with something great,” Pearl said.
They watched Jules exit.
