“Did Aggie check in yet?” Stacy poked her head into the kitchen, her gaze zeroing in on the pie plate on the table. “Who made pie?”
“I did.” Gina suddenly felt self-conscious. Even though the apple pie had actually come out pretty good, it wasn’t exactly aesthetically pleasing. She’d tried to cut leaves and flowers out of the dough like Gram used to, but it hadn’t come out quite the same.
“Aggie’s the only contestant that hasn’t checked in yet,” Maddie said.
The other four had checked in over the course of the evening and promptly disappeared into their rooms, just like Marilyn had said they would.
“Hmm. That’s a bit worrisome. She’s almost eighty, and her son said he hadn’t heard from her.” Stacy glanced out the window. “It’s dark out, and she can’t see well at night.”
“I hope she didn’t get lost.” Maddie’s voice was laced with genuine concern.
“Me too.” Stacy chewed her bottom lip. “I’m not sure what to do, though. Maybe she’s just taking her time. He said she drives slow and she hates being checked up on.”
Jules nodded. “She’ll probably show up any minute.”
Stacy kept eyeing the pie, and Gina didn’t want to be rude. “Would you like a piece?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Stacy plopped down at the table, and Gina served her a piece on one of Gram’s pink etched-depression-glass dessert dishes.
Butterflies flapped in Gina’s stomach as Stacy took a bite. Her cousins had said the pie was good earlier, but they were probably just being polite. Stacy was in a pie baking contest. She had experience, and she wasn’t related to Gina, so she didn’t have to be nice.
“Yumm. This is really good.” Stacy loaded up her fork.
“Thanks. I used to make pies with my grandmother, who owned this motel,” Gina said.
Stacy looked around the kitchen. “How interesting. That might be a nice interest piece for the show.” Stacy pointed her fork at Gina. “You should be in the contest.”
Gina panicked. “Very funny. I’m sure my pie isn’t anything like the gourmet concoctions your contestants will make.”
Stacy raised her brow. “Don’t be too sure. Lucky for you, we already have our contestants. We can’t deviate from the program now.”
As Gina watched Stacy gobble up the pie, she realized she felt happy and less stressed than she had in a long time. The last year with Hugh had been challenging. But right then, she couldn’t care less about her husband. Good riddance to him. And the desire to return to her old life in Boston was fading.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Isn’t it wonderful to see the town bustling with action again?” Rose was sitting with Pearl and Leena at one of the cafe tables that Cassie had put on the brick patio outside Ocean Brew. It was just dusk, and the sky was painted in hues of pink and turquoise. A warm sea breeze stirred the air, and the quaint Main Street, with its antique storefronts and fairy lights and the Atlantic Ocean beyond, had a magical feel.
“Sure is.” Leena broke off a piece of her chocolate brownie. “The town looks better than it has in ages. I wish we could get those empty stores to open up, though.”
“Me too. Remember when the wine and cheese shop was over there?” Pearl pointed to a vacant storefront. “It used to be so much fun to go to the wine tastings.”
“And the bookstore across the street.” Pearl sighed and pinched a crumb from the chocolate chip cookie she had on a napkin in front of her then popped it into her mouth. “We need a good bookstore again. People love to read at the beach.”
“And what about the piano bar! Remember how we used to sing the night away over martinis?” Leena’s lips tugged in a smile, a faraway look on her face.
“Maybe we can get back to that.” Rose finished off her muffin as she watched the people milling about. There were plenty of tourists with their colorful shorts and casual sandals. They were browsing in the shops, eating ice cream, and best of all, laughing and having a good time.
“I think this can work. The town can come back. Everyone looks so happy,” Pearl said.
“Even Henry Barlowe must be caught up in the festive mood. I saw him chatting with a tourist earlier today,” Leena said.
Rose turned to her. “Really? Huh, will miracles never cease? I thought he was too old to change his crotchety ways. I never really understood why he got so sour.”
“Me either.” Pearl pinched off another crumb of muffin. “I know it had to do with Rena leaving. She said he never even acknowledged her goodbye letter! She was very hurt.”
Rose frowned. “Then why is he acting like the one who got hurt?”
Leena shrugged. “Men! Who can figure them out?”
