Later, I make my way downstairs and wave to Jenny. The café is packed, and there isn’t an open seat in sight. The owner snakes her way through the crowd and greets me with a big, ruby-red smile.
“I guess I should’ve made you another reservation, huh?” she laments.
I shake my head. “No, no, it’s okay.”
“I’ll tell you what. Give me a second, and I’ll call my sister next door. You can sit at her bar and order food from our kitchen. And you can get a glass of wine or a cocktail to boot.”
“That sounds perfect. Thanks, Jenny.”
“You’re welcome.”
I start toward the front entrance but stop short. “Hey, Jenny!” I holler.
“Yeah?”
“What’s your sister’s name?”
Her smile is instant. “Janie.”
Chapter Thirteen
Madison
I pull open the heavy door of the Tipsy Daisy and enter. The substantial booths and heavy tables are made of thick wood, reminding me of an English pub. Even the tin ceiling is painted black, the subdued lighting giving off a relaxed atmosphere. Wooden stools line the main bar with several open seats near two male patrons drinking beer. They’re nibbling on pretzels from a bowl while they watch the Braves game on a mounted flat-screen TV.
A female bartender with rolled-up sleeves moves from one end of the bar to the other and greets me with friendliness. “Hey there. What can I get ya tonight?”
Her smile is familiar but lacks Jenny’s red flair. It’s hard to believe the two women are twins.
“You must be Janie,” I say.
“And you’re Madison.” She sticks her hand out over the bar, and we shake. “It’s nice to meet you. Jenny said you’re a VIP of the inn and that I must take good care of you tonight.”
I wave her off. “Naw. I’m not a VIP. I’m just a regular gal.”
Janie places a coaster and a bowl of pretzels in front of me with a small menu. “If you don’t see anything you like, I can grab Jenny’s menu and get you something from her kitchen next door. Take a look, and in the meantime, what can I get you to drink?”
“Hmmm. How about a nice glass of your house red?”
Janie grins. “You got it.”
I pluck a pretzel and snack from the bowl while I peruse the menu. The Tipsy Daisy offers your typical bar food: burgers, wings, fries, etc. I don’t want to make it hard on Janie, so I decide on a classic cheeseburger.
“Here you go.” Janie places a glass of red wine on the coaster and fills another cup with ice and water from a soda gun. She sets the glass next to the wine.
“Thank you.”
“Got any questions? Need a minute or Jenny’s menu?”
“Nope. I think I’ll have the classic cheeseburger with fries. Medium, please, with everything on it.”
She nods. “Good choice. I’ll have it out to you in no time.”
I watch Janie step over to a computer monitor and punch the keyboard. The bar owner gives off a good vibe. She’s cool and relaxed, kind and efficient. Unlike her sister, Jenny, Janie doesn’t wear any makeup. Her face is dotted with a fewfreckles across the bridge of her nose, and her hair is pulled back into a frizzy knot. To my surprise, her pushed-up sleeves reveal several colorful tattoos. The middle-aged twins are total opposites.
I glance at the TV before I notice a guitar case and a guy in the corner setting up a small sound system. I remember Jenny telling me there’s live music on the weekends. But it’s still early, and the music and crowds don’t start until later. Taking a sip of wine, I settle into my new surroundings. I’m relaxed and ready to enjoy what the small town has to offer.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
