Page 53 of Finding Home

“I think yes,” Julie said.

She wrapped her hands around the fresh mug and looked at the man across from her. The man who had stayed in Sapphire Bay, whose kitchen light had been on when she pulled into the driveway in the early grey morning.

The anonymous comment was still on the website page. Julie would check it again tonight, and perhaps the night after, waiting to see if it was a random post or the beginning of something.

For now, she left it where it was and picked up her coffee.

Chapter 33

In between finishing the next installment of her investigation, Julie opened the door to the Lakeside Grill. It had been an exciting time for Cole.

The review process for the permit suspension had been done in unprecedented time. The permits had been reinstated, and the people involved in making the decision given a formal warning.

Unfortunately, that had made Cole even more determined to return to Finley Point. But with a little arm twisting, everyone had managed to keep him in town.

This morning, Beth had called Julie in a panic, needing to talk to someone who could give her some advice. Her friend was sitting at a corner table with two hot drinks in front of her, and her coat folded over the back of a chair.

Julie had noticed something different about Beth at the last two cooking classes. She still sat in the same spot, brought her usual food, and laughed at the right moments. But there was something in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

Julie wanted to make sure she was okay, but she’d decided not to ask about it in front of their friends.

“I ordered you a flat white,” Beth said. “The same as last time.”

Julie sat down and pulled off her scarf. “I appreciate that.” She wrapped both hands around the cup. Outside, the weather was sharp and still, the lake flat and silver under a pale sky.

“Thank you for meeting me here,” Beth told her. “I know how busy you are.”

Julie touched her friend’s arm. “You’re more important than anything I’m doing. What’s worrying you?”

Beth bit her bottom lip. “Someone offered me a job.”

Julie started to smile until she looked carefully at Beth. Her friend should have been more excited. It wasn’t easy finding a job in Sapphire Bay and Beth had been looking for a while. So instead of saying congratulations, Julie waited for what came next.

“Not a job exactly,” Beth corrected herself. “More of a role. Natalie, Gabe, and Owen want to build a community arts center at the northern end of town. It’s not confirmed yet. The funding is still being finalized. But Natalie saw me last week and asked if I’d be willing to manage it.” Beth glanced up. “If it goes ahead.”

“What kind of managing?” Julie asked.

“Mostly organizing exhibitions, classes, and partnerships with local schools.” Beth turned her coffee cup in a slow half-circle. “Possibly some administration, but Natalie said she wants to find someone else for the day-to-day office work.” A pause. “She said she wanted someone who understood what Sapphire Bay needs.”

“It sounds like the perfect role for you,” Julie said carefully. “You’re already involved in the local arts and crafts society, and you go to every exhibition and arts event you can.”

“I know,” Beth said softly. “I’ve been thinking about it all week. I haven’t told my brother Ryan or Kayla.” She set her cup down. “I haven’t told anyone except you.”

The noise from the restaurant moved around them. A chair shifted somewhere behind Julie. Someone near the door called out a goodbye, and it went unanswered.

“What’s stopping you from saying yes?” Julie asked.

Beth considered that with more care than the question might have required. “Even with all my involvement in the local arts scene, I don’t know if I’m the right person for the job.”

Julie’s eyes widened. “What would the right person look like?”

Beth frowned. “Someone with more experience, maybe. A degree wouldn’t be a bad thing, either. Someone who’s actually managed an arts space before.”

“Have you managed things before?” Julie asked.

“I ran the church fundraiser committee for four years,” Beth said. “I was on the Welcome Center board for three. I’ve organized a lot of potlucks, bake sales, and the mid-winter craft fair.” Beth stopped. “But it’s not the same.”

“No,” Julie said. “But it’s not nothing. What would your daughter tell you to do?”