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They both rushed over and hugged Maxi. “Maxi, we can’t thank you enough.”
Maxi beamed with pride. “I was happy to do it. In fact, I have a couple of other surprises in here.” She reached into the bag and pulled out two small canvases. One was a painting of Cooper that she presented to Jane, and the other was a painting of Urchin that she gave to Claire.
“Thanks so much.” Jane was truly touched by the gift. She held the painting next to Cooper so everyone could see how much it looked like him. “Mike will love this.”
“I love it,” Claire said as she admired the painting of Urchin.
“I was happy to stretch my artistic wings and do something different,” Maxi said.
They chatted with Bert and Harry for a few more minutes until Chloe pulled them away, leaving the girls alone out on the patio.
“Was that one of the dogs you saw down at the animal shelter?” Liz asked Maxi.
“Yes, but there are a few others. Don’t worry.”
Liz laughed. “Sounds like I better get there quick if I want to have my pick.”
“So many people are getting dogs that I think I better set up a dog watering station here on the patio,” Claire said. “Maybe some water bowls and a faucet. I could even branch out into baking dog treats.”
“That’s a good idea, but I think outdoor season is almost over for this year. Maybe there are a few more mornings for the diehards, and then we’ll have to move it inside for the cold weather.” Jane bit into her chocolate chip muffin and made yum-yum noises.
“It was really nice of you guys to invite me today,” Liz said. “Hopefully I’ll be checking in guests at Tides next time, though.”
“We do have one guest coming in a few weeks. It’s kind of odd because this is really the dead season, and he was a little mysterious,” Jane said.
“Mysterious how?” Liz asked.
Jane shrugged. “I don’t know. He just seemed a little hesitant about giving his name and information.”
“Is he an older gentleman? I find that older people are hesitant to give that information over the phone. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he feels right at home,” Liz said.
“If anyone can, it’s you.”
“Thanks. I meant to mention that Bunny had an idea that might bring more people to Tides in the off-season.”
“I’m all ears,” Jane said. “What is it?”
“A book club.”
“Would that bring guests to Tides? Sounds like Bunny just wants to have some get-togethers,” Maxi joked.
“That’s probably true. The book club itself wouldn’t bring in new guests, but she did have a good idea about coupling it with book signings. You could make an event out of the book signing, and then it would at least elevate awareness for the inn.” Liz picked a cheese danish from the tray. “People might not stay overnight for the book signing, but they’d get to see the inn and might come back on their summer vacations to stay.”
“That’s not a bad idea. I always wanted to make a library in that back room next to the kitchen.” Jane turned to Andie. “Remember Dad wanted to do that? But then we have to build bookshelves and get books. It was a lot of work, and he never got around to it. But that room would be a great one to have the book club in. It’s got a fireplace and all those windows looking at the ocean.”
“I think it’s a great idea. I love reading,” said Andie.
“We could invite Bunny and Sally and that nice Emma that we met at your party, Liz,” Jane said.
Liz eyed Cooper. “And I suppose dogs will be allowed, right?”
Jane laughed. “Of course. Dogs are always allowed at Tides.”
“Sounds like a plan, but there’s one detail we have to nail down,” Claire said.
“What’s that?” Jane asked.
“What book are we going to read first?”
*****************************************
The bookclub turns out to be a lot more interesting than anyone anticipated!
A mysterious guest at Tides has piqued Bunny’s suspicions but when she tries to find out what the guest is up to, she ends up on the radar of a retired detective who thinks Bunny is the suspicious one.
Meanwhile, Mike is planning a surprise for Jane…. But it’s not what you think. Claire starts a new venture, only to find that the one person in town she wants to avoid is her biggest competitor.
