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Chapter Twenty-Two
Just as Holly had expected,her mother was over the moon with the news. Even Randy was in a better mood, and dinner that night was practically a feast. Nelly ate more in that one meal than Holly had seen her eat since she had gotten there, so that had to be a good sign.
In fact, over the next few days, she was positively upbeat. That alone gave Holly hope for the future. Gabby also insisted on helping Holly and Randy with the maintenance around the inn. Holly had suggested she rest instead, being pregnant and all, but a single look from her daughter put an end to that.
It was a couple of days after Gabby's arrival. They were all sitting around the dining room table, having just finished dinner. Gabby had been quiet for most of the meal, and when Holly asked if she was okay, she gave her mother a strange look.
"You said the Archer Inn has been a staple of the island for decades, right?" Gabby asked. Everyone else at the table exchanged looks and then nodded. "Well, then it makes sense the island would want to see it restored to its former glory, right? So why don't we set up a fundraiser or something? I'm sure at least a couple of the people would be willing to pitch in, from what I've seen."
No one said anything for a few moments. Holly's mind raced with idea after idea, each building on the next. Gabby was right. The locals all looked out for each other for the most part. No doubt, they would be disappointed at the current state of the inn. Maybe enough to pitch in to help bring it back to life.
All of a sudden, everyone was speaking at once. Nelly went off to get some notepads and pens from the office, and then they all went to work planning the entire thing out. It wouldn't be cheap to do it right, but from what Holly had read in the books, they had enough cash on hand for it. And, if it was successful, they would bring in much more than they spent.
Once the plans were laid out, everyone had their role. Even Nelly was going to be put to work for this one, though her job was easily done from the couch or from the bed if she wanted. She had the task of inviting everyone she could to come to the event. After all, Holly was pretty sure Nelly knew every single local on the island.
It took a couple more days to bring their ideas to fruition, but on a sunny Saturday morning, everything was ready to go.
And boy had Gabby been right about the islanders wanting to help out. From what Holly could tell, every single resident of Islamorada was in attendance, and the grounds of the inn were positively packed with people from the main grounds to the beach area where they had their volleyball nets set up.
At fifty dollars a head, Holly struggled to calculate just how much money they had brought in.
Holly and her family mingled with the crowd of people, shaking hands and thanking everyone for coming to help out. Nelly and Randy went off on their own, seeking out the people they knew best, while Gabby stuck close to her mother.
Holly could barely contain her laughter as almost every person she introduced Gabby to inquired about the baby. Gabby seemed shocked each time someone asked since she didn't know any of these people. But on Islamorada, that didn't matter. They all knew her whether she liked it or not.
That was the beauty of a small town.
"What, are you trying to put me out of work?" A deep voice called from behind her. Holly whirled around to see Jake standing there, dressed in his uniform, grinning. "Guess there's not gonna be much crime today if every danged person on the island is here!"
"Well, you know me. I just wanted to do my part to keep our island safe," Holly said. She winked at him and then slid an arm around Gabby's waist. "Jake Holton, meet my daughter Gabrielle."
"Gabby, please," she said as she extended a hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Has anyone ever told you that you're the spitting image of your mother?"
Gabby giggled and nodded. "I've heard that quite a bit today. I mean, I've seen the pictures of Mom from when she was younger, but it's one thing to look at those and another to hear everyone she grew up with telling me how I look just like her."
"Well, let's hope for her sake you're not as wild and crazy as she was growing up!"
"Wild and crazy, huh?" Gabby's eyes went wide for a moment. Then, she turned to her mother and grinned. "Are you sure he's talking about you? Because I'm not sure, I can believe that you were ever wild and crazy."
Holly shot Jake a mock glare. "Well, I had my moments. But I think we can spare everyone a trip down memory lane. Wouldn't want to give my daughter the wrong impression, would we?"
"I think you mean you don't want me giving her any ideas. Like that time after Sam Holland's party during our senior year..."
"Jacob Holton!" Holly said, cutting him off. She could feel the heat in her cheeks as that memory resurfaced. As much as Holly wanted to be open and honest with her daughter, there were certain stories she didn't need to hear. And that one was most definitely at the top of the list. "If you say one more word, I swear I will stop by your mother's house and spill all the beans you've been hiding from her. And don't you think I won't do it."
Jake looked horror-stricken at the thought. Gabby, on the other hand, cackled with laughter. Her eyes lit up with amusement, and Holly decided her daughter was enjoying this just a little too much.
Hooking arms with Gabby, Holly smirked at her high school sweetheart. "Well, Jake. It was good to see you again, but Gabby and I must get back to greeting all the guests. You know how it is at these things."
Jake nodded, but the grin he gave her said he saw right through her lame excuse. Not that she really cared. She just wanted to put a bit of distance between Jake and Gabby before he decided to bring up more memories Holly would rather her daughter not hear about.
"So, Jake Holton, huh?" Gabby grinned at her mother. Sometimes Holly thought she might just be a bit too smart for her own good. "I don't think I've ever heard you mention him before. But it looks like you knew him pretty well."
Heat rushed to Holly's cheeks again as she struggled to think of a reply. Anyone with eyes would realize the two of them had a history together, so it shouldn't have been all that surprising Gabby had picked up on it. But how was she supposed to explain him to her? That he was her first love, the man she would have probably still been with if she hadn't moved to Miami and met Gabby's father?
"He's... a friend from high school," Holly said, then winced. It sounded lamer out loud than it was in her head.
