said there was safety in seeking good counsel from a number of friends. Now, feeling as if some of the weight had been lifted from her shoulders, she decided to pop into the Coffee Shop to say hello to Hope.
“That was a nice piece in the paper,” said Hope as she set a cup of tea in front of Alice.
“You read it?”
“Of course. Don’t you think everyone in town did?”
“I hope so, since that was our goal. We knew there were some rumors floating around that weren’t accurate. We hoped that the press release would straighten some people out.”
“I think it worked.”
“Really? Have you heard anything specific?”
Hope laughed. “Girlfriend, I hear
everything
.”
“Oh, of course, but do you maintain client confidentiality?” asked Alice as she glanced around the crowded coffee shop. She was only partially joking.
“No way. This is a public place. If people discuss their problems in here they better want the whole town to hear about it before too long.”
“So, tell me then, what is the consensus regarding our little business proposal now?”
“Well, opinions are beginning to improve a bit. Somepeople actually like the idea of a good bed and breakfast coming to town.” She lowered her voice. “I even heard Betsy Long saying she hoped that locals would be welcome to partake in the breakfasts. Better not let our cook hear me saying that. And, of course, everyone knows we don’t have a proper hotel or anything, so a place for visitors to stay appeals to some folks.”
“That sounds fairly positive.”
“Yeah, but I can’t lead you on either, Alice. There are still plenty of people who agree with the mayor when it comes to change of any way, shape or form around here.” She shrugged as she wiped down the counter next to Alice. “Remember when Percy Thomas painted his house yellow instead of white? That must’ve been three years ago and people are still talking about it. I just don’t get it. What are folks so afraid of anyway? I happen to think change is good.”
“I noticed you changed your hair again,” said Alice as she glanced at Hope’s almost platinum locks.
Hope grinned and patted her hair. “Yeah, I like to shake people up around here. What do you think of it? Too California?”
“I think it looks good on you. Besides, now you can tell me whether it’s true that blondes have more fun.”
Hope winked at her. “Too soon to say, but I’ll be sure to let ya know when I find out.”
Alice paid her check, leaving Hope a nice tip, and then headed across the street to the Nine Lives Bookstore.
“Hi, Alice,” called Viola Reed from behind the counter. “Long time no see.”
“Don’t I know it, but it’s been a little busy these last few weeks.”
“I’m sure it has. I never actually saw you after your father passed on, but I was sorry to hear about it.”
“Thanks,” said Alice. “We appreciated the coleslaw you sent over. I guess Louise returned your bowl.”
Viola nodded. “You’d think it shouldn’t be as hard to lose someone who’s getting up there in years, but I’m sure it’s still tough. Although it did sound as if he went peacefully enough.” She stroked the fat orange marmalade cat that stretched itself across her cluttered counter. “I think it’s better to go like that than to waste away in a hospital or nursing home, don’t you think?”
“Most definitely. To tell you the truth, that’s just the way I’d like to go when my time comes, either like that or in my sleep. I think it’d be great to simply go to sleep and then just wake up to the glory of heaven. My goodness, what a surprise that’d be.”
“I guess that’s all well and good if you’re absolutely certain you’re going to heaven—or that there even is a heaven. Being that you’re a pastor’s daughter, I’m sure you’ve gotthis whole thing all figured out, Alice. As for me, well, now, I just don’t feel so sure. Maybe it’s a good thing I’ve got nine lives.” Viola
“That was a nice piece in the paper,” said Hope as she set a cup of tea in front of Alice.
“You read it?”
“Of course. Don’t you think everyone in town did?”
“I hope so, since that was our goal. We knew there were some rumors floating around that weren’t accurate. We hoped that the press release would straighten some people out.”
“I think it worked.”
“Really? Have you heard anything specific?”
Hope laughed. “Girlfriend, I hear
everything
.”
“Oh, of course, but do you maintain client confidentiality?” asked Alice as she glanced around the crowded coffee shop. She was only partially joking.
“No way. This is a public place. If people discuss their problems in here they better want the whole town to hear about it before too long.”
“So, tell me then, what is the consensus regarding our little business proposal now?”
“Well, opinions are beginning to improve a bit. Somepeople actually like the idea of a good bed and breakfast coming to town.” She lowered her voice. “I even heard Betsy Long saying she hoped that locals would be welcome to partake in the breakfasts. Better not let our cook hear me saying that. And, of course, everyone knows we don’t have a proper hotel or anything, so a place for visitors to stay appeals to some folks.”
“That sounds fairly positive.”
“Yeah, but I can’t lead you on either, Alice. There are still plenty of people who agree with the mayor when it comes to change of any way, shape or form around here.” She shrugged as she wiped down the counter next to Alice. “Remember when Percy Thomas painted his house yellow instead of white? That must’ve been three years ago and people are still talking about it. I just don’t get it. What are folks so afraid of anyway? I happen to think change is good.”
“I noticed you changed your hair again,” said Alice as she glanced at Hope’s almost platinum locks.
Hope grinned and patted her hair. “Yeah, I like to shake people up around here. What do you think of it? Too California?”
“I think it looks good on you. Besides, now you can tell me whether it’s true that blondes have more fun.”
Hope winked at her. “Too soon to say, but I’ll be sure to let ya know when I find out.”
Alice paid her check, leaving Hope a nice tip, and then headed across the street to the Nine Lives Bookstore.
“Hi, Alice,” called Viola Reed from behind the counter. “Long time no see.”
“Don’t I know it, but it’s been a little busy these last few weeks.”
“I’m sure it has. I never actually saw you after your father passed on, but I was sorry to hear about it.”
“Thanks,” said Alice. “We appreciated the coleslaw you sent over. I guess Louise returned your bowl.”
Viola nodded. “You’d think it shouldn’t be as hard to lose someone who’s getting up there in years, but I’m sure it’s still tough. Although it did sound as if he went peacefully enough.” She stroked the fat orange marmalade cat that stretched itself across her cluttered counter. “I think it’s better to go like that than to waste away in a hospital or nursing home, don’t you think?”
“Most definitely. To tell you the truth, that’s just the way I’d like to go when my time comes, either like that or in my sleep. I think it’d be great to simply go to sleep and then just wake up to the glory of heaven. My goodness, what a surprise that’d be.”
“I guess that’s all well and good if you’re absolutely certain you’re going to heaven—or that there even is a heaven. Being that you’re a pastor’s daughter, I’m sure you’ve gotthis whole thing all figured out, Alice. As for me, well, now, I just don’t feel so sure. Maybe it’s a good thing I’ve got nine lives.” Viola
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