conversation had been strange. On the surface, Bryce and Susie appeared to be meeting for the first time, but the undercurrent whispered familiarity.
What was it Bryce said he did? He was working on a novel. Odd that he hadn’t mentioned that when Sadie first met him, though no one had asked what he did. Not until Susie did.
Susie had definitely seemed … rattled? Her behavior around Bryce was entirely different from when they’d shopped together. It was as if … yes, that was it. Bryce had been happy, though a little surprised, to meet Susie. But Susie had not been happy to meet Bryce. The tension had been apparent in her over-the-top enthusiasm.
“Why, if it isn’t Sadie from San Francisco!” Eleanor broke Sadie’s train of thought. “How have you been?” Eleanor dropped down into the seat across from Sadie, her thin, strong frame filling only a portion of the chair.
“Eleanor, good to see you,” Sadie said. “Your place is as busy as ever – not surprising, with food this good. How you manage to keep that youthful figure of yours is beyond me.”
“I don’t let myself sample my own dessert menu.” Eleanor laughed. “Though I did taste test a cranberry cobbler last night.”
“And you’re still running, I’ll bet,” Sadie added, shaking her head in awe. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Five miles every morning. As soon as Casey heads to the hardware store, I hit the trails down by the bluff. Clears my head and gets me ready for the work day.”
Sadie studied Eleanor’s gray French braid and makeup-free face with envy. In her next life, she would ask for a high metabolism and natural beauty. And a good old down-to-earth husband like Casey, too. Between Eleanor’s restaurant and Casey’s store, the couple had created a good life.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Eleanor prodded. “How’ve you been? Last I knew you were headed off to some small town on one of your explorations.”
Sadie smiled. She always gave Eleanor enough details to keep her entertained, but not enough to divulge the real purpose for her trips.
“Well, you know I love to travel,” Sadie laughed. “San Francisco starts to stifle me if I never get away.”
“I can imagine,” Eleanor said. “You wouldn’t find me living in a big city, especially one with steep hills and narrow streets. Cranberry Cove is my speed.” She paused as a server set a glass of water down in front of her. “And how’s your boutique doing?”
“Busy,” Sadie said. “We always have customers looking for a trinket or two – either for gifts or treats for themselves if they have some extra money to spend.”
“Where are you staying this time?” Eleanor asked.
“Cranberry Cottage Bed and Breakfast,” Sadie replied. “The former owner’s niece is now running the place, doing a good job, too.”
Eleanor nodded. “Yes, Molly. I’ve met her a few times. I miss Maggie, but Molly seems to be stepping up to the task. I’m sure it’s a big change for her after living in Florida. Isn’t that where she’s from?”
“Yes, Tallahassee,” Sadie said.
“Well, she fits right in Cranberry Cove. Quiet, but smiles at anyone she meets in town.” Eleanor twisted her head to survey the restaurant. Convinced all customers were being cared for, she turned back to Sadie.
“Any other guests there this week?”
“Just a few. An odd little businessman who keeps to himself and a handsome novelist who seems to have eyes for Molly,” Sadie laughed. “Oh, and that newlywed couple. They had dinner here yesterday. They recommended the stuffed mushrooms highly, and I simply must try them before I leave.”
Eleanor looked puzzled. “Newlyweds? I haven’t seen anyone like that in here lately. And I was here last night. Even waited on a few tables myself. We were shorthanded.”
“Young, twenty-somethings? Pretty, blonde girl and a man about her age, maybe a few years older?”
“Oh, those two?” Eleanor said. “I wouldn’t
What was it Bryce said he did? He was working on a novel. Odd that he hadn’t mentioned that when Sadie first met him, though no one had asked what he did. Not until Susie did.
Susie had definitely seemed … rattled? Her behavior around Bryce was entirely different from when they’d shopped together. It was as if … yes, that was it. Bryce had been happy, though a little surprised, to meet Susie. But Susie had not been happy to meet Bryce. The tension had been apparent in her over-the-top enthusiasm.
“Why, if it isn’t Sadie from San Francisco!” Eleanor broke Sadie’s train of thought. “How have you been?” Eleanor dropped down into the seat across from Sadie, her thin, strong frame filling only a portion of the chair.
“Eleanor, good to see you,” Sadie said. “Your place is as busy as ever – not surprising, with food this good. How you manage to keep that youthful figure of yours is beyond me.”
“I don’t let myself sample my own dessert menu.” Eleanor laughed. “Though I did taste test a cranberry cobbler last night.”
“And you’re still running, I’ll bet,” Sadie added, shaking her head in awe. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Five miles every morning. As soon as Casey heads to the hardware store, I hit the trails down by the bluff. Clears my head and gets me ready for the work day.”
Sadie studied Eleanor’s gray French braid and makeup-free face with envy. In her next life, she would ask for a high metabolism and natural beauty. And a good old down-to-earth husband like Casey, too. Between Eleanor’s restaurant and Casey’s store, the couple had created a good life.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Eleanor prodded. “How’ve you been? Last I knew you were headed off to some small town on one of your explorations.”
Sadie smiled. She always gave Eleanor enough details to keep her entertained, but not enough to divulge the real purpose for her trips.
“Well, you know I love to travel,” Sadie laughed. “San Francisco starts to stifle me if I never get away.”
“I can imagine,” Eleanor said. “You wouldn’t find me living in a big city, especially one with steep hills and narrow streets. Cranberry Cove is my speed.” She paused as a server set a glass of water down in front of her. “And how’s your boutique doing?”
“Busy,” Sadie said. “We always have customers looking for a trinket or two – either for gifts or treats for themselves if they have some extra money to spend.”
“Where are you staying this time?” Eleanor asked.
“Cranberry Cottage Bed and Breakfast,” Sadie replied. “The former owner’s niece is now running the place, doing a good job, too.”
Eleanor nodded. “Yes, Molly. I’ve met her a few times. I miss Maggie, but Molly seems to be stepping up to the task. I’m sure it’s a big change for her after living in Florida. Isn’t that where she’s from?”
“Yes, Tallahassee,” Sadie said.
“Well, she fits right in Cranberry Cove. Quiet, but smiles at anyone she meets in town.” Eleanor twisted her head to survey the restaurant. Convinced all customers were being cared for, she turned back to Sadie.
“Any other guests there this week?”
“Just a few. An odd little businessman who keeps to himself and a handsome novelist who seems to have eyes for Molly,” Sadie laughed. “Oh, and that newlywed couple. They had dinner here yesterday. They recommended the stuffed mushrooms highly, and I simply must try them before I leave.”
Eleanor looked puzzled. “Newlyweds? I haven’t seen anyone like that in here lately. And I was here last night. Even waited on a few tables myself. We were shorthanded.”
“Young, twenty-somethings? Pretty, blonde girl and a man about her age, maybe a few years older?”
“Oh, those two?” Eleanor said. “I wouldn’t
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