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Jenny snapped awake when her alarm went off at 5AM the next morning. She was getting used to a new routine.
White cottony clouds crept across blue skies as she drove to the café. Petunia had arrived before her and made the first batch of coffee. Jenny greeted her and got to work.
Warm aromas of cinnamon and brown sugar hung in the air when Jenny opened the café doors. She greeted the old salt who waited outside with a broad smile.
“Good Morning, Captain Charlie. Fancy some banana walnut muffins?”
“You must’ve read my mind.” His eyes twinkled as he rubbed his stomach in anticipation.
“You’re too kind. Are you eating in today? I have crab omelets made with free range eggs.”
Captain Charlie followed her out to the deck and greeted Petunia with a hug. Jenny set a steaming cup of coffee and a muffin before him. Minutes later, she was back with a fluffy golden omelet generously loaded with jumbo lump crabmeat and a stack of crispy toast.
“Looks like Harrison Webster got to you.” Captain Charlie buttered his toast, making sure he didn’t miss the corners.
Jenny placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.
“You know about Turkey Tom?”
“He’s not a bad one, you know. Harrison. He loves those birds.”
Jenny sat down for a minute.
“What about his grandson?”
“Matt Webster? Don’t know him too well. He hangs out with Xander Pike at the Steakhouse.”
Jenny knew the Steakhouse was the only restaurant in Pelican Cove. It was fancy, reserved for special occasions.
“Who’s Xander?” she had to ask.
Captain Charlie told her he was the sous chef at the restaurant.
“Let me ask him if Matt will talk to you.”
Jenny got busy with the breakfast rush. The omelets were a hit and many customers told her she had surpassed herself. Jenny believed it was due to the good quality eggs. She and Petunia agreed to talk to Harrison Webster about getting a regular supply for the café.
The Magnolias arrived as usual and the morning passed quickly. Heather regaled everyone with the story of how Harrison had named his chickens.
“I think the man is batty. Maybe Turkey Tom is not real. How do we know Harrison didn’t imagine him?”
Captain Charlie called just as Jenny was ready to leave for the day. Matt Webster was waiting for her at the Steakhouse.
Heather was busy checking in guests at the inn but Molly was just getting off work. She agreed to accompany Jenny.
They walked to the restaurant, enjoying the fair weather. It was slightly windy but not cold enough to need a sweater.
The restaurant wasn’t open but the kitchen was in full swing, getting ready for the evening meal. Matt Webster sat in a window booth, fiddling with the salt and pepper shakers.
Jenny noticed he was taller than Harrison with a full head of brown hair. But the more striking difference was his disposition. Matt’s face was marred by a permanent frown.
He barely greeted them before launching into a tirade.
“I hope you are going to talk some sense into the old man. Those birds are killing him.”
“Why do you say that?” Molly was curious.
Matt tapped a shaker on the table.
“He’s among those chicks all day! They are literally making him sick. He’s had respiratory issues but he won’t go see a doctor. And he’s coughing his head off. I think we’re going to die of salmonella one of these days.”
Jenny decided the man was being dramatic.
“Surely Harrison takes the necessary precautions? Tell me more about the turkey. Have you seen him?”
“Seen him?” Matt scoffed. “He’s the third member of our household. Truth be told, Grandpa loves him more than he loves me.”
Jenny’s brow furrowed and she couldn’t hide her skepticism. But Matt was on a roll.
“You should’ve seen him, strutting around the house like he owned the place. Mocking me day and night. He knows he’s got the old man in his pocket and he likes to rub it in.”
Molly giggled. Jenny tapped her foot on hers, hoping she would take the hint and shut up.
“How much is the old man paying you?” Matt leaned forward suddenly. “I’ll double it. I just want those darn birds gone!”
Jenny’s head was reeling by the time she came out of the restaurant. She couldn’t wait to get home. Star had a modest cottage on the beach and it had been a haven for Jenny in her time of need.
Star had grilled some salmon and made a salad. They resumed their discussion about the Thanksgiving menu over dinner. Jenny loaded the dishwasher and stepped out for a stroll on the beach.
A large mansion loomed next to the cottage and Jenny felt a familiar tug. Roses bloomed in the wild garden, perfuming the air with their heady scent. Star had told her the house was called Seaview and had a turbulent history.
Jenny walked on for a bit, breathing in big gulps of the salty air. Frothy waves crashed against the shore, throwing up a wall of spray.
She spotted a lone figure in the distance and her heart thudded in her chest. A furry body hurtled toward her and Jenny opened her arms wide to welcome her friend.
“Tank!” she kissed the yellow Labrador and scratched behind his ears. “My sweet darling!”
Adam Hopkins walked toward her slowly, leaning on his cane.
“How’s the search for the missing turkey?”
“Going well,” Jenny huffed. “No thanks to you, of course.”
Pelican Cove was home to several pretty beaches. Jenny often wondered why Adam chose the one her cottage sat on for his evening walk.
They engaged in some small talk before Jenny bid him goodnight and walked back to the cottage.
Dark clouds greeted her the next morning, promising rain. The weekend was drawing near and the café was packed with tourists eager to taste the local food. Jenny made blueberry pancakes and started a pot of butternut squash soup for lunch. She decided to make chicken quesadillas along with crab salad sandwiches to go with the soup.
The Magnolias arrived at once, Star leading them, dressed in a paint splattered tie died kaftan. Jenny carried a tray loaded with a fresh pot of coffee and a plate of pumpkin bars out to the deck. She was looking forward to resting her feet for a bit.
“So we’re all agreed?” Betty Sue boomed.
Jenny found five pairs of eyes trained on her.
“You’re cooking in that turkey contest and you’re going to win,” Heather announced.
“But it’s on Thanksgiving Day and Nicky’s coming home,” Jenny protested. “I’m not going to abandon my family for some competition.” She sighed deeply. “And frankly, I’m not that good.”
“Of course you are, sweetie,” Star argued. “It will be good advertisement for the café.”
Jenny turned toward Petunia.
“Really? I’ll do it then.”
Petunia sided with her.
“You’re already doing a lot for the café. Why, I don’t believe we were ever this busy in November. You should be with Nick.”
Their lively debate came to a halt when a familiar voice hailed them.
“Yooohooo ...” Barb Norton sang from the boardwalk.
She panted up the stairs, clutching her pearls. Mandy James followed.
“What brings you here, Barb?” Star couldn’t hide her irritation.
Barb walked up to Jenny and held her shoulders.
“Silly me! I completely forgot! You are to be one of the judges for the turkey contest.”
“What?” Heather burst out. “We just convinced her to participate.”
Barb dismissed the suggestion with a wave of her hand.
“Jenny’s above all that. She’s going to join me and Eddie Cotton on the judges’ panel.”
Betty Sue looked up from her knitting.
“That’s a great idea, Barb!”
Jenny gently pried herself from Barb’s strong grip and cleared her throat.
“I’d be honored, Barb. But do you really think people will leave their own dinner and show up to watch the contest?”
