On Wednesday afternoon, Birdie is manning the coffee bar while Amanda is at the dentist when Max comes barging through the door.
“Thank goodness you’re here,” Max says, throwing herself across the counter. “Give me a large coffee with an extra shot of caffeine.”
“If only I could add extra caffeine, I’d make a fortune.” Birdie studies her friend’s disheveled appearance as she pours the coffee. Max’s cropped hair is sticking up straight and mascara is smudged under her eyes. Birdie slides the cup across the counter. “You look awful. Did something happen?”
“I had a pipe burst. I was up half the night dealing with the flood. I’m so angry with Daniel for leaving me to deal with his dilapidated building.” Max gestures at the row of empty tables along the banquette. “Can you take a break? You need to talk me off the ledge.”
Birdie surveys the cafe. Customers occupy three tables, but no one is waiting in line for service. “I’m covering for Amanda, who’s at the dentist.” She comes out from behind the counter. “I’ll sit with you until someone comes in.”
Birdie sits down next to Max on the banquette so she can monitor the coffee bar. “How bad is it?”
“Really bad. My two best rooms are ruined. They’ll need to be gutted, which means they are out of commission for the rest of the summer. I’m seriously considering selling that albatross. The land is worth a fortune. I could live in the lap of luxury.” Max plants her elbows on the table and buries her face in her hands.
Birdie rubs her back. “Then what would you do? You love running the inn. You’d be bored eating bon-bons all day.”
Max peeks at Birdie through parted fingers. “Who said anything about eating bon-bons?” She drops her hands and sits back on the bench. “I’ll travel. Meet some wealthy man and fly around the world with him on his private plane.”
Birdie considers the notion. “Mm-hmm. That does sound lovely. For a while. Then you’d get bored. I know you, Maxine Summers. You’re not happy if you’re not productive.”
“That’s true. I’ve been putting Band-Aids on the hotel long enough. I should close down after the summer and renovate the whole building. Reconfiguring some of the suites will allow for more guests rooms, which I definitely need as business continues to grow. We’re booked nearly year round now. My guests love the beach in the fall and spring and even in December when they come from all over the Boardwalk Festival of Lights.”
“Then what’re are you waiting for?”
“I would have to borrow the money from the bank, which scares me. The economy is good right now, but travel is usually the first thing people cut out of their budget during a recession.”
“I’ve never known you to talk yourself out of anything. You’re usually full steam ahead when you come up with an idea. Besides, as you just pointed out, waterfront property in the center of a town as charming as ours will always demand top price.”
“That’s true,” Max says with a faraway look in her eyes.
Birdie leaves the table to wait on a customer. When she returns, Max asks, “I haven’t seen you in a week. Have you been hanging out with Stan, your new stud man?”
Birdie’s face warms. “Things were going extremely well between us. We even slept together.”
Max’s eye brows hit her hairline. “Shut up! And? How was it?”
“Lovely.” Without going into detail, Birdie tells Max about getting caught in the storm and their night of lovemaking on the boat. “Being together felt so right. Sex was a natural progression. And then I made a colossal mistake.” She explains about the lie, and her subsequent argument with Stan.
Max appears horror-striken. “We’ve been friends since childhood, and I’ve never known you to lie.”
Birdie hangs her head. “I should’ve told him the truth when he asked about Cary, but I was afraid he’d think I was nuts for giving Cary a place to live after what he did to me.”
Max chews on her lower lip as she refrains from commenting. She rarely misses a chance to say, “I told you so.” But Birdie is grateful this is one of those times.
Max drains the last of her coffee and slams the empty cup on the table. “I need more coffee.”
Birdie’s gaze shifts to the coffee bar. Amanda, who has returned from her dentist apartment, waves at her, relieving her from counter duty.
“Fresh air is better for you.” Birdie gets up and pulls Max to her feet. “Come on. Let’s take a walk.”
Outside, a cool breeze blows off the water, a break from the humidity of the past few days. Birdie and Max walk through the park and past the hotel.
Birdie pauses on the railing to stare out at the inlet. “Stan says he wants to slow things down between us. I admit things were moving quickly. But it feels like he’s pushing me away. He used to text me all the time, but I’ve only heard from him once since Sunday, inviting me to come for dinner on Friday night.”
“He just got scared. He’ll come around.”
“That’s just it, though. I’m not sure I want him too. We’re adults, but I feel like he’s playing teenage games. I enjoyed the companionship. He’s fun to be around with all his boats and water toys. But I’m beginning to think no man is worth the heartache.”
“I’m with you on that one, girlfriend. I’ve had a couple of dates this past week. They were both disasters.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I was embarrassed. I invited them out for drinks. One of the guys excused himself to go to the restroom and never came back.”
Birdie leans in close to her friend. “Oh, Maxie. I’m so sorry. That’s just awful.”
Max chuckles. “Not really. I was glad when he didn’t come back. The entire fifteen minutes we spent together, he talked about himself. And believe me, he’s not nearly as exciting as he thinks he is.” Her gaze shifts from the sailboat she’s been watching to Birdie. “I’ve deleted my profile from MatchMade. If the right man comes along, great. If not, I have myself to keep me company. And myself is way better company than Kent.”
Birdie digs her elbow into Max’s side. “You have me.”
“Humph. If you don’t end up marrying Stan.”
Birdie spins around, placing her back to the water. “Oh, look! That house is on the market.” She crosses the boardwalk to the houses’s picket fence. Shannon, the real estate agent who has been helping Hannah find a house, is standing on the front porch looking anxiously at her phone.
Birdie waves her down. “Yoo-hoo, Shannon! I’m curious how much the owners are asking for this house.”
Shannon comes down from the porch and cuts across the small green lawn. “Hey there, Birdie.” She hands her a flier. “Here’s some basic information. I thought Hanna called off her house search.”
“She has. I’m asking for me. I’ve always loved this house.”
With one more glance at her phone, Shannon says, “Do you wanna take a look? My three o’clock appointment is ten minutes late.”
Birdie shrugs. “Sure! Why not?”
“So you’re buying a house now?” Max asks, following her up the sidewalk.
“Maybe. I’m exploring my options. I feel the need for a change.”
The interior of the house is nowhere near as charming as the exterior. Shannon babbles on about simples ways to improve the appearance, but Birdie isn’t interested in paying above market value for a house she’ll have to renovate.
Shannon’s three o’clock appointment is waiting on the front porch when they exit the house. Thanking Shannon for her time, she and Max head off down the boardwalk.
Struggling to keep up with her, Max asks, “Was that spur-of-the-moment because you’ve always loved that house, or are you seriously considering a change?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for some time. I miss having a yard, and I’m tired of eating my meals in a commercial kitchen.”
“You can easily convert your kitchenette into a small kitchen. You might even have enough room for an eat-in counter with barstools.”
Birdie slows her pace as she considers her suggestion. “That’s a good idea. I’ll measure the space.”
“You can’t do much about a yard, but you have amazing views of the inlet. I thought you loved your apartment.”
“I do,” Birdie cries and surprises herself by bursting into tears. “Now that Hannah’s moving to Charleston . . .”
Max embraces her. “Oh, honey. Hannah’s only moving to Charleston.”
“I’m afraid of being alone, Max. What if I start drinking again?”
Max hugs her tighter. “You won’t! You’ll go to meetings and you’ll lean on me. Like you did last time. You’ll get through this. We’ll find a new hobby or learn a new craft.”
Birdie sniffles. “We can take up padde boarding.”
“Exactly. Think about how toned our bodies will be.”
Birdie pushes away from Max, and they walk in silence back to the cafe. Her best friend means well. And Birdie can always count on Max to be here for her. But it’s not the same as having her daughter and grandson living with her.
She thinks about what Max said earlier. I have myself to keep me company. Birdie failed miserably the last time she had to keep herself company after Cary left. But she has a business to run now. And Max and Sadie and Stan? Or maybe not Stan. She’s beginning to think marriage isn’t for her.
Hannah bounds down the stairs into the kitchen. “Sadie, have you seen my mom?”
“She was out front with Max. But they left a little while ago. Not sure where they went.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She passes through the cafe and out the front door where she finds Birdie leaning against the railing and looking out across the inlet with a faraway look in her eyes.
Hannah joins her at the railing. “Mom! I need to talk to you.”
Birdie ignores her. “Hannah, will you teach me out to drive the boat?
“You mean now? But I—”
“Yes, now. I’m getting the boat in the divorce settlement, and I want to learn how to drive it. We can talk while we’re out on the water.”
“Okay. Let me run get the key.” Hannah hurries inside and is back in a flash with the key. “I can’t believe you don’t how to drive the boat,” she says as they walk single file down the ramp to the main marina dock.
“I’ve never needed to. Your father was usually at the wheel?”
Boarding the boat one at a time, Hannah dangles the key at her mother. “Always start the engine before you untie from the dock.”
“Right. In case it doesn’t start.” Birdie takes the key from her and inserts it in the ignition. She turns the key and the engine comes to life.
“Now we can untie from the dock. You get the stern lines and I’ll get the bow.” After the boat is free of the dock, Hannah shows her mother how to move the throttle forward to put the boat in gear. “Once you get the feel for handling the boat, it’s simple. Now steer out of the slip like you would a car, careful not to ram the stern into the dock. Don’t speed up until we’re out of the marina, though.”
“I’d rather go slow my first time out,” Birdie says.
“No problem. But we need to speed up a little. I have to pick Gus up in an hour.” Once they reach the creek, Hannah places her hand on top of Birdie’s and eases the throttle forward, increasing the speed a little. She drops her hand. “You’re the captain. Take us wherever you want to go.”
“I’ll just putt-putt around for a few minutes.” With arms straight and fingers gripping the steering wheel, Birdie says, “So what did you want to talk to me about?”
Hannah sinks back against the leaning post. “Ryan texted. He wants us to come to Pawley’s early. Tomorrow instead of Friday. He says his parents are dying to meet Gus and me. I have a bad feeling about this, Mom.”
“A bad feeling about Ryan? Or his parents? Or does it have something to do with Ethan’s visit yesterday?”
Hannah considers her answer carefully before responding. “All of the above. Ethan’s father had a heart attack. He needed open heart surgery. That’s why he hasn’t called. We agreed our firms aren’t a great fit, but he has feelings for me and me for him.”
Birdie risks a glance at Hannah. “I thought so.” She flashes a smile before returning her attention to the water in the front of the boar. “Why don’t you compromise and go to Pawley’s on Friday morning? As much as you’re dreading the trip, spending time with Ryan and his family, watching them interact with Gus, will enable you see things clearer.”
“You’re right.” Hannah pulls out her phone and types out a quick text to Ryan. Can’t come until Friday morning. Looking forward to seeing you then.
He text back right away. Darn. I was hoping for a moonlight stroll on the beach tomorrow night.
Hannah stares at her phone. Is he joking? A moonlit stroll on the beach? Who’s gonna watch Gus? She doesn’t respond.
“I think I’ll take up fishing,” Birdie says, interrupting Hannah’s thoughts.
Hannah stuffs her phone in her back pocket. “Why fishing? What’s with this sudden obsession with water activities?”
“I need to find a new hobby to occupy my time when you and Gus leave.” Tears glisten in Birdie’s eyes behind her sunglasses.
Hannah hangs her head. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
Birdie smiles over at her. “Don’t be. You’re doing the right thing for you and Gus in moving to Charleston. I’ll be fine. I just wanna stay busy.”
“Now’s the perfect time for you to focus your attention on the cafe?”
“How so?” Birdie asks, her brow pinched.
“You’ve always said you want the cafe to be more restaurant than bakery. You only have a few sandwiches on the menu now. That’s not really a cafe. And customers still have to wait in line to place their orders. You could hire more staff and stay open into the evening hours.”
“Fishing sounds simpler. And less risky. I’d have to get a liquor license.”
Hannah narrows her green eyes. “Does that bother you? You haven’t had a drink in almost three years.”
Birdie tightens her grip on the steering wheel. “A little, I guess.”
“You’re stronger, than you think, Mom. But you could keep the liquor locked up if it makes you feel better.”
As they cruise through the small creeks around the marina, Hannah makes suggestions on ways to grow the business. “I would continue to staff the bakery and coffee counters but hire servers to wait on the tables. The building is underutilized. You have plenty of room to add more tables inside, and you could put a few umbrellaed tables on the boardwalk. The kitchen can easily handle the addition work.”
Birdie lets out a sigh. “What you’re talking about is an enormous undertaking.”
“Not really. Not in terms of capital. You could even do it a little at a time.” When they round the bend and the marina comes into view, Hannah sweeps her arm at the buildings along the boardwalk. “Palmetto Island is growing. It’s only a matter of time before a developer expands the boardwalk and builds on the land north on Ocean Avenue.”
“You’re right about that. I’ll give it some thought. For now, I want to learn how to dock this boat.”
“I don’t know, Mom,” Hannah says in a skeptical tone. “It’s tricky. You have to back the boat into the slip.”
“Let me try, please. If I can’t handle it, you can take over.”
“If you insist.” Hannah coaches Birdie as she maneuvers the boat around into position with the stern facing the slip. “Okay, now, put the boat in reverse and slowly ease in.”
“Reverse is the opposite direction of forward, right?” Without waiting for Hannah to show her, Birdie moves the throttle into reverse and speeds up.
“Mom!” Throwing the throttle into neutral, Hannah tries to grab ahold of the dock, but the boat has too much momentum. The stern crashes into the dock, cracking the engine’s cover.
Birdie’s hand flies to her mouth. “Oopsie. Maybe I learn to kayak first.”
Hannah laughs out loud. “Nah, you did fine. You just need to working on docking.”
They secure the lines, and as they survey the damage, Birdie says, “Wonder where I can get that fixed.”
“I’m sure Stan can fix it for you or order a new one.”
Birdie looks at Hannah as if she’s lost her mind. “And confess that I wrecked the boat? No way! I’ll figure something else out.”