The Parker Women Read online

  “Oh, is it?” Heather answered noncommittally.

  But Olivia ignored her cousin’s meager attempt at subterfuge. “Yes. You know, we should go on a dinner cruise while you’re here. See what all he’s done to the old boat. I hear it’s really nice now. Great food. It would be fun.”

  “We’ll see. I’m pretty busy. Have some projects that are due to be sent in soon.”

  “Right. We’ll see.” Olivia wasn’t sure what was going on there. Jesse and Heather had always been good friends. She assumed Heather saw him when she came to town. Why didn’t she want to go see his boat—or him, for that matter—now?

  “So. Aunt Donna and Barry. You think something’s going on there?” Heather changed the subject.

  “I’m not sure. I mean… he seems really nice. I’d love to see Mom dating someone.”

  “She hasn’t really dated since Stan, has she?”

  “No, not often. A random date here and there. I feel like she gave up so much and devoted her life to helping me with Emily. Now I wish she’d take time for herself.”

  “Parker’s keeps her pretty busy though, doesn’t it?”

  “It does. And I try to take on more of the responsibility, but she’s so used to running it and doing things her own way.” She shrugged. “I’d change some things, but… well, it won’t ever happen.”

  “Have you told her this? Told her you want to do more?”

  “I try, but you know Mom. She kind of agrees, but then still does it all.”

  “She’s always been like that. I’m sometimes amazed how different Aunt Donna and Mom are. It’s like they were raised in different families or something.”

  “They are different.” Olivia turned from the view. “Oh, did you hear that Grandmother is off on a world tour?”

  “I did. I guess she just needed to get away. I was sorry I didn’t make it in for Grandfather’s funeral.”

  “It was… a strange event. A lot of people I’ve never even met. No tears. Not by anyone. And I know it sounds horrible and strange… but I swear it was almost like Grandmother looked—” She paused, feeling guilty even finishing the sentence.

  “Almost like what?” Heather prodded.

  “Like she was relieved?”

  “Well, Grandfather was a hard man to… uh… like.”

  “He was a hard man, period. Cold. But still. He was Mom and Aunt Evelyn’s father and… hardly anyone from Moonbeam was there. Mostly people from their Naples retirement place and business associates of Grandfather’s.”

  “Because he didn’t really have any friends, did he? I mean, I never saw him do anything with friends. He’d golf with business associates. Go to charity events. But… did he have friends?”

  She shrugged. “Not that I know of. I guess Grandmother does now. At least friendly enough to take this world cruise with. It probably did her good to get away.”

  All of a sudden Heather hugged her and laughed. “Livy, I think we’re the most normal out of our family. I’m glad we’re friends.”

  Olivia hugged her back. “Yes, we were lucky. We are lucky.” She pulled away slightly. “Even if I do have to share my birthday with you.”

  Heather laughed again. “Hey, it’s my birthday, too. Just because you were born an hour before me, it’s still my day.”

  “I still find it strange that we were born on the same day.” Olivia shook her head. “What are the odds?”

  “Remember that one year when we were girls and we insisted we both were going to have our own party?”

  “After years of sharing our parties? Yes, I remember.”

  “Our friends couldn’t decide on which party to go to and didn’t want to hurt the other one’s feelings.” Heather laughed. “So, no one came.”

  “To either of them.” Olivia grinned. “That was the last time we made that mistake.”

  Olivia took Heather’s arm and they headed back downstairs. Emily came rushing up to them as they reached the first floor.

  “Oh, Mom. You should see all the stuff Mr. Hamilton has in that storage room. Photo albums. Paintings. Guest registers dating back from the early nineteen hundreds. There’s even a couple of trunks of old clothes. Just so much cool stuff.” Emily swirled around them.

  Olivia laughed. “Well, sounds like you’ll be busy sorting through all that.”

  “I’m sure it will keep her busy. I can’t wait to see what we can come up with for the history area in the library,” Del added and turned to Emily. “And, Emily, call me Del. Please.”

  “Really? Okay.” Emily’s eyes shone at being treated as an adult.

  Her mother and Barry walked up to them. “Have you seen the ballroom? It’s not finished yet, but it’s starting to look like its old former glory.” Barry nodded to wide doorways across the two-story lobby.

  “No, can we see it?” Emily danced around them again with her usual exuberance. Olivia would like to have about a tenth of her daughter’s energy at any given moment.

  Barry smiled at her enthusiasm. “Sure thing.” Barry and Del led them across the lobby and swung open one set of many double doors lining the wall.

  Olivia gasped as they stepped inside, looking up at the three-story arched ceiling high above them. Long balconies lined each level along the sides. Huge, ornate, chandeliers hung suspended from the ceiling.

  “Oh, my gosh. It’s the most beautiful room I’ve ever seen.” Emily’s voice was hushed in awe.

  “It is striking.” Heather stepped further into the room. “I’ve never been in here before.”

  “It was closed off for years before the hotel was closed. Some structural damage to the roof. It’s all been repaired now.” Delbert strode into the room. “Come, come see it all. She’s going to be a grand lady again. I can’t wait to see people in here. Parties. Gatherings.”

  They all walked to the center of the room, their footsteps echoing off the tall ceiling. Olivia couldn’t quit staring, her mouth open, at the grandeur of the ballroom. But at least she was in good company. Everyone stood with their necks craned staring up at the ornate ceiling above them. Light flowed through the windows lining the room, making flecks of construction dust dance in the beams of sunlight.

  “Oh, I need to find some photos of this room from when they first build the hotel. We have to showcase those in the history alcove.” Emily spun slowly around. “I can almost feel the history in here.”

  Her daughter was right. She could almost feel the history throbbing through her, too, if that were possible.

  “It’s a fine thing you’re doing, Delbert, restoring this hotel,” Barry said as he stood looking up at the ceiling.

  Delbert beamed. “I’m pretty proud of how it’s turning out. Nothing like restoring an old hotel to its former beauty. I never get tired of it. And this one is kind of special to me.”

  “How come?” Emily stopped and turned toward Delbert.

  “I used to come here as a boy with my grandparents. Very fond memories of the place.”

  “That makes the history of the hotel even that much cooler.” Emily bobbed her head, her wild red curls bouncing around her shoulders. “You’ll have to tell me everything you remember about it.”

  Delbert smiled. “I will. We’ll have a long sit down and I’ll tell you everything I can remember about it and then maybe, when she’s all restored, she’ll make magical memories for more people when they visit.”

  Olivia never pegged him as the romantic he was turning out to be. She had to admit, Emily’s enthusiasm was catching. She, too, couldn’t wait to see how all the restorations turned out and looked forward to the hotel opening again.

  Donna sat out on the point that evening, sipping a glass of wine, and watching the sunset slowly slip away. She’d briefly thought of asking Barry to join her but didn’t want to seem…

  Seem what? She wasn’t sure. Plus, he probably had things to do after they’d kept him busy all afternoon exploring the hotel. And she still was uncertain on whether he’d asked her on a date on The Destiny or
maybe just meant going as neighbors.

  She turned her thoughts back to the hotel. The ballroom had taken her breath away. It was stunning, even though ladders and scaffolding still lined the walls. It looked like something out of a movie set that begged for fancy dresses and orchestra music and…

  She sighed. There she was getting all romantic about a room. It had been a wonderful afternoon though. She and Barry had walked home together, stopping for ice cream at Parker’s on the way. Just for ice cream. Not because she was checking up on the store for the second time today.

  The stars flickered above her and peace settled over the lake. Across the distance, she could hear muted laughter. A pair of pelicans swooped through the sky above her, silhouetted momentarily in the moonlight.

  On a night like this, everything seemed right in her world. These moments were the ones she loved to just sit and enjoy. Wrap around her like a favorite blanket.

  And yet… tonight she wished she were sharing this moment with someone else.

  Her sister Evelyn.

  Or Olivia and Emily.

  Or… Barry.

  Chapter 10

  Olivia chased Emily out the door to school the next morning, then hurried off to Brewster’s to meet Heather. They’d pretty much fallen into a routine to meet there for coffee in the mornings ever since Heather had returned. Besides, she really, really wanted to run something by her cousin this morning.

  She had this idea. An idea that had been growing as she turned it over and over in her mind. Her logical cousin could shoot it down if it was just too crazy of an idea…

  As she got to the pier, she noticed Jackie and Jillian Jenkins standing near the entrance. She quickly ducked along a side path that would take her down outside the back of the shops instead of down the wide center walkway. She found it just good, sensible practice to avoid the sisters whenever possible. Helped keep gossip to a minimum. It was amazing how they could twist the most innocent thing a person said.

  Heather was already at a table and waved. She walked to the waterside table as Heather slid a cup of coffee in front of the extra seat.

  “Sorry, I’m late. Had to take the back walkway.”

  Heather laughed. “I did too. Avoiding Jackie and Jillian.”

  “Exactly.” She rolled her eyes as she sank into the chair beside Heather.

  “They caught me when I was leaving the other day. Made remarks on how Father and I were abandoning my—what did they call her—oh—poor mother.”

  “As if your mother couldn’t take care of herself.”

  “Right?” Heather nodded, then frowned. “So… what is it you want to talk about?”

  “How did you know I wanted to talk about something?”

  “You’ve got that look.”

  “You know me too well.” She set down her cup. “I have some news. Something I want to talk over with you. You know the cafe next to Parker’s?”

  “Of course.”

  “Well… the owner is selling the building. He and his wife are moving out of town. Something about moving near their grandkids.” She paused and gathered her thoughts. “And I was thinking… I was going to suggest…”

  “Spill it.”

  “I was thinking we could expand Parker’s into that building. Then there would be lots of room to expand the malt shop into more of a gathering area. A coffee bar for the morning crowd. More tables. And that would also give us lots of room in the back of the building, behind the kitchen, to expand Parker’s General Store area. Mom is always saying there’s more she wants to carry, but there’s no more space for it. You know how we have everything so crammed in there. Imagine if we could spread out more and make it look… I don’t know… nicer? You know, more like an old-fashioned general store. I think that would attract tourists. Plus, their whole second floor could be used for storage and free more downstairs space for us.”

  “I think that sounds like a smart business decision.”

  “I’ve run some numbers. I don’t think it would take long for us to make it a profitable venture. Even with the cost of opening up and connecting the two buildings.”

  “You have been busy contemplating this, haven’t you?”

  “I have… and… I’d want to run that part of Parker’s. Decide what gets added to the store there. And run the eatery part. The cafe part? I don’t know what we’d call it. I was thinking we could offer some things to eat, based on Grandmother’s recipes. And her pies, cookies, breads. There’s the whole kitchen there.”

  “Oh, that’s a great idea.”

  “I know it sounds kind of crazy, but that’s what I want to do.”

  “Then you should do it. Put that business learning of yours to work.”

  “There’s the financing of it to consider. I’m not sure if Mom would be on board on taking out a loan against Parker’s to do it.”

  Heather leaned forward. “Not a problem. How about if I help you out? How about I invest in it?”

  “You? I mean, it will cost a lot. I can show you the numbers.”

  “I…” Heather shrugged. “I have the money. Let’s just say my business is doing… ah… well, it’s doing well.”

  “How well?” She eyed her cousin. They rarely spoke money.

  “Well enough to buy the building and give you some start-up money for the rehab.”

  “Seriously?”

  Heather grinned. “Seriously.”

  “I’m not surprised. You’re so talented. I just didn’t know.” Why hadn’t her cousin ever let on how well she was doing, even to her?

  “And I think it sounds like a good investment. I can’t imagine wanting to invest in anything more than something that will give you your chance to shine.”

  “You’ll have to look at my numbers. See my plans.”

  “I will. But I trust you. If you think this will work… then let’s do it.”

  Her mind raced with the possibilities. The chance to make this something of her own. Expand Parker’s. Make her mark. Then she frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” Heather asked.

  “I still have to run all this past Mom. She’d have to agree to combining and connecting the buildings.”

  “She will.”

  “I hope so…”

  “Finish your coffee. Show me the numbers. Then we’re going to go talk to Aunt Donna.”

  She pulled her tablet out of her purse and pulled up the spreadsheets she’d made. She and Heather pored over the numbers with Heather asking smart questions and offering a few ideas of her own.

  “This is going to be great working with you, Heather. Do you think you can stay around for a while and help get this going? Please?”

  “I probably could.” Heather nodded.

  She’d finally found a way to persuade Heather to stay around Moonbeam longer. Her idea was looking better and better. Well, except for getting her mother to agree to it…

  Donna looked up to see Olivia and Heather headed over to where she was busy restocking various cleaning supplies along the back wall, cramming them into the tiny space they’d allocated to cleaning. They needed more light back here, too. She’d put that on her ever-growing wish list.

  “Morning, girls.”

  “Aunt Donna, we… Livy… has something she wants to discuss with you.” Heather stood with her hands on her hips.

  Olivia rolled her eyes at her cousin. “Yeah, Mom. Could we maybe step into the office?”

  “Sure.” She frowned, wondering what in the world Olivia was so serious about. She brushed her hands on her jeans and led the way to her tiny, cramped office. She grabbed a stack of papers off a side chair and motioned for one of the girls to take it. There wasn’t room in here for another chair.

  Heather sat down and nodded at Olivia. Olivia who looked… nervous?

  “So… Mom. I have this idea.”

  Donna slid into the chair behind the desk and waited for Olivia to continue. At least it didn’t sound like this was some kind of problem with Emily. Though, the whole “I ne
ed to talk to you” serious face of Olivia’s did remind her slightly of all those years ago when Olivia had gotten up the courage to tell her she was pregnant with Emily and had no plans to marry Brett.

  “Did you hear that they’re selling the building next door?”

  “I did. The Redmonds haven’t had their heart in running that cafe ever since their daughter moved away. I heard they were moving to Jacksonville to be near her and their grandchildren.”

  “Right.” Olivia nodded. “And I was thinking that presented us with an opportunity.”

  “What kind of opportunity?”

  “Well… we could buy the building. Expand Parker’s like you’re always saying you wish you had more space. And also, we could expand the malt shop area into more of a cafe or eatery. I don’t know what to call it. But have a coffee shop, maybe bakery things. Who knows, maybe sandwiches or something? Just something to get more people here. And then we’d have the extra space in the back of the building to expand Parker’s.”

  Donna’s mind reeled at the words rushing at her.

  Olivia continued. “And that extra space is something you’ve been wanting. You said there’s more you’d like to carry at Parker’s if only we had the space.”

  “Olivia… I don’t know what to say. I’m so busy now just keeping Parker’s going. How would I find the time to do all that? And then there’s the money…” Donna hated to crush Olivia’s idea, but really? Could her daughter not see how swamped she was just keeping Parker’s afloat?

  “I’ve found financing for it and I’d take over, be in charge of all the renovations to connect the buildings and the expansion. You wouldn’t have to do a thing.”

  She frowned. “Where did you find financing?”

  Heather raised her hand and shrugged. “Me.”

  “You?”

  “Yes, it appears my cousin is more famous-er than she’s let on. And she wants to invest in this.”

  “I want to invest in Livy. Let her… let her have her chance.”

  Donna didn’t miss the direct look that Heather gave her. She glanced over at Olivia and saw the excitement that lit up her daughter’s face. She hadn’t seen her this animated about something in a long time.