“The wholesale fair in Atlanta went well. I have some new items, ordered a few other things. I also found two great armoires that I’m going to refinish for the shop. I have an order of beautiful old tablecloths coming soon, and some vintage clothing.”
“Sounds like a productive trip.”
“It will be nice to have more new things in the store, now that I have so much more space since moving the shop to Rosewood Avenue.”
“Looks like it all worked out, didn’t it? Who knew when Owen bought your old building and threw you and the boys out of it, that things would work out so great?”
“Well, it wasn’t like he knew he was throwing us out.”
“Just teasing, Izzy. I know he wanted to give the building back to his brother.”
“Yes, he did the right thing. Acknowledging Jake as his brother. Giving Jake’s mother, Sylvia, back her building to reopen her restaurant.”
“Sylvia and Jake should be reopening the restaurant any day now.”
“I miss being on Main Street, but Rosewood Avenue is working out. Plus I love, love living in the carriage house behind the shop. The boys have so much more room and a yard to play in.”
“As I always say, things work out just how they are supposed to. Speaking of things working out, how are you and Owen doing? Have you seen him recently?”
“He’s supposed to be coming back to Comfort Crossing for the restaurant opening. I’ll be back by then, too.”
“Good. You two can spend some more time together. Seems like he’s been gone for most of the winter so far.”
“He’s been working on closing the deal on a business in Denver. I think he has that wrapped up now.”
“When you two get back in town, we’ll all have dinner.”
“Sounds good. I’d better go. I want to plan out my day tomorrow and see if I can wrap this trip up a day early. Miss my boys.”
“I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you. Drive safely. See you when you get back.” Becky Lee hung up the phone. The tea kettle was whistling, and she poured herself some in her favorite floral cup. She headed to her recliner and put her feet up. Her ever-present knitting bag rested beside the chair. She opened the bag and reached inside for the lace shawl she was making for her friend, Jenny. For Jenny’s wedding… if she’d ever set a date.
Becky Lee took a sip of the tea and the hard-won relaxation that she’d been waiting for all day settled over her, then she frowned. She’d forgotten to tell Izzy about that Madeline woman and her letter. Well, she’d tell her when she got back in town.
CHAPTER TWO
Early the next day Madeline headed downstairs for the breakfast part of her bed-and-breakfast stay. The aroma of fresh-baked bread and cinnamon twirled around her as she entered the dining room. Not her normal too-busy-to-eat morning.
“Morning, Madeline. Did you sleep well?” Rebecca bustled into the dining room and headed over to the sidebar where Madeline could see a pot of regular coffee and a pot of decaf, as denoted by its orange spout.
“Yes, I did. Really well, thanks.” She had slept well. Better than in a long time. She’d woken up like a cat, stretching slowly and lazing in bed before she’d risen to greet the morning sun peeking in her window. A really nice change from her usual bounding out of bed and rushing to get ready for work.
“Just pick a spot at the table. You want coffee?”
“Yes, regular please.”
Rebecca poured a cup of steaming coffee that smelled like heaven to Madeline. She was such a coffee person. Only way to start a day as far as she was concerned.
“I’ll be right back with your french toast.” Rebecca headed back towards the kitchen. A man with gray hair and a weathered face came through the front door with a paper tucked under his arm. “Hi, you must be Miss Stuart. I’m Larry.”
“Hi, Larry. Nice to meet you. Call me, Madeline, please.”
“Madeline it is.” A warm smile spread across his face.
Rebecca came back into the dining room with a plate of french toast and placed it in front of Madeline. She turned to her husband. “So, where’d you find the paper this time?”
“Over at the Haglers, of course.” Larry laughed as he unrolled the paper. He turned towards Madeline. “The Haglers taught their dog, Sammy, to go out and retrieve their paper. Nice trick, but now she’s gone on to retrieving the neighbors’ papers, too.”
Madeline could tell that rather than annoy Larry, it amused him to go retrieve his paper from Sammy’s neighborhood stash.
Larry dropped into a chair across from Madeline while Rebecca plopped a hot mug of coffee in front of him. “So, what brings you to Comfort Crossing?”