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Darlene hummed softly as she wiped down the kitchen counters at Bayside B&B. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm, welcoming glow over the well-worn surface. She paused for a moment, breathing in the lingering scent of freshly brewed coffee and blueberry muffins. Today, like all the others, had begun with the clink of dishes, the smell of bacon, and the contented murmurs of her well-fed guests.
The breakfast rush had come and gone, leaving behind a satisfying mess that she took pleasure in tidying up. There was something so comforting about her daily routine, a rhythm she’d perfected over the years of running the B&B.
She moved with practiced ease, gathering dishes and loading the dishwasher, her hands knowing instinctively where everything belonged.
She reached for the broom to sweep the floors when the back door burst open. Felicity rushed in, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide with excitement.
“Gran!” Her granddaughter bent over, catching her breath, before continuing. “You won’t believe what I just heard!”
She set the broom aside. “What’s got you so worked up?”
Felicity leaned against the counter, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Brent and I were at Coastal Coffee, and we saw Beverly. She told us about this new fancy inn opening up in town.”
“A new inn?” She raised an eyebrow, her interest aroused. “Where are they putting it?”
“It’s those two old Jackson family homes. You know them. They’re side by side right on the beach,” Felicity explained. “They’ve redesigned them completely. Beverly says they’re turning it into some kind of upscale place with deluxe suites and fancy bathrooms. Can you believe it? Whirlpool tubs and everything!”
She felt a small twinge of concern. Competition was always a bit nerve-wracking, especially when it sounded so lavish. But she pushed the feeling aside, reminding herself that Bayside had its own charm.
“Well, isn’t that something?” she said, keeping her voice neutral. “I’m sure it’ll be quite the talk of the town.”
Felicity nodded. “Oh, it already is. But that’s not all, Gran. They’re putting in a wine bar in the lobby! For guests and visitors alike.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “A wine bar? My, my. They’re certainly aiming for a different crowd than we usually get here at Bayside.”
Felicity paced the kitchen, her forehead creased. “It sounds pretty fancy, doesn’t it? I mean, whirlpool tubs and a wine bar?” She frowned. “That’s not exactly the cozy, homey feel we have here.”
Darlene smiled slightly at her granddaughter’s protective tone. “You’re right about that, dear. We offer something different here. A home
away from home.”
Felicity stopped pacing and looked at her. “Aren’t you worried, Gran? I mean, this new place sounds like it could be some serious competition.”
She took a deep breath, considering her words carefully. “Well, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t give me pause. But there’s room for all sorts in this town. Some folks might want all that fancy stuff, but others? They’ll still want a place that feels like coming home.” At least she hoped they would.
She walked over to Felicity and patted her arm gently. “We’ve weathered changes before, and we’ll do it again. Bayside has its own special charm, and that’s not something you can replicate with whirlpool tubs or wine bars.”
Felicity’s shoulders relaxed a bit. “You’re right, of course. I just got all worked up when Beverly was talking about it. She seemed so excited.”
She chuckled. “Oh, I’m sure she was. Beverly always hears every bit of gossip first. Comes with owning the coffee shop, I guess. Speaking of which, how was Coastal Coffee this morning? Did you and Brent enjoy yourselves?”
“We did,” Felicity said, her cheeks coloring slightly. “The pastries were delicious as always. Beverly says they come over on the first ferry from The Sweet Shoppe on Belle Island. Brent couldn’t stop raving about them.”
She noticed the blush but decided not to comment on it. Instead, she picked up the broom again. “Well, I’m glad you two had a nice time.”
“If you don’t need me, Brent and I are headed to the mainland. Can I pick up anything for you?”
“No, I think I’m good. Thanks.”
As Felicity hurried out of the kitchen, Darlene began sweeping the floor in long, efficient swipes. Her thoughts drifted to the new inn. Change was always a bit unsettling, but she had faith in Bayside and the community that
had supported it for so long. She supposed the island was up for a lot of changes when and if the bridge ever got finished. They’d have a lot more day traffic and visitors if people could just pop over instead of dealing with the ferry.
As she put the broom away in the closet, her thoughts shifted from the new inn to Felicity. Her granddaughter’s arrival this summer had initially thrown her routine into a pleasant chaos. Felicity, usually so self-sufficient, had needed a place to land, to regroup after a difficult school year of teaching. Darlene had welcomed her with open arms, happy to have her help and her company.
Now, though, a different kind of shift had taken place. Felicity still helped with many of the breakfasts, the guest check-ins, and the endless laundry that the B&B generated. But her focus had drifted. Toward Brent. Her granddaughter had blossomed over the summer, shedding the weariness she’d arrived with and rediscovering her spark. She smiled to herself, remembering the shy glances and tentative smiles that had passed between Felicity and Brent in the early days of their courtship.
Now, the two were practically inseparable. She’d grown accustomed to seeing them stroll hand in hand out in the garden or share quiet moments on the porch swing. It warmed her heart to see Felicity so happy, even if it meant their time together had become less frequent.
She dried her hands on a dish towel and gazed out the window at the clear blue sky. The day was perfect for exploring, and she had no doubt that Felicity and Brent would enjoy their trip to the mainland. A part of her missed the constant companionship, the way Felicity had relied on her in those first weeks of summer. But seeing the confidence and happiness radiating from her granddaughter now was worth any small pangs of loneliness. Besides, she was used to running the B&B
on her own.
She laughed softly to herself. It was the natural order of things, wasn’t it? You raise them, watch them grow, and then let them fly. But the B&B kept her busy enough, and she had her friends in town, of course. There was no need to feel sorry for herself. She wasn’t one for melancholy, anyway. Life at Bayside had taught her to embrace the ebb and flow of life.
She opened the refrigerator and took stock of what she’d need for tomorrow’s breakfast. ...
