Page 7 of Captiva Book Club

“I know. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about stopping for a coffee while I’m out doing errands. I can’t believe how much they want for a cup of coffee these days.”

“Well, I’m grateful to get mine from you, because that way, I get to steal a scone or two.”

Maggie laughed. “Why are you always hungry?”

Chelsea shrugged. “What can I say? High metabolism, I guess. Speaking of food, how was your interview with Oliver Laurier?”

“Oh my goodness, Chelsea, the interview went well, and at the last minute, I had the crazy idea to have him give us a sampling of his cooking. You wouldn’t believe the dish he made. He went to the refrigerator and then looked in all our cabinets and drawers, and then went to work. Riley, Iris and I sat there and watched him move around the kitchen with such precision. It was like watching a choreographed dance. He didn’t miss a beat.”

“What did he prepare?” Chelsea asked, practically drooling.

“He made Cornish game hens with garlic and rosemary that were to die for. We all ate every last bit. There wasn’t even a crumb left on our plates. I swear I almost licked my plate.”

“That would have impressed him, not to mention how classy you’d look,” Chelsea teased. “So, did he get the job?”

Maggie shrugged. “I haven’t hired him yet. His cooking and way around the kitchen impressed all of us, but I need to do a bit more research on him and his past.”

“You mean a background check?”

“Is that so bad?”

Chelsea shook her head. “Not at all. I’m impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, let’s face it, Maggie. Between the two of us, you’ve always been the nice one. You don’t know how to internet stalk like I do.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, don’t call it that. It’s not stalking. I’m a potential employer and I need to make sure I’m not hiring a mass murderer.”

Chelsea nodded. “Thank you for that. Captiva doesn’t need another criminal showing up like Kristin’s ex-husband. I don’t think any of us want to see that drama again.”

Sarah’s car pulled into the driveway right on time. She stepped out, looking bright and cheerful.

"Good morning! Ready for our shopping adventure?"

"Absolutely," Chelsea replied, giving Maggie a playful nudge. "Let’s get this show on the road."

“Oh, by the way, you both will be happy to hear that Linda St. James is away visiting her aunt in Georgia. She’ll be gone for two weeks.”

“How did you find that out?” Maggie asked.

“Trevor told me; his sister Jacqui told him. Since Jacqui rents in Linda’s building, she was given the keys to her place so she can water Linda’s plants.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “You know what that means? It means if we join Claire’s book club after all these months of us putting Linda off about starting a club, she’ll accuse us of doing it behind her back.”

“Who cares?” Chelsea insisted. “We’re grown women who can do what we want. We don’t need Linda’s approval. As a matter of fact, I’m liking the idea of joining Claire’s book club even more now that I know it will make Linda mad.”

Maggie and Sarah laughed at Chelsea’s typical response to Linda’s temper tantrums. Linda was known to be inflexible and downright controlling about many of the island’s Town Hall projects. She didn’t seem to care or even realize how pushy she’d become over the years.

“Let’s not talk about Linda St. James. I want to enjoy the day,” Chelsea added.

They all piled into Sarah’s car, and soon drove through the scenic roads of Captiva Island, chatting excitedly about everything under the Captiva sun.

Uncertain who might cry first, Maggie wanted to wait until they were in public at lunch. She looked at her watch and wondered how she’d be able to keep such important news to herself for several more hours.

She distracted herself by looking out the window for the best shops to buy Christmas presents but the more Sarah and Chelsea talked, the harder it was for Maggie to stay quiet.

“Sarah, pull into this next parking lot,” Maggie said.

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