Page 143 of Renewal After Dark

“He’s good at what he does, even if he’s full of beans outside of work.”

McKenzie glanced at Piper and then back to Laura. “Full of beans?”

“Always up to no good with pranks and other tomfoolery.”

“I never would’ve guessed that. He’s all business with me.”

“Wait until you get to know him better,” Laura said. “He’s a lot of fun, although with five kids at home, he doesn’t have as much time for foolishness as he used to, which is good for all of us.”

“This place is so… fun.”

Piper nodded in agreement. “Sofun. There’s always something going on, and everyone is so nice and welcoming.”

“I love it,” McKenzie said.

“Does that mean you’re going to stay?” Laura asked.

“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do when I first arrived to check out my grandmother’s cabin after not having been out here in years. Then the storm hit, Jax and I were nearly killed, and the cabin was demolished by the storm. It seemed like I’d made a very bad decision. But everything—and everyone—since then has been wonderful. So yes, I’m planning to stay.”

As she said those words out loud, she realized the decision had been made over the last week as she experienced the island community and the way people came together to support one another, not to mention a promising new romance.

Laura clapped her hands in glee. “Yay!”

“She’s very excited to have someone who knows what they’re doing taking over the books,” Piper said.

“And I’m excited to make a new friend,” Laura added.

“Everyone is thrilled about my bookkeeping service. I had no idea there’d be such a need for that here.”

“You’ll be very busy,” Laura assured her. “Year-round. I’ve already told my cousin Evan about you, and he and his wife, Grace, want you for the Island Breeze Recording Studio and Ryan’s Pharmacy.”

“Wow. Word travels fast.”

“It’s lightning speed when someone shows up with a skill we all need desperately.”

“I still can’t believe Evan McCarthy is from Gansett and plays at family gatherings like he’s not a superstar.”

Laura laughed. “He’d better not act like a superstar around here, or we’ll remind him that we knew him when.”

They talked for another half hour about the routine at the hotel and went over some of McKenzie’s questions.

“My cousin Adam designed our registration system, so that’s custom,” Laura said. “We have a lot of return customers who request certain things every year. Adam made it so that’s an easy, online process.”

“I’m sure it’ll all make sense to me in no time. Are you okay with me bringing Jax with me when I have to be here?”

“Of course. That’s never a problem.”

“It’ll be easy until he starts walking. After that, I might have to look for a sitter for him once in a while.”

“I’m sure we can help you find someone,” Laura said.

A woman with short red hair and a belly rounded with pregnancy came in through the main doors. “Oh good. I didn’t miss you! I totally overslept!”

“This is Stephanie McCarthy, owner of Stephanie’s Bistro and my cousin Grant’s wife. Steph, meet McKenzie, who’s here to save us from ourselves and the IRS.”

As she shook hands with Stephanie, McKenzie asked, “How many cousins do you have, anyway?”

“A lot,” the other three women said as one.

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