Page 9 of The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland
Okay, so maybe this girl had been treated badly by the bird lady? Beatrice stuck the card back on the board just where it had been, under a card offering training sessions for prospective midwives. “I’m going to trust your judgment because you’re rocking those shoes.”
With a satisfied sparkle in her eye, the girl self-consciously touched her nose piercing. Probably new. “Thank you.” She clicked the pen rapidly six or seven times. “Thrifted.”
“Which makes you stylishandclever.”
The girl grew at least two inches at that, which warmed Beatrice’s cold Los Angeles heart a corresponding number of degrees.
“You should stay at my house.”
Beatrice raised an eyebrow.
The girl smiled. “My mom’s house, I mean.”
“Thank you, but I don’t actually need a place to stay. I was just browsing the board. And I’m pretty sure your mom doesn’t want you foraging for random people at the grocery store.”
She tilted her head, her smile wide. “I’ve foraged for stranger things.”
“Impressive. But truly, I’m fine. Don’t need a room.”
“You never know. You might find you want to stay with us for a while.” The girl stuck out her hand. “Minna.”
Her hand was cool and the tiniest bit sweaty.
“I’m Beatrice. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too. And Imeanit.” Minna reached up and scrabbled through the cards. “Ah. Here. She keeps hiding it, and I keep uncovering it. This is us.”
The writing on the card was in fine black ink, the letters round and self-consciously old-fashioned. Minna’s work, Beatrice would guess.Private apartment, water view. Good muffins. No pets on premises normally but please feel free to bring yours, especially dogs that like treats.The listed phone number would probably ring in Minna’s pocket.
For a strange moment, she wished she could make this girl’s day by accepting the offer. “I’m assuming you’re the property manager?”
A wild look of pleasure crossed Minna’s face. “Exactly! It’s just an extra room, but it has its own entrance and bathroom, and I’m in charge of cleaning it and making the muffins—I swear I’m really good at both things, and I even wear a hair net when I’m baking, just in case, because hair in food is disgusting, and I always bleach the sheets, but then I hang them in the sun because it smells so good. I get to keep any of the money that comes in.”
Minna’s earnestness was adorable, and Beatrice knew better than to say so. “Very savvy.”
The girl pulled her cell out of a rhinestone clutch. Her fingers flew over the screen. “Okay. Just told Mom I’ve booked the room.”
Whoops. “I’m so sorry, I admire your eagerness, but I’m staying at the Skerry Lodge. Can’t get out of it, and believe me, I tried. If I could, though, your place would be my first pick.”
“Oh,no. How long are you staying?”
“Just two nights.”
“No, youhaveto stay longer.”
This girl needed something Beatrice couldn’t give her. She looked at the ground. “Well. Thanks? It’s been lovely talking to you.”
“Why did you come here? To the island?”
“My husband wanted to play the golf course.”
Minna swiveled her head. “Where is he?”
“Not here.”
The girl’s eyes traced Beatrice’s face as she touched her own cheek. “You’ve always had that dimple?”
“Of course.” The dimple was so deep that she knew it was visible even when she wasn’t smiling.
