Page 2 of Island Whispers
Molly looped the apron over her head. “Absolutely.” She tilted her head to the design table. “Those are for deliveries here on the island?”
“Yes. The flowers for both Hargrave and the Pelican are in the cooler, ready to go.”
“Seriously?” Molly eyed her. “How long have you been here?”
Nina shrugged. “It’s just one of those days.”
“Mm-hm.” Molly pulled open the cooler. “I still can’t believe Reed wants bud vases for lunch service at the Pelican. In my head the pub will always be the place where I cut loose. If I want to have a girl-lunch, I think of the Inn.”
“Same.” Nina chuckled, and to her dismay tears welled again. This was ridiculous. “We both know he only signed that contract to help me.”
Molly shook her head and then reached for a couple of buckets of flowers. “Maybe at first. And sure, it probably set the example for other business owners around here. But he’s benefitting too, adding in special events and the lunch service.”
Nina appreciated Molly’s loyalty. “Whatever his motives, I’ll take it.”
Savvy business owners could pivot and capitalize when conditions changed. The Pelican had been a neighborhood pub from the start and it still had that comfortable, well-worn vibe. But things were growing and improving on Brookwell, thanks to a concerted effort from everyone in the close-knit community.
Nina loved every minute of it. The history and the excitement of what was to come. She loved being part of something bigger than herself. Maybe she got it from her mom and dad. Both Nina and her older brother, Nash, had been raised to be active and involved. Not just with the family business but with the island community as a whole.
For the Billings family, that involvement started at home and spread outward from the neighborhood to their businesses and all the way out to the marina and the heart of town here on Central.
“Isn’t Reed the one pushing for a girls’ day out initiative?” Molly asked, walking back into the cooler.
“I think that was Kirsten’s idea,” Nina replied. “Sparked by work she did for a client. But it’s gaining steam at the quarterly meetings.” The business owners on the island got together regularly to brainstorm ways to coordinate marketing efforts that would benefit the entire island community.
Molly paused, a bundle of deep purple liatris in her hands. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s smart. Eventually the pub will be Kirsten’s.”
Surely Reed would retire at some point. Although Kirsten had her own career as a freelance graphic artist, she spent plenty of hours working at the Pelican. “Could be she’s trying to give the place an image update.”
“I could get behind that.” Molly winked on her way to the prep sinks. “The more flowers they need, the better. I’m for whatever keeps us going,” she added. “So many small businesses and small towns fade to dust and I just don’t want to see that happen here.”
“That would be the worst,” Nina agreed. Failure wasn’t on her agenda. Ever. “I love our town and all the people in it.” She swiped a tear from her cheek.
Molly gave her a long study. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Nina waved off her concern. “It’s probably allergies. Plus, I didn’t sleep well.” She looked at the wrapped arrangements on the delivery counter. “And something about this funeral service got under my skin.”
“I get it,” Molly said. “Some days are just off.”
Nina pulled her car keys off the hook. “I need to get these loaded and delivered.” When she and Molly had the arrangements secured in her personal car for the drive to Charleston, she went back inside for her purse.
“Are you sure you don’t want to trade?” Molly asked.
“Pardon?” Nina was momentarily baffled and then she remembered her teary eyes. “Oh, I’m fine. The drive will be good for me. Don’t worry.” She gave her assistant what she hoped was a convincing smile. “Henry will be in for the local deliveries. If you need anything just call and we’ll sort it out together.”
“I forgot to check the doorway bucket,” Molly said, doubling back to the front of the shop. “What did you choose?” A moment later, her giddy cheer rang out. “It’s a rainbow of daisies. I love them!”
Nina loved her enthusiasm. And she had to agree that the variety of colors on those cheery daisy faces were their own special ray of sunshine. “Be sure to add some white ones to the mix for any traditionalists who happen by.”
Molly laughed, clearly delighted. “I can hardly wait to open the doors.”
On a laugh, feeling happy and upbeat despite her destination, Nina left the shop. Molly’s mood was bound to create an uptick in sales today. Who could resist her?
But the light mood faded before Nina was halfway to the church. Tears threatened once more when a heart-wrenching ballad poured out of the radio. Changing the station in a hurry, she pulled herself together. She’d have to get to bed early tonight so she didn’t repeat this nonsense tomorrow.
It had to be the flood of changes in her life right now. None of them were bad. Nash was getting married in a few weeks and Nina loved her future sister-in-law. Lila Copeland, one of her best friends from school, was finally back home. She’d taken over the bakery in the shop next door to Nina’s. And she too would be getting married soon to an amazing man.