Page 43 of Always You (A Lilac Bay Novel)

CHAPTER 8

On the day the producers were set to arrive, I woke up to bright blue, cloudless skies. “Thank you, Mother Nature,” I muttered as I looked out my window over the water of the bay. If this weather could hold out for a few more hours, the producer’s first view of our little island should be a breathtaking one.

The weather held. But favors from the universe seemed to end there. I had wanted to spend the morning organizing my notes, preparing for the questions that they would inevitably ask me. Instead, I spent the three hours before their arrival fielding phone calls from citizens all over the island.

“Riley, it’s me, Sherry,” my voicemail said when I got to my desk. “I was just thinking, wouldn’t it be nice for the producers to do a tour of some of the non-touristy businesses on Main Street when they get in? You know, the drug store, Jimmy’s place…maybe a salon?” I rolled my eyes. Sherry was the owner of one of the only two salons on the island.

“Real subtle, there, Sher,” I mumbled as I deleted the message. Unfortunately, there were three more just like it. Chrissy thought the producers might like to see her linen shop.

“It is the oldest surviving soft good business on the entire island, Riley. You told them that, didn’t you sweetie?”

Jerry Brooks thought they might like to come by and see the chicks that had just hatched on his farm. And both Fran and Crystal had called to make sure I brought the camera crew to each of their shops.

“I sell just as much fudge as she does, you know, Riley. It really wouldn’t be right for Fran to pretend to be the most successful shop in town.”

“Dear Lord,” I muttered, erasing the last of the messages.

“What’s wrong?”

I looked up to see Andrew standing in front of my desk, a cup of coffee in his hands.

“From the cafe,” he explained, handing it to me. “I figured you would need it this morning.”

“Thank you,” I said gratefully. “I definitely do.”

“So what was all that?” he asked, gesturing at my phone.

“Oh you, know. The usual. The folks of Lilac Bay being annoying and pushy. What else is new?”

He leaned back on the edge of my desk. “They’re excited.”

“I know. And I’m glad they are. We need to be enthusiastic, all of us. I just hope I don’t have to spend the next two months trying to keep them all from jumping in front of the camera whenever it appears.”

“They’ll get used to it after a while,” he predicted.

“Do they not realize that I’ve had this planned out for a solid week?” I asked him. “Or do they think I was just going to wing it on the most important day of my professional life? I mean, do they know me at all?”

“I’m sure once they calm down a little bit they’ll turn back into their normal supportive selves.”

Unfortunately, my phone rang at that exact moment, earning him a scowl from me, which only made him laugh.

“Want me to get it?” he said.

“No, I can deal with those nut jobs.” I picked up the receiver. “Mayor’s Office, this is Riley speaking.”

“Riley?” a familiar voice asked, and I groaned.

“Iris? Not you too!”

“I just wanted to let you know that if the TV people needed a place to relax and get off their feet, you’re more than welcome to stop by the cafe.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I practically growled.

When I finally managed to get her off the phone, I looked over at Andrew, who appeared to be trying to stifle a laugh.

“You were saying?”

“Actually.” He straightened, rubbing the back of his neck. “I kind of have a favor to ask you.”