spa, and golf course smack in the heart of wine country,” Jackie said. “The country club is already seeing things die off in the events department. Younger people are wanting the more ‘rustic wine country’ look for events and not the ‘polished country club’ thing.”
“So Pamela may have been looking for work,” Megan said. “Looking for the next big opportunity.”
“She’d have it with Fairfield.” Jackie had started to scan the restaurant. “Because I don’t know who’s in charge of that whole estate now, but from what I hear, they’re not letting up on their plans for Moonstone Cove.”
“There she is,” Megan said.
“And you’re looking to get into events too, right?” Jackie sipped a glass of ice water. “That’s the reason I’m introducing you?”
Megan nodded. “I had a very successful event-planning company in Atlanta before I moved, but I’m starting from scratch here. Honestly, it really is a favor for me to meet her.”
“No problem.” Jackie rose and stretched out her hands, pulling Pam into a hug. “Hey, you! It’s been too long.”
“So nice to see you.” Pamela was smiling. “And your sister-in-law, right? It’s Toni, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Toni shook Pamela’s outstretched hand. “And this is a good friend of mine, Megan Carpenter. She moved here a little over a year ago from Atlanta.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Megan said. “I think we were introduced at the club months ago, but it was at a big party.”
Pamela narrowed her eyes. “Yes. I remember. You do look familiar, and I remember your adorable accent.”
Toni bit her lip and tried not to snort at the “adorable accent” comment. Her friend just loved it when people patronized her because of her native Atlanta sound.
Megan cocked her head and gave Pamela a dimple-inducing smile. “Well bless your heart, you probably meet so many people in your line of work, I don’t know how you’d keep any of them straight!”
“Yes.” Pamela’s smile faltered for only a second. “What brings you to Moonstone Cove?”
“Well, my husband was transferred out here for work” —Megan laid the accent on thick— “so I packed up the kids and closed my event-planning business in Atlanta so we could come out west for a new adventure, only to find out he’s been dippin’ his brisket in someone else’s sauce if you know what I mean.”
Pamela’s jaw dropped.
“Oh, not you.” Megan took a sip of water. “I think she was a cocktail waitress or whatever you call those little girls who pour wine at the wineries.” She waved a hand. “So I kicked him out. Now I’m looking to start up an events business again. I’m really looking forward to a new challenge. I hate being bored.”
“I imagine.” Pamela didn’t know quite how to react to Megan. “What kind of events did you throw in Atlanta?”
“Oh, the usual. Weddings. Birthday parties. Bar mitzvahs. Corporate conventions. Book signings and film openings. Stuff like that.”
Pamela perked up when she heard film openings. “Really? That’s a pretty impressive résumé.”
“Yes, I’ve had a few former clients offer to fly me out to coordinate events for them, but honestly I’ve had so much going on here that I just haven’t been able to accommodate them. Plus I’m looking to build a more local clientele. I don’t want to have to be flying cross-country to keep busy, you know?”
Jackie waved the server over. “Megan and I are tossing around ideas for Frank’s company party the end of next month. She’s so creative.”
They were? Toni smiled. That was news to her and probably Megan too. She had to hand it to her sister-in-law—it did not take much to get Jackie up to speed.
Jackie ordered a bottle of white for the table and a bruschetta appetizer that had Toni’s stomach sounding off. “Anyone object to those?”
“Not me,” Toni said.
“Sounds amazing.”
“Thanks, Jackie.”
“So Pam,” Jackie started. “What a shock about Whit and Marissa, right?”
Pamela nearly did a spit take, but she caught herself. “It’s…” She cleared her throat. “It’s so shocking. How is Marissa doing?”
“Looking like she’ll pull through one hundred percent,” Toni said. “Thank goodness.”
“When I heard about Whit…” Pamela genuinely looked stricken. “I know not everyone liked him, but he was kind to me.”
“Kind how?” Megan’s eyes were wide. “Was he a client?”
“No. Well, not yet.” Pamela shrugged. “I don’t think it’s that big a secret that he was looking for an events coordinator, and we were talking about the position.”
“I hadn’t heard that,” Toni said. “He’s not too far from me. Do you really think people would have booked