you. What happens if you do get approved? Will you need to do much to the restaurant to get it ready to open?”
“I’ll start pulling permits right away and hire workers to get the renovation done. I’ve already got the plans all drawn up. It’s not too extensive really, just an update on what’s there and a slight reconfiguration to better use the space. I’m going to add more outside seating too and enlarge the deck.”
Lisa could picture the outside of the restaurant. It wasn’t on the water, but sat on a bluff and had an ocean view. It would be lovely to sit outside on the deck and look at the water while having dinner.
“Now I understand why you’re planning to stay a whole month.”
He laughed. “About that. I’d actually like to extend my stay for at least two more months if all goes well at the meeting Monday night. I didn’t want to book that far out until I knew for sure.”
“Oh! Of course it’s all right.”
“Fantastic. And if all your breakfasts are this good, I’m going to have to start taking long walks on that beach. Actually, I probably should do that, anyway.”
Lisa laughed. “I won’t make rich dishes every day, mostly just on the weekends. But definitely explore the beach, it’s great for walking.” She noticed that his plate and cup were empty and she quickly took her last bite and stood up. She didn’t want to keep him from his day.
“There’s plenty of quiche if you’d like more.”
“I would, but I should pass. I’m going to go take that walk now, actually. Thanks for joining me for breakfast.”
He stood, and she watched him go as she cleared the dishes. She’d enjoyed sharing breakfast with him and was excited that he might extend his stay. The steady money would be welcome and if all of her guests were this pleasant, she was going to enjoy running a bed and breakfast.
Chapter 8
Lisa changed clothes several times Monday night, trying to decide on the most appropriate outfit for the board of selectmen’s hearing. She finally settled on charcoal gray dress pants, a crisp white shirt and a navy wool button down sweater. Matching pearl earrings and a necklace completed the look.
Kate rode with her to town hall where the evening meeting was going to be held.
“Don’t be nervous,” Kate said as they walked toward the entrance.
But Lisa couldn’t help feeling jittery as they entered the room and looked around to find seats. It was early, but the room was filling up fast. Rhett was already there in the front row and waved them over. There were two empty seats next to him, and Kate started walking toward him. Lisa wasn’t sure she wanted to sit in the front row, but she was glad for Rhett’s support. They sat, and she introduced Kate to him.
“This is my first time attending one of these meetings,” Kate said.
“First for me too,” Rhett said and then added, “The crowd is bigger than I expected. It might make for an interesting evening.”
His comment didn’t help Lisa’s nervousness any. Did a large turnout mean people would be more likely to object?
In the next fifteen minutes, the room filled completely until there was standing room only. Lisa was relieved and grateful to see that all of her children were there, though seated in the back of the room. And both Paige and Sue were back there too. She recognized quite a few familiar faces, people she knew or knew of.
At seven o’clock sharp, the selectmen took their places at the front of the room and the chairman called the meeting to order. They talked for nearly an hour, going over old business and pending issues before they finally got to the two requests for approval.
First up was Rhett’s restaurant. Tom Goodwin, who was also an attorney, gave a summary of the request, the history of the restaurant and Rhett’s plans to improve the building and transfer the liquor license. When he concluded, he asked the crowd, “Does anyone have an objection to voice about this request?”
When several people raised their hands and then stood to speak, Lisa worried for Rhett’s chances, wondering how much weight the objections would carry. One was from Ben Hardy, who ran the nearest restaurant, which was in the next village over, more than five miles away. She could understand his concern as a lot of his business likely came from Beach Plum Cove. Yet, as a resident, she welcomed a