these kinds of events though. She recognized a few people herself, among them Violet Jones, the neighbor who had spoken out at the meeting to oppose The Beach Plum Cove Inn.
Violet was overdressed in Kate’s opinion, although she did look gorgeous. She was wearing expensive black high heels, which Kate could see were the designer Louboutin, as the bottom of the shoe was famously red. Her dress was too, a bright, fire-engine red that was impossible to miss, especially with her tall, curvy figure. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in a carefully arranged tumble of waves and her makeup was perfect. Her lipstick even matched her dress. Violet raised her eyes when she saw Kate. Philippe had gone to get them more champagne, and Kate was admiring one of the paintings, a watercolor of Nantucket harbor.
“Kate. I’m surprised to see you here!” Violet said.
“Really? Why is that?” Kate replied coolly.
“Well, I’ve just never seen you at these types of things before.”
“I’ve been living in Boston. I’ve only been home for a few weeks.”
“Oh, right. Sorry about that, I heard you lost your job.” Violet sounded anything but sorry as Philippe returned and handed Kate a glass of champagne.
“Thank you. Philippe, do you know my mother’s neighbor, Violet Jones?”
“No, I don’t. It’s nice to meet you.” He held out his hand and Violet took it, holding it a moment longer than necessary.
“We have met actually. At an art show last Spring.” Violet reminded him.
“Oh, that’s right.” Phillipe casually put his arm around Kate and pulled her close. “Now I know why your name sounds familiar. You spoke out against Kate’s mother at the board of selectmen meeting.”
Violet suddenly looked uncomfortable as she realized that Kate and Phillipe were together and that Phillipe was not likely to fall under her charms.
“If you’d both excuse me, I see someone I need to talk to. Have a great night.”
Kate watched with amusement as Violet slithered off. Philippe relaxed his arm and took a step away.
“I don’t care for her much,” he said.
Kate laughed. “Well, that makes two of us. I don’t know why she was so against my mother’s bed and breakfast proposal.”
“I suspect she likes to be difficult.”
They walked around a little more until they’d seen everything in the gallery and then said their goodbyes to Andrew and made their way to the Club Car for dinner.
When they walked into the Club Car, the hostess, a very pretty, younger woman with long dark hair and a perfect glowing complexion, came right over to them and gave Philippe a hug.
“How’ve you been? Your favorite table just opened up. I can take you right over.”
Kate smiled. Apparently, the Club Car was one of Philippe’s favorite restaurants too.
“Great to see you again, Olivia. Do you know Kate Hodges?”
The younger woman smiled and looked as though she was trying hard to place Kate, but failed.
“I’m local, but just recently moved back to the island. It’s nice to meet you,” Kate said.
“You as well!” Olivia scooped up two menus and led them to a pretty corner table, with pale blue cushions and a white tabletop. It was a small restaurant, but not too crowded. Kate preferred to come in the off-season. During the summer, all the restaurants along the pier were packed, as tourists went there after getting off the ferries.
“Andrea will be right with you to get your drinks order.” Kate noticed a brief moment of hesitation flash across her face, but Olivia smiled as she walked off, so she didn’t think anything of it. Until she saw a very pretty blonde girl walk their way and then stop short and go back into the kitchen. A minute later, a different waitress, with short, dark hair came to their table.
“Good evening, I’m Penny, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Can I get you something to drink?”
Kate ordered a chardonnay and Philippe got a Dewar’s and water.
“I thought Olivia said Andrea was going to be our server. I noticed another girl coming over here first, and then she went back into the kitchen. Isn’t that strange?”
Philippe looked a bit uncomfortable. “I think that may be because of me. I was a regular here for a while, more so than I am now, and I dated a few of the waitresses. Andrea was one. She’s a lovely girl, but she wanted to be a little more serious than I did.”
Kate considered that as Penny returned with their drinks and set them down. She told them