Hyannis, Blythe was content to look out the window and allow her thoughts to drift. She was excited to meet the store managers and as many of the staff as possible at each location. They would be important members of the team she was building. Loyal to Gran, they would, she hoped, be willing to help her as she took over. Like any business with different locations, The Robard Company relied on their staff to represent them well in the community, be honest and kind to their staff, and be loyal to the people who owned it.
Though Gran and Donovan had made a quick trip to Hyannis to investigate, Gran had informed them that she would wait for their recommendation of how best to handle the problem before taking any definite steps to remedy the situation. They now knew from Paul the young mother was the culprit.
“How’d your date with Liz go?” Blythe asked Logan.
“She’s nice. I also have a date with Elle next week.”
“Ben’s date?” Blythe couldn’t hide her surprise. Logan had been back in Boston for only a few days and seemed busy most nights.
“Yes. She and I hit it off the other night. Ben isn’t serious about her. He asked for your number. You might be getting a call from him.”
“It’s beginning to sound a little bit like some television show with everyone dating everyone else,” said Blythe laughing.
“Except that you and I can’t date,” Logan said.
At the sound of regret in his voice, she glanced over at him. He continued looking straight ahead.
Conversation ceased as Blythe took the time to look over some figures for Hyannis she intended to ask Paul about. Nothing was wrong; she just needed a clearer understanding of how things were categorized.
“What are we going to do about Anna?” she asked Logan. “She’s admitted to Paul that she’d stolen several items.”
Logan glanced at her. “What do you want to do about her?”
Blythe hesitated and then said, “I want to know her story. The one behind her doing that.”
“Okay. That sounds reasonable to me. Paul had every intention of giving her more hours as part of the summer crew. That means something.”
“I’ve got an idea on how to handle it, but it all depends on what we find out when we talk to her.”
Logan grinned. “Holding back on me?”
She laughed. “Maybe so. If it doesn’t work, I’ll tell you about my idea anyway, so you know where I’m coming from.”
“Any decision shouldn’t be too hard. It’s a straightforward business move.”
Blythe nodded but didn’t say anything. She was pretty sure she was right to sit back and think about the situation in a different way.
“We’re almost there. Do you want to stop for lunch before we visit the store?” Logan asked her.
“Yes. I’m starving.” Blythe knew some women either pretended they didn’t eat much or ordered only small portions. She enjoyed food and wasn’t ashamed to admit it. It was a philosophy she shared with her grandmother.
Instead of fast food, they decided to enjoy the warm air and bright blue skies and eat a leisurely lunch on the outdoor patio of a seafood restaurant.
Sitting in the shade of an umbrella, Blythe gazed out at the water watching seagulls circle in the sky above. Others swooped down to get crusts of bread tourists tossed out on the water. The squawking sounds they made were in direct proportion to the number of goodies available.
“I’d forgotten how lovely a day like this can be next to the water,” said Blythe.
They each ordered fish and chips. They chatted about Logan’s move to Boston throughout the meal and how he felt more at home here with friends both old and new than he had in Florida. Memories of unhappy times with his own family kept breaking into the protective shell he usually kept around him. His mother, who would never win a prize for parenting, tended to want more of his time as she was aging. It was something he wasn’t prepared to give.
“I get it; I really do,” said Blythe.
“You’re lucky you had Gran. And I’m lucky I had Donovan to step in and help me deal with it. Funny how things have turned out. One big circle after another.”
Blythe was pleased they could talk openly like this. Other people might not understand how deeply a mother could hurt a child.
After lunch, they drove to the store, climbed out of the car, and stood gazing at it. Gray clapboards covered the exterior of the building. White trim edged