Sunset on Moonlight Beach - Sheila Roberts Page 0,31
right.
“Let’s call Brody and see if he can find something,” Celeste said eagerly as they walked back in the house.
“All right,” Jenna conceded. “But if Henry’s not on board, this will be a frustrating waste of time.”
“No, it’ll be fun,” Celeste predicted.
Doing just about anything with her sister was fun. Still, it sure wouldn’t be fun if Henry got mad at her for encouraging Celeste to pursue something they didn’t agree on. “Don’t let him know I’m going with you. I don’t want to be named as a co-conspirator,” Jenna said, and Celeste chuckled.
Come seven in the evening, several of the women of Moonlight Harbor gathered in Aunt Edie’s living room to drink wine, eat chocolate and other fattening goodies and encourage each other in their various business pursuits. Present were Tyrella Lamb, Annie Albright, Nora Singleton, who’d brought ice cream from the ice cream parlor, Patricia Whiteside, Cindy Redmond, proud owner of Cindy’s Candies, and Courtney Moore, who started overloading on chocolate early on.
“So, it’s a no-go on buying Beach Babes from Susan?” Tyrella asked her.
Courtney dug another mint truffle out of the candy bowl on the coffee table. “No. She’d rather stay here forever and be miserable than sell to me.”
“That’s so wrong,” said Tyrella, who’d laid claim to the baby and wasn’t looking like she’d be giving her up anytime soon.
“That’s Susan for you. I wish I was some kind of rich criminal with a shell corporation so I could buy the place,” Courtney said.
“What about applying for a Blue Moon grant?” asked Celeste. “It sure helped Jenna.”
Courtney shook her head. “I thought about it but I’d need more money than the grant could give me.”
“It would be a great investment if you could get it,” said Patricia.
“Of course, the value is in the building, not the inventory,” put in Tyrella.
“For sure. None of the inventory is anything anyone would want,” Courtney said. “I think I’d feel guilty even donating those clothes to a nonprofit shop.”
“Once upon a time, when she first opened, her clothes were in style,” Patricia said. “She did a fairly good business.”
“Styles change,” Courtney said. “Adapt or die,” she added, showing no mercy. “I know I could make that shop a roaring success.” She gave a half-hearted shrug. “Oh, well. It looks like I’m not going to get it. Susan’s said she’ll never sell to me. She’ll price it too high.”
“That woman,” Nora muttered, shaking her head in disgust. “She never appreciated what she had when you were working for her. It’s foolish not to encourage talent.”
“Yes, it is. She could only have benefitted by selling your designs,” said Patricia. “Like I did,” she added, smiling at Courtney. “By the way, don’t worry about any sour grapes from me if you get a chance to move on and move up.”
“Thanks,” Courtney said. “You are a class act.”
“All our Moonlight Harbor business mavens are,” Jenna said, thinking of Aunt Edie and Nora. They were all an inspiration to the entrepreneurs coming along behind them. “Something will work out somewhere,” she assured Courtney. “Meanwhile, you’re doing all right where you are.”
“Her creations fly out the door of my gift shop,” said Patricia.
Courtney did smile at that. “I owe you big time for taking a chance on me and letting me sell my clothes at the Oyster Inn.”
“Women love them,” Patricia said.
Courtney sighed. “I really want to expand. I thought Beach Babes would be perfect.”
“You can always sell online,” Cindy suggested.
“I’ve got some things on Etsy,” Courtney said, “and I’m looking into Amazon. So, really, why do I need a shop here?” She said it so wistfully.
“Because this is your hometown,” Annie said. “And those shops are really cute. We get it.”
“We sure do,” said Nora, helping herself to another piece of the chocolate bark Cindy had brought.
“Don’t give up. Miracles still happen,” said Tyrella, and passed the plate of chocolate bark to Courtney.
Courtney smiled at all of them. “You guys are the best when it comes to encouraging people. Thanks.”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Tyrella said.
“Here’s to friends,” Courtney said. “Wait a minute. My glass is empty. How can I toast with an empty glass?”
“Let’s take care of that,” Jenna said, and fetched the bottle of her favorite white wine from the dining table.
Courtney filled it. “Okay, now. Here’s to friends.”
“To friends,” everyone echoed.
“You have such an awesome support group down here,” Celeste said to Jenna later when it was just the two of them in the living room, visiting.