The Shell Shop by Cindy Nichols

Author:Cindy Nichols
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prickly Pear Press

CHAPTER 22

Julia’s morning beach walk was filled with echoes of excitement filtering from the local businesses and the tips of white tents were sprouting up at the Pelican Beach park. Her heart raced as she entered Ted and Trish’s bagel shop. She had just gotten used to running the shell shop and wasn’t ready for the end of summer Artisan Festival. And she’d forgotten all about it. Again.

"Oh, my goodness. You’re already finished?"

Trish put another box of freshly-baked sesame bagels and chocolate croissants in the walk-in freezer and came back out, shaking her head at her best friend of over thirty years.

"Yes. It’s only a week away and we always run out, so we started early this year."

Julia felt like she'd lost an entire year of her life, although it hadn’t been quite that long since she'd lost her husband. But he was the one who always got ready for the festival—the annual celebration of the tourists' return in force to their neck of the Florida Keys.

And it was a money-maker for the shell shop—she did know that. But she'd been so busy trying to figure out just the shop portion that she'd totally forgotten about the festival. And had absolutely no idea what she was supposed to do to get ready.

"I've only sat at the booth with John. I really didn't have anything to do with the preparation. I'd make change and things, but he marked everything. I guess I'd better get busy."

Ted poked his head out from the kitchen in the back. "He had to have stowed all the signs, the shade cover, chairs and stuff in the garage somewhere. I can help look, if you want. You don't have much time left."

“He did. I saw them when I was looking around for the special shell.”

Julia leaned against the counter and dropped her chin in her hand. Honestly, since she'd sold that shell to the collector—Nigel Stratford—she'd allowed herself to relax a bit. Hadn't even looked at a calendar except for deciding when she wanted to open the shop officially, and this whole thing had gotten by her.

But besides being a good money-maker, John had always said it was one of their best ways to let tourists know that they were even up the way on Pearl Beach. And it was something he never missed.

She shook her head and reached for the tea Trish plopped down in front of her. "I can't let you do that. You guys have enough to do for your own booth."

Trish stopped on the other side of the counter and leaned forward. "Have you even put in for the booth? I'm sorry I forgot to remind you, but you'd better get down there if you haven’t already,” she said under her breath. "Olive was in earlier and said her sister, Opal, told her there were a few left. But said I wasn't supposed to say anything."

Julia frowned. She'd just seen Olive, their letter carrier, a couple of hours earlier and she hadn't said a word.

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