I grabbed my purse off the seat and got out of my SUV, scanning the sidewalk for my aunt.
“Charlee!”
I turned to see Fern shuffling down the sidewalk coming toward me. She was actually wearing jeans today, along with a bright and puffy mustard-yellow sweater. It was a sight. I’m pretty sure she knitted it.
“Hi, Fern!” I waved.
When she reached me, she pulled a small paper bag from her giant purse. “Treats,” she grinned.
I took the bag and looked inside. Caramels and fudge. “Are you trying to put me in a sugar coma?”
“Of course not, you have to share with me.” She dipped her hand in the bag and pulled out a piece of chocolate fudge. “Are you ready for your surprise?”
“Uh, it isn’t the candy?” Now I was getting nervous.
“No, silly,” she took a bite of fudge. “It’s this.” She made a sweeping motion with her hand to the vacant shop in front of us.
“This what?” I had a feeling about what she might be implying, and it scared me to death, so I played ignorant.
“Come on, I know you’re not that dense.” Fern fished a key out of her purse and proceeded to open the glass front door.
I tried to prepare myself for what I suspected was coming and followed her into the darkened space. My aunt spun in a circle. “Isn’t it fabulous?”
I took in the small seating area with a few café-style tables and chairs. A glass display case connected to a counter on the opposite side.
“Well,” Fern prodded. “What do you think?”
“This used to be a coffee shop, didn’t it?” I tried to remember. Some of the businesses at the port had been around forever, while others experienced higher turnover.
“Tea shop,” Fern clarified. “They served these tiny cucumber sandwiches. I think they were trying to be British or something, but it didn’t work. Food was like cardboard, and the tea was even worse. They were only here about a year.”
“And now it’s vacant.” I stated the obvious.
“Yes, and ready for you if you want it,” Fern said, her voice ringing with excitement.
My gaze snapped to hers.
“Oh, I see I’ve startled you,” she remarked, then added. “Don’t worry, I didn’t buy the place. I just wanted to show it to you. This used to be your dream. And now it can become a reality.” She paused. “If that’s what you want.”
Wow, I didn’t even know what to say. This had been my dream. A very long, long time ago. I was going to marry Kenny and open a shop and sell cakes and breads and cater events. He was going to supply the seafood, and I was going to charge a bundle for fancy hoity-toity food.
It’s what I did now, only I worked for a hotel. This would be my own. This could actually happen.
“Charlee, are you okay?” Fern stepped closer. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No, you didn’t. I’m just surprised,” I admitted. And unsure. “You’re right, this was my dream for a very long time. And I think it still is. I enjoy what I do, and I’d love to be my own boss, but I don’t know if I can handle the rest of it.”
“You mean, staying here.” Fern got straight to the heart of it.
I nodded.
“Charlee, you know I love you more than my own kids, so don’t take this the wrong way. But it’s time for you to make a choice. The truth is, you were betrayed, and it sucked,” she stated bluntly. “But that was ten years ago. You can keep on letting that dictate your life, or you can take charge and say to heck with all of them and do what you want.”
My aunt made it sound so easy. She’d always been tough and thick-skinned. She’d been my defender and protector through all the difficult times. And now she was challenging me to be brave, like she’d always been, and I didn’t know if I had it in me.
“If this isn’t what you want, then that’s fine. But it’s time to let go of the past, whether you go back to Portland or stay here. You need to move on. Date somebody!” She threw up her hands.
I chuckled.
“Charlee, it’s time for you to be open to all of life’s possibilities. So, if you want this, I’m here to help.” She reached for the bag in my hand and pulled out another piece of fudge. “This stuff is really good,” she mumbled between bites. “But I know you can make it better.”
“You’re right,” I acknowledged. “About all of it.” Tears pooled in my eyes. “I want to let it go, but how do I do that when every time I see them it’s like my heart is being ripped open all over again?” Crying now, I rummaged through my purse for a tissue.
Fern pulled me into a tight embrace. “You face it, hon. I never said it was easy, but I do believe that it will get better.”
She released me, and I blew my nose. “I do want this. I’m just not sure I’m ready for it right now. Can I think about it?”
“Of course.” She patted my back. “Take all the time you need. Here, have a treat.” She gestured to the bag in my hand. “It’ll lift your spirits.”
I smiled and reached for a caramel.
“Well, I’ve got to get to my hair appointment.” Fern patted her curly red hair. “What do you have planned for this afternoon?”
“I’m going to try and talk to Floyd. He works at the cannery, so I was hoping to catch him there. I told Preston I wouldn’t go to his house.”
Fern nodded. “That’s smart. Good luck and let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, I will.”
Chapter Eleven
Before I headed to the cannery to find Floyd, I stopped at my car to make sure I didn’t have raccoon eyes. My makeup was in decent shape, good enough for me to go chat with someone I wasn’t trying to
