Mia followed her into the rustic-looking building. Inside it was an eclectic mix of modern and homemade that made her want to sort things out and choose one style. “This is charming.”
Hilary snorted. “Like heck it is. Charming is a nice way of saying it’s a disaster with little to pull it together. This place is a mess, but I lack a good eye for design like you have. I honestly don’t know where to begin.”
Mia tried to hide the twitch of her lips but Hilary saw her and they both ended up laughing. “Sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but it is in need of some help.”
Hilary took two coffee mugs down from the hook above the kitchen counter. “You’re not rude, just truthful. I don’t mind it, but I’ll be the first one to admit the place could do with some attention from someone who knows what to do.” She poured the coffee. “And I just happen to know the perfect person.”
Mia took the mug she offered and followed her back outside to sit at the table in the sun not sure she was impressed or annoyed at being recognized here on the island.
“Anyway, you didn’t come her to offer to decorate my house. I know who you are, Mia. Most of my apartment in Seattle was decorated from your store. You have incredible style and your range of items was mostly in my budget too.”
She was a breath of fresh air. “You look familiar too. Matt said you had a restaurant in Seattle but I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“I did.” Hilary pointed to her face and did a circle with her fingers. “This face made headlines in gossip papers a few times. Not my proudest moments, but I did what I thought was best at the time. I was the chef of my own restaurant, but lost it to my less-than-fine business partner. Should’ve read the small print at least. It was a kick in the gut, but I got over it and started the new business.”
Mia nodded. “Now I remember. You did that Taste of Seattle event to showcase the oysters, right?”
Hilary’s mouth dropped open. “Don’t tell me you were there?”
“Yep. Sure was. Had a business meeting with an out-of-towner and my assistant made the booking. Thought it would be impressive to show the buyer something unique to Seattle.” She laughed when she remembered how that had turned out—a bit of excitement and an altercation that had been the talk of the town.
“Wow. I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or impressed.”
Mia liked this woman—straight to the point and down to earth. She wasn’t used to people being so open with her. “I’d go with the latter. You certainly made an impression on me and amused my dinner companion to no end. He signed the best deal at a price I was aiming for, no negotiation needed.”
Hilary slapped her leg and roared with laughter. After a couple of moments she got control of herself and peered over at Mia. “So, tell my why you’re really here.”
Mia sighed, deciding to tell the truth. She could use someone who understood what it was like to be pushed aside, even if in her case it was only for four weeks. She told Hilary what had happened at the board meeting. “I guess it’s deserved, but I have to admit to feeling a bit cheated. The hardest thing is trying to do nothing after so many years of doing everything.”
“I know exactly what you mean. Chefs work their asses off. When I lost the restaurant, I vegged out in my apartment for weeks on end. I couldn’t do a thing, you know? It was like someone had taken away my very being. I found it hard to breathe without a knife or spoon in my hand and a hot pan on the stove.”
“Exactly how I feel, minus the tools. People don’t understand that.”
“If it wasn’t for my best friend coming over and kicking me in the butt, I’d probably still be sulking.” Hilary touched her mug to Mia’s. “You have a friend in me, lovely.”
How sweet! “Thank you. It means a lot. I don’t have many friends. In fact, I probably don’t have any really.” She felt the heat rush up her cheeks. What an admission.
“Are you kidding?” Hilary stared at her with her mouth open.
“Nope. Everyone I see during the work week are business associates.” Saying that out loud made her sad. She didn’t have a best friend to kick her butt.
“What about on the weekend?”
“I work from home.”
Hilary raised an eyebrow. “Girl, you need to take some serious steps to break the overworking cycle, to learn to relax and enjoy life. I’ve been there, but now you’ve come to the right place.”
* * *
“Down, Bear.” Matt held up his knee as the big dog launched himself at him. Bear only bounced around his legs and pushed against him instead. Matt gave up and wrapped him in a big hug, ruffling his fur and playing with him until he calmed down.
“Hey, brother,” Matt called as he glanced down from his position on the jetty at the ocean below. Arlo and one of the workers were thigh deep in water in their wading boots, working the oyster beds. Matt crouched down to speak to him. “How’s it going?”
“Really good. Hanging up the oyster bags before the storm hits tomorrow or the next day. Tides are expected to be higher so what we don’t do today will have to wait until it’s over.”
“Good idea.” He looked past Arlo. “How’re you doing, Bryce?”
Arlo’s manager waved a hand and lifted the next bag onto the line strung between posts that would hold the baby oysters up off the seafloor and give them good water flow. “Good.”
“Who’s the lady? You didn’t say much on the phone.” Arlo tipped his chin to the laughing women over by the house.
Matt had hoped Hilary would be able to
