The Guestbook (23 page)

Someone else was cooking her breakfast for a change.  Kyla had suggested that Lily pick the place for their meeting today, and she couldn’t wait to see the samples of herbal soaps, scented creams, and specialty teas Kyla had designed exclusively for Madrona Island Bed and Breakfast. Matt’s Diner was the perfect not-too-greasy spoon, and it sounded pretty darn good right now.

The bell over the door rang as she entered the diner, and she was greeted by a waitress in a crisp orange apron who looked like she’d stepped out of the 1940s. “Morning, ma’am, table for one?”

Kyla was nowhere in sight, and for once Lily was glad to say, “Table for two, please.”

Lily slid into the red vinyl seat of a corner booth and opened her laminated menu. A light breeze from the ceiling fans sent the mouth-watering smell of sizzling bacon her way.

“Coffee for you today?” the waitress asked.

Gratefully, Lily turned the white coffee mug right side up.  It was the perfect fit for this place—coffee shop coffee—watered down but warm and pleasing. The clanging of dishes, pots, and pans were the background music, accompanied by the low buzz of people talking. The place was crowded, mostly with locals. Some had on worn t-shirts and baseball caps, faded jeans and nylon parkas, typical island dress.

Lily perused every item on the menu. The hot homemade biscuits with sweet butter, smothered in loganberry jam, were a must. The four-egg Spanish omelet with home-fried potatoes was tempting, and the blueberry sour cream pancakes sounded downright decadent.

“’Morning, Lily,” Kyla said as she slid into the booth. She placed a large basket filled with samples right next to her on the seat. “What looks good to eat?”

Lily peeked over, trying to see what was in the basket.

Kyla held up the menu to block her view. “Food first…business second. I’m starved, and the smell in here isn’t helping. Ok?”

“Well, I guess I can wait a few minutes longer. And as for the food… everything looks good, too good!”

Kyla scanned the menu. “I think I’ll order the cinnamon roll French toast,” she announced.

“Not fair,” Lily said. “Talk about overkill, how can you eat like that and look like you do?”

“What are you talking about? With all those goodies you’re always making, you look pretty good yourself.”

Lily decided on fried eggs over easy, hash browns, thick crisp bacon, and of course, a buttermilk biscuit with their specialty, marionberry jam.

After they ordered, Kyla reached into the basket and pulled out a product order form. “Here’s a preliminary list of the products I’ve come up with. I do think they’ll suit your
business and clientele very well.”

She slid the lavender-colored paper across the table for Lily to take a look.

Tea & Comfort
Kyla Stewart, Proprietor

“I love your logo,” Lily said. “Who designed it for you?”

Kyla waved the waitress over for a refill on her coffee. “Ian did a splendid job on it.”

Lily tensed. Kyla and Ian really seemed to know each other pretty well. It was silly to be jealous, she wasn’t technically dating Ian.

“He’s doing my design too,” Lily said, watching for a reaction from Kyla. There was absolutely none. She scanned the products. “Oh, I love this; rainforest mist shampoo and lemon verbena conditioner.” She closed her eyes and inhaled the imagined scents of lemon balm and honeysuckle rose candles.  She visualized the color-matched votives placed in antique glass holders on every dresser.

Kyla pointed to a section marked teas. “I have included morning and afternoon teas, and some special love blends as well.”

“Love teas?” Sure enough, there they were: rosewater, chamomile spice, and chocolate mint. “I think these will be a hit.”

Kyla’s Cheshire smile crossed her beautiful face. “So do I.”

She imagined the smell of a rich cinnamon stick brew being poured from a silver pot for afternoon tea. “Kyla, this list is amazing. It’s perfect. Thank you so much!”

“Lily, you deserve to have your dream come true, this one and many more.  Don’t forget that.”

The waitress appeared and placed the steaming hot breakfasts on the table. “Can I get you anything else, more coffee, ladies?” Both women shook their heads.

Lily dove into her meal, savoring every flavorful bite. Salty bacon mixed with creamy, golden egg yolk, crisp-edged hash browns dusted with salt and pepper, and a moist, flakey biscuit smothered in jam…this was heaven.

Between bites, Lily shared her plan. “I’ve drawn up breakfast menus for the B&B. I want them to make guests feel satisfied, comforted, and delighted, just like this one.” She took a large bite out of her biscuit then continued. “You know, Kyla, I’ll need a taste tester sometime soon to sample my recipes.  Are you willing to take on the job?”

“Depends on what you’re sampling,” Kyla replied between bites of French toast dripping with maple syrup.

“Sage omelets, pork rind quiche, spinach biscuits...”

“Ugh!” Kyla replied with raised eyebrows.

“Caught you. Just kidding. How does Lavender Orange French toast, black currant scones, and apple turkey sausage quiche sound for starters?”

Kyla nodded appreciatively while continuing to relish her breakfast.

Lily wiped the jam off her lips with her napkin. “When would be a good time for you to come by? Before opening your shop sometime or on a Sunday? We could have champagne mimosas, sample goodies, and talk.”

Kyla’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Lily for a few long seconds. “Ok. Let’s do it.”

Kyla was finally opening up to her a little, Lily was happy to see. She was curious to know why this young woman who was tall, model-thin, and strikingly beautiful with her cascading red hair, had opened up a quaint tea room on this relatively remote island.

“It’s a deal, Kyla. How about this Sunday?”

Kyla nodded in agreement as she finished off the last bite of her breakfast. She removed the packaged samples from her basket and stood to go. “Gotta hurry back and open
Tea & Comfort
.” Kyla laid a ten dollar bill on the table. “This should cover my part. Here are a few samples for you to smell and try out. You can let me know your opinions on Sunday. Bye for now.”

Lily watched her walk out the door. There was something frail about her demeanor, but she sensed that this woman also held a deep well of strength. She took a last sip of now cold coffee, grabbed the check, and headed for the door. Today she would work on the breakfast menus, and a few recipes for afternoon tea treats. Tomorrow was the interview, and she had to be ready.

✦✦✦✦

Saturday morning was bright and sunny, perfect to get lots of work done. Lily put on some jeans and an old sweatshirt and went into the kitchen to make coffee and heat up cinnamon rolls for the early arrivals. Later she would change into some nice clothes for the shoot. The photographers from the magazine were coming at noon, and she had promised them a lunch buffet.

Cars honked as they made their way into her drive. She stepped out on the porch and waved. Dana, the grocer, was there with his brother, another friend, and lots of tools. Jude was right behind them, her car loaded with food for the buffet table.

“Morning,” Lily called. “Coffee and pastries in the kitchen.”

“Sounds good.” Jude and Kyla carried trays of sandwiches past her and into the kitchen. “This should feed the army that will show up. Everyone wants to help and be in the picture, even Kyla has come in jeans.”

The place was a whirl of energy, loose boards being nailed, trim painted, yards cut, and Betty out there planting shrubs and flowers. Ian was up on a ladder finishing.

“Lily, what would you like me to do with your order?” Kyla asked.

Jude peeked over the rim of a basket. “They smell wonderful. Let’s put them out in all the rooms and parlor.”

Lily surveyed the baskets of candles, soaps, and other items to put around the inn. “Yes, let’s put them out now.” They went upstairs and started in the Rose Suite. The tall, freshly made pillar candles in pale rose were placed in a glass holder on the antique oak dresser in the Rose Suite. The sweet scent immediately brightened the room. Before she could move to the next room, the doorbell rang and Lily froze.

“Go,” Jude said, “we’ll finish up here and meet up with you.”

Lily hurried downstairs and stopped at the entry. Standing at the door, suitcase in hand, was her mother. “Mom!”  Lily raced over, opened the door, and hugged her. “You made it.”

“Of course,” Katherine said. “You think I’d miss anything this important?”

“How long can you stay?”

“I’m here for the work weekend,” Katherine said. “But I’ll be back for the grand opening for sure.”

Lily hugged her mother again. “Kyla, Jude,” she yelled up the stairs. “Come meet my mother. Mom, these are my best friends.”

“So good to meet you both.” Katherine picked up her suitcase from the floor where
she’d dropped it. “Point me to a place to sleep and then put me to work.”

“We’ll start setting out the lunch buffet,” Jude said.

“We’ll be right there.” Lily put her mother temporarily in the Rose Suite, as it was the only one that was completed. 

Katherine put a few things away and tied a sweatshirt around her waist. “The place looks amazing. You’ve done a marvelous job. And all these people helping you.”

“I’m pretty lucky.”

“It’s not just luck, my girl. Now let’s go help your friends with the buffet.”

✦✦✦✦

The table was set out with mounds of potato salad, sandwiches on dark rye and country
white bread, and pink lemonade.
Shirley brought over bouquets of fresh-picked lilies in shades of yellows and reds and bright white daisies. Puffy lemon meringue and chocolate cream pies were set out with floral paper plates, and napkins completed the table.

“They’re here,” Jason yelled as he ran up the front porch steps.

A large van was parked in her drive, partially on the grass, and two men were unloading lights and equipment while one gave orders. He looked the part of typical photographer.  Khaki button-up shirt with sleeves rolled back, tight jeans, and a two-day beard.

“Hi, I’m Lily, the innkeeper.”

He shook her hand. “CJ, we’re here for the shoot.”

She pointed to the side yard. “We have lunch laid out on the lawn by the pond if you’d like to start there.”

He yelled to his crew. “Set up over there by the pond.” He put a camera over his shoulder and walked across the drive toward the buffet. “We’ll shoot first, take a lunch break, and then do a few of the front and interiors.”

Lily walked ahead to show the way. “Sounds good to me.”

She watched them set up lights and agonize over each picture. First close ups, then wide-angle shots.

CJ waved at his crew to take a break. “Lily, let’s break for lunch. All these locals here today gathered around the table will make a great shot.”

“Sure thing.” Lily gathered up her friends and insisted they come have lunch.

Lily entered the kitchen. “You too, Jude and Kyla, come out for lunch and get in the photo.”

Kyla’s face paled. “What picture?”

“Oh, it’s
Coast Flight Magazine
. Isn’t it wonderful? They’re doing a spread on the grand opening of Madrona Island B&B.”

“That’s wonderful,” Jude said, taking Kyla’s arm. “You
are
coming, just turn your face if you don’t want your picture taken.”

Lily looked back. Kyla was trailing behind. “Come on, let’s get there and have lunch.”

The scene at the table took Lily’s breath away. All the people she loved, laughing, smiling, and obviously enjoying her food. What an amazing picture it would make in the magazine, too.

Dusk was falling as the sun made its last appearance before dropping behind the horizon. Lily wondered if it were too late to go over to John’s house. He would love to sample her new cookie recipe, and she wanted to tell him about getting her building permit in the mail today for the final remodel.  Ian was back on the mainland for a few more days, so John was alone. She leaned out the window and looked between the trees across to the barn-red farmhouse. The lights in his kitchen were still on. In his deep warm voice he had said,” Lily, you are welcome any time, you hear? Anytime.” Carefully, she placed the still-warm cookies on a china plate and wrapped them with cellophane.

The path leading across the field between the two homes was well-worn from years of foot traffic. She couldn’t wait to tell him the good news; after all, he was her number one fan and cheerleader. It was easy to see why her grandmother had fallen in love with this kind and thoughtful man. The twinkle in John’s eyes and that wide smile would have taken her heart too if he were fifty years younger. His grandson wasn’t half bad either.

As she approached the front steps, she heard Gretel barking inside. The screen door was locked, so she rapped on the frame. “John, it’s Lily. Are you home?”

Gretel’s barks became a low whimper, and Lily’s heart suddenly went cold. Something was wrong. She raised her voice and pounded harder on the door. “John, are you there? Let me in.”

Her gut instinct told her to move fast. She turned and ran around to the back of the house, trying not to trip on the long hose stretched across the yard. The back door was unlocked, and she rushed in and followed the sound of the dog’s cries.  Sprawled across the living room floor, unconscious, was John.

Lily gasped and ran over to him. There was a large gash on the side of his head and blood pooling under it. He’d probably hit his head on the corner of the coffee table when he fell. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what to do next. She crouched down and felt for a pulse in his neck. “Damn, I can’t find it.” She placed her ear closer to his face to see if he was still breathing. He was, barely. She tried to revive him.

“John, wake up. John, it’s Lily.” She could see his chest rise and fall in a ragged fashion, but there was no response.  Help, she needed help. Quickly, she moved to the kitchen and grabbed phone. With shaky hands, she dialed 911. “Please help, there’s a man here, he’s unconscious, we need an ambulance. Yes, about 80 years old, unconscious.” The operator asked for a location. Lily rattled off the address. “Off Sunrise Lane just outside of Grandview. Please hurry.”

Ian, she had to reach Ian. She saw his mainland number posted on the wall over the phone and began to dial. “Jason?”  

“Hey, Lily, is that you?” the boy said with a yawn.

“It’s me, Jason, this is important.  Is your dad there?”

“Yeah, he’s in his studio, as usual.”

“Jason, listen, please run and get him real fast. Ok?”

Lily heard Jason drop the phone and listened to his footsteps pattering across the
floor. Outside the kitchen window, an ambulance siren blared and she breathed a bit easier. They were coming, help was coming.

Out of breath, Ian answered the phone, “Lily, are you all right?”

“Yes, no, Ian, it’s John. I found him unconscious on the living room floor.”

“Is he breathing?”

“Yes, barely. I already called 911 and I think they’re almost here. Please hurry, Ian.”

“Lily, I’ll be there as fast as I can and meet you at the hospital. And thank you.”

“Of course, Ian, I love him too.” Lights blinking, siren low, the red truck pulled up to the house. “They’re here. I’ll call your cell from the hospital. Bye.”

Frantically, she unhooked the screen door and ran into the driveway, waving her hands over her head to attract the paramedics. Two men jumped out of the cab. One opened the back of the ambulance and grabbed a stretcher, and the other lifted a medical kit and followed Lily into the house.

She led them through the door. “He’s in here on the floor.” From the corner of the room, she watched them check his vitals, place an oxygen mask over his face, and slide his limp body onto a stretcher.

“Ma’am, we’ll be taking him to Forest Glen Hospital. You can meet us in emergency if you want.”

She looked up at this helper in the night and was grateful. “Thank you, please take good care of him, he’s very special.”

“Sure will. Don’t you worry, he’ll be all right. You know where the hospital is?” “Yes,” Lily whispered.

“Well, drive careful now, we’ll take good care of your grandfather.”

She hoped his words were true.

Lily moved quickly over the darkening path, illuminated just enough by the full moon for her to find her way back to her house.  She could barely open the front door, her hand was shaking so badly. John had to be all right, she just couldn’t bear losing him. And Ian, how would he ever survive this?

She gathered her purse, keys, and a sweater and headed for her car. Once on the highway, the roads were clear, and she was able to make good time. Apprehension built as she turned the corner and saw the hospital. “Right, go right, ok, the emergency entrance. You can do it, Lily.” The small two-story brick building was the only hospital on the island. Lily rushed through the glass doors and headed for the nurse’s station.

“Excuse me, an ambulance just brought in a John McPherson. Is he all right? Can I see him?”

The nurse checked her records. “Yes, they just brought him in. Can you provide insurance information?”

“No…I can’t, but can you tell me if he’s okay?”

“His status has not been reported yet. But the doctors are with him. Are you a relative?”

Exasperated, Lily told the nurse she was his granddaughter. She wished Ian were here.

The nurse continued. “Well, you can’t go in right now, but I’ll let the doctor know you’re here.”

Lily could tell she would get nowhere with this nurse who seemed immune to tragedy. She looked at the entrance to the patient area and considered making a run for it.
Surely I’d be considered some nut running through the halls yelling, “John, John.” They’d probably put me in a room too. It was black dark out now, almost nine o’clock, and her best option was to take a chair. Feet up, knees to her chest, she wrapped herself in her long sweater and began to rock to an imagined beat. With any luck, Ian would be here soon, and he was family and should be able to find out more.

✦✦✦✦

Ian hesitated, wondering whether or not to bring Jason and put him through this ordeal with his great grandpa. At seven years old, Jason had already lost his mother, and he adored his grandfather. Ian considered leaving his son next door at Mrs. Williams’s house, but knew Jason would never forgive him. If it hadn’t been for this darn workshop he had to teach, he would have been on the island when it happened.

“Jason,” he said gently.

Jason yawned. “Dad, what’s wrong?”

“Son, you have to get dressed. Grandpa’s sick and we need to go over to the island right away.”

Eyes wide, Jason asked, “Is he ok, is he gonna be ok?”

Ian continued packing a duffle bag with enough clothes for a few days. “I hope so, Jason. He had to go to the hospital, but Lily is with him and we’ll be there real soon.”

“Ok, Dad.  Should I bring something for Grandpa?”

Ian grabbed his son and hugged him tight. “Just yourself, Jason. That’s all Grandpa will want.” Ian bundled Jason up, jumped into the Volvo, and headed south to the ferry. If he were lucky, he could catch the 8:30 ferry and be at the hospital in an hour. He wished he could swim across and get there sooner. At least the roads were dry, the sky was clear, there was none of the usual fog to slow the ferry. He felt comforted knowing that Lily was there, a sense of safety and familiarity that he had felt with his wife, only this time, it was not Denise. It was Lily.

The ferry was just loading as they paid the fare, and the dock worker waved their car onboard. Jason had dozed off in his seat. Ian’s mind wandered. He really should call his mother. She was so far away, and he didn’t know what time it was in Mexico City. He fumbled with his cell phone scrolling for her number. He hated himself for hesitating. John was her father, after all, and she would want to know.

He pictured his mother in her bright floral dress, barefoot, paintbrush in hand. When she had first moved there, he resented her for leaving him alone with Jason. But she had smiled and said, “You’ll do fine, Ian. You have a strong spirit.”  His Bohemian mother, brave, full of life and a sense of adventure. Before, when he’d been so low, he thought her selfish.  But now he could understand her artist’s soul and need for adventure.

He’d followed his passion, shown his work in galleries through the world and become successful. His son was doing well in school and had good friends, and now even Ian’s heart had done the unthinkable: healed and fallen in love again. He dialed her number. “Mom, it’s me. Did I wake you?”

Guitar music floated in the background.

“Ian, my love! You sound dreadful. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Mom. It’s Grandpa.” He heard her gasp and then some quick words in Spanish, followed by the guitar music stopping.

“Mom, he’s at Forest Glen Hospital. Jason and I are on our way there now. I thought
you’d want to know. I have a friend on the island, Lily, she’s with him now.”

“Of course, Ian. What’s wrong? Did he fall?” Then her voice started to break. “I love that old man. You tell him, if he really needs me, I’ll be there. But he’s a tough one. I expect he’ll be up and about in no time.”

“I’ll tell him, Mom, and call you from the hospital when I know more.”

The ferry horn sounded as the boat slid into its dock. Jason opened his eyes and sat up. “We’re almost there, right, Dad?” Ian shook his head and turned away. The look in the boy’s eyes broke his heart.

✦✦✦✦

Jason pushed through the hospital doors and ran into Lily’s open arms. “Hey, Jason, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.  “Your grandpa’s still in with the doctors.”

Ian looked down at her and wished he didn’t feel so helpless. Their eyes met. He read volumes in her look. One arm around Jason, she stood, walked to Ian, and put her other arm around his shoulder. He embraced them both and exhaled for the first time since Lily’s phone call. A doctor entered the waiting room and addressed Lily. “Excuse me. I’m Dr. Williamson. Can I talk to you alone?”

Ian reached out his hand. “I’m Ian McPherson, and this is my son, Jason. He’s my grandfather. Lily, why don’t you take Jason and find him a snack or a drink? I’ll talk to the doctor.” 

The doctor looked confused. “It’s lucky your sister got him here so quickly.”

“Yes it is,” Ian said, staring a Lily.

Lily took Jason’s hand and walked over to the snack machine.

The doctor continued, “He’s still unconscious, but it appears he’s had a mild heart attack. He must have fallen down during it and banged his head hard enough to cause a concussion.”

Ian sighed. “Can you treat him?”

“He should wake up in few hours, we’ll watch and see.”

“And his heart?”

The doctor looked down at her pager before answering. “If all the other tests are negative, we can treat the heart with medication, but he’ll have to do some lifestyle changes too. Otherwise, he appears in good health for a man his age.”

“How long before we can see him?” Ian asked.

“He’s resting right now and under observation. Let’s wait a little while to be sure he’s stable. I’ll send a nurse for you when he’s ready for company.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

Lily and Jason wandered over and handed Ian a cup of coffee.

The doctor beamed. “I think he has the best medicine waiting for him right here.”

She turned to go. “You all get some rest now, he’s going to be fine.”

“Do you want me to take Jason home, put him to bed, and look after Gretel?” Lily asked. Ian could barely get the words out, and there was no way he could convey the gratitude he felt. “Yes, Lily, that would be so helpful.”

She looked concerned. “Call me.”

Ian nodded. He watched her take Jason’s hand and walk out the door. It was going to be a long night.

✦✦✦✦

“Are you Ian McPherson?”

He shook himself awake. He must have dozed in the lobby. “That’s me.”

“I’m Piper, your grandfather’s night nurse.” She pointed down a corridor. “Room 220B. You can see your grandfather now, but he’s still unconscious.”

Ian checked his watch; it was 3:30 in the morning. Shouldn’t Gramps have been awake by now? He hurried down the hall and located the room. John was wired to machines beeping on and off, and an IV was hooked into his arm. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully. Ian fell into the leather chair beside the bed, pulled up the footrest, and curled up for some sleep.  Certainly John would be awake in a few hours.