Later Wednesday evening she called her mother. “Hi Mom, I met a lady when I was in Cap City with Ambrose and I told her about Crow Harbour and my motel and everything and she’s coming to visit. I was hoping you and Dean would be my guests on Friday night and I can introduce you.”

“Who is it dear?”

“Her name is Katherine Fox and she’s in the oil business and sometimes causes a stir in the news.”

“Oh yes, I’ve heard of her. She had to fight quite hard as a woman in that business, I’d like to meet her. What time should we be there dear?”

“I was thinking around 6:30 for cocktails and then we’d have dinner. I’m using the fancy dishes.”

“We’ll have to dress up. I’ll see you then Bobbie.”

“I’m calling Jarrod and Jamie, maybe they can pick you up.”

Next she called Jamie and convinced him and Jarrod to come saying at least the food would be good. Then she called Barb. “Barb do you mind going with Johnny if I can convince him to come.”

“Sure Bobbie, Johnny’s usually the life of the party.”

Bobbie wasn’t so sure. She Texted Johnny and said she had some ribs and cauliflower potato salad if he wanted to join her and barbecue the ribs, of course. He texted back that he’d be there in an hour.

She got the ribs out of the fridge and put them in her electric pressure cooker added some chicken broth and set them to cook for 30 minutes under pressure. Johnny could finish them on the barbecue. Then she sat down with her knitting. She was finishing the socks for Brose and starting the ones for Eddie next. The socks for Brose took her a long time because she made them using 1.5mm needles and a fine superwash wool, nylon blend, yarn. He should be able to wear them in his dress shoes.

Johnny knocked and came in. He had a bottle of wine. He sat beside her and said “You’ve got to see this.” He showed her his phone and she saw the pictures from the market. She scrolled through and saw all 24 market carts were done. There were 6 lined up under each of the 4 long pergolas and the pergolas had several hanging baskets of flowers on each of them.

“That looks so good doesn’t it Johnny? Mark must have done those baskets for Brit. Everybody’s work paid off. Do they have anyone in the stalls for Saturday.”

“They put the pictures on their website and other social media and they have 6 more artisans along with the 5 that were at the festival. They are hoping to line up a few more. Mark’s making chili and garlic bread again.”

“That’s so great. Saturday is supposed to be a little overcast but I’ll be heading over there anyway. I wanted to talk to you about something. A lady I met when I was in Cap City is visiting with her husband and I’m having a little dinner party on Friday night for them.”

“So who is this lady Bobbie, is it the Prime Minister or something?”

Bobbie smiled. “Not this time. It’s Katherine Fox and her husband.”

“I know that name. She runs a big oil company doesn’t she?”

“She does but she’s interesting and has befriended me. She’s really wants to learn more about knitting and see the motel. I was hoping you’d come to dinner and make her feel at home. I need to figure out what her husband is into as well.”

“Maybe I can take the old guy golfing or fishing while you guys hit the yarn store, the art gallery and high tea.”

“Maybe Brose can join you.”

Johnny grinned. “So that’s what you’re worried about. The more the merrier, Bobbie. Maybe they just want to hit a pub and throw darts.”

Bobbie took a tray out to the balcony and they dined alfresco after the ribs were browned. Fossy joined them wearing his little harness connected to a long lead that had to be untangled a couple times. They sat back in the two reclining chairs and sipped wine.

“So do you want to play a couple of songs on the stage on Saturday? We can drag a couple little amps over and have a pretty good sound, I figure.”

“Sure, we’ll be over there early anyway. You sure did a lot of work for them.”

“After we dropped you off, Brit and I went back and a couple of Chucks buddies were there. Dorey and Brit painted and I kinda told the guys what to do. It went pretty fast. I have soccer practice early so I think we should go inside.” He scooped up Fossy. Bobbie loaded up the tray and Johnny held the door. The pressure cooker was already clean so all she had to do was put the left overs in the fridge and scrape the food off the plates into the compost and load them in the dishwasher.

“Good night Bobbie”

“Se ya Johnny.” She locked the door behind him.

She got ready for bed and texted Brose a good night. And fell asleep before he answered.

Thursday Bobbie woke early, fed the cat and thought about her day. She had some nervous energy and it was too early for breakfast so she went for a little run. She got back showered and went down to the restaurant. Mark was there and Chase and Mink joined her.

“So how is your renovation going?”

Mink shook their head. “We have all the problems. Asbestos, lead paint and black mold. We are keeping the remediation companies in Crow Harbour afloat with our business. We had a hole in our roof and animals got in. We should have everything and everybody cleaned up by August. Then the renovation can begin.”

“I hope you have clear sailing for the rest. Is there anything I should know about around here?”

“No, all staff seem to be on track for the week.”

Bobbie thanked them and went to talk to Mark. He was making scrambled eggs for his breakfast bar. “Those look good Mark. Have you had any trouble tracking down some nice cuts of beef.”

“Well, I got a deal so I think beef sandwiches are going to be on the lunch menu for a while.”

“Thanks Mark.” She went over to the other building to chat with Lacey and maybe Trixie. Lacey said that the Oceanbright High School Choir was going to sing a few songs in the gallery tomorrow afternoon.

“We’ll get a chance to test out the acoustics in this place. I have a visitor I might bring to hear the concert.”

“Trixie told me about your visitor and she arranged the concert.”

Bobbie smiled. “Thanks Lacey.”

She saw it was noon and decided to go back to her apartment and have leftovers. After lunch she cleaned up and went to find a welcome basket for Katherine. First stop was the wicker store and she found a nice large basket. Then she drove to her favourite yarn store. She picked out some more linen for cloths more needles and a knitting magazine. She also found a book written by Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee an author she knew that wrote anecdotes about knitting that related to life. She thanked the lady and headed to a candy store. She bought 2 boxes of fancy chocolate truffles and a pretty tin of mint candies. Then she hit the grocery store for arrowroot cookies, cheese, crackers pepperoni sticks and some cheap and cheerful flowers. She had an extra vase at home as well as a nice cloth to line the basket. Then she bought the wine. Chase gave her a note with the name of nice but not too pricey Chilean wine that would go with the dinner. She decided to get two cases of 12 and had them carried to her car. That was everything she really needed. She went home and made up the basket and ran down to the restaurant to get a small charcuterie. Now Brose would have a little snack if he was peckish after his flight.

She checked her phone and the flight was on time and she had 2 more hours to kill. She went to her office and found some nice yarn for Eddie’s socks and sat down to get a start on them. A toe and 1 inch of the foot later it was time to get Brose.

A short time later she was standing at Arrivals watching people approach the luggage carousel. She caught site of Ambrose and her heart leapt a bit and then she saw he was not alone. He had his assistant Brock with him.

She pretended not to skip a beat. “Hello gentlemen, How was the flight?” She hugged Brose casually and grasped Brock’s hand and kissed the air beside his cheek. As they made their way to the parking lot Bobbie texted Trixie. “Brose AND his assistant Brock arrived. If you’re still in the office, care to join us for a night cap?” Trixie texted back that she’d be there in 30.

Bobbie parked in the back and they went up to the apartment in the elevator.

“This elevator is huge. I’ve never seen a domestic elevator with a bench and a potted plant.” Said Brock.

“It used to be a freight elevator. My mom had it redone for me as a house warming gift.” They stepped into the apartment. Brose went right over to put his things in Bobbies room and left Brock standing there looking at Bobbie. “You can stay in this guest room down here Brock.”

“Thanks Bobbie, I was thinking I’d be renting a room but I’m happy to stay in the guest room if it’s no trouble.”

“Of course it’s no trouble and here’s what we call our Stay Bag. It may make your stay more comfortable. My friend Trixie is joining us for a night cap so I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

Bobbie walked back to the kitchen thinking. I’d have reserved a room for you if I’d had a bit of advanced notice. Trixie arrived with some papers for Bobbie to sign and before Brock and Brose came out Bobbie said. “Now I have 11 for dinner Trixie. I need another person at be a dinner companion for Brock.”

“I can ask Lacey if she’s free. She’s not in a relationship right now. I think she may like girls but she’s be fine to even out a dinner party.” Bobbie nodded and Trixie texted as she spoke. “She’s in. Greg and I can bring her.”

“This is my first sit down dinner party in this apartment.” Said Bobbie as she moved over to the fridge to get out the charcuterie board and wine glasses. Brose and Brock came in and each took a glass of wine as Bobbie poured.

“Brock, this is my cousin, best friend and financial advisor, Trixie McNally”

“And I Am Brock Jones, Ambrose’s assistant”

“Trixie worked for Bridges and Floyd. She was in line to run their North American office and when she didn’t take it, they closed the office entirely.” Said Brose.

“Oh yes, I read your articles in the Post, It’s nice to meet you Trixie.

They chatted a bit more and then Trixie slid the paperwork towards Bobbie. Here’s a few notes about a request for another wedding that we got. I wrote most of it out. But can you get a good spreadsheet and a few procedures drawn up for this Bobbie? I think we can do this now.”

“I’ll go though it before bed tonight and I can think about it.”

“Thanks for the night cap and It was nice to see you all but I need to get back to Thurston manor. I will see you all tomorrow.”

“Please excuse me too, I have some notes to review myself. Thanks for the hospitality Bobbie.”

“Good night Brock.”

Bobbie and Ambrose were finally alone. Ambrose was playing with Fossy and Bobbie said. “You’ll get him all worked up just before bed.”

“He’s not the only one who is worked up.”

“I was pretty worked up. Then a surprise visitor was sprung on me and kind of put a damper on things.”

“I’m sorry Bobbie, I meant to tell you but…”

Bobbie jumped off her chair and kissed him before he could finish. “It’s a good thing I’m so happy to see you.”

“So I’m forgiven? Are you ready to get worked up now?”

“I Have notes for an event to go over.” Said Bobbie, walking towards her room.

“I have briefings to read too.” Said Brose, sounding a little deflated.