Thurs July 18

Bobbie poured her morning coffee and thought about Trixie’s departure. She was comfortable running the motel by herself but she did feel a little lonely. Maybe Trixie filled the space left by Alex and she was missing Alex again. Where did Ambrose fit in? She shook her head and decided to make a date with Joan to talk about her niece’s wedding on October 12. They had everything booked and were meeting with the wedding planner and wanted to keep Joan in the loop.

Joan answered her text. “I’d love to see you. I’ll meet you at the Treat Shoppe at noon.”

Bobbie decided to take a quick tour around to check on staff. She walked over to the Reception area first. Joe was behind the desk and Quinn was sitting on the desk talking to him, holding a baby in front of her, in a Snugli. Ray had the other baby and was over with Lacey and Aunt Bride in the gallery.

Bobbie walked over to greet Bride.“Hi Guys, Is Aunt Bride going to have a show?”

“I represent several native artists and Lacey is interested in our work.”

“I am looking for a long term local exhibit to feature and if we can work together and get it put together really well, it could travel. Other gallery’s are always looking for temporary exhibits. Ray might be able to help us with welding some staging for the project.”

“That sounds cool, do you think you could sell things in the little shop too? I really want to buy some lovely earrings and a pretty beaded pouch that is just big enough to hold a phone, like you gave Trixie.”

Aunt Bride laughed. “Come over for Sunday dinner sometime and I will give you some earrings.”

“Maybe we could make a trade. Aunt Bride, do you like knitted socks?” Bobbie hugged her and waved goodbye and went back to see Quinn, Joe and Cora, maybe.

“Is this Edie or Cora?”

“Hi Bobbie, It’s Cora we can tell them apart now, because Cora has this tiny fold in her ear.”

“Oh, I can see it. Are you getting bored and itching to come back to work?”

“I’m hoping that I still have a job since Trixie is gone and there is no office to run anymore.”

“Don’t worry we have events to organize and more Boardroom rentals that need managing. Is everything going well, Joe?”

“Yes Bobbie, the regular rooms are pretty busy and the two suites we have available seem to fill up on weekends, sometime carrying over to Monday. I’ve blocked off one suite and 2 rooms for the wedding that’s coming up in October. Quinn, you can take over organizing special events too. It’s taken all week to make sure the tables are rented, the staff are available and we have the rooms.”

“Thanks Joe. Maybe we should buy our own tables and banquet chairs. I don’t really have space to store a lot more stuff though. Maybe in the empty offices, ha ha.”

She went back up to her home her office and booted up the two computers she would need. She wanted to review what Trixie had shown her and she really wanted to get dealing with finances, into her routine. She liked to connect with her staff first thing in the morning so right after that was a good time. Trixie had records of all the financial transactions in a special software on one computer and Bobbie was determined to understand it and keep it all up to date. By lunchtime she could add and delete transactions and figured Trixie (or Marshall) could help her run monthly reports. She saved her work and quickly freshened up and headed to the Treat Shoppe to see Joan.

Joan was there and she stood and hugged Bobbie. “Hi Bobbie I’ve been so busy, I haven’t made it out to the motel to see you.”

“Oh that goes two ways Joan. I didn’t reach out or visit you either.”

“I remember how crazy it is to run a restaurant I can’t imagine how you run a whole motel.”

“I have really good staff. They practically organize themselves.”

“I’m sure you got the ball rolling. I must ask, how are the arrangements for my niece’s wedding going?”

“I’m really just supplying the venue and the rooms. I’m not sure if they are choosing my kitchen or a caterer but the staff are ready. Right now we are scrambling to get ready to have our Chili stall at the market and hold an event for Planned Parenthood this weekend. My mum is on the board. Mostly it is a meet and greet before their national conference and we are trying to get that ready for Saturday evening.”

“You’ll have decorations, a bar and hors d’oeuvres for them?”

“That’s right we are having less than a full bar, only supplying a wine service. We just had Trixie’s going away party so we know how to transform the gallery. For this event, the art in the gallery is the backdrop anyway. It’s will be easier since there is no sit down meal.”

“You are moving into special events really quickly. I wanted to talk to you about something else. So I am retiring from the Community College. I’ve done what I set out to do there and now I need to make space for someone with newer, better ideas.”

“You turned that program around, you graduate accomplished chefs, who can start their own restaurants and everything.”

“Yes, thank you. I’m having a little party to celebrate over at the Yacht Club on the 24 and was hoping you could come. And maybe bring that important boyfriend if he’s in town.”

“Ha, you saw us on the news didn’t you? I don’t think he’ll be in town so I may have to bring Barb as my date.”

“I’d love to see Barb as well.”

They ate their lunch and chatted about the niece’s wedding and finally Joan explained that she was trying to set up a catering business as her retirement project and she would try to handle the catering for her niece’s wedding.

“That’s wonderful Joan. You can use our kitchen and I can make sure we can do the serving so you can take part in the festivities.”

“I’m planning an upscale buffet so that should reduce serving staff.”

“We have plenty of time to work that all out. Thanks for lunch Joan I should get back to my garden and help Mark work some of the early fresh veggies into our lunch menu. You should stop by our tea service for our strawberry shortcake.”

Bobbie left and went back to the motel. She wanted to check with Mark about the food for the gala. When she got there, everyone was running around prepping for high tea and there were about a dozen people milling around the art Gallery, on the other side waiting.

Very short tea biscuits were coming out of the oven. “Are those for strawberry shortcakes?” She grabbed a clean spoon and tasted the muddled strawberries. “These are going to be good.”

Gina was whipping cream and Mark was splitting the biscuits. “Yes, they are on the small side, about 2 inches in diameter, they only cooked for 10 minutes on a doubled up cookie sheet. I’m serving them in little fruit nappies and testing them out because I think they will work for the gala. For the gala we may combine fresh strawberry jam with masrcapone and pipe them on the biscuit halves and they’d be finger food.”

Sipho was just sealing up the pressure cooker. “I’m cooking beans for the chili and we have fresh tomatoes and chopped spinach too. Some loaves are proofing for garlic bread. Next, I’ll put on my white coat and take the desserts out for the high tea. We’ve got this Bobbie.”

“You guys are great. I could get the coffee and tea ready.” Bobbie busied herself rinsing her samovars with hot water and filling them with coffee and tea. She pushed the trolley out to the dining room, filled a silver coffee pot and served the first guest.

Mink glided over and purred. “I’ll serve the coffee Bobbie.” Bobbie nodded and went to the other samovar, filled a silver tea pot and followed. When everyone had their hot drinks she went back to the trolley and set down the tea. She still had almost a full pot so she grabbed an extra large take out cup, filled it with tea, helped herself to a little strawberry shortcake and went back though the kitchen.

“It’s time for my tea break, I’ll see you guys later.” Things were quieter so she headed up to her apartment to relax and sip her tea.