“It’s not for everyone,” Gina agreed. “I love it here, but I’ve had a few times where I’ve wondered too, like when the boats aren’t running. I had to go to a funeral a few months ago and almost didn’t make it off-island. I got on the last plane before they stopped flying and then had to rent a car in Hyannis. It was stressful.”
“Do you see yourself staying here now? Or do you still think you might want to move back to Boston?”
“I love it here. I think it would be hard to live in Boston again after being here. It’s a special place.”
Jared smiled. “It is. Are you working tonight? I just noticed the time and we should probably get going. It’s after three.” They both had to be in by four.
“Oh, I didn’t realize it was so late.” Gina stood and grabbed their empty coffee cups and dropped them in the trash.
“How did you get here? I think you said you were going to walk? I drove, so I can give you a ride home if you like. That will save you some time.”
“I did walk and I’d love that, thanks.”
She followed Jared to his Jeep which was parked by the supermarket. She climbed in and a few minutes later, he pulled into her driveway.
“I had a really fun time. Thank you for making sure I experienced Nantucket Stroll.”
“I’m glad you came. It was fun for me too. See you at work.”
Chapter 5
Jill glanced out the big bay window at Mimi’s Place and marveled at the size of the crowds streaming by. Christmas Stroll felt even busier than summertime because it was so concentrated over one weekend. She and Billy had checked it out the day before, Friday afternoon, before heading in for their first shift. The fun holiday activities had put both of them in a festive mood. And she’d been impressed by how well Billy picked things up at the reservations desk. He’d once worked at a restaurant briefly during college, and even though that was years ago, it came right back to him. She could hear him now as he greeted Connie Boyle and two of her girlfriends who by the looks of their outfits, were done caroling for the day.
“Don’t you ladies look beautiful and so festive. We have a table by the window that I think you’ll enjoy. You can watch the Christmas crowds strolling by.”
“That sounds perfect! You must be Billy, Jill’s husband.”
Jill smiled at the surprise in Billy’s voice when he answered.
“Why yes, I am.”
“I thought so. I’m Connie Boyle, one of the regulars here, and I was a friend of the girls’ grandmother. Mandy said you’d be working this weekend.”
“We’re actually here through New Year’s Eve, so you might see even more of me.” He turned on the charm as only Billy could, and the three ladies beamed at him as he led them to their table. He handed them menus and they looked up as Stacy, one of their servers came over.
“You’re in good hands now. Enjoy your lunch, ladies.”
It was really more of an early dinner as it was a quarter to four, which was kind of an in-between time when service was slow and they normally changed shifts and got ready for the evening service. But, today was different. Billy, Jill and Emma were all working double shifts, while Mandy was taking the kids to the Stroll. The lunch service had been mobbed earlier, as expected. Even now, there were a few scattered tables throughout the dining room, but it was much quieter. Jill smiled to herself, thinking that it was like the calm before the storm. The bar was almost empty—there was just one older couple having Irish coffees. Jill had worked the bar by herself for lunch, as Gina was off experiencing the stroll for the first time. She was due in any minute and the bar would be much busier in the evening.
The window table where Connie and her friends were sitting was in earshot of the bar and while Jill cut fruit to prep for the evening shift, she couldn’t help overhearing their conversation with Stacy.
“Hello, dear. Have you had a chance to take your kids to stroll yet?” Connie asked.
“Yes, we went earlier today, so they could all sit on Santa’s lap. And Connie, I really owe you a thank you. John was hired by The Lawson Group yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s marvelous news! You don’t need to thank me for that, though.”
Stacy smiled. “Yes, I do. I know you said something to Mandy, because I hadn’t. And she sent John’s resume to Cory Lawson. It’s much appreciated.”
Connie beamed. “Well, I’m so glad it worked out, dear.”
Stacy took their order as a customer came to the bar and Jill went over to say hello.
Ten minutes later, Mandy walked in and stopped by the bar to say hello to Jill.
“Are you ready for the mad rush? They should start pouring in soon.”
Jill smiled. “I’m ready. Did you have fun with the kids today?”
“Yes, they loved it. Especially the cookie decorating and eating. Thanks again for covering for me.”
“Of course. So, I just overheard that Cory hired Stacy’s husband. That’s great news, and a little surprising. Is he turning into a softy suddenly?”
Mandy laughed, “Hardly. I was worried that he wouldn’t be able to add another person, but he seemed excited when he saw John’s resume and told me this morning that he hired him almost without talking to him. He has a unique skillset and Cory knows people at the company John worked at. He did a backdoor reference and they raved about him. Cory said he expects that John will help make the company a lot of money.”
Jill nodded. “Now that sounds more like Cory. I’m glad it worked out. Stacy is really sweet.”
“She is. Oh, I’d better run, they’re starting to come in.”
Jill glanced toward the front desk where Billy was grabbing a stack of menus to seat a family, and there was another party of three people waiting behind them. As Mandy left to help, she passed Gina on her way in. Gina’s cheeks were pink from the cold and her long black hair was up in a ponytail, tied with a red velvet ribbon. Like Jill, she was wearing a crisp, white button-down shirt, black pants and a black apron.
“Love the hair tie, you look very festive. What did you think of Stroll?”
Gina smiled. “It was great. I get it now. I’m glad I went.”
They didn’t have much time to chat after that as the bar filled up with people waiting for their reservations or walk-ins hoping they could eat at the bar.
Jill recognized a lot of people from the year she spent working at the restaurant and most of them remembered her too and said they were glad to see her home for the holidays. She was impressed by what a good job her sisters and Paul had done since she’d gone back to Manhattan. Mimi’s Place had so many loyal regulars now and business was booming.
“Jill, Mandy mentioned you were back in town! Nice to see you.” Kate Hodges and her sister Abby were at the bar waiting to order drinks. Their sister, Kristen waved from the other side of the room where she was standing with her boyfriend, Tyler and Kate and Abby’s husbands, Jack and Jeff.
“Hey, great to see you all too! Billy and I are here through the holidays. It’s nice to be home. What can I get for you?”
Kate placed their order, and Jill quickly poured their drinks and set them on the counter. Kate gathered a few of them up while Abby stayed to pay the bill and carry the rest.