Read The Inn at Angel Island for Free Online

somewhere on the island?”
    Marion laughed. “Daisy Winkler runs the tea shop across the square. Just knock on the door. She’s usually in there, even if the place isn’t officially open . . . Hey, aren’t you Liza Martin, Elizabeth Dunne’s niece?”
    “Yes, I am. I didn’t think you’d recognize me after all this time, so I didn’t introduce myself,” Liza explained, feeling a bit embarrassed at the lapse. She had easily recognized Marion and Walter, who had not changed very much since her childhood. Her explanation was partly true, but Liza had also wanted to avoid getting bogged down in small talk. Now she couldn’t avoid it.
    “It’s good to see you, dear. I heard you were coming back for a visit,” Marion confided. “Claire North mentioned it when she was in here shopping yesterday.”
    For the chowder ingredients, Liza realized. That figured.
    “I almost didn’t recognize you,” Marion admitted. “You’ve changed so much since I saw you last.”
    Liza wasn’t sure when that was. Or what to say. Was that a compliment or a comment on how little she’d been around to visit her aunt?
    “It’s been a while,” Liza replied vaguely. “This place looks the same though, exactly the way I remember it.”
    Marion smiled widely. “Seems to work for us. If it ain’t broke—”
    “Don’t break it,” her husband finished with a laugh. Something about that was wrong, but Liza wasn’t about to take the time to figure it out. “How long are you staying?” he asked.
    “Are you going to open the inn this summer?” Marion added, before Liza could answer the first question.
    They both looked at her expectantly. Liza was put on the spot. All she wanted was a fax machine. How had she gotten into this conversation?
    “Actually, my brother and I are putting the place up for sale.”
    “Really?” Marion seemed shocked.
    Walter wiped down the counter with a paper towel. “There’ll be a lot of that going on pretty soon. Can’t say I’m surprised.”
    With all the improvements on the north side of the island going on, he meant. But Liza didn’t want to start in on that topic either. She had lost enough time and had to get back to the hunt.
    “Well, guess I’ll try Daisy. Thanks for your help,” Liza said.
    “I don’t know that we helped you very much.” Marion sounded genuinely concerned. It was very kind, considering that they were practically strangers.
    “Good luck.” Walter’s expression made her heart sink.
    Liza sighed out loud. Her head was pounding, maybe because she hadn’t eaten a bite or even had a sip of coffee. Caffeine deprivation could be ugly. “May I have a pack of those pain tablets, please?” she asked, pointing to the brand she wanted.
    “Sure thing. Here you go.” Marion handed them across the counter.
    “How much will that be?” Liza opened her purse.
    “Oh, they’re on the house. I hope you feel better. You’re not having such a good day so far, are you?”
    “No, I’m not,” Liza admitted.
    “Well, I hope it gets better. Just remember, don’t sweat the small stuff—and it’s all small stuff,” Marion added in a jaunty tone.
    Liza nodded but didn’t reply. She really hated those cheery little inspirational slogans. People who said them either had to be in deep denial or were just plain lying.
    She stepped outside and blinked at the strong sunlight. The day was chilly but fair. No sign of rain. That was a plus. At least the bridge would be open.
    “Don’t sweat the small stuff ”? What was that supposed to mean? This wasn’t small stuff. This was big stuff. Liza had worked so hard and come so far. She wasn’t going to let herself be beaten out steps from the finish line. Not if she had to swim to the mainland with the sketches between her teeth.
    Liza retrieved a water bottle from her car, downed her headache pills, and surveyed the tiny town center. Right next to the General Store, she spotted a storefront window covered by a red first aid symbol.