Harbor Street (Cedar Cove #5)(29)

The crowd roared with approval.

Blushing, Charlotte stepped forward and with Ben at her side, cut the ribbon.

“Now we’d like everyone to come in for a tour of the facility. And please, help yourself to refreshments.”

The small podium was quickly moved and the double glass doors opened wide as a stream of visitors flowed in.

Corrie and Roy paused to chat with friends along the way. Jack’s photographer took dozens of pictures, but Corrie was sure the photograph on the front page would be of Charlotte and Ben cutting the ribbon. She had to give the mayor credit. He was a savvy politician to surrender the honor to Charlotte and Ben Rhodes. That had probably earned him more votes than anything he might have said.

Corrie chatted with Peggy Beldon while she waited for the crowd to diminish so she could talk to her daughter. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Gloria Ashton, Linnette’s neighbor, deep in conversation with Dr. Timmons. She’d recently met her when she’d visited Linnette to drop off a casserole. Corrie noticed the way Linnette’s gaze followed her newfound friend, as if sizing up the competition. Oh, dear. That could be a problem. Although Corrie had only met Gloria the one time, she’d liked her and hoped that Linnette and her neighbor would become good friends.

“Who’s that?” Roy asked, nodding toward Gloria.

Linnette had walked over to Gloria and Dr. Timmons and joined in the conversation. Corrie saw Dr. Timmons’s quick frown, as if he resented the intrusion. This definitely wasn’t a good sign.

“Do you know her?” Roy asked again.

“That’s Linnette’s neighbor. She works for the sheriff’s office in Bremerton.”

Roy didn’t say anything. “What makes you ask?” she prodded.

“No reason.”

Roy was probably thinking the same thing as Corrie. Their daughter had a major crush on this doctor. Corrie couldn’t remember hearing Linnette more excited than the day she’d learned the clinic had hired Chad Timmons.

“Come on,” Corrie said, taking her husband’s hand. “Let’s go talk to Linnette.”

“In a minute,” Roy said, frowning as he watched his daughter interact with the small group. “What do you know about this guy she’s so keen on?”

“Just what she told me. Roy, good grief, give the girl a chance. She’s got a mind of her own and she isn’t going to appreciate your interference.”

“Is that so?” Roy teased.

“Absolutely.”

Roy smiled again. “How’d her date go with that bachelor you paid top dollar for?”

His comment hit its mark. “Touché,” she murmured. The dinner was a major disappointment in Corrie’s view. Apparently Linnette’s evening had been enjoyable enough; in fact, according to her daughter, it’d been a better experience than she’d expected. But as far as Corrie knew, Cal Washburn hadn’t phoned her for a second date. Sadly, she wasn’t entirely convinced Linnette would accept if he did.

“Then I guess we should make this young doctor’s acquaintance.” With his hand at the small of her back, Roy steered Corrie toward the group.

The three stopped chatting when Corrie and Roy approached. “Mom, Dad,” Linnette said, smiling broadly. All that was missing was a trumpet fanfare. “This is Dr. Timmons.”

The physician exchanged handshakes with Roy and Corrie. “Pleased to meet you,” he said politely.

“I think Linnette’s mentioned your name,” Corrie told him, downplaying her daughter’s interest. “Did you attend classes together?”

“Not really,” Chad said. “We met at the hospital where Linnette did her practical training.”

“And this is Gloria Ashton,” Linnette inserted, smiling at her father. “We live in the same apartment complex. Gloria, meet my dad, Roy McAfee.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Roy said.

Gloria nodded. “Same here.”

After a moment’s silence, Dr. Timmons said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’d better do some more mingling.” He grinned at Gloria. “I’d be interested in following up on our conversation,” he said, then glanced self-consciously at Linnette. “Could I give you a call sometime?”

His question went unanswered and there was an uncomfortable silence.

“Oh—yes, I’m sorry,” Gloria said. “I’d like that.”

Linnette’s face fell, but she recovered quickly. With a strained smile, she ushered her parents toward the interior of the clinic. “Come on, Mom and Dad. I’ll give you a personal tour.”

Corrie wasn’t fooled. She could sense trouble brewing between Linnette and her new friend over the handsome Dr. Timmons.

Fifteen

Cecilia liked Rachel Pendergast right away. They talked for a few minutes before the beautician seated her and draped the plastic cape around her. Rachel had a friendly, down-to-earth manner that Cecilia found appealing. Ian had suggested she introduce herself to Warrant Officer Nate Olsen’s girlfriend, so she’d scheduled an appointment. Cecilia was due for a haircut, anyway, and wasn’t opposed to trying out a new shop, especially one with such a good reputation.

Rachel turned the chair around so Cecilia faced the mirror. She combed through Cecilia’s thick hair and ran her fingers from beginning to end.