Bethany arrived earlier than usual the next day. She was hoping to catch Ryder alone before the rest of the staff arrived so she could have a serious conversation with him about the financial health of the restaurant. She was admittedly a bit nervous to ask such sensitive questions, so she’d baked another batch of zen muffins, going even heavier on the lavender and ginger to help put Ryder in a more receptive mood. She’d noticed that he’d eaten every last crumb of the last batch she’d brought in, as had the rest of the family.

His door was ajar as she approached it and lightly knocked.

“Come in.”

She stepped inside and was dismayed to see his mother and sister already there too, sipping coffee and all looking quite serious.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything,” Bethany said and took a step backwards while Ryder and Maggie exchanged glances. Finally, his mother broke the ice by reaching for a muffin.

“So thoughtful of you dear to bring more of these delicious treats in for us. Why don’t you have a seat and join us?”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Maggie said.

“Yes, I’m sure. Bethany is the chef here, she should know more about what’s going on.”

Ryder sighed. “You’re right. Bethany, please pull up a chair and thank you for bringing muffins. Are these the same ones you made before?”

She smiled. “Yes, these are my zen muffins. I tweaked the recipe a little.”

Both Ryder and Maggie eagerly reached for a muffin. Bethany had already had one, so she just sat sipping her coffee and wondering what they’d been discussing.

“You haven’t really missed anything yet,” his mother said. “Ryder was just going over the monthly numbers and projected forecasts for the coming weeks. We’re a little below where we’d like to be.”

“That’s an understatement,” Maggie said.

Ryder looked up from his spreadsheets and met her gaze straight on. “Our sales are down, way down from where they used to be. Gary, our old chef, had let things slide and we’ve lost some of our customers to other restaurants in the area.”

“But now that Bethany’s here, they’ll come back,” his mother said. She didn’t seem overly concerned. But both Ryder and Maggie looked worried and Bethany didn’t blame them. She’d seen more than one place have to close during a slowdown when they couldn’t keep up with the daily expenses of running a restaurant.

“Bethany has only been here for a week. It may take a while before word gets out that the food here is really good again,” Ryder said. He ran a hand through his hair and kept tapping a finger against his papers. It was a nervous habit she remembered from when they used to date. He got fidgety when he was stressed out.

“Are you open to suggestions?” she asked quietly.

“Why, have you run a restaurant before?” Ryder snapped.

“Ryder….” His mother cautioned.

He sighed. “I’m sorry. Yes, of course we’re open to any suggestions.”

“Well, I haven’t run a restaurant before, but I was always involved in these kinds of meetings and I have seen a few things that worked to get the word out and turn things around. Do you do any advertising?”

“We have a radio ad that runs every weekend and a display ad in the weekly paper.”

“Okay, and I’m guessing your budget is fully allocated?”

He laughed. “There’s no extra money, if that’s what you mean.”

“That’s what I figured. I’d suggest making a few changes, if you are open to them. I’d stop the radio ads and I’d put that money into printing coupons that you can give to area hotels for money off their meal, maybe $5 off or something like that. And I’d change your newspaper ads to highlight daily deal specials, like burger Wednesday and Prime Rib Thursday. That kind of thing.”

“You want us to switch from radio ads to coupons?” Ryder looked skeptical.

“Radio is expensive and you might see a better ROI from the coupons. People that stay at the inn will be looking for places to dine and that discount will get them in the door.”

“I like the idea of the daily deals. Comfort food classics that are family friendly cheap eats,” his mother said.

“Exactly. Both of these things have worked really well for some of the places I’ve worked at.”

“It’s worth a shot, maybe. And it won’t cost us any more than we’re already spending,” Maggie said.

“Okay, we can try it out. Thank you.” Ryder reached for a second muffin and Bethany was happy to see that he seemed to be in a better mood already. “Oh, what was it you were coming to see me about?”

Bethany smiled. “This actually. I just wanted to learn more about how the restaurant was doing.”

His mother reached for another muffin and smiled. “We’re doing much better now that you’re here, dear.”

Maggie turned at the sound of the front door opening. “I think that’s my liquor delivery. I’ll catch up with you all later.”

His mother stood and stretched. “I should be on my way as well.”

“Where are you off to?” Ryder asked.

“I’m going to visit with Bethany’s mother for a bit. She invited me over for tea.”

Ryder looked as surprised as Bethany felt.

“I didn’t realize that you two were friendly,” he said. Bethany didn’t either but kept quiet, curious to hear what his mother would say.

“We’ve been friends for a number of years now. We’re also in the same book club. Bonnie hasn’t been up to going lately, so we’re going to chat about the book and anything else we feel like gossiping about.”

Ryder smiled. “Well, have fun then, and please give her my regards.”

“I’ll do that. And Ryder, get on that advertising stuff today. I never did like that radio commercial much.”

He grinned. “I never did either.”

After the lunch rush died down, Ryder visited with Maggie at the bar while she restocked and got the bar ready for the evening shift. She had the night off and was going out with friends to the other pub in town, O’Shea’s, where Ivy was going to be singing with a friend’s band. It was her first time playing there, and she was a little nervous. Maggie wanted to go and support her and tried to recruit Ryder too.

“So, you’ll come by, at least for the last set? They’ll probably go on again around nine.”

“I should be able to manage that. Mom called earlier too, to remind me.” Ryder stayed until closing most nights, but he really didn’t have to. His assistant manager, Paul, was more than capable of closing things down. Ryder just usually liked to do it himself, especially after what happened with Gary and Suzanne.

He was pouring himself a glass of water when he noticed an older man about his mother’s age walking toward them.

“You must be Ryder? And Maggie?” He glanced at his sister and Ryder tried to place him, but he had no idea who the man was.

“Yes, and you are?”

“Harry. Harry Peterman. I’m actually here to see your mother. Is she in?”

Maggie raised her eyebrows. It was clear that she had no idea who the guy was either.

“No. She’s not. I can tell her you came by though.”

“Oh dear. I was hoping she’d be in. Yes, of course. Let me give you a card. He fished in his pocket and drew out a thick ivory business card. It had his name and his business, Peterman Productions. Whatever that was.

“Please ask her to call me. It’s been many years since I’ve seen her, but at one time we had a strong friendship. I’ve just recently moved back to the area.”

“I’ll let her know as soon as I see her,” Ryder said.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Maggie spoke. “What was that about? Did mom have some kind of mystery life that we never knew about? What do you suppose Peterman Productions is?”

Ryder shook his head. “I have no idea. Funny that he knew our names though.”

Maggie looked thoughtful. “Right. He must be an old friend or something.” A mischievous look crossed her face. “Speaking of old friends. I noticed you and Natalie Palmer were chatting up a storm last night. Anything brewing there?”

“With Natalie? No.”

“Well, she’s single now, and available. She looked as though she wouldn’t mind.”

“Natalie is just lonely and recently divorced. She’s a sweet girl.” He’d always been fond of her.

“She’s gorgeous too.”

“I suppose.” As pretty as Natalie was, she wasn’t his type. Natalie was glamorous and turned heads wherever she went. Ryder preferred a softer, quieter beauty.

“You should take her on a date. See if there are any sparks there.”

Maggie didn’t usually push this hard. “Why do you care if I date Natalie?”

“Oh, I just thought she might be good for you. You were giving me a hard time, but truth is you haven’t dated anyone seriously in a long time either.”

Since Bethany. 

“Natalie’s not my type.”

“Who is then? Bethany?” and there it was. Maggie was worried that he might try to get back together with Bethany.

“I take it you wouldn’t approve?”

Maggie glared at him for a moment, her lips pressed in a thin line. Finally, she sighed. “No. I wouldn’t. I saw what it did to you the last time she went away. I don’t want to see that happen again. Do you really think she’s not going to run back to New York as soon as her mother is healthy again?”

“She says she’s not, but I don’t really know. There’s not much here for her.”

“No, there’s not,” Maggie agreed. “I’d hate to see you hurt again, that’s all.”

He and Maggie were super close, and he appreciated her concern.

“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m keeping my distance.”

“Good.” She poured herself a glass of diet soda and took a big sip. “So, we’ll see you sometime between eight and nine?”

“I’ll be there.”