Grey stood, brushing any traces of lint from his pant legs. “Do you think Pamela and Fulton are going to be happy?”
“Yes, I do,” Meghan replied, setting her son down and reaching inside her closet for a light coat. “I was the one who was shocked when Pamela came over to tell us she was marrying Dr. Essary. I hope I was able to hide my surprise.”
“What I can’t figure out is why we didn’t realize it sooner. The two of them make the perfect couple, when you stop to think about it.”
“What amazes me is how falling in love has changed the two of them. They’re completely different people than when I first met them.”
“I’m completely different, too,” Grey reminded her. “Thanks to one sweet Irish miss who stole my heart and changed the way I view everything from Milton to French toast.”
Clinging to the skirt of his mother’s dress, Kramer Carlyle struggled into a standing position. Gurgling happily, he looked at his father and took two distinct steps, then promptly fell onto his padded bottom.
“I knew it all along,” Meghan said with a happy laugh. She leaned over and picked up her son. “We’ve got ourselves a little genius.”
Jo Marie Rose greets every guest at the Rose Harbor Inn with warmth, compassion, and delicious treats straight from the oven.
Whether they’re muffins, cookies, or cake, the sweet scents emanating from Jo Marie’s kitchen soothe even the most troubled of patrons.
Here’s a great recipe for homemade biscotti that she serves alongside a steaming cup of coffee for a comforting treat.
Jo Marie’s Sweet and Crunchy Biscotti
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon coconut or hazelnut extract
1 cup lightly toasted whole hazelnuts or almonds, chopped coarsely
Sift the dry ingredients together and set aside. With a mixer, cream the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, and then beat in the extracts. Add the flour mixture and then the nuts. Dough will be sloppy.
Butter and flour a 10″ × 15″ cookie sheet, or use parchment paper.
Divide the dough into thirds. On a well-floured board, shape each piece of dough into a log and transfer to the floured cookie sheet. Pat and shape each log until it is about 2 inches wide and 10 inches long. Arrange three logs on the sheet, leaving equal space between each.
Bake the logs in a preheated 325°F oven for 30 minutes (dough will spread as it bakes). Let logs cool on sheet on a rack for 10 minutes. Slice each log diagonally into the traditional biscotti shape, about ¾ inch thick. Arrange slices on a clean cookie sheet(s), cut slices down, and put back into 275°F oven for 10 minutes on each side. Repeat again as often as needed to dry out the slices without browning them. Cool on cookie racks; when cool, store in an airtight container.
If desired, melt baking chocolate and smear the entire bottom of the biscotti, or drizzle decorative lines over the top.
Welcome to Rose Harbor Inn
Dear Guest:
I’m thrilled that your travels have brought you to Cedar Cove so I can welcome you to Rose Harbor Inn!
Here is some information to help you make the most of your stay, be it short or long. And since I’m still getting the hang of all this, I do hope you’ll let me know if there is anything I can do differently or better to help make you more comfortable.
About the Inn
The first time I saw this breathtaking property, I fell in love and knew I’d found the new home of my dreams. Maybe it’s had the same effect on you.
The house itself was built in the early 1900s and was once owned by a prominent banking family in Cedar Cove before falling into a sad state of repair. A lovely couple, Sandy and John Frelinger, saw its potential as an inn and returned it to its former glory. Though I’ve added many of my own touches, the Frelingers deserve credit for rescuing this grand old house.
Once you’ve checked in and received a key to one of our eight guest rooms, you’ll probably want to unpack and unwind. Or maybe take in the breathtaking view from the wraparound porch. Feel free to stroll the grounds as well—but please forgive where the yard is torn up in spots. I’m planning to add a garden of antique roses with an arched entry, stone pathway, and maybe even a gazebo. It’s a special project of mine, and one I’ve had planned since opening the inn. But it’s still under construction.
Since your room key also opens the front door, feel free to come and go as you please. I don’t impose a fee for an early departure. I’ll be delighted if that’s one amenity you won’t find necessary.
Once you’ve settled in, please don’t hesitate for a second to find me if you need something or even just want to chat. If I’m not around, I’m likely on a quick errand down Harbor Street and will be back shortly. Perhaps I’m just down at the bakery for some sweet rolls, hot from the oven. Speaking of …
Dining at Rose Harbor Inn
My friend and fellow innkeeper Peggy Beldon warned me, rather bluntly, that running a bed-and-breakfast can be hard on the waistline. So I try not to sample too much of my own cooking and baking. Please indulge me in a little vicarious living through you!
I usually have breakfast ready and on the downstairs dining room table around eight o’clock. Even if you may think you’d like to sleep late, the aroma of baking often has a rousing effect. I always have piping hot coffee or, if you prefer, a selection of teas.
Guests often rave about my cheesy breakfast casserole. I served it to my very first visitors, along with fruit, homemade muffins, fried bacon, orange juice, and steel-cut oatmeal. The typical buffet is usually a variation of that menu. But you can always count on cooked-to-order eggs and a variety of homebaked treats.
As is often true of inns like Rose Harbor, many guests have gotten to know one another and even found new friends at the breakfast table. I hope you’ll have the same experience if that’s what you seek.
I make it a point to have refreshments available—a chocolate chip cookie (or three!) or a carrot-and-pineapple muffin—if you’re peckish in the afternoon. Closer to evening, you might find a plate of cheese and crackers and a bottle of wine, likely a malbec or merlot.
If a craving strikes, please let me know if there’s anything I can get you and I’ll do my best to accommodate. One of our guests recently enjoyed noodles from her favorite restaurant … all the way from Seattle!
From the Guestbook
Ask anyone who runs an inn and they’ll tell you that the most effective and economical form of advertising is word of mouth. As you’ve likely gleaned, I think Rose Harbor Inn is a special place. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s a selection of recent entries from my guestbook, including those from Josh and Abby, my very first guests.
“I was in town to take care of some family business. From the moment I stepped into Jo Marie’s inn, I felt welcome. The fireplace was lit, and I still remember the smell of fresh bread the instant I stepped through the door. The Rose Harbor Inn, along with reuniting with an old friend, helped ease the stress of my visit. I’m sure I’ll return. And not just because Jo Marie makes the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever eaten!”—Josh Weaver
“Jo Marie is the best! I left Cedar Cover a long time ago. A lot of stuff has changed around here.… I think mostly for the better. The people are amazing, and Jo Marie is a great addition to the town. I’m happy to be going back home to Florida with good memories of my stay. Thanks, Jo Marie! I’ll keep in touch for sure.” —Abby Kincaid
“Hi, Jo Marie! I wanted to say thank you for everything. My grandparents’ fiftieth-anniversary party was a huge success—I hope you’ll forgive us for making a bit of a scene. We couldn’t have found a bet
ter place to stay, and I’m looking forward to coming back … maybe when my grandparents celebrate their seventy-fifth anniversary. Or you never know, you might hear from me before then.”—Annie Newton
“Oh Jo Marie, I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful stay at your beautiful inn. Kent and I had an even better time than we expected at our anniversary celebration. And renewing our vows on the waterfront made me feel as young as when Kent proposed there. You opened your home and your heart to us, and I’m so grateful our granddaughter Annie found your lovely inn. After our chat with you on the porch, I’ll keep you in my thoughts. Thanks for all you did to help make our return to Cedar Cove a magical experience. We’re eternally grateful.”—Julie Shivers
“Thanks for everything, Jo Marie. Especially the butter and bacon. And we got engaged at the movie theater, not the waterfront.”—Kent Shivers
“Please ignore Kent, Marie. I tried to get him to erase what he wrote above, but it was in pen.”—Julie Shivers
“Jo Marie, you’re a real pro. Are you sure you’re new to innkeeping? You made our stay comfortable and memorable. Thanks again for being so flexible and saving a room on the ground floor for the Shivers. I’m off to the South Pacific soon.… I’m sure I won’t stay anywhere as amazing as your inn.”—Oliver Sutton
“I honestly thought I was going to regret staying at a bed-and-breakfast. But Jo Marie was so gracious and respectful of my privacy. She made me feel welcome and comfortable, going above and beyond to do so. Even something as simple as my favorite candy bar meant so much. Jo Marie, whether I’m home in New York or even back in Seattle, I’ll always be thankful for my stay at your inn. In so many ways, it was the trip of a lifetime.”—Mary Smith
About Cedar Cove
Located on the picturesque Kitsap Peninsula, our little town sits on a quaint cove across Puget Sound from Seattle.
There’s a dedicated parking area for guests at the inn. Since just about everything you’ll want to see is in easy walking distance from Rose Harbor Inn, you can leave your car and explore Cedar Cove on foot.
The visitor’s center is ideal as a first stop. There you’ll find plenty of information on what to do in the area. There are fun, unique events year-round. In springtime, you can try your vocal prowess at the annual Seagull Calling Contest. And the entire town turns out on summer Thursdays for Concerts on the Cove.
No matter what time of year you visit or what brings you to our close-knit community, you’ll find a warm welcome. We pride ourselves on it!
Around Town
While I hope you’ll spend much of your time relaxing at the inn, there are many local businesses that would be thrilled to welcome you. I’m also working on a binder with local restaurant menus and maps. So please let me know if you discover hidden gems!
Here are a few places of note:
I’m always ready to offer all my guests a fresh cup of hot coffee. But as we’re right across the sound from Seattle, your taste might run toward something more intricate than old-fashioned drip coffee. At the Java Joint, you can satisfy your craving for a latte or mocha—or even a concoction that tastes like cotton candy. Hopefully you’ll find Conner at the helm of the espresso machine when you’re there. He’s a thoughtful young man who was very kind to one of my recent guests.
Abby Kincaid fondly remembers the steamed dumplings at Wok and Roll from when she lived in Cedar Cove.
If you forget an essential toiletry or prescription, not to worry! The Harbor Street Pharmacy is close by. Patty is the pharmacist there, always ready to greet you like an old friend.
New to Harbor Street and already a local favorite is the Victorian Tea Room. It’s perfect for a light lunch on your own or as a rendezvous with that special someone. Also popular with the local chapter of the Red Hat Society.
The Candy Shop is the ideal place to satisfy an insatiable sweet tooth. Be on the lookout for their Seagull Plops, a local delicacy you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. If that’s your motto, then you’ll want to check out the Pink Poodle. It’s the kind of place with sawdust on the floor. Be aware that until the sign is repaired, you’ll need to look for the “INK P O LE.”
Everyone loves the Pancake Palace. And not just for breakfast, either. My handyman, Mark, recommends the coconut cream pie. See if you can sit in Goldie’s section—she’s been a waitress there seemingly forever.
Rebuilt after a devastating fire, the Lighthouse restaurant is back and as good as ever.
The Pot Belly Deli is the go-to place for delicious, hearty soups. It’s also a gathering place for the movers and shakers of Cedar Cove.
Whether you’re looking for flowers, a dry cleaner, or just about any other service, a quick stroll down Harbor Street will take you past a store that caters to your needs.
Neighbors
The residents of Cedar Cove have welcomed me into their community in a way that still warms my heart. I can’t tell you how many people, in the few months I’ve lived here, have walked right up to me to offer their best wishes. I’m hard at work planning an open house in hopes of meeting even more of my neighbors.
Here are a few of my friends you might see during your stay:
While we were both waiting in line at the bakery one day, Corrie McAfee was kind enough to introduce herself. She and her family, like me, moved to Cedar Cove from Seattle. Her husband is now a private detective after retiring from the police force. I’m sure he has some exciting stories to tell.
Bob and Peggy Beldon own the Tide and Thyme Bed-and-Breakfast on Cranberry Point. You’d think inn owners would see one another as competition. Far from it! We try to be very supportive of one another. In fact, I’m happy to recommend the Tide and Thyme when I’m short on rooms. I know Peggy will be as generous to her guests as she has been to me as I venture into this new career. She says fresh blueberries are the secret to her delicious muffins. I’m sure she has a few other secrets up her sleeve, too! I’m grateful to Peggy not only for all the dos and don’ts of operating Rose Harbor Inn, but also for being my new friend.
Peggy also put me in touch with Mark Taylor. You’re likely to see Mark coming and going during your stay. Thanks to him, the inn has a new mantel, new porch railing, and updated light fixtures. He’s also become one of my closest friends. Now, if he’d just finish that rose garden …
Hailey Tremont is a student at the local high school who works at the inn when we’re busy. You can find her assisting with housekeeping and generally being her sweet, helpful self.
Stylish Olivia Lockhart is a family court judge and also Grace Harding’s best friend—more on Grace in a second. After nearly everyone in town said I should meet these two women, they ended up introducing themselves to me at the Pot Belly Deli. Olivia’s husband is the editor of the town newspaper. I’m also quite fond of her mother. Every time I’ve met Charlotte, she’s had her knitting with her!
Grace Harding is the librarian and a fixture of Cedar Cove. She and I share some rather difficult life experiences. As a result, I felt close to her almost immediately. She’s always there when I need to talk. One very important warning: If you pay Grace a visit at the library, you’re likely to end up taking home more than just a good book. I have living proof of that dozing on the braided rug in front of my fireplace right now. Which brings me to …
You’ve no doubt met Rover. When Grace Harding suggested I adopt a dog from the shelter, I could think of a dozen reasons not to. What if guests have allergies? Do I have time to take care of a dog? Then I saw Rover, and it was love at first sight. Between his discipline problems and marked lack of a pedigree, no one at the shelter thought anyone would ever adopt him. But something makes me think we were meant to find each other. He’s brought me more joy than you’d imagine. Whether you find him barking hello at the front door or curled up in his favorite spot in front of the fireplace, I’m sure you’ll agree he found his place—just as I did—at Rose Harbor Inn.
About Y
our Innkeeper
Since you won’t see any roses around, you might be wondering about the inn’s name. Explaining why I chose Rose Harbor Inn will also tell you a bit about me and how I found myself in Cedar Cove.
“Rose” is more than simply my last name. It’s to honor my late husband. Paul Rose and I were married for less than a year before he was killed in action in Afghanistan. “Harbor” is because this is the place where I was meant to drop anchor and take refuge from the storm that followed his death. My friends said to give myself at least a year before I made any major life decisions. But six months later, I was still incapacitated by grief. After searching the entire country for a suitable place to begin the next phase of my life, imagine my surprise when I found what I was looking for in my own backyard.
Buying the inn just made sense. After all, I learned all about successful entertaining from my mother. So you might say hospitality runs in my blood.
Though Cedar Cove isn’t at all far from Seattle, where I formerly lived and worked, it can seem like a world away from the rush and crush of the big city. It’s a place that’s brought me solace and peace just when I needed it most. And no matter what’s brought you to Cedar Cove, I’d like to thank you for allowing me to open my home to you and give you a small sample of the same welcoming spirit I feel here every day.
My mission is to make Rose Harbor Inn a place of healing and peace for all my guests. And, of course, to do everything possible to ensure you have a pleasant stay.
—Jo Marie Rose
Read on for an excerpt from Debbie Macomber’s
The Inn at Rose Harbor
Chapter 1
Last night I dreamed of Paul.
He’s never far from my thoughts—not a day passes when he isn’t with me—but he hasn’t been in my dreams until now. It’s ironic, I suppose, that he should leave me, because before I close my eyes I fantasize about what it would feel like to have his arms wrapped around me. As I drift off to sleep I pretend that my head is resting on his shoulder. Unfortunately, I will never have the chance to be with my husband again, at least not in this lifetime.