California Waves: The Davenports, Book 2

Chapter Twenty-Nine

When they walked into Betsy and Howie’s house for the post-wedding breakfast, Mila couldn’t believe how efficient Crystal and her staff had been. It was hard to find any evidence that there’d been a wedding there yesterday. There were still a couple of nice, big flower arrangements, and to her delight, still a bit of chocolate cake left that she’d have to find a way to take home. But apart from Archer and Tessa not being there, it was just like one of the usual Davenport family breakfasts. Erin was cutting up fruit. Finn was frying bacon. Howie had put on his big barbecue apron and was asking everybody how they wanted their eggs.

Mila got involved making pancakes, and Betsy said to Herschel that Tessa’s job was squeezing the fresh orange juice, but since she wasn’t there, could he possibly take over? So he piled in with the rest of them while they talked about how amazing the wedding had been, all the fun things that had happened, how happy the bride and bridegroom had looked, how proud Margaret had been to be the instigator of the whole thing.

Then Jay Malone arrived.

Erin looked surprised and flustered to see him. She said, “I didn’t know you’d be here for breakfast.”

He came in, all bluster, and immediately went up and kissed her cheek. “Miss me?”

She shook her head and went back to chopping melon.

Jay boomed out in his big voice, “I got the kids to the plane this morning. As she was boarding, Tessa made sure to tell me how grateful she is to you and the family and how perfect the wedding was.”

“It really was,” Betsy said with a sigh. “I can’t wait to plan the next one.”

Mila glanced up at Hersch and found him looking at her with a very intimate smile.

Erin must have caught the moment, because she said, “I have a feeling you won’t have to wait too long.”

Then Jay looked from Mila to Hersch and back again. “Are you kidding me? Our man Herschel finds true love? Could there be a better ending to your life story? Come on, Hersch, tell me you’re in for the biopic.”

He glanced around at the family. Nick was snickering, and Finn was shaking his head. Even Betsy had to turn away to hide her laughter. Finally, Hersch answered, “Sorry, Jay. The movie’s already been made.”

Mila snorted with laughter, and behind her, Erin giggled. Howie let out his booming laugh. Jay looked around the kitchen and shook his head slowly. “No. You did not make one of those cheesy home movies.”

It was Nick who answered him, grinning from ear to ear. “We sure did. Come on, you’ve got to see this man make a s’more on film.”

While Jay was still protesting and Nick was fetching the camcorder, Erin walked over to Mila and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.”

“We’re pretty happy too,” Mila said.

Over breakfast, Jay continued to argue that the biopic was an excellent idea. Finally, to everyone’s surprise, Herschel said, “You know, Jay, you could be right. Maybe if I’m willing to share how devastating that accident was, how I developed a fear of the water, and how I’m working to overcome it, maybe I can help other people too.”

Jay was so used to arguing for the movie and being shut down that his fork stopped halfway to his mouth with a piece of bacon and a chunk of egg on it. “Really?”

Herschel glanced at Mila, who suddenly saw all the reasons why it could be a good idea and nodded.

“I think so,” Herschel said. “Let’s wait till Arch is back, and we can talk about it some more.” He looked at Nick. “I’m sure Nick will back me up, but Archer did a pretty damn good screen test. His moustache was particularly authentic.”

Now they all cracked up again, and Nick showed the home movie to Jay, who had a good laugh along with the rest of them. “Okay, it’s a joke and a home movie filmed on an out-of-date camera, but you have to admit, there’s some serious chemistry there. I was riveted.”

“Like I said,” Hersch said, “I’m willing to discuss the project when Archer gets back. I wouldn’t want anyone else to play me.”

“You have good taste.”

Mila said, “I need to know who will be playing me.” She threw out the name of every stupendously gorgeous and smoking-hot actress she could think of.

Jay started to laugh. “Don’t worry, Mila. Whoever plays you will not only be a powerhouse, she’ll be gorgeous.”

“I still want casting approval.”

Jay laughed, and then his expression turned more serious. He said, “You know I’ve been trying to get hold of you, Mila. Leaving messages. I think you’ve been avoiding my calls.”

She felt kind of bad. Especially now that he’d tackled her in front of her whole family. “I thought you were calling to get me to talk Hersch into letting you do your movie.”

“No, I wouldn’t do that. I can talk to Herschel myself. Mila, I’ve spent years visiting all of you here, and every time I fall more in love with this place. I want you to find me a house here in Carmel-by-the-Sea.”

As Mila gave him a delighted smile and said, “I’d be happy to,” she heard the clink of Erin’s fork dropping to the tabletop.

As they left the house, everything felt different. Now that Mila had told Herschel she loved him and he’d admitted that he wanted to marry her, she felt that a whole new chapter was beginning for her. And for him. He seemed much happier too.

She said, “Are you sure about that biopic? Don’t let Jay bully you into anything. I’ve been defending you against the idea since the day we met.”

“No. I mean, of course it’s embarrassing to have the whole world see my private fears, but, Mila, maybe if I told my story honestly, it could help people. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’ve spent a long time trying to help the world with Alzheimer’s research. Maybe now it’s time to offer a story that might help somebody else overcome their trauma.”

She loved him so much. She threw her arms around him and kissed him. “You are the best man I know.”

He kissed her back, then pulled away. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you.”

“What is it?”

He wouldn’t give her even a hint. Instead, they got into his car, and he drove her to his place. She quirked an eyebrow at him. “If you’re planning to show me your etchings, I’ve already seen them. And they are very nice.”

He chuckled. “Close.”

Now she really was curious. He unlocked the front door and made her wait in the hallway while he ran forward and fiddled with something. She was already smiling with anticipation when he said, “You can come in now.”

As she walked into the living room, she cried out with delight. Hanging on the big wall in the living room was Tessa’s painting of Mila in the curl of a wave, dancing with the ocean.

“It’s the picture that brought us together,” he said, his voice full of emotion.

She felt kind of choked up. “When I first met you at the plein air show, I got the feeling this picture terrified you.”

“It did. And then I got to know you, and now I feel different. You’re my sea witch, and this painting reminds me of how glorious you are. You changed my life, and being with you on land, and even on sea, makes me happier than I ever thought I could be.”

She was half blinded by tears as she ran forward and threw her arms around him. “I love you, Herschel Greenfield.” She laughed. “It was so hard to say the words the first time. Now I can’t stop.”

“Never stop,” he said, kissing her until she had no words at all.