A Very Coral Christmas (Summer Beach: Coral Cottage #7)

Chapter 1

1

G ingerbread cookies and cranberry bread were baking in the vintage O’Keefe Ginger had known him for years. After his wife passed away and his brother Kurt reconnected them, their friendship evolved.

Ginger and Oliver were sweet together, and he was a welcome addition to the family. Still, there was more going on that Ginger had confided to her.

Behind her, a scream pierced the air, and Marina jerked her head up.

Kai stood in the doorway with little Stella, who wasn’t quite a year old yet. Her sister looked perplexed, unable to soothe her. “I don’t know what’s suddenly gotten into her. Somebody, please help.”

“My word,” Ginger said after another earsplitting shriek hit a high note. “Stella has your voice, dear. Have you tried singing to her?”

“That usually works, but not this time,” Kai said, raising her voice over Stella’s. “When we walked through the door, she started her blood-curdling screams again.”

“We noticed,” Marina said, grinning.

Brooke reached for the squirming child. “I’ll bet she wants to play with Clover.” After placing her in the playpen with her little girl, Stella calmed down. The two cooed at each other as if admiring their similar outfits of red and green.

“Wow,” Kai said, drawing her hands over her face in relief. “How did you know what to do?”

“I had plenty of practice with her brothers,” Brooke replied. “They seem to have their own baby language. You’ll learn to discern it.”

Marina wiggled her fingers at her little nieces. Since they shared a birthday, she often bought them matching outfits. This time, she’d coordinated them with the same outfit in holiday colors. Their knit leggings were candy cane stripes, and their tops sported reindeer and snowflakes.

“They missed each other,” Kai said, watching them. “Were we ever like that as kids?”

“Sort of.” Marina shook a rattle at the girls, who crawled to investigate. “You used to follow Brooke and me everywhere.”

“And we hid from you,” Brooke added with a guilty grin.

Kai crossed her arms with mild indignation. “All this time I thought we were playing hide-and-seek. I swear, the stories that come out during the holidays. Go figure.”

Heather lifted a pair of wooden soldiers from a box. “Where do the nutcrackers go?”

“Let’s have them flanking the fireplace this year,” Ginger replied. “Not too close, of course. Place them on the other side of the Talavera pots.”

While Heather positioned the hand painted nutcracker soldiers, Marina reached into a large carton and lifted out the wreath on top. Another one lay beneath it. She recalled making both with her sisters and Ginger in years past.

“How about these wreaths?” She held them both aloft.

“We’ll put the one with shells and sea glass on the front door,” Ginger suggested. “If anyone wants the other one, it’s yours. Otherwise, let’s start a box for giveaways.”

“I call dibs on it,” Kai said, shooting up her hand.

“Sold to the highest bidder.” Marina handed it to Kai, then held up a vintage tin decoration. “And this silver bell?”

Ginger shrugged. “Let it go to a good home.”

“I’d love that,” Heather said, clasping her hands.

“Then it’s yours, dear.” Ginger hugged her. “I’ll miss you when you move next year. Are you sure you wouldn’t want to stay? You and Blake could save some money for your first house.”

“Actually, I have a big surprise.” Excitement flashed across Heather’s face as she glanced at her mother. “We were going to tell you together, but I can’t wait. Blake told me his parents have promised a very generous down payment as a wedding gift. They said we can start looking for a house before the wedding.”

“Why, that’s wonderful.” For a moment, Marina wished she could have done that. Yet, it was all she could do to put the twins through school after their father failed to return from the war in Afghanistan. She’d also spent money to open the cafe and was employing Heather now.

Marina caught herself. The wedding wasn’t about her or Blake’s parents.

Swallowing her pride, she said, “Please tell them how much I appreciate their generosity. It means a lot to me to see you in your own home.”

“Thank you, Mom. I know they’ll appreciate that.”

“That’s very thoughtful of them.” Ginger put her arm around Marina’s shoulder.

She leaned into the familiar warmth of her grandmother’s embrace. Since they’d both lost spouses, Ginger understood how she felt. She had been there to help with the twins; she was Marina’s rock.

They all loved Ginger, each in their own way. Their grandmother had stepped in to raise Kai and see Brooke through high school and her marriage.

Ginger’s home was their home, too. They all agreed that the holidays were sweeter here at the Coral Cottage with Ginger.

However, that might change soon. Recently, Ginger confided in Marina that Oliver’s nephew was concerned about him living alone as he grew older. Oliver and his late wife didn’t have children, so Chris wanted him to move close to his family in Boston. Would Oliver consider that? Marina wondered.

If so, what would Ginger do?

Marina smoothed her hand over Ginger’s. She hadn’t told her sisters about this possibility because she didn’t want them to worry during the holidays.

“Marina, what do you think?” Kai asked.

She shook her head. “Sorry, what?”

“Pink or purple highlights—yes or no? I won’t be on stage for a while, so I thought I’d have some fun.”

“Why not both?” Marina loved Kai’s wavy blond hair, but Kai had her own style. “Temporary or permanent?”

“Good idea. I’ll ask Brandy.” Kai’s gaze roved over Marina’s hair. “Why don’t you come with me to Beach Waves?”

“Does it look like I need to?” She ran a hand over her shoulder-length reddish brown hair. Her highlights were long gone.

“Couldn’t hurt.” Kai’s cheeks colored with embarrassment. “What I meant was, with the holidays here and all the parties at the cafe, you’ll want to look your best.”

Kai was probably right. “That’s a good idea. I’ll come with you. Anyone else? We can have a party at Beach Waves.”

Brooke tossed her long braid over her shoulder. “Low maintenance suits me. I don’t need to dress up to work in the garden.”

“I’ll join you,” Ginger said, smiling. “My treat for anyone who wants to go.”

Kai’s eyes lit with appreciation. “I love having a plan to get out of the house. I’ll make reservations for us.”

Marina suspected Kai needed emotional support and occasional relief from her new motherhood role. “Do you think we can get in so close to Christmas?”

“I’ve already checked, and Brandy is working through the holidays,” Kai replied. “I don’t think she has family nearby. I know she used to live in Los Angeles, so maybe she drives up for the day to see friends.”

“I know what it’s like spending the holidays without much family around,” Marina said. Ginger always came to visit her and the twins in San Francisco, but other than Ginger, they had been alone.

“We were fine, Mom,” Heather said, pulling out a strand of garland with faux berries. “We had our friends. But now I know how much fun it is in Summer Beach. I’m glad you got fired.”

“I quit my anchor position,” Marina said. “By a split second, but still, that counts. And I’m so happy I did.”

“We all are,” Brooke said as Heather and Kai nodded.

Marina smiled at her family. “Let’s make this a merry Christmas, even though Ethan likely won’t make it home.”

The front door flew open, and Blake stood in the entryway, his arms filled with more boxes. “Where would you like these?”

“Right here,” Heather said, kissing him. “Thanks, Babe. What do you want to do with these, Ginger?”

“Put them there and start unpacking.” Ginger glanced around the room with fondness. “Have fun and surprise me. I should check on the crew outside.”

Their grandmother usually had exacting instructions. Before Marina could ask another question, laughter erupted outside, and the kitchen timer buzzed.

“That’s the cranberry bread,” she said, hurrying to the kitchen.

While tending to her baked goods, Christmas lights drew Marina’s attention. The sun had set, and the colorful lights glowed on the lawn. She opened the rear door and stepped outside, shivering slightly.

Christmas lights cascaded from the roof line, lined the windows, and illuminated the old surfboards they’d once decorated. The men had used their creativity to arrange the decorations in a new manner, but it was just as pretty and fun.

Jack put his arm around her. “What do you think?”

“It’s magical. This year is special.”

Ginger turned to her. “Every year is special, dear. Every year, every day, every moment of our lives. Savor them all.”

Marina clasped her grandmother’s hand. “This is one of those wonderful moments.”

“There’s always more to come,” Ginger added with a mysterious smile. “Are you ready for it?”