Chapter 6
6
“ H eather, dear, would you bring extra blankets for the beach bonfire?” Ginger asked, pulling on a pair of red leather gloves. “You’ll find some in the study.”
“Sure, I’ll be just a moment,” Heather replied.
While Heather gathered blankets, Ginger paused to admire her comfortable living room, now suffused with the glow of lights reflecting off the vintage ornaments her family had carefully hung on the tree. Heather had draped the mantel with decorative garlands, weaving them around family photos that chronicled years of love and laughter.
Ginger inhaled the fresh scent of evergreen boughs that Brooke had fashioned into a centerpiece for the table. It wasn’t only the holiday decorations Ginger loved; more so, it was the family that gathered to help.
She checked her watch. They had ample time before sunset, but Heather and Cruise had to set up the food truck near the beach bonfire. While Blake wasn’t working in the food truck, he was there to support Heather, manage the line, and ensure customers were happy.
Heather reappeared with an armful of soft throws. Her engagement ring twinkled in the light as she moved.
Blake appeared in the doorway. “The folding chairs are loaded onto the truck.” He took the blankets from Heather as he spoke. “Ginger, are you sure you don’t want to come with us? Cruise is driving, but we can squeeze you in.”
“Oliver should be here shortly,” Ginger replied. He’d asked that just the two of them go together to the bonfire tonight, which she found rather romantic. “I’ll wait for him.”
She adjusted the red cashmere scarf Bertrand had given her years ago. Quality lasted, and so did the love she still held in her heart for her husband, though he’d been gone many years.
“Okay, we’ll see you there,” Heather said. “I’ll have two hot cups of cocoa for you.”
After Heather and Blake left, Ginger walked to her window, watching the sun begin its descent over the Pacific. She touched the windowpane, now cool against her fingers.
She had the comforting sense that Bertrand approved of Oliver. Bertrand had enjoyed a long friendship with Oliver and his brother Kurt, who had been Ginger’s first employer.
Yet, it was more than that. Sometimes, when Oliver arrived, she could almost hear Bertrand calling out to him. What took you so long? And then, his laughter seemed so real she had to smile, too.
The Christmas beach bonfire was an old tradition in Summer Beach, but this year was different. It might be the last one she would see, perhaps for a long time. That would depend on Oliver’s decision—and hers, of course.
For now, she wanted to enjoy every moment.
The doorbell chimed, and Oliver stood on her porch, handsome as always in a red and black plaid flannel shirt and a down vest. His thick silver hair was slightly mussed, and his bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
Her heart warmed at the sight of him, though she wondered what he was up to. She loved being with him. This was a new chapter of her life, and Oliver Powell had arrived right on cue.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” Oliver took her in his arms and kissed her. “Ready for some early festivities? I have a marvelous surprise for you.”
“I’m more than ready.” She leaned in to snuff out a candle on the table, but as she drew close to the flame, it sizzled and blazed, then flickered and snuffed itself out.
She and Oliver stared at the smoldering wick. “I didn’t do that,” she said slowly.
“Must be your natural magnetism,” Oliver said. “Even fire is dazzled by your presence and bends to your indomitable will.”
“If only I were that powerful,” she said, somehow detecting a faint whiff of the pipe tobacco Bertrand favored. Maybe he was teasing her about her date with Oliver.
“Oh, but you are,” Oliver said, running a hand over her shoulder. “I’m already in thrall to your charms.”
“And I to yours, my darling.” She drew her hand over his face, thinking how fortunate they’d reconnected. Beyond scientific explanations, life still held mysteries and surprises.
Perhaps most surprising of all was the relationship that had blossomed with Oliver. Still marveling over their relationship, she chose a white wool jacket from the coat stand.
He held the jacket for her, helping her put it on. “Do you have everything, my dear?”
She glanced at the candle again, making sure the flame was out. “Everything I could possibly want.”
Chuckling, Oliver opened the door for her. “Give it a moment. I don’t think we’ll ever run out of fresh ideas. That’s what keeps us young at heart.”
They walked outside, and she sucked in a breath of delight at a cherry-red Vespa parked in the drive. Silver tinsel and a red bow festooned the shiny scooter, and two matching helmets rested on the seats. “Is this yours?”
“No, it’s yours. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.” A broad grin filled Oliver’s face, and his eyes twinkled. “Won’t it be fun spinning around town on this?”
“Oh, my goodness, I thought you were joking a couple of months ago when we talked about scooters.” She flung her arms around Oliver and peppered him with joyful kisses.
Laughing, Oliver kissed her back before handing her a helmet. “You should know by now that I take fun quite seriously. Let’s see what you can do with this beauty.”
Ginger hesitated, but only for a moment. She recalled how fearlessly she’d driven her scooter years ago. She slid the helmet over her hair while he did the same.
They adjusted the straps, grinning at each other.
She perched on the seat with Oliver behind her. “I never thought I’d be whizzing around on a Vespa again. Why, I haven’t been on one since Paris. I hope I don’t fall off.”
“You won’t. You rise to every occasion, Ginger Delavie.” As she started the engine, he pressed his hand against her shoulder. “I remember visiting you and Bertrand in Paris and watching you zip along the Champs-élysées on your scooter, your paisley scarf flowing in the breeze, turning heads in your wake. What a sight you were. And still are.”
She eased the scooter forward, surprised that she felt so comfortable on it. “Well, I’ll be. I haven’t lost my touch. Rather like solving a quadratic equation—one never forgets.” She lifted her chin. “Climb on. I promise not to kill you.”
Chuckling, Oliver sat behind her, his strong arms encircling and anchoring her.
With the fresh wind on her face and her red scarf trailing behind her, Ginger steered away from the cottage, filled with exhilaration. The short trip to the beach bonfire lasted only a few minutes.
“You can use this scooter almost anywhere,” Oliver said as Ginger approached the Coral Cafe food truck. “It’s easy to park and faster than walking.”
Excitement sparked through her. “Such fun, too. I love it, dear.” She appreciated his thoughtfulness and playful nature more than mere words could express. “It’s perfect to continue this grand adventure we’re on.”
“So grand it is,” Oliver echoed, raising his voice against the rush of the ocean as they neared the shoreline again. “Are you ready for our trip next month?”
“I love Boston in the snow. It will be wonderful to meet your nephew again. I haven’t seen him since he was a child.”
With the breeze squeezing moisture from her eyes, she wondered, would they stay there? It seemed neither of them were ready to commit just yet. If Oliver were to leave and she stayed here, she wanted him to remember how they were. The painting spoke what she might not find the words to say.
Oliver leaned in as if reading her mind, his breath warm against her neck. “We don’t have to make any decision just yet.”
When she pulled alongside the holiday-decorated food truck, Heather and Blake stared in astonishment.
Cruise stepped from inside, grinning and giving her a double thumbs-up. “Looking good, Ginger.”
“Let me help you, sweetheart.” Oliver hopped off. “I always open your door, and this is no exception.”
Laughing, Ginger extended her hand like a queen, and Oliver helped her descend from the scooter while a crowd gathered around them, remarking on the shiny scooter.
She removed her helmet, fluffed her ginger-tinted hair, and turned to Heather. “What do you think?”
“Wow, it’s so sassy,” Heather said, laughing. “Whose is it?”
“Mine. Dear Oliver surprised me with an early Christmas gift.” She posed beside it.
“Wait until Mom sees you on this,” Heather replied, snapping a photo. “It’s so cool. I want one, too.”
Blake looked impressed and gave Ginger a high-five. “They’re a blast to ride, and you handle it well.”
Ginger appreciated that. “I rode one all over Paris back in the day.”
They stashed their helmets in the food truck before greeting friends who commented and inspected the new Vespa.
Ginger loved the attention. She leaned over to whisper in Oliver’s ear. “This is one of the most amazing gifts I’ve ever received. I never dreamed of it, but it’s perfect for me. Thank you, darling.”
With his arm around her, Oliver beamed. “It makes me happy that you like it. It just arrived, and I couldn’t wait until Christmas to give it to you.” He kissed her cheek. “Let’s join the crowd.”
The bonfire was already flaming on the beach, snapping and crackling. Stars were flickering to life, and people laughed and talked as they shared homemade sweets and hot thermoses. Ginger inhaled deeply. The sweet aroma of hot cocoa blended with the smell of the bonfire was intoxicating.
She savored every moment of the merriment around her. This is Christmas at the beach, she thought, marking the memory.
Oliver squeezed her hand. “Are you ready for a peppermint hot cocoa? I hear the Coral Cafe food truck makes pretty good ones.”
“That sounds divine,” Ginger replied. “They’re based on my original recipe, so I can vouch for them.”
“Two special ones, coming right up,” Heather said. “How about a slice of hot gingerbread to go with that? Cruise just took some from the oven.”
“Why not?” Ginger replied, smiling.
A few minutes later, she and Oliver strolled through the crowd, enjoying their warm drinks while greeting friends. They spoke to Leilani and Roy Miyake, who owned the Hidden Garden nursery. They said hello to Mayor Bennett Dylan, and Ginger saw her friend April Raines with her family, who now lived on nearby Crown Island.
Marina waved at them near the fire, where she sat with Jack and Leo. Vanessa was there too, chatting with her friends Denise and John, while their daughter Samantha roasted marshmallows with Leo under Jack’s supervision.
“Are you okay?” Marina asked. “Heather just sent me a photo of you with a helmet and a Vespa.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I love my new Christmas gift.” Ginger squeezed Oliver’s hand. “And I adore this lovely man for it. We had such fun riding it here. I plan to use it around town.” Or wherever they might end up, she added silently to herself.
Kai and Axe swayed near the fire with little Stella, still wide awake and transfixed by Axe’s friends singing carols. Their harmonies carried on the evening breeze, along with the sound of waves and children’s laughter.
Brooke and Chip also sat with them, though their three older boys played tag with other kids near the water. Clover, their newest addition, slept bundled against Brooke’s chest.
“What a perfect evening,” Ginger said to Marina while Jack drew Oliver into a conversation.
“Where is your house guest?” Marina asked.
“Holly left earlier but promised she would be here.” Ginger peered around. “There she is, with Shelly by the food truck.” Ivy’s sister held the hand of a squirming toddler—little Daisy, Ginger recalled. How their family and those of their friends had grown. She watched them with satisfaction.
Holly’s laughter carried across the beach. The young woman seemed to blend into the community, bringing joy wherever she went. She had relaxed in the last few days, but Ginger still sensed a nervous energy about her.
“She looks happy here.” Ginger let out a small sigh. “I wish she didn’t have to leave Summer Beach.”
Marina gazed after her. “So do I. She seems to need a home, and we have a nice art community she could be part of.”
“I sensed your concern when she arrived.”
“We all look out for you.” Marina paused as if holding back. “Maybe I was being overprotective.”
“You thought I was losing my judgment, didn’t you?” When Marina looked sheepish, Ginger sniffed. “I assure you, I’m as sharp as ever.”
“I’m sorry,” Marina murmured, blushing. “I know you’re perfectly capable of looking out for yourself.”
“I’ve been doing that a long time, but you’re forgiven. It’s Christmas, after all.” Ginger glanced at Holly again. For some reason, she felt the young woman had a place here. “As for Holly, some people have gifts we don’t fully understand. Beyond science and logic lay intuition, faith, and love.”
“And second sight?” Marina added, leaning forward. “Kai told me about what happened at the market with a woman Holly knew.”
As Marina shared Kai’s story, Ginger nodded thoughtfully, staring into the fire as flames danced, sending up a shower of golden sparks. “Have you ever known something in your heart you couldn’t explain?”
“Sometimes I have gut instincts, especially about my children.”
“There you are then,” Ginger said as if that finished the conversation. “Different levels of intuition exist. Some might think it magical, though it’s likely a phenomenon that’s not fully understood.”
Although Marina appeared satisfied with this explanation, Ginger sensed this story was far from over.