Chapter 11
11
“ H ave you heard from Oliver today?” Marina asked as she mixed pureed pumpkin into cream cheese. “I’ve been trying to reach Jack, but he’s not picking up his phone. That’s not like him, so I suspect something.”
“Oliver checked in this morning,” Ginger said. “I imagine he’s out shopping.” She removed a pair of springform pans lined with a mixture of crumbled graham crackers and ginger cookies from the hot oven.
Marina made a face. “Golfing was Jack’s excuse, but he forgot his clubs in the garage.”
Heather turned around from her cookie station in Ginger’s kitchen. “Blake said he was meeting Jack and Ethan.”
“Well, don’t look at me,” Kai said when they turned to her. “Axe went to work. He has a project that’s run into trouble. Those custom home clients on the ridgetop can be awfully demanding.” She paused to tickle Stella’s little face.
“On Christmas Eve?” Marina lifted an eyebrow. “Where’s your sense of holiday distrust? They’re up to something.”
“Let them be,” Ginger said, smiling. “They’re probably on a last-minute shopping spree. You know how some men are.”
“They’d better be back before the show tonight,” Kai said, arranging shaped dough on a cookie sheet. “I’m not going to disrespect the performers by traipsing in late at the Shell on Christmas Eve. Axe reserved a section for all of us in the front.”
“Everyone in town is talking about the holiday choral performance,” Ginger said. “I know you’d love to be on stage, but you made a good choice this year.”
“How can such a tiny creature take over your world—not to mention the laundry? Still, I wouldn’t trade her for all the starring roles.” Kai kissed Stella in her baby carrier, and the little girl cooed and smiled. “She’s such an angel today. I hope she’ll take a long nap while we finish baking.”
Ginger tested the butternut squash soup simmering on the back burner of her stove. “How is your menu shaping up?”
“I’ve done most of the prep work,” Marina said.
The last few days had been a whir of shopping and preparations. She had used the cafe’s kitchen for most of her prep work. Her large refrigerators were convenient to hold feasts such as this.
She ticked off her menu from memory. “Beef Wellington, roast duck, honey glazed salmon, and a vegetarian lasagna are the main courses. We can nibble on crudité, glazed nuts, oysters Rockefeller, and shrimp cocktail. And for tonight, we’ll have the Christmas tamales that Rosa delivered.”
Heather looked up. “Blake’s mom is bringing an assortment of imported cheeses and caviar. Arlette has fancy tastes.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Ginger said. “Why, the foie gras in Paris on Christmas was such a treat with champagne.” She sighed at the memory. “And what about side dishes?”
“I’ll serve the classics,” Marina replied. “Pureed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts. Jack will grill Brooke’s fresh vegetables. We’ll also have a crisp endive, apple, and walnut salad. And your butternut squash soup.”
“Get to the good stuff,” Kai said. “Dessert, please.”
Marina laughed. “Ginger and I have made a traditional Yule log, a b?che de No?l .” She swept her hand over the cheesecake filling ready to pour into the round springform pans. “Cheesecakes, obviously. One pumpkin and one with cherries.”
“Aunt Brooke mentioned chocolate mousse,” Heather said.
“That’s Brooke’s specialty.” Marina picked up a spatula. “She makes hers with dark chocolate and silken tofu. It’s delicious and no one ever guesses.”
“The cookies for the kids are almost ready,” Kai added. “Bells, stars, and tree shapes. Along with these delicious gingerbread girls and boys.” She bit the head of a gingerbread figure. “Delicious.”
“Leave some for the children,” Ginger said, smiling.
“I will, but I get Stella’s share until her teeth come in.” Kai tapped her baby’s nose. “We have a deal, don’t we, boo-boo?”
Marina glanced around, pleased with their efforts. The soup and appetizers would hold everyone over until after the show. “When the performance is over, I’ll hurry to the cafe to set up the buffet, tamales, and desserts for our family and the cast.”
Kai blew a kiss to her sister across the kitchen. “Axe and I appreciate that, Marina. That means a lot to the performers. We’re putting up some at our house, and others are staying at the inn.”
“Brooke, Chip, and the boys will take rooms here,” Ginger said. “It’s too far for them to drive so late.”
Kai wagged a finger. “Don’t forget little Clover in that bunch.”
“It’s almost like the old days again,” Marina said.
She loved gathering with her family at Ginger’s for Christmas morning, which was mainly for the little ones. She and Jack would exchange gifts at their home. This year, they’d agreed on modest presents.
When she and her sisters were younger, Ginger always had a houseful of people. Marina revived the tradition and took over the task after she returned to Summer Beach. They all loved opening the house to neighbors and friends.
“Now I have the luxury of all of you helping out,” Ginger said, smiling. “Having a chef and talented sous chefs and bakers in the family is marvelous.”
Marina put the cheesecakes into the hot oven and set the timer. “While these are baking, let’s finish everything else so we can clean up and start our Christmas Eve festivities.”
“Just a few more minutes for these,” Kai said, sliding the last cookies into the other oven. “Then, I need to drop off Stella at the sitters. Axe and I planned to go to the Shell early to meet with the stage director about tonight’s show.”
“I’m sure the show will be spectacular,” Ginger said. “And that goes for the feast, too.”
Marina embraced her grandmother. “I know it will be. I learned from the best—from you.”
After changing into a sparkly sweater and boots, Marina arrived at the outdoor amphitheater with Jack and Leo. They greeted friends as they made their way to their seats.
Her friends Ivy and Shelly called to them, “Merry Christmas Eve to you all.”
“Merry Christmas,” Marina said.
She loved this new tradition of gathering at the Shell, thanks to the vision and efforts of Kai and Axe. The holidays were a blend of old and new traditions now as their family was evolving.
While Leo ran ahead to see his friend Samantha, Marina and Jack stopped to speak to Imani Jones and her son, Jamir, who was attending medical school. Louise from the Laundry Basket and Rosa with her family were seated behind them.
They made their way to the section that Axe had reserved for them. Her daughter and her fiancé were already there.
“Hi, Mom. What do you think?” Heather and Blake wore matching Christmas sweaters.
“You two look adorable. Have you seen your brother?”
“There he is.” Heather motioned to Ethan. “And look who is with him. Do you mind if Holly and Brandy join us afterward at the café?”
“I’d be delighted to have them.”
“Good, because he already asked them. You know how Ethan is.”
“Everyone is welcome.” Marina smiled as she watched her son catering to Holly. He was introducing her to his friends. While it was far too soon to read anything into their budding relationship, Marina wondered if fate had more than one reason to bring Holly to Summer Beach.
Kai and Axe soon joined them, waving at friends along the way.
“It feels different being in the audience,” Kai said, sitting beside Marina. She wore a showstopping red sequined top under a silver puffy jacket and gloves.
The retired nurse Marina knew had offered to look after her baby and Brooke’s tonight to give the mothers a night off.
“Don’t enjoy it too much,” Jack said, grinning. “Everyone misses seeing you on stage this year.”
“It won’t be long unless Stella has a sibling,” Kai said.
Marina’s eyes widened. “What? Are you?—”
Kai laughed and shook her head. “No, but we’re not ruling out the possibility. I’m not going for Brooke’s record, but we could manage one more.”
“What about my record?” Brooke asked. She took a seat behind them with Chip and their three boys.
“Kai is thinking about playing catch-up in the family department.”
“But not entirely,” Kai added. “You have a head start, and I have limited patience.”
Marina looked around. Everyone was there tonight—her sisters and their husbands and all their children.
“Hello, everyone,” Ginger said, sitting with Oliver and spreading thick blankets over their legs. Oliver had a pair of thermoses.
Marina smiled at her grandmother; she looked happy tonight, surrounded by family. She and Oliver held hands and bent their heads together, speaking softly.
Jack followed her line of sight. “Look how sweet they are with each other. They’re like us—completely in love.”
“They are, aren’t they?”
Having been lucky enough to find love again herself, Marina could hardly begrudge Ginger a second chance. Oliver was a prince of a man whose manners and attitude were reminiscent of Bertrand. And he adored her just as much.
No wonder Ginger had fallen in love with him. Marina let out a sigh at the sudden thought.
Jack put his arm around her. “Are you okay?”
Marina whispered, “I’ve been thinking about Ginger and Oliver. I know what they’re considering. They’ve led brilliant, adventurous lives and are still in excellent health. If they want to start their life together elsewhere, we should send them off with our best wishes.” She must be prepared for the possibility.
“They would be deeply missed.” Jack took her hand and kissed it. “But no one can predict the future. Let’s just enjoy the holidays with them. This year will be one to remember.”
“They all are,” Marina said.
Just then, the lights flickered, indicating the show was about to begin.