Chapter 15
15
W hile Bertrand cracked crab for lunch on the beach, Ginger sat on the sun-drenched porch of her cottage, carefully watching her grandchildren play in the sand far from the water.
Marina, the eldest at eight, was busy constructing an elaborate sandcastle, filling and emptying a bright red bucket. Six-year-old Brooke chased seagulls; her delighted squeals carried on the ocean breeze. At just a year old, little Kai was tucked safely in Ginger’s arms, watching her sisters and waving her tiny hands, eager to be a part of their fun.
The front screen door creaked open. Bertrand’s voice broke through her reverie as he handed her a glass of iced tea. “Thought you could use a refresher, darling.”
Taking the cool glass, Ginger smiled up at him. She thought her husband was still the most handsome man in any room. He remained fit, and the gray strands sprinkled across his thick hair made him look more distinguished.
She sipped the iced tea. “I’ve been thinking about how easy and peaceful life is here on this sunny beach.”
Bertrand eased onto the swing beside her. “Someday, we’ll make it our full-time home. I have another five, maybe ten years to work. But you may return as often as you wish to see our grandchildren.”
“With my parents gone, it seems different now.” She sighed at her memories, now tucked away in photo albums. “We have become the older generation.”
Bertrand laughed at that. “We’re forever young in our hearts and minds. Just not the knees.”
“Swimming is good for that,” Ginger replied, although she missed him on the morning hikes they used to take. Still, he was ten years older, so she had to be considerate.
“Nothing beats the pool at the Ritz, unless it’s Biarritz,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “How about we make reservations at the H?tel du Palais when we return? You love the coastline.”
She considered that for a moment. “That’s a wonderful idea. The food and views are spectacular.” Several years ago, they had returned to Paris, which they both loved. Bertrand had earned his seniority and was well respected.
Still, they returned to Summer Beach when they could. She gestured toward the beach and their grandchildren. “However, this area has a unique draw.”
Bertrand put his arm around his wife and pinched little Kai’s cheek. “I promise we’ll come back more often. And one day, we might never want to leave.”
Just then, Sandi arrived at the house in her car. She pushed her sunglasses up over her wavy strawberry-blond hair. She looked slightly frazzled but happy. “Mom, Dad, thanks for watching the kids. I hope they weren’t too much trouble. Dennis is finishing his meeting, but I thought I’d come back early.”
Ginger waved off her daughter’s concerns. “The children were a delight. Although I must say, keeping up with them can be more challenging than work.”
Bertrand laughed. “Fortunately, you’re practiced in problem-solving.”
As Sandi lifted her baby, Ginger felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She had accomplished so much in her career, contributed to advancements that would shape the future of technology and security. But here, at this moment, she realized that her greatest legacy might be the love and knowledge she could pass on to these bright-eyed children.
“I’m ready when you are,” she said to Bertrand.
“Speaking of being ready, fresh crab and corn on the cob awaits in the kitchen,” he said, rising. “Who is hungry?”
Sandi stashed her sunglasses in her bag. “If you have enough, Dennis and I will stay.”
“That’s why I steamed as much as I did.” Bertrand flexed an arm. “Real men don’t cook small portions.”
Sandi laughed. “Gee, Dad, I didn’t expect such a caveman comment from you.”
“I keep up with the times, my darling daughter. Will you help me in the kitchen?”
“I’ll gather the girls,” Ginger said. “They’re a mess, so let’s eat on the rear patio.”
“You can hose them off there,” Sandi said.
“Just like I used to do for you when we visited,” Ginger said, remembering those summers with fondness.
Ginger called the girls from the beach, and they followed her around the side of the cottage to the patio. Marina and Brooke giggled with delight as she sprayed off the sand with a hose. She dried them with thick beach towels until they were relatively clean.
Sandi’s voice floated through the screen door to Ginger.
“We’ve just landed our first accounting clients, Dad, so we gave our notice at work.”
“I’m sure you and Dennis will do well,” Bertrand replied.
“He wants to prove himself to you and Mom.”
“We’ve always thought well of him.”
“I know,” Sandi said. “He’s still sensitive about his background. Having been in foster care, he’s never felt like he fit in.”
“Growing up overseas isn’t as glamorous as most people think,” Bertrand said. “You struggled to fit in, too.”
“Now I look at going to school overseas as an adventure that few others had.” Sandi glanced outside to check on her children. “We found office space, so we’ll open the new business soon.”
“What sort of clients are you looking for?”
“The ones Dennis brought in are investors. They own casinos and racetracks in Nevada, California, and other states. Dennis is brilliant with those sort of complicated tax returns.”
Bertrand was quiet for a moment. “Those are tough businesses, and the people running them can be difficult. Promise me you’ll be careful around those types?”
“Oh, Dad. Dennis knows what he’s doing. We’ll make a fortune from their work alone.”
Although Dennis was bright, charming, and held master’s degrees in accounting, Ginger wondered if their son-in-law knew what he was doing.