Chapter 19
19
M arina was tidying the cafe, and Cruise was cooking when Blake arrived for a late lunch, as he often did to see Heather.
“Have a seat at the family table here in the kitchen,” Marina told him. “It’s slowing down now, and Heather will want to eat with you.” She enjoyed having him here, and they were so sweet together.
Blake slid onto the bench. “I’ve been dreaming about those blackened salmon sliders you were testing.”
“You’re in luck,” Marina said. “We just added them to the menu.”
“Hey man, I can whip those up for you,” Cruise said, bumping fists with Blake.
“Hi, honey.” Heather swept into the kitchen and gave Blake a peck on the cheek. “I just closed out my last table, so we can talk about our engagement party plans until I need to start studying for my exam.”
“I’m open to ideas,” Marina said, brushing crumbs from her kitchen jacket.
“Ginger mentioned an elegant soiree at Hidden Garden, but we’re thinking of a beach barbecue,” Heather said, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. “Something simple and easy. Mom, I don’t want you or Aunt Kai or Ginger to go to any trouble planning this. We’re all super busy.”
Blake nodded. “Most of my friends are nearby. We figured we could set up a volleyball net and have a lot of fun.”
“Whatever you two want,” Marina said. “Ginger will understand. When were you thinking of having it?”
Heather glanced at Blake before answering. “We were hoping to do it before the holiday rush. Maybe in a couple of weeks? The weather will be warm enough, and the date won’t clash with Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. That’s another reason to keep it simple.”
Marina nodded, already thinking of possibilities. “That’s a good idea. We could close the cafe early that day and use it as a base for cooking and preparations. It would be much easier than trying to transport everything to the beach. People can eat here on the patio.”
“Put me down for grill duty,” Cruise said.
“We sure appreciate that,” Blake said. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
Heather gave Cruise a high five. “Maybe Aunt Kai could give us some decorating ideas. I don’t want her to do too much. How is she doing?”
“She’s feeling better,” Marina said, wiping the counter. “Her tests came back normal, and the doctor told her that feeling tired is a normal part of pregnancy. Now that she’s taking naps, she’s bounced back like the Tigger we all know. Leo’s care basket sure brightened her spirits.”
“That was so sweet of him,” Heather added.
Blake’s phone rang, and he glanced down. “I must take this call. We brought in some seal pups that were injured. I need to make sure they’re doing okay.”
After Blake excused himself, Heather turned back to Marina. “I should warn you. Blake invited his mother, but his father told everyone he plans to boycott the engagement party and the wedding. I’m afraid Blake will be hurt.”
Marina considered her words carefully. “Maybe that’s for the best.”
“His mother said if his father shows up, she’ll leave.” Heather asked, “What should I do?”
“Just talk to Blake and be supportive,” Marina advised gently. “He knows his parents best. If there is an issue, you can stand united. I don’t think Blake will let his father ruin your wedding.”
Heather nodded, absorbing her mother’s advice. “You’re right. Thanks, Mom.”
“Establish boundaries with his father early because when you marry Blake, you’ll have a relationship with his entire family, for better or worse.”
Heather sucked in a breath. “I’ll work on that.”
When Blake returned, his face lit with a smile at the sight of Heather, and Marina felt a surge of protective love for her daughter. She hoped that whatever was causing the tension with Blake’s parents could be resolved.
Still, Heather was quite capable now. Since moving to Summer Beach, her daughter had grown out of her timid phase and blossomed. In high school, Heather tended to lean on Ethan, the gregarious one of them. Now, with her brother following his path and traveling to golf tournaments, Heather had found herself and developed her voice.
Blake seemed good for her as he encouraged her even more.
Marina picked up a pencil and a tablet to take notes as Heather and Blake talked. “We’ll need to plan and order food. How many of your San Francisco friends do you want to invite? We also need to reserve rooms at the Seabreeze Inn and the Seal Cove Inn for out-of-town guests.”
While Heather launched into a preliminary guest list, Marina made a note to call Blake’s mother again. She hoped Arlette would be more receptive without her husband.
Heather suddenly stopped. “Who is that going to the Coral Cottage?”
An older, trim man with white hair left his vintage Jaguar convertible by the house and walked toward the front door. He walked briskly and wore upscale casual clothes as if he were going out to dinner.
Marina put her pencil down and craned her neck. “I’ve never seen that man before.”
Just then, he snapped his fingers and turned around. He bent to retrieve something from the car.
“Flowers!” Heather clamped a hand to her face in surprise. “What’s going on, Mom? Is Ginger dating someone?”
Marina was just as surprised as her daughter was. “People take each other flowers for all sorts of events. Like…” She couldn’t think of anything.
“Maybe someone died,” Cruise offered.
“Shh,” Marina said, waving a hand. “He looks too happy for that.”
As if he’d heard them, the man turned around.
Instinctively, they all looked away, busying themselves.
“Okay, he’s going in,” Heather said, peeking again. “I should go over there, just in case he has the wrong house.”
Blake chuckled. “Ginger can probably manage that, honey.”
“But she’s there by herself,” Heather said. “What if the flowers are some sort of cover?”
Cruise turned around. “I think she could probably take him. Jack was limping yesterday after Ginger took him on one of her hikes up to the ridgetop.”
So that’s what happened to him. Marina tossed her cleaning rag into the sink. “I’ll go.” She scooped some muffins into a carry-out box. “I’ll say she wanted these.”
“I’m coming, too.” Heather grabbed Blake’s hand. “If he’s dangerous, we’ll need you.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Marina said. “Don’t you think we look a little obvious?”
The three of them set off, leaving Cruise chuckling behind them.
Marina went through the rear door. “Hi, Ginger. I brought some muffins from the cafe. We had a lot left over, and I know you wanted them.” She left the muffins in the kitchen and stopped at the entry to the living room where Ginger and the man were standing. “Oh, hello. I hope I’m not intruding.”
Heather and Blake were right behind her.
“It’s a day for gifts, it seems.” Ginger smiled and took the flowers. “I feel like it’s my birthday. Girls—and Blake, why, what a surprise. I’d like you all to meet Oliver Powell, a dear friend I’ve known most of my life, although we only recently reconnected.”
“I’m pleased to meet you all,” Oliver said with an engaging smile.
“I just wanted Blake to help me with something upstairs,” Heather said, stumbling over her words. “I-I wanted to look at your wedding dress.”
That surprised Marina, and she saw Ginger’s eyes light with happiness.
“It can wait.” Blake greeted Oliver and shook hands with him. “Very nice to meet you, sir.”
Ginger explained how they were all related, and Oliver looked interested.
“Hello, Marina,” he said, greeting her. “I see so much of your mother in you. And Ginger, of course.”
“You knew my mother?” Marina hadn’t expected that, and it took her by surprise.
“Oh, yes,” Oliver said. “Sandi was a sweet, lovely young woman. She was the center of Ginger and Bertrand’s world.”
Ginger placed a hand on his forearm and smiled. “Oliver and his brother Kurt were very good friends to Bertrand and me. Kurt hired me for my first job.”
The name clicked in Marina’s memory. “The celebration of life you attended. That was for Kurt, wasn’t it?” When Oliver nodded, she expressed her condolences. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Oliver thanked her. “Kurt lived a wonderful life, and his last act was to reconnect me with Ginger.”
“My goodness, wouldn’t that have made him happy?” Ginger pressed a hand to her chest. “I wish he’d known I came to his last party.”
Oliver’s lively blue eyes crinkled at the corners with amusement. “Oh, but he did. Kurt planned the guest list and made me promise to invite you. He really did bring us together again.”
Marina sensed the attraction between them. She hadn’t seen Ginger show interest in anyone since their grandfather passed away, and that was decades ago. And that lovely dress Ginger wore—Marina had never seen it before.
Suddenly, she felt embarrassed. They were intruding.
“If you’ll excuse us, we’re needed at the cafe.” Marina extended her hand to Oliver. “It’s been so nice to meet you, Oliver. I hope we’ll see more of you in Summer Beach.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow at Ginger, who smiled demurely at that. “Maybe you will,” he replied, sounding hopeful. “Likewise, it’s been a pleasure meeting you all.”
When they burst through the back door, Marina let out a breath. “I can’t believe we just crashed Ginger’s first date in decades.” She turned and came face to face with Jack.
“You did what?” he asked.
“Uh-oh, I think Cruise needs me,” Heather said. “And Blake, your order must be ready.” She grabbed his hand.
Jack watched them go, shaking his head. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Well, sure, but why are you here?” Marina felt flustered, like she’d been caught sneaking around. Which she supposed she had been.
He folded his arms. “Because we’re married, and sometimes I like to see you. When you’re not snooping into your grandmother’s business.”
She kissed him. “We were just checking on her.” Quickly, she told him what happened. “But don’t put that in the book.”
“It’s off the record unless she tells me otherwise.” Jack sighed, threw his arm around her, and they returned to the kitchen. “Does Blake know what he’s getting into with this family?”
Blake and Heather looked up from their salmon sliders with guilty expressions.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll let that be a surprise,” Marina said, nudging him. They all laughed, and then she whispered to Heather, “Did you mean that about Ginger’s wedding dress?”
This time, Heather’s eyes lit with delight. “I’d love to wear it. Size-wise, I’m sort of in between you and Aunt Kai. Do you think Ginger would let me?”
Marina hugged her daughter. “I could tell she loved the idea. But it’s bad luck for the groom to see it before the wedding.”
Heather chuckled at that. “Uh, Mom? It’s in your wedding photos all over the house.”
“Well, don’t tell him that,” Marina said. “How about I hide the photos when Blake comes over?”
“Too late for that.” Jack chuckled and shook his head. “Blake, you’re in for a wild ride and the best time of your life, buddy. Welcome to the family.”
“Look, there they go,” Heather whispered, nodding toward Ginger and Oliver. He opened the car door for her. “I mean, don’t look.”
Marina laughed and turned back to work. Although her grandmother might deny having an interest in Oliver, her actions indicated otherwise.
Jack joined Heather and Blake, and Marina started lunch for him. The familiar rhythms of the cafe surrounded her—the clinking of dishes, the hum of conversation, the aromas of the kitchen—but her mind was elsewhere. She could hardly wait to see Ginger and tease out more details about Oliver.
Ginger might insist there was nothing between them; she might wave away Marina’s questions with an elegant hand, but Marina knew better.
She’d seen the spark in Ginger’s eyes and noticed the new dress she had on—and the earrings she saved for special occasions. Her actions gave her away.
Marina couldn’t be happier for her. If anyone deserved a second chance at love, it was her remarkable grandmother. She’d never thought about it because Ginger was so self-sufficient.
A warm glow gathered in her chest as she plated Jack’s sliders. She had the feeling Ginger’s life had more interesting chapters to come.