Chapter 12 Vance
VANCE
On a warm summer evening, with my Mama on one arm and Margot’s hand in mine, I stepped through the arched gate and onto Seraphina Sinclair’s stone pathway.
“How lovely,” Mama said.
Soft exterior lighting and abundant hydrangeas lined the path. Two potted lemon trees flanked the wide, white Dutch door.
Margot had been quiet on the drive over, clutching her bear and staring out the window. She’d changed into the purple dress Mia had helped her pick out—soft cotton with little flowers embroidered on the collar. Her hair was pulled back with a lavender headband.
When she saw the hydrangeas, she stopped. “They’re pretty.”
“Lila says the whole house and gardens are gorgeous,” I told her.
“Will there be a lot of people?” Her fingers tightened around my thumb.
“Some. But Mia will be there. And all her friends. They’re excited to meet you.”
“What if they don’t like me?”
Mama squeezed her other hand. “Sweetheart, they’re going to love you. I promise.”
Music drifted from the house—something acoustic and summery—and laughter bubbled up from the back patio. The scent of buttered corn and grilled seafood teased my senses and made my stomach growl as we stepped into the front entry.
I immediately knew who had decorated this house—Lila.
Every detail confirmed it. The foyer opened into a sprawling, light-soaked living room with crisp white slipcovered sofas, oversized armchairs, and a fireplace framed by built-in shelves stacked with novels, pottery, and coastal art.
The walls were a creamy white, the floors a honey-toned oak.
Everything felt welcoming and effortless.
Two sets of French doors opened to a sprawling patio that looked out to sea.
A seafood buffet stretched across a long table like a magazine spread—towers of crab legs on ice, platters of California and spicy tuna rolls, dishes of melted butter, and bowls of sweet corn, grilled peaches, and citrus-dressed arugula.
“The food looks delicious,” Mama said.
Before I could reply, a voice called out, “Yay, you’re here!”
We turned to see Mia barreling toward us in jean shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals. Her hair was pulled into two little buns on the sides of her head. Behind her came another girl—same age, with hair the color of seagrass in late summer and big blue eyes.
“Hi, Irene. Hi, Vance.” Mia threw her arms around Mama, then me, before crouching down to Margot’s level. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Margot managed a shy smile. “You have?”
“Totally. I want you to meet all my friends.” Mia straightened and gestured toward the blonde girl. “This is one of my best friends—Grace. Grace, this is Margot. Isn’t she fabulous?”
Grace sent her a gentle smile. “It’s really nice to meet you. Mia’s told me all about you.”
“Oh. Okay,” Margot said.
My heart sank at the sound of her small voice, clearly finding it hard to believe that anyone would have talked about her.
Grace nodded. “Yeah. She said you’re really good at art. Just like Mia.”
Behind the girls, a teenage boy appeared—tall, lean, with dark hair and kind eyes. He looked about sixteen.
“That’s my brother Peter,” Grace said. “And my sister Bella’s around here somewhere. Come on, we’re all going down to the beach soon. We have a bonfire pit down there.”
I blinked. Brother? Sister? I glanced at Mia, confused.
“Alex adopted Grace when he married Gillian,” Mia explained quickly. “Peter and Bella are Alex’s kids from his first marriage. They’re all one family now. It’s really cool.”
Margot looked up at me. “Papa, can I go with them?”
“If you want to. But stay close to Mia, okay?”
“We’ll take care of her,” Grace said earnestly.
“Don’t worry, we won’t let her out of our sight,” Mia said, holding out her hand to Margot.
Peter stepped forward. “We’ll all look out for her. The beach is right down there—you can see it from here. And if she needs you, we’ll bring her right back.”
“I’ll be right up here if you need me,” I said to Margot.
“Okay, Papa.”
“Come on.” Mia tugged on Margot’s hand. “My friend Bella’s going to love meeting you. She’s the sweetest. And wait until you meet Annie. She’ll make you die laughing.”
We watched them head toward the beach path, voices already chattering away.
“It’s so good for her to be with other kids,” Mama said softly.
“They’re all such nice ones too.” I took a breath. “Let’s find Lila.”
She’d been out at my house working, so had driven separately.
We wove through the mingling guests toward the back patio.
Lanterns hung overhead, glowing like stars.
The ocean stretched beyond the glass doors, calm and silver-blue under the fading sky.
I spotted a tall man with dark hair standing near the buffet, his arm around a woman with light brown, curly hair and a dancer’s posture.
She was laughing at something he’d said, looking radiant in a soft blue dress.
“I think that’s Gillian,” Mama murmured. “Grace’s mother. She’s the dancer.”
Gillian caught my eye and smiled warmly, heading our way, holding her husband’s hand.
“You must be Vance,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Gillian Horton—I mean, Garcia.” She gestured to the man beside her. “This is my husband, Alex. Lila’s told us so much about you. And you must be Irene—it’s wonderful to meet you both.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” I said, shaking her hand. “Your daughter Grace just whisked mine away with the other kids.”
Gillian laughed. “Grace has been so excited to meet Margot. She and Mia have been planning the welcome committee all week.”
Alex extended his hand with a warm smile. “Great to meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about you from the kids. Fair warning—they’re probably going to keep your daughter occupied all evening.”
“I’m grateful for it,” I admitted. “She was nervous about coming.”
“From what Lila told me, it’s been an adjustment for her,” Gillian said. “Please let us know if we can ever do anything to help.”
“It’s an adjustment—for both of us.” I hesitated.
Alex’s expression shifted to something more serious, understanding. “Yes, please do. We’re still adjusting to our new family dynamics too. But it can be done. If you ever want to talk anything out, we’re here for you.”
“Lila’s been a great help,” I said. “Mia too.”
He glanced at Gillian with obvious affection. “That sounds familiar.” He squeezed his wife’s hand. “My wife was a saint when Bella was giving us trouble.”
Gillian blushed. “It was hard for Bella to adjust to all the changes so quickly. We fell head over heels. The kids could barely keep up with the pace.”
“Head over heels for the second time,” Alex said. “We knew each other a long time ago.”
“And reconnected because of that app. The kids can’t stop congratulating themselves,” Gillian said.
“I’m a fan of the kids’ decision,” I said, chuckling. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have met Lila.”
“How are you feeling?” Mama asked Gillian. “Lila mentioned you were expecting. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. The first few weeks were rough, but I’m past the worst of it now.” Gillian touched her still-flat stomach. “We’re thrilled. Terrified, but thrilled.”
“Four kids,” Alex said, shaking his head with a grin. “It’s going to be a zoo.”
“Yes, but we have Sonya,” Gillian said. “She’s our live-in housekeeper. We’d be lost without her.”
Lila appeared through the crowd. My heart gave a hard thump.
She looked stunning tonight. She wore a pale champagne-colored dress that caught the light every time she moved, the silky fabric swaying gently around her calves in the ocean breeze.
Strappy sandals showed off her toned legs.
Her hair was down in soft waves, and gold hoop earrings flashed beneath it.
Layered necklaces at her collarbone caught the candlelight.
As if sensing my gaze, she turned—and, when her eyes met mine, her face lit up, making me feel like a rock star. I strolled over, took her hands, and kissed her on the cheek. “Hi, gorgeous.”
“Hi back. Did you have a good day?” Lila asked, slipping her hand into mine.
“It was pretty good. We had lunch with my mom at the clubhouse. Margot’s warming up to her.”
“That’s great.”
I led her over to my mother, who was still chatting with Alex and Gillian.
“Irene, I’m thrilled you came,” Lila said, before turning to Gillian and Alex. “How are my favorite newlyweds?”
“Blissfully happy,” Gillian said, sneaking another loving look at her husband.
Lila’s gaze shifted to me. “Where’s Margot?”
“Mia and Grace took her down to the beach with the other kids.”
“How’s she doing?” Lila asked.
“They swarmed like locusts,” Gillian said. “Hopefully they won’t overwhelm the poor child.”
“Come meet everyone else,” Lila said, touching my arm briefly.
She led us into a large kitchen, where three women were huddled together, looking at something on a laptop screen. They broke apart when they saw us. Lila introduced them to my mother and me.
Lila had already told me all about them.
Esme—the blonde with a vivacious smile and a halter-style dress—owned the flower shop.
Delphine, tall with long brown hair, was a potter and owned the art gallery.
She wore a fitted dark blue cocktail dress that showed off her slender figure and muscular legs.
Intense eyes flickered in my direction, taking me in.
I wondered what she saw. Lastly was Seraphina, the writer.
Even without Lila’s description, I would have recognized her from the display at Dorian’s.
It was hard to miss those thick, copper tresses.
Bangles clinked on both wrists when Esme shook my hand. “Mia talks about you constantly. She’s over the moon about you and Lila.”
“I’m pretty over the moon myself,” I said.
“I’m a huge fan of your books,” Mama said to Seraphina shyly.
“That’s so kind,” Seraphina said warmly.
“I’m halfway through The Garden of Good Intentions, and I don’t want it to end,” Mama said.