Chapter 12 #2
Kylie set the table for her mom and then put together a salad, tossing it in the largest bowl she could find.
She added plenty of tomatoes to the lettuce since Danny and the twins favored them.
After grating carrots, she also stirred in black olives and sprinkled croutons on top.
Three-year-old Amber could eat her weight in croutons, loving their crunch, so Kylie placed several in a small, plastic bowl for her niece.
Her brothers and their families arrived, with Denise entering the kitchen with a carrot cake.
“Thought a little dessert would perk us up,” her sister-in-law said, setting the bakery box on the island. “How did it go?”
“No previews,” she said. “Everybody gets the news at the same time.”
Denise shrugged, smiling. “It was worth a try. I’ll grab glasses and start filling them with iced tea for everyone.”
Annie joined in, following behind Denise and pouring tea into the tall glasses.
Mom pulled two pans of lasagna from the oven, and the kitchen immediately became a more welcoming place, with the Italian scent lingering in the air.
“Oh, the rolls,” Mom said when another timer went off.
“I’ll grab them,” Kylie said. “You corral the kids.”
While her mother got the grandkids outside, Denise poured milk for all three and took the cups to the large picnic table.
Danny and Karl entered the kitchen and grabbed potholders, taking pans of lasagna outside as Dad held the door.
Kylie brought the rolls and a tub of butter, telling Denise to get the salad.
Annie brought bottles of ranch, honey mustard, and Italian dressings and set those on the table.
For the next several minutes, plates were fixed and everyone dug into their meal.
“Nobody makes a lasagna like you, Mom,” Karl praised. “No offense, hon,” he said to Annie.
“I agree,” Annie said. “Now, my Mexican lasagna comes close.”
“We should have that the next time we do a family dinner,” Danny said. “That and taco salad. Some piping hot corn tortillas with butter. Or that salad Kylie makes.”
“You mean the one where I drain pinto beans and dump a can into lettuce, tomatoes, and grated cheese? I haven’t had that for a while.”
“The Catalina dressing makes that salad,” Dad said. “Okay, it’s official. That’s our menu next time around.” He looked to Kylie. “Ready to share your news, sweetie? Good or bad, we can handle it.”
“Actually, it’s better than good. It’s great,” she told those gathered. “Zane was completely cooperative. He gave me everything we asked for. I was able to call Price, and he brought the contracts over. No changes were made.”
“You’re telling me it’s exactly what we talked about?” Mom asked, clearly surprised. “We got everything on our wish list?”
“Absolutely. Zane may be a tough negotiator, but he has a soft spot for the Bay because of the summers he spent here with his grandparents. He was very generous. Copies of the contracts have been sent to his corporate office in New York. We will be doing some upgrades on the current ferry on Wagner’s dime.
He’s also leasing one which is only two years old, with an option to buy after six months.
He plans to exercise that option. He also commissioned the building of a ferry and found out the shipyard he was dealing with had started one and then stopped work on it because of a bankruptcy issue.
It’s near completion, so it should be here by early-to-mid August.”
“Then that’ll give us two ferries right away,” Danny said excitedly. “And three before high season ends. Wow, little sis. You are amazing.”
“Zane understands how many people we’re ferrying to Tidewater with just his employees. When I added in the numbers regarding guests, he saw the light. I’ll work with him in building an acceptable schedule. Your input would be useful, Danny.”
“I’m all in,” her brother said.
“He’s also going to discuss things with Tidewater’s general manager.
See if they can work out a schedule of when certain employees ride over.
That way, we won’t have too many trying to cram on at the same time.
Zane’s also working on purchasing motor coaches to bring guests flying into the Corpus airport to the Bay.
Even better, he’s talked it over with the city, and Wagner Enterprises breaks ground tomorrow on a waiting area for the ferry. ”
“Covered?” Mom asked hopefully.
Kylie nodded. “Covered. With a couple of restrooms and water fountain. They’ll erect something quickly and then go back in and finish the interior.”
“It’ll be so nice for people not to have to broil in the sun while they’re waiting on the ferry,” Denise said.
“I agree,” Annie said. “You know, maybe we could even offer a souvenir stand inside the place. I could have some merch from Tidal Treasures placed there with an employee.”
“Ooh, and I could even supply you with cookies to sell, along with bottled waters. Maybe even have a coffee machine there for when the weather turns cooler. Would you mind sharing an employer to sell some sweets, as well as souvenirs?” Denise asked.
“I think cookies make the most sense. Anything else, such as cupcakes, would get too messy.”
“I like that idea,” Annie said, nodding in agreement. “Let’s clear the dishes and talk about it while we wash and dry.”
“Don’t forget dessert,” Dad reminded them, causing everyone to laugh.
They finished the meal. Since her sisters-in-law were handling the dishes, she told her dad she would see him at the docks in the morning.
“It’s the Whites again, along with a group of brothers and their cousins,” he told her. “Full house.”
“Mom, would you check the bookings for an opening for two?” she asked. “Zane was thinking about taking his grandfather out on a charter before he has to go back to New York. I know we’re pretty full.”
“Let me check.” Mom picked up her phone and tapped a few buttons. “Don’t have anything until the last day in June. It’s an eight-hour excursion. Five guys—a groom and his groomsmen. Your idea of hosting bachelor parties has really taken on a new life, Kylie.”
“Glad to hear it. Go ahead and pencil in Zane and Neville if you would. I’ll let Zane know and see if that would work out for them.”
Dad frowned. “That would mean closing down the diner since the boat leaves at seven-thirty. Neville’s the only cook the diner has.”
“Honey, Neville’s in his mid-eighties,” Mom said gently. “I think he could take off one day. The citizens of Driftwood Bay won’t starve.” She smiled at Kylie. “Got them down. You let Zane know. Maybe he’ll even surprise his grandfather with the trip. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
“Okay. I’m heading out,” Kylie said.
Dad stopped her, enveloping her in his arms for a tight hug. “Thanks for everything you did. I know it was a killer presentation for a man like Zane Wagner to give in to every demand you made.”
“Requests, Dad. Not demands.”
He laughed. “Call it what you want, but you have made a huge difference in Mayfield Charters. Why, we’ll have to hire new help now to operate the ferries.”
“I’m already on it,” Mom said, looking up from her phone. “Looking through résumés to find a pilot and crew for the new ferry and the one to come, as well as help for Danny on our current ferry.”
“Goodnight,” Kylie said, leaving the house before she could be stopped again, not wanting to get caught up in this discussion.
She went around to the side yard and entered her small apartment. This place had been her haven when she had returned to the Bay. She liked the privacy it offered.
Especially now—with Zane coming over.
She texted him that her family meeting was done, and he could come over any time. She went to the bathroom, wanting to freshen up a bit, spritzing on perfume and applying new lipstick.
Moments later, she heard a soft rap on her door. Worried that it might be one of her family members which she would need to get rid of quickly, she opened the door—and found Zane standing there.
He stepped in and quickly shut the door. “I finished up early and decided to head this way. I didn’t want to miss a single moment with you, Kylie.”
Taking her into his arms, he kissed her.
And the magic began again.