Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Kylie said goodbye to her dad and headed home, eager to meet with her friends this evening.
Though she would have enjoyed seeing Zane, this girls’ night had been planned in advance of his arrival in the Bay.
After having seen Tidewater in person, she was looking forward to hearing all about what everyone had done this past weekend while they were guests of the resort.
After a quick shower, she placed her hair in a high ponytail and left her apartment, driving to Layne’s.
Layne had told everyone not to bring anything because she was trying out a new recipe.
Kylie looked forward to whatever it would be.
Keaton was a terrific cook and had been giving lessons to his wife.
It sounded as if she were branching out on her own now.
As she drove to the Maxwells’ house, she wondered how much she would reveal about her relationship with Zane.
He had been at Tidewater the entire weekend, sending her a few texts.
It was probably better because they’d had full charters on both Saturday and Sunday, running twelve hours, as well as a crowded boat for their Sunday sightseeing tour that night.
Kylie pulled into the Maxwells’ circular drive behind Mila, and both women got out of their cars at the same time. Mila was definitely showing now, five months into her pregnancy. Her friend glowed with good health and gave Kylie a hug.
“It’s so good to see you,” Mila exclaimed. “I hate that summer is your busiest time, what with all the tourists who invade the Bay. I wanted to spend more time with you.”
She laughed. “I know your elementary age volleyball camp just started. Between that and getting ready for the baby, you don’t have a lot of free time. I’m just glad we could all get together this evening.”
As they started toward the front door, Piper eased into the driveway, and so they waited for her. Hugs were exchanged, and then Mila rang the doorbell. Layne answered almost immediately, squealing and wrapping everyone in a group hug.
“Come on in. I’m so glad we have tonight together.”
“You did just have all weekend together,” Kylie pointed out playfully. “I hope Tidewater was everything you expected it to be.”
“Everything—and more,” Mila said. “I’m spoiled for life in what I expect in a hotel now.”
They went into the kitchen and took seats around the table.
“I’ve got margaritas for all of us except Mila. I made yours without the tequila,” she told her friend. “You’ve got your own little pitcher of icy delight.”
“I’ll help pour drinks,” Piper offered, rising from the table.
Kylie thought Piper seemed a bit subdued tonight, not her usual effervescent self.
It struck her that with Tidewater’s imminent opening, Sullivan would be moving on.
Kylie could tell how much Piper thought of Sullivan, and she had also caught glances Sullivan had given her friend.
She assumed that Piper was saddened that her romance with the handsome architect was coming to an end.
“I made seven layer dip,” Layne told them, retrieving it from the fridge and placing the 9x13 glass dish on the table.
“I could make this dinner,” Kylie proclaimed and the others laughed as Layne provided plates and opened a bag of tortilla chips.
“This will be our appetizer,” Layne told her guests. “I still have something in the oven for another twenty minutes or so. You are my guinea pigs.”
With everyone having food and drink in hand, the other three began telling Kylie about their weekend at the newest Wagner luxury resort.
“It’s hard to even imagine The Island being so different,” Mila said. “I know we all grew up going there, but nothing is recognizable now.”
“Sullivan’s design is beautiful,” Layne said enthusiastically. “And our every whim was catered to. It was hard to give any negative feedback because Tidewater’s staff seemed to think of everything we needed before we did.”
“What were some of the things you tried out?” she asked.
They talked about the golf course, bike riding around the island, and the various pools and tennis court.
A timer went off, and Layne said, “I’ll get that,” placing a hot pad on the counter. She removed a casserole dish from the oven and set it atop the pad before removing plates from the cupboard and placing them beside the casserole.
“This is taco stuffed pepper casserole. It’s a recipe I found online that looked too good not to try. Keaton has already taught me how to make stuffed peppers. This is just a little twist which spices things up a bit.”
The women took a break, dishing up the casserole, which looked delicious and smelled heavenly. Layne refilled their glasses while they served themselves, and they all returned to the table.
Piper took the first bite. “Wow, Layne! This is fantastic. Who knew Keaton would turn you into a cook?”
“Cooking is something I’ve really come to enjoy,” Layne told the group.
“I never did much of it, especially with the long hours I put in on my job in Dallas. It’s nice for Keaton to come in from painting in his studio and us collaborate on dinner together.
” She paused. “I’ve also been doing a bit of photography. ”
“The photos you took on your European honeymoon were amazing,” Kylie praised. “I almost think you have Keaton’s artist’s eye when it comes to framing a photo.”
“I believe I want to pursue photography,” Layne shared. “I want to show you a series I’ve been working on once we finish dinner. Keaton thinks I have real potential.”
“Tell me about the food you ate at Tidewater,” she encouraged which started another round of discussion.
“Tyler is the perfect person to be in charge of food,” Mila said. “He has a real vision for what he wants Tidewater to be. I know Ben and Betty are so proud of him.”
“Ty told me that his parents will be among the guests coming this week,” Piper said.
“Mom and Dad are also going to be in that test group. They’re really looking forward to their time at a fancy resort.
It’s definitely out of their wheelhouse, but they’re looking for adventures now that they’re no longer working. ”
“My parents will also be going,” Mila shared.
“Dad has been retired all of a week now, and he’s already planning some big trip with your dad for our moms and them to go on the first week of August. They want to do something fun and still be back in time for the baby’s birth.
” She rubbed her belly. “Even though Mom hasn’t officially retired from Coastal Charm Boutique yet, I see her stepping back and handing over more of the day-to-day operations to her assistant manager.
Mom won’t want to miss out on all the fun Dad’s talking about. ”
“What does he want to do besides travel?” Kylie asked.
“He’s talking about playing more golf. Mom’s mentioned taking up golf, as well. Dad also has even said he might want to get his diving certification.”
“Have him talk to my dad,” she suggested. “Dad has held one for years and loves to dive. He’d be happy to take your dad out so they could dive together.”
Mila smiled. “I’ll let him know.” She frowned. “I’m so sorry you couldn’t join us this weekend, Kylie. We missed you. It was a fun group to hang out with. Zane Wagner joined us for a few of the meals.”
Her heart skipped a beat just hearing Zane’s name.
“Zane is very interesting,” she said, now that the door was open and someone else had brought him up. “We’ve seen each other a couple of times since he arrived in the Bay.”
Layne perked up. “You’re seeing Zane? I noticed how much the two of you talked at the cookout the other night. Kylie, you haven’t dated anyone since you’ve returned to the Bay. That’s fantastic.”
She shrugged. “I know he’s only here for about three weeks, but we really hit it off.”
“I knew you were meeting with him about the ferry situation,” Piper said. “Sullivan mentioned that to me.”
“Yes, we did so. I was pleasantly surprised how cooperative Zane was during those negotiations. It helps, him having a soft spot for the Bay, having spent a part of each summer here with his grandparents. I’m happy to tell you that there will be two ferries running to Tidewater, as well as to Renner Beach, and a third one will be added as soon as it’s finished being built. ”
Kylie gave them some of the details, and they all were excited about the changes coming to the Bay, especially because Danny would have the burden eased from him as the town’s only ferry operator.
“I know from having Lily now just how time-consuming children are,” Mila said. “Danny’s had to work seven days a week—and long hours—taking construction workers and now staff to Tidewater and back. When is Denise due?”
“The baby’s due in August,” Kylie said. “So, it’s a perfect time for Danny to be able to step back and have more regular hours. Zane and I also talked about the Bay building an event center.”
“That makes perfect sense,” Layne said. “So many celebrations, from weddings to retirements to dances were held on The Island. It would save people from having to go all the way to Renner—or even Corpus—to rent space, but who would build it? That would be a huge undertaking.”
“Not the Mayfields,” she said. “We’re already spread too thin as it is, and we’ll need to hire additional ferry operators once those vessels arrive.” She hesitated a moment and then said, “Also, I’m going to be leaving the Bay after high season.”
“What?” the Three Musketeers cried in unison.
“You know I was married before. I came home to lick my wounds. I didn’t have any intention of remaining here permanently.
I simply decided to help out with the business while I was back in the Bay instead of twiddling my thumbs.
While I love being outside every day and working with Dad, I foresee a different life for myself. ”
“Will you go back to Dallas?” Piper asked.
Kylie shook her head vigorously. “Not a chance of that. Brady is still there, and I don’t ever want to see him again.
Things ended on a really bad note between us.
I don’t want to run into him. I don’t want friends we had torn between sides to take.
I’ll look for a position anywhere but Dallas,” she declared.
“What would you like to do?” Mila asked. “You were in advertising and marketing before.”
“My strengths are in those two areas, and that’s the type of job I’ll pursue. It doesn’t mean the door is closed to everything else. I’ll remain open to all opportunities.”
“How are your parents taking to this news?” Piper asked.
“Surprisingly, they’re the ones who are encouraging me to move on.
They love me enough to encourage me to leave and make a life on my own.
I plan to start searching seriously come August. High season will end with Labor Day weekend, so I don’t want to find something too early and leave Mom and Dad high and dry during the busiest time of the year.
I also want to make certain that the new ferries are all operating well and that we’ve nailed down a good schedule for them.
“But after that? I’m wide open. It may be Texas—or I may look even beyond.”
“I’m leaving the Bay, too,” Piper announced, causing all three of them to gasp.
“You are?” Layne said. “I mean, I knew you wouldn’t be running the inn for me forever. I’ve been the one who’s encouraged you to figure out what you want to do. What direction have you decided to go?”
Piper bit her lip, and Kylie could see her friend was torn. She leaned over and placed her hand atop Piper’s folded ones.
Giving Piper an encouraging smile, she said, “Go on. We want to hear what’s up.”
“I had thought I might be building a life with Sullivan,” Piper began, her eyes misting with tears. “That … didn’t work out. He’s left the Bay and is already back in New York.”
They were silent a moment, and Piper swallowed. “I’m going to really push myself from my comfort zone. I’ve decided to move to New York.”
“New York?” Mila asked. “Are you going back to acting?”
Piper nodded. “I’ll give myself a year. When I was in college, New York was always the end goal.
Get my degree and head to the Big Apple.
See if I could make it on Broadway. Instead, I leaped at the opportunity to become a part of that traveling tour group, which went all over the U.S.
I think I owe it to myself, though, to see if I can make it in New York.
If I can land a production on or off Broadway.
Right now, I’m thinking I’ll take a year to try my luck.
Maybe even two. I can waitress on the side to support myself. ”
Piper looked to Layne. “I’d like to leave by Labor Day if I can.”
“I’ll start looking for a new manager for the Bay Breeze Inn,” Layne said, smiling at Piper through watery eyes. She turned her gaze to Kylie and then back to Piper, saying, “Mila and I will really miss the two of you. Promise us that you’ll stay in touch.”
“Of course,” Piper assured everyone. “Why, we did FaceTimes regularly all those years I was on the road. I don’t want to lose the friendship we have. If anything, it’s more important to me than before.”
Piper turned to Kylie. “Once we both have left the Bay and have settled into some kind of routine, we can figure out when we can all FaceTime together. I plan to make visits back to the Bay to see my parents.” She leaned over and rubbed Mila’s belly.
“And to see this little one, too. I’m sure Kylie will do the same. ”
“I’ll definitely come back,” she promised. “Now that I’ve found the three of you, I value our friendship. We’ll do whatever it takes to stay in touch.”
“Boy, this has been an eventful evening,” Mila said. “Not only has Layne turned out to be a terrific cook, but two of us are leaving the Bay soon. Let’s do whatever we can to spend as much time together, despite our busy schedules.”
“I agree,” Layne said wholeheartedly.
Kylie would do what she could to see these three women as much as possible through the summer.
But for the next couple of weeks, she intended to be with Zane every free moment.