Page 48 of Captiva Book Club

“Nonsense,” Kristin said as she returned from the kitchen with a damp cloth. “We’re almost done, and then we’ll get out of your hair.”

Claire and Kristin were wiping down the counter and putting away the leftover food with Oliver’s help, while Chelsea returned the chairs to their proper places around the dining room table. Even though the cleanup was a bit impromptu, it was clear everyone had fun, laughing and sharing anecdotes from the meeting, and life in general.

Finally, when the last dish was put away and the floor swept clean, the women gathered near the door, exchanging hugs and goodbyes.

As the last of the non-family members left, Maggie stood in the entryway, waving goodbye. The inn was quieter now, but the warmth of their presence lingered. She turned to Chelsea, who was fluffing pillows on the sofa, and smiled. “I don’t know what I’d do without you all.”

“You’d be fine,” Chelsea said with a laugh. “But it’s much more fun having me around, don’t you agree?”

Maggie laughed. “So much more.” She glanced around the now-tidy space and sighed. There was still a little time before Christopher and Becca arrived, just enough to put the finishing touches on the guest room and perhaps steal a moment for herself.

As she moved toward the kitchen, Maggie noticed Oliver quietly putting the last of the dishes into the cabinet. He had worked tirelessly behind the scenes, making sure everything was perfect for Maggie’s meeting.

She approached him and smiled. “Oliver, I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work today. The food was absolutely delicious, and everyone couldn’t stop raving about it. You made the event special.”

“I’m glad everyone enjoyed it. It’s always nice to see people appreciating good food.”

“They definitely did,” Maggie assured him. “They couldn’t stop talking about how talented you are.”

“I appreciate that, but I didn’t do it for them, I did it for you.”

“I don’t understand,” she said.

“Maggie, I’m so very happy to have this job. You’ve done more for me than I think you know. I hope you always like what I’m doing here, because I plan to stay for a long time, if you’ll have me.”

Maggie smiled. “I’m glad to hear you say that, because I’m speaking for both me and my husband. We’re blessed to have you be part of the Key Lime Garden family. We’re lucky to have you.”

“They’ve landed!” Ciara announced. “They’re on their way to pick up the car rental and will be here sometime in the next hour.”

“Woohoo!” Grandma Sarah yelled. “Finally, we’re going to have some fun around here.”

Maggie shook her head and whispered to Ciara. “My mother loves all her grandchildren, but I think she secretly loves Christopher because he likes to get into trouble with her.”

“Trouble?” Ciara asked.

“Yeah, you know, mischief. When Christopher was little, she’d babysit and let him get away with anything and everything. When he got older, he reciprocated and let her do whatever she wanted without telling me. It used to drive me crazy, but now, I think it’s sweet that they’re buddies like that.”

“I heard that,” Grandma Sarah said. “You think I can’t hear you when you whisper, but my hearing is pretty good. Anyway, you were too strict with your children. I came along and made sure they had a good time and not always doing chores and homework. You should learn a lesson from me and have more fun.”

Maggie rolled her eyes, and Chelsea chuckled.

“Never mind, Maggie. I could learn a lesson or two from you, and don’t let your daughter fool you. She admires you so much.”

Maggie wouldn’t make eye contact with her mother, but the deafening silence felt awkward, so she changed the subject.

“Mom, have you eaten enough? I can make another plate for you if you’d like.”

Her mother stood behind her, and Maggie could feel the heat from her body. Maggie turned to look at her mother.

“Is that true, Maggie? Do you admire me?”

Maggie’s heart had long been softened by her mother’s attempt at reconciliation. She’d passed the torch to Maggie and would choose the same path.

“I do…very much.”

Grandma Sarah put her arms around Maggie and pulled her close.

“And I, you,” she said.

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