Page 57 of Captiva Book Club

“Get down here,” Maggie yelled. “Come on, Lexi.”

The little pup ran down the stairs and returned obediently to Maggie.

“You didn’t come by the inn this morning. I was worried about you, so I thought I’d bring the coffee and some scones, right out of the oven.”

“You made scones?” Chelsea asked.

Maggie shook her head, “Nope, Oliver made these, and I think we’re going to love them. I haven’t had one yet.”

Chelsea opened the bag under her nose and breathed in the aroma. Oliver had been in the kitchen all morning baking several variations of scones.

“Oliver wants our opinion on which is the best,” Maggie said, peering into the bag. “He made glazed cinnamon, blueberry and cherry, almond cranberry, strawberry scones and ginger glazed mango scones. I cut each one in half so you and I can test all three.”

“Let me get two mugs and we can sit out on the lanai. Don’t let Lexi eat any scones, or I’ll give her a one-way ticket back to the inn,” Chelsea teased.

“Come on, Lexi. Let’s go, girl,” Maggie said, tapping her leg.

Lexi’s run looked more like a trot, and for a little dog, she was fast, making her way to the lanai before Maggie.

Chelsea followed behind with two mugs, and then Maggie poured their coffee and settled in on the outdoor sofa.

“What are you going to paint?” Maggie asked.

Chelsea chuckled. “Your guess is as good as mine. I thought I would paint that vase of flowers on the table, but for some reason, I can’t seem to start.”

Lexi jumped onto a chair before Chelsea got to it.

Looking at Lexi, she said, “Hey, around here that’s my chair.” Chelsea pointed to a different chair, and Lexi jumped down and moved to it.

“Thank you,” Chelsea responded as Lexi seemed to sense she wasn’t going to be spoiled while visiting Chelsea.

“What’s the problem?” Maggie asked.

Chelsea looked off in the distance and sighed. “I think Steven is going to break up with me.”

“What? No way. That man is crazy about you. Besides, I think this is just nerves with you. You felt the same way about Sebastian at one point, and the next thing you know, the man proposes. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“Do you remember Steven had us looking at houses on Sanibel and Captiva for him? He was all set to move into a bigger place and spend more time at home than on the road.”

“I remember, what about it?”

“Don’t you remember he changed his mind?”

Maggie nodded. “Yes, I thought he said something about buying land instead and building one of his sustainable container homes.”

“That’s what he said at the time. Now, he’s not going to move at all. He said he’s better off not buying a bigger property while he’s still traveling so much.”

“And you think that means he’s not settling down at all? I’m not sure I’m following you. What does that matter to you? You both have found a relationship that works for you, why change it? You sound like you want to get married again. Is that what you’re saying?”

Chelsea shrugged. “I don’t know, it’s a feeling I can’t explain. I feel him pulling away, and I’m scared. I’ve never been scared like this before. What do you think it means?”

Maggie laughed. “I think it means you’re in love with Steven and want to spend the rest of your life with him. That’s what I think it means, but it doesn’t matter what I think. It’s what you think that’s important.”

Chelsea’s voice, almost a whisper, answered Maggie’s question.

“Maggie, I think I want to marry Steven. I mean, the happily ever after thing, for real this time. I’m shocked to hear myself say this. I never thought this day would come, not after all the years I had with Carl. But I think I’m ready.”

Maggie smiled. She had to pinch herself to keep Steven’s surprise to herself.

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