Page 22 of Captiva Book Club

“Let’s go upstairs, and let the guys get back to work. How about a cup of coffee?” Ciara answered.

“No way. I’ve already had three, any more and I won’t need a Jet Ski, I’ll be able to run on top of the water.”

Maggie and Ciara left the store area and went upstairs to Ciara and Crawford’s apartment. Since marrying last year, Ciara had made the place cozy and welcoming.

“The place looks lovely, Ciara”

“Thank you, Maggie, please, let’s sit in the living room.”

“You decorated everything so beautifully. I love that there are touches of Gaeta here. You’ve managed to combine the island vibe with your Italian heritage.”

“Thank you so much. It was difficult to think about redecorating when Crawford hadn’t really made many changes after his wife died.”

“That’s not unusual. Lots of people leave things as they were when their loved one died. I think it makes them feel as if they’re still alive.”

Ciara nodded. “Crawford kept apologizing for the longest time, as if I’d be offended by his love for Julia.”

“Oh, that must have been a difficult discussion to have.”

“Not so much. I explained to him that loving Julia took nothing away from what we have. Besides, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with Crawford if he had stopped loving her just because she passed away. People can be so jealous and territorial about these things, but to me, that’s not love.”

“I agree. Speaking of love, I’m so sorry that Meredith has put Luke in such an awkward situation. What happened between them? They were together for so many years.”

“Yes, six years, and then she finally gave up waiting for him to propose, I think. But, it’s not all Meredith’s fault, and Luke knows that. I never thought Crawford’s boys would confide in me the way that they have. After all, they’re grown men now, and I’m the new stepmother. Luke and Meredith broke up seven months ago, and Luke initially tried to get her back, but it was too late.”

“What a shame, I liked Meredith,” Maggie added.

“So did everyone in this family, but when I talked to Luke about it, he shared that he’d put work and his desire for success above relationships. It wasn’t just Meredith who he ignored, his friends and family felt that he had lost sight of what’s important and told him so.”

“Still, it’s strange that Meredith is getting married so soon after their break-up. It makes me wonder if either she is rebounding or…”

Ciara nodded. “I’m sure Luke is asking that very same question. He said he doesn’t have a clue who her fiancé is and has looked him up on the internet. Apparently, he’s a stockbroker and a very successful one. It would be awful if she had been seeing this other man while she was with Luke. Regardless of why they broke up, he was faithful to her, that I know.”

Maggie suddenly had an idea. “Wait, Ciara, I have a thought. What if Luke goes to Meredith’s wedding after all?”

“What? Why would he want to do that?” Ciara asked.

“What if he went and didn’t go alone? What if he had a date, a very lovely date on his arm?”

“Maggie Moretti, what are you scheming?”

“You know Claire Wright?”

Ciara nodded, “The woman running the book club?”

“Yes, her daughter, Katie is joining our club as well. Last week, when we had the Christmas Parade, I noticed Katie checking out Luke when he drove Santa’s boat onto the beach. I’m not sure if Claire noticed it or not, but we did give each other a look right after Katie moved up to get a better look at Luke.”

Ciara laughed. “How do you know she wasn’t trying to get a better look at Santa?”

Maggie hadn’t thought of that, but she pressed forward with her idea, nonetheless.

“If I’m right, I think Katie would love to accompany Luke to Meredith’s wedding.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Just as I think Meredith is crazy for getting married so soon after Luke, I think Luke is still heartbroken and it’s too soon for him to start another relationship.”

Maggie shook her head. “No, I’m not talking about Luke and Katie getting serious, I’m just saying that it would be nice if Luke could hold his head up high and walk into that wedding with a lovely, intelligent woman, who just happens to be gorgeous. Maybe something will come of it, and maybe they’ll just be friends. Either way, Luke will feel better about the situation.”

Ciara seemed to consider Maggie’s proposal.

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