Page 12 of Key West Promises

Leah smiled. “I guess so.”

The next morning, Kaitlyn stood on the porch of Paradise Harbor House, her heart pounding as she knocked lightly on the screen door before walking inside. She'd traded her usual resort wear for something more practical—neat shorts and a crisp white shirt.

Elena appeared swiftly, a clipboard clutched in her hand and a warm smile lighting her face. From behind her, the sounds of breakfast preparation spilled out—the clinking of dishes, children's laughter, and a symphony of cozy chaos signaling a home awakening.

"Kaitlyn! Good to see you. What brings you by so early?"

"I wanted to talk to you about…maybe doing more," Kaitlyn said, fidgeting slightly. Her carefully prepared pitch suddenly seemed inadequate in the face of the real work happening inside. "I have a degree in business communication, and I thought maybe I could help with your marketing. Social media, fundraising, things like that."

Elena's expression brightened, her clipboard lowering slightly. “Our online presence could use a refresh, and we're always looking for ways to boost donations. I’m not sure what else you were thinking of doing but we can explore ideas. We do amazing work here, but sometimes getting the word out can be challenging."

Relief flooded Kaitlyn's face. "Really? That's great. I can start whenever you need me. I've been thinking about some ideas already—ways to share success stories, highlight your programs, maybe even set up a regular donor newsletter."

"How about today?" Elena said. "We're planning a fundraiser in a couple of weeks. We’re just now working on ideas for that. It would be wonderful to have your input. Lily helps me with marketing things, but perhaps you and she might brainstorm? Sometimes fresh eyes see opportunities we might miss."

Kaitlyn nodded eagerly. "I'm in."

She followed Elena inside, where Maria was carefully taking her seashells out of a shoebox and carefully arranging them on a windowsill, each one placed with deliberate care. She looked up and waved, her smile missing two front teeth.

Kaitlyn waved back. For the first time since graduation, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be. Not performing for an online audience or meeting someone else's expectations, but doing something real, something that mattered.

Through the window, she could see happiness everywhere. Maybe her aunts weren't the only ones who'd come to the island looking for a fresh start. Maybe sometimes you had to get lost in paradise to find your way forward. She thought of Key West as the next stop on her journey to find purpose and meaning.

She smiled and reminded herself that there wasn’t anything wrong with having fun now and then as well. And, with Aunt Tess and Aunt Leah, fun would always be just around the corner.

CHAPTER 6

Ernest strutted past the window, pausing to eye the kitchen activities with his usual literary criticism while Leah chopped vegetables for dinner.

Tess sat at the kitchen table, leafing through a tattered cookbook she'd found at a thrift store, her pencil scratching notes in the margins. The book had clearly been well-loved by its previous owner, with dog-eared pages and splatter marks telling stories of meals long past. She'd bought it on impulse last week, drawn to its vintage cover and promise of "Island Cuisine Made Simple."

"How about lime and honey glazed shrimp?" Tess suggested, holding up the book. The recipe's page was marked with one of their old business cards—"Island Inspirations" in faded gold lettering. "We could serve it over coconut rice."

"Sounds good," Leah replied, carefully dicing a bell pepper. "As long as we don't overdo the honey. Remember last time?" Their attempt at honey-garlic chicken had ended with a sticky mess in the kitchen.

Tess laughed. "Right. Sticky chaos. Got it. Though you have to admit, that sauce was pretty tasty once we got it off the counter. I’m going to shake some red chili peppers on mine."

The kitchen had settled into a comfortable rhythm lately, their evening meals becoming a time to decompress and plan, usually right before heading out to work. It was almost like their early days in Key West, before the pressure of failing businesses had started to weigh them down. There was something different now, a hint of hard-won wisdom in their conversations.

Kaitlyn burst through the door just then, her cheeks pink from the heat and her arms full of folders. Her usual perfectly styled appearance was slightly disheveled, but her eyes were bright with excitement. A few loose papers escaped her grip, scattering across the floor like confetti.

"You wouldn't believe the day I've had," she said, dropping her load onto the couch before flopping down beside it. Her enthusiasm was contagious, filling the small space with energy. "Elena said they’re planning a fundraiser in a few weeks, and she’s thinking about doing a sunset dinner cruise. She thinks it'll bring in some big donations."

"That's ambitious," Leah said, wiping her hands on a towel. She couldn't help but notice how different Kaitlyn seemed from the social media-obsessed niece who'd hadn’t been in Key West for no more than two days. There was substance behind her excitement now, purpose in her planning.

"It is," Kaitlyn agreed, gathering up the fallen papers. "But I think it could really work. The tricky part is getting local businesses to donate or sponsor. We're meeting with some tomorrow. Elena's been introducing me to everyone— she knows practically every business owner in Key West."

"You've been here for what, two days? And you're already planning a major event?" Tess teased, her tone light but impressed. She closed the cookbook, giving Kaitlyn her full attention. "Looks like someone inherited the family's entrepreneurial spirit."

Kaitlyn grinned, but there was a hint of self-awareness in her expression that was new. "What can I say? I'm good at making things happen. Though this time it's different. It's not just about creating content or getting likes. These people really need help." She hesitated, looking between her aunts. "Speaking of which…I was wondering if you two might want to help? Just a little? Maybe with the food side of things?"

Leah blinked, caught off guard. The knife paused mid-chop. "You wantusto help?"

"Why not? Aunt Tess, you're always coming up with creative dishes, and Aunt Leah, you're the most organized person I know. Plus, it's for a good cause." Kaitlyn sat up straighter, her expression earnest. "And honestly? I could really use your experience. Even the failed business attempts taught you both so much about what works and what doesn't in Key West."

Tess tilted her head, clearly intrigued. The vintage cookbook lay forgotten as new possibilities sparked in her mind. "A sunset dinner cruise fundraiser? That does sound fun. And I've always wanted an excuse to try a few new recipes. Maybe something with local ingredients, really showcase what makes the Keys special."

"I don't know," Leah said, hesitant. She resumed chopping, the rhythm slightly less steady now. "We're already working full shifts at the bar. Adding something else might be too much. Not only that, does the shelter have money for this? It’s one thing to get donations, but up-front costs, we can’t afford."

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