Page 58 of Key West Promises

"I walked right into that one, didn't I?" Tess groaned, but she couldn't help smiling. The truth was the thought of Jamie watching her instead of performing did make her pulse quicken a bit.

"Face it, sis," Leah said, "you're not fooling anyone. Especially not with that look on your face right now."

"What look? There's no look!" But Tess could feel herself blushing again.

"That one," Kaitlyn pointed out helpfully. "The same one he gets when you walk into Max's."

"Can we please focus on the fundraiser?" Tess begged. "You know, the actual reason we're all here?"

"Oh, we're focused," Chelsea assured her. "On all the important details. Including how our sister somehow managed to capture the heart of Key West's most eligible restaurateur."

"I hate every single one of you," Tess declared, but her smile gave her away. "Captain Mike, any chance we could throw a few of these people overboard?"

They laughed and enjoyed the remainder of the pastries and coffee and then thanked Captain Mike. Everything was falling into place. The fundraiser was only hours away, and no one was more excited than Kaitlyn.

CHAPTER 23

The sunset cruise fundraiser for Paradise Harbor House was about to begin. Golden hues over the Key West marina meant soon the sky would be a mix of colors by the time all the guests arrived.

There wasn't anything more beautiful than when the sky was a perfect watercolor blend of pinks, oranges, and soft blues. The wind had died down from earlier in the afternoon and the gentle ocean breeze was perfect for taking a boat out on the water.

A long table draped in linen stood at the entrance, where volunteers handed out handcrafted lanyards—each adorned with small sea-glass pendants made by a local artisan. The lanyards doubled as guest passes for the event and would be a perfect keepsake memory of the event.

"Here you go," Leah said with a bright smile, handing lanyards to an older couple. "Enjoy the evening!"

Guests began making their way up the wooden plank leading onto theSea Breeze, a beautiful, spacious vessel with a sturdy double-deck design. The aroma of expertly prepared dishes from Jamie's restaurant filled the air as he oversaw the catering, ensuring a memorable dining experience for everyone on board.

Tess stood near the entrance, watching as guests climbed aboard. As each one approached, they admired the soft string lights illuminating the deck, the crisp white tablecloths draped over the buffet station, and the bartenders mixing drinks with practiced ease. Servers wove through the mingling crowd, already making their rounds, carrying silver trays laden with appetizers.

Elena was deep in conversation with a well-dressed couple near the bar, while Gretchen helped direct a few late arrivals. Kaitlyn, wearing a deep blue sundress, stood beside Will as he captured footage of the guests boarding.

"Looks good, doesn't it?" Will murmured, adjusting his camera lens.

"It looks perfect," Kaitlyn replied, scanning the scene. "Now we just have to hope people open their wallets for the silent auction."

Tess turned as Jamie approached, his chef's coat pristine despite the humid evening. "So, how's the crowd looking?" he asked.

"Like they have money to spend," Tess said with a smirk.

Jamie chuckled. "Good. That's the idea, right?"

As more guests filled the deck, a waiter passed by, offering trays of seafood-stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta topped with heirloom tomatoes, and miniature crab cakes. The scent of grilled fish and fresh tropical fruit from the buffet drifted through the air, making stomachs rumble in anticipation.

Leah stepped beside Kaitlyn, nudging her lightly. "You nervous?"

"Terrified."

Leah laughed. "You'll be fine. Just focus on the cause. That's what this is all about."

A few minutes later, Elena took to the small stage near the center of the deck, microphone in hand. The music softened as she tapped the mic, drawing the attention of the crowd.

"Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us tonight on this beautiful Key West evening," she began, her voice warm and welcoming. "Tonight isn't just about enjoying good food and great company. It's about making a difference. It's about supporting the families who come to Paradise Harbor House in search of hope, stability, and a second chance."

A hush fell over the crowd as Elena continued, speaking from the heart about the shelter's mission. She gestured toward Will, who nodded before clicking a button on his tablet, sending the interview footage up onto a screen set up above the bar.

The video played, showing the history of Paradise Harbor House with clips of interviews from not only people who have lived at the shelter, but people who have benefited from the good work of the organization over the years.

When it came to Melanie's interview, her words resonated with the guests. Faces in the crowd softened, some dabbing at their eyes as Melanie spoke of how Paradise Harbor House had saved her and Hailee from living in their car.

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