Page 27 of Sunshine

Chapter 8

Sunshine

The afternoon breeze lifted my hair, and I leaned my face into the sun. A few days after my evening planning menus with Logan and Luca, life had gone back to what passed for normal.

“And that’s why we should do a turtle pond,” Ember finished, gesturing at a wide field.

Raina looked up from her planner. She never went anywhere without it, and the easiest way to get her to relax was to bring her a new set of stickers. “We don’t need a water feature in the middle of the resort.” Her brown hair was pulled into its customary bun, without a single hair out of place.

“I’m just saying think about it.” Ember did jazz hands over the patch of land. “Tiny baby turtles. Guests could come out here after having their chakras balanced.”

Luna looked on, still paler than normal with dark circles under her eyes. I wrapped an arm around my baby sister and gave her a hug while I watched my cousins.

I couldn’t tell if Ember was being serious or not. I almost didn’t care. It was far too amusing to watch them talk about a hypothetical turtle pond.

Raina shook her head. “Maybe. Bring me some spreadsheets on cost analysis and we’ll bring it up at the next family meeting.”

“It won’t bother your pollinator garden, right?” Ember looked at Luna, pushing her flaming red hair out of her face. “I want the bumblebees to be happy too.”

“It will be fine,” Luna said.

“You’re sure?” Ember patted Luna’s shoulder, and Raina looked at my little sister critically.

“Are you feeling okay?” Raina asked.

“Fine.” Luna said, though without looking at any of us. “Just tired.”

I bit my lip. I wanted to pry but now wasn’t going to be the time Luna opened up. I’d have to catch her alone, maybe at her cottage, with some candy as bribery.

Raina started walking back. Near the main road was the Welcome Center. Behind the Welcome Center, we had a spa complete with sauna, rooms for massages and Reiki, and a crystal room. Along the rest of the property we had cottages for retreats and a massive lodge for conferences.

The rest of the property held walking trails, a rock garden, numerous flower beds, and scenic areas. We had a view of the ocean, and the scattering of trees around us. It was perfect and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of the pocket of my sundress.

It was Luca. I smiled and answered. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Hi. I uhhh… Well. I got off work early and it’s a beautiful day.”

Ember, Raina, and Luna were staring at me like I was a monkey in the zoo. I shot them a glare.

“Logan and Julian are at work, and I don’t feel like going home, so I thought maybe you were free? I don’t want to botheryou during your workday, but you might not have taken a lunch break yet. We could walk along the beach?”

I blushed for no good reason and blurted out. “I’m at the resort with my family. Have you seen the hiking trails?”

Ember smirked, and even Raina looked interested. I waved them off. “I can meet you at the Welcome Center.”

“That sounds great. Thanks for letting me drop in on you like this.”

“No problem,” I said, my voice sounded strained. I was trying not to overthink everything and also hold a conversation. “See you in a few.”

My sister and cousins stared. I shook my head. “It’s nothing. Luca is off work, but Logan and Julian are working.”

“So he thought you would drop everything you were doing in the middle of a workday?” Raina arched an eyebrow, ready to pounce.

“No, for my lunch break.” I eyed her. “He wasn’t rude.”

Ember elbowed her sister. “Raina, come on. She’s been pining over Pack Kahele for years. If they’re gonna start making their moves, let them.”

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