Page 22 of Coral Memories

Kai placed a hand over her heart and swooned. “Or whisk her off to somewhere wildly romantic.”

“And look where that got you,” Marina said, nodding toward Kai’s abdomen.

“Heather is next,” Kai said, laughing.

Marina shook a spatula at her sister. “Don’t even say that. Heather has plenty of time before settling down with someone.”

“Even if it’s Mr. Dreamy Sea Vet?” Kai asked.

“She’s still in school,” Marina replied firmly. “May we please get off this conversation?”

Ginger put her arm around Kai. “Dear, would you teach me how to use that dictation you mentioned? I’d like to write a letter to an old friend.”

Kai smiled. “Would that be Oliver?”

“Well, as it happens, yes.” Ginger’s expression bloomed at his name. “He called to see if I planned to attend the celebration of life. I told him I would. I’d like to write a few remembrances of his brother and send that to him.”

“That’s thoughtful,” Marina said. Ginger’s voice held a certain lightness she hadn’t heard in a long time, and she wondered how close she had been to Oliver.

Kai put an arm around Ginger. “Let’s go figure this out.”

After they left the room, Marina gazed out the window toward the beach, her thoughts returning to Heather and Blake. Kai was wrong about them. Her daughter would have confided in her if they were that close. She was sure of that.

And yet, Blake had been uncharacteristically nervous.

6

The salty ocean breeze tousled Ginger’s hair as she strolled along the sun-drenched beach beside Jack, enjoying the cool morning air. “Next time, we’ll hike to the ridgetop. Life is long; stay as active as you can.”

Jack adjusted the brim of his cap. “We all try to keep up with you.”

“Don’t patronize me.” Ginger slid him a look of mild reproach. “I know you’re taking it easy on me. You must learn that productivity is about efficiency and effectiveness, not maximizing the hours you invest in a task. Life should be enjoyed as well. The Europeans know that far better than us—I learned that in Paris. Make sure to include that in the manuscript.”

“Will do,” Jack said. “That’s good advice.”

She breathed deeply, savoring the scent of freshly baked muffins drifting from the cafe. Marina and Heather were preparing for an early brunch special. Though she’d lived in this seaside village for decades, the sights and smells of the beach always lifted her spirits.

She had always loved coming home to Summer Beach.

Jack whistled to Scout, who was circling a mound of seaweed that had washed onto the shore. “Leave it, boy.”

Scout’s ears pricked up. At the sound of Jack’s voice, he circled back.

Ginger laughed as he loped toward them with his endearing awkward gait, his paws leaving a winding trail in the wet sand. “That dog is a real treasure. A true companion.”

“Leo sure loves him.” Jack flicked a stick for Scout to fetch. “My old life was nothing compared to what I have now with him and Marina. And the entire family. I appreciate you welcoming me into the fold.”

“I had faith in you, even if you were a rough diamond at the time.”

Just ahead, the mayor jogged along the hard-packed sand. “Good morning, you two,” Bennett called with a wide grin.

Ginger nodded while Jack greeted him. Her new son-in-law had made friends and settled nicely into Summer Beach. She was pleased, especially for Marina and the twins.

“Where would you like to begin today?” she asked.

“The last time we spoke, you said you wanted to share more about you and Bertrand.”

Ginger blinked against a rush of memories. She paused, carefully considering what she planned to share with Jack. How much of her story did she need to include? She gazed out to sea, considering where to start.

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