Page 37 of Coral Memories

As he helped her into his VW van, tears of frustration pricked Marina’s eyes. Her heart was breaking for her daughter. “What are we going to tell Heather?”

“Let me talk to Blake first.” Jack sighed heavily. “Something doesn’t seem right. I don’t think Arlette wants to support her husband in this. Ken might be threatening to cut Blake out of an inheritance or something.”

“He appears to be self-supporting, though.”

“I don’t know. Family dynamics can be awfully strange.”

Marina nodded, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. As they drove back to Summer Beach on empty stomachs, shewas saddened to think how quickly their joy had turned to heartache. And more pressingly, what would Blake have to say about this?

11

Ginger motioned to her great-granddaughter as she skirted between tables at the cafe. “Heather, dear, may we have more coffee?” This morning, they were seated at the far end of the patio for privacy.

Heather turned toward them with a dazzling smile. “I’ll make a fresh pot for you and leave it here. I know how Jack guzzles his coffee,” she added, grinning.

“What a lovely young woman,” Ginger said as Heather walked away. “And so happy.” In many ways, Heather reminded her of herself when she was young. Smart, determined, and so much in love. She sighed, glad that Heather had met her match. “Oh, to be that age again with a lifetime ahead.”

A shadow crossed Jack’s face, and he shifted in his chair. “Before we start, I want you to know I’m to meet Blake on his lunch hour today. We might have to cut this session short.”

“Not a problem.” Ginger detected something odd in his demeanor. “Did you sleep well last night?”

“Got something on my mind, that’s all.” He flipped open his notebook. “I’ll just take notes today. No recording.”

“As you wish.” She folded her hands, studying him with curiosity. Whatever was bothering him, he wasn’t ready to share yet. She could wait.

“So, we’ve covered your initial meeting with Bertrand and the acquisition of the cottage,” Jack began, tapping his pen against his notepad. “But I want to delve deeper into your contributions. Your work during that time was groundbreaking, wasn’t it?”

Ginger smiled. “Once again, you’re getting ahead of the story. Let me tell it my way.”

The bustling energyof Les Deux Magots inle sixième, the 6th arrondissement in Paris, hummed around Ginger as she sat at a sidewalk table with Bertrand. One year ago today, she had pledged her life and love to this intriguing man in an intimate ceremony by the sea.

Bertrand brought her hand to his lips, whispering a kiss over her skin. “Happy anniversary, my love,” he murmured, his eyes dancing with thoughts she could easily read.

Though they had celebrated earlier that morning with languid lovemaking and decadent breakfast in bed, she still wished to mark the occasion properly.

“Still happy?” he asked.

“Divinely so.”

“So am I.” He raised his glass to her, “To my exquisite wife. May we celebrate many more anniversaries just like this.”

Ginger flushed with pleasure, coupled with a dizzying cocktail of excitement.

“I have some news to share,” she began, taking his hands in hers.

Bertrand raised his brow, waiting for her.

She released a breath, feeling flustered despite the many times she had rehearsed this line. “Darling, we’re having a child.”

For an endless moment, the din of the sidewalk seemed to cease around them. Ginger watched as a rapid progression of shock, elation, and wonderment transformed his features into an expression so exquisite her heart ached.

He finally exhaled; his voice was edged with uncharacteristic huskiness. “A child? You’re...we’re to be parents?”

She nodded, unable to contain her happiness. “I am, without a doubt, pregnant.”

A low, rumbling laugh burst from him, suffused with such joy that he rose from his chair and embraced her, his palms cradling her face as his lips found hers.

“My dearest Ginger,” he said when they finally parted, breathless and grinning like adolescents. “What an incredible anniversary gift.” His hands slipped lower, spanning her abdomen with reverence. “Imagine, we’ll soon greet a little one.”

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