Page 40 of Coral Memories

“I remember your wedding,” Oliver said. “Kurt and his wife went, and I tagged along for a beach trip.” He chuckled. “You were intoxicatingly beautiful.”

Ginger smiled at the memory of that magical day. “And here we are again, back at the beach.”

“Yes, aren’t we?” Oliver said, holding her gaze.

Others pulled him away, so Ginger circulated, speaking to other old friends and new acquaintances.

The breeze picked up as the sun began to set, washing the sky in vibrant shades of pink and coral. When the music ended, guests began to leave.

“Would you stand with me while people leave?” Oliver asked.

“I’m happy to,” she replied, feeling comfortable with him. It felt so natural because many were her friends, too.

While the last guests departed, Ginger lingered beside him, chatting and watching the waves crash against the shoreline. A bittersweet ache filled her chest. So much had changed since those early days in Los Angeles, yet the memories remained vivid. How happy she was that she lived such a good life and did much of what she enjoyed.

Like Kurt and Bertrand.

Oliver’s voice broke through her reverie. “How about a glass of bubbly—water, that is? We each have to drive home.”

“Perfect, I’m parched,” she replied, accepting the glass with a smile. They sat at a table near the beach.

Ginger squeezed lime into her water and sipped. “I’ve been thinking about Kurt introducing Bertrand and me, those exciting days of new technology, and the parties at your family’s house in Boston where we met Margaret. We’ve had a wonderful life, haven’t we?”

Oliver chuckled. “I remember those parties well. I once told Bertrand how disappointed I was that he’d managed to sweep you off your feet before I had a chance.”

Her cheeks warmed at his words. “And I remember Bertrand telling you that you were far too young for me,” she replied with a laugh. “Even though we were the same age.”

“Well, I had some growing up to do, and you were definitely off the market,” Oliver said. “But I’m not too young anymore, am I?”

Ginger’s heart quickened as she met his gaze. There was something there, an unexpected spark of interest she couldn’t deny. “I like to think we’re still young at heart.”

Oliver touched her hand, and she responded, twining her fingers with his. Oliver held her gaze. “I’d love to visit Summer Beach soon. Would it be alright if I called on you?”

For a moment, Ginger was transported back in time, feeling like the young woman who had first arrived in Los Angeles, full of dreams and possibilities. But she wasn’t that woman anymore. She was a grandmother and great-grandmother, a woman with a lifetime of experiences behind her.

And yet, she was still a woman.

“I’d like that, Oliver. We have so much history and so many stories to share. I’ll introduce you to my family.”

“I would like that very much,” he said, his voice dropping a notch.

Oliver and Margaret had never had children, and she sensed an air of loneliness about him. She raised her glass. “Here’s to seeing you in Summer Beach.”

As they clinked glasses, the last rays of sunlight glinted off the crystal, and a flutter of excitement filled Ginger. Maybe life still had surprises in store for her.

13

With Scout trotting beside him, Jack strolled along the wooden deck of the marina, which was quiet at this time of day. He’d chosen this spot to talk to Blake because of that.

Jack had spent the morning with a contractor and a crew to repair the rear deck. He couldn’t leave Scout outside with them in case he slipped out, and the dog couldn’t be trusted inside on his own. Not after he’d opened the closet door and chewed Marina’s best sneakers to shreds.

Many of the boats were nestled in their slips today. The mayor’s vintage craft was at the end, and Tyler’s sleek boat bobbed near the front. Mitch, who owned Java Beach, looked like he was preparing his boat for one of his afternoon shoreline cruise charters. Jack waved at him.

He walked back and waited near the front, rocking on his heels. The ocean breeze ruffled his hair as he watched Blake approach. The younger man was dressed like a regular guy in a nice pair of jeans and a collared knit shirt with his organization’s logo.

What Jack knew of him, he liked. Blake seemed intelligent and straightforward. He was well-educated and passionate about ocean rescue. For Heather’s sake, Jack hoped he wasn’t wrong about him.

He’d find out today.

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