Page 55 of Coral Memories

After Blake excused himself, Heather turned back to Marina. “I should warn you. Blake invited his mother, but his father told everyone he plans to boycott the engagement party and the wedding. I’m afraid Blake will be hurt.”

Marina considered her words carefully. “Maybe that’s for the best.”

“His mother said if his father shows up, she’ll leave.” Heather asked, “What should I do?”

“Just talk to Blake and be supportive,” Marina advised gently. “He knows his parents best. If there is an issue, you can stand united. I don’t think Blake will let his father ruin your wedding.”

Heather nodded, absorbing her mother’s advice. “You’re right. Thanks, Mom.”

“Establish boundaries with his father early because when you marry Blake, you’ll have a relationship with his entire family, for better or worse.”

Heather sucked in a breath. “I’ll work on that.”

When Blake returned, his face lit with a smile at the sight of Heather, and Marina felt a surge of protective love for her daughter. She hoped that whatever was causing the tension with Blake’s parents could be resolved.

Still, Heather was quite capable now. Since moving to Summer Beach, her daughter had grown out of her timid phase and blossomed. In high school, Heather tended to lean on Ethan, the gregarious one of them. Now, with her brother following his path and traveling to golf tournaments, Heather had found herself and developed her voice.

Blake seemed good for her as he encouraged her even more.

Marina picked up a pencil and a tablet to take notes as Heather and Blake talked. “We’ll need to plan and order food. How many of your San Francisco friends do you want to invite? We also need to reserve rooms at the Seabreeze Inn and the Seal Cove Inn for out-of-town guests.”

While Heather launched into a preliminary guest list, Marina made a note to call Blake’s mother again. She hoped Arlette would be more receptive without her husband.

Heather suddenly stopped. “Who is that going to the Coral Cottage?”

An older, trim man with white hair left his vintage Jaguar convertible by the house and walked toward the front door. He walked briskly and wore upscale casual clothes as if he were going out to dinner.

Marina put her pencil down and craned her neck. “I’ve never seen that man before.”

Just then, he snapped his fingers and turned around. He bent to retrieve something from the car.

“Flowers!” Heather clamped a hand to her face in surprise. “What’s going on, Mom? Is Ginger dating someone?”

Marina was just as surprised as her daughter was. “People take each other flowers for all sorts of events. Like…” She couldn’t think of anything.

“Maybe someone died,” Cruise offered.

“Shh,” Marina said, waving a hand. “He looks too happy for that.”

As if he’d heard them, the man turned around.

Instinctively, they all looked away, busying themselves.

“Okay, he’s going in,” Heather said, peeking again. “I should go over there, just in case he has the wrong house.”

Blake chuckled. “Ginger can probably manage that, honey.”

“But she’s there by herself,” Heather said. “What if the flowers are some sort of cover?”

Cruise turned around. “I think she could probably take him. Jack was limping yesterday after Ginger took him on one of her hikes up to the ridgetop.”

So that’s what happened to him. Marina tossed her cleaning rag into the sink. “I’ll go.” She scooped some muffins into a carry-out box. “I’ll say she wanted these.”

“I’m coming, too.” Heather grabbed Blake’s hand. “If he’s dangerous, we’ll need you.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Marina said. “Don’t you think we look a little obvious?”

The three of them set off, leaving Cruise chuckling behind them.

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