Page 7 of Coral Memories

Marina posed with Ginger in the kitchen, and Kai snapped photos from different angles.

“All right, we’re ready to record.” Kai showed Cruise what to do.

“Welcome to the Coral Cafe,” Marina began. “I’m Marina Moore, and I’m here with three generations of my family.” She went on to introduce Ginger, Brooke, and Heather.

She and Kai had written a script for the dish they were preparing, a simple salad made with seasonal fruits and vegetables.

“Many of our most popular dishes are based on old family recipes that my grandmother Ginger Delavie developed.” Marina gestured to Brooke, who held a bountiful basket of fresh vegetables. “My sister Brooke is an organic gardener. Besides finding her fresh produce at the Summer Beach farmers market, you can also find it in many of our most popular dishes, such as this one.”

She paused and gestured to Heather as she introduced her. “My daughter serves in the cafe, or you might see her on our food truck at special events.”

“And cut,” Kai said, gesturing. “You’re off to a good start. Now let’s get cooking.”

“Just in time,” Brooke said, laughing. “I need a break, and I bet you do, too, Kai.”

“Two pregnant women in the family is a double blessing,” Ginger said, smiling. “We’ll take frequent breaks for you.”

Marina knew their grandmother was thrilled with the new additions to the family—they all were—and it almost made Marina wish for a child with Jack.

Almost, that is. Her twins were grown, and Jack had Leo to look after.

Their family was expanding in Summer Beach. Only her son Ethan was missing, though he visited when he could. He’d been playing in amateur golf tournaments the last few months and had won a few. He was following his dream of turning pro and getting close.

When her sisters returned, Kai and Brooke were in good spirits, with Brooke laughing over her predicament. With three rowdy boys at home, she and her husband hadn’t planned to have another child. On the other hand, Kai and her husband Axe tried to start a family for some time, and Kai worried they might not have any luck.

Just then, a smaller version of Jack tore around the corner, with Jack following close behind.

Marina threw an arm around Leo. “Did you come to watch us film the video?”

Leo grinned with excitement. “Dad said I can, as long as I’m quiet.”

“Hope that’s okay.” Jack pressed a kiss to Marina’s cheek. “Don’t want to mess up your lipstick.”

“I’ll risk it,” she said, stealing a kiss.

“Hey, you two,” Kai said. “Knock it off. I don’t have another makeup artist here.”

“Get this on film, will you?” Grinning, Jack swooped Marina into a deep dip, and she exploded with laughter.

“Got it,” Kai said, chuckling. “Places, everyone,” she called out, and the family scrambled back to their marks. “We’re rolling on three, two, and one.” She pointed, and they began.

As Marina began preparing a summer salad with avocados, cucumbers, and red and yellow cherry tomatoes, she stayed with the script, but Ginger and Brooke quickly veered from it.

Kai motioned for them to keep going, so Marina ad-libbed, and soon they were working together as they always did in the kitchen. Along the way, they laughed and made a couple of blunders. Brooke washed and trimmed the produce while Heather brought out supplies. Ginger’s quick wit and Marina’s knife skills brought the ingredients together in a colorful dish they served in Mexican Talavera bowls.

“And that’s a wrap,” Kai said, shooting a look at Cruise.

“We should do it over,” Marina said. “Maybe we laughed too much?”

“And one of the cucumbers got away from me,” Brooke added, bending to pick it up from the floor.

Kai waved a hand. “I’ll take care of that in editing. I can work with what we have.”

“Then let’s pour the champagne and fizzy apple juice,” Ginger said, clapping.

They all gathered in the kitchen, celebrating with a toast.

Marina held up her glass. “To Ginger, for showing us all how to believe in our dreams.”

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