Page 86 of The Magic of Sea Glass
“Yep.” Brody slid the bags in the compartment under the camper.
Chuck was the first to step up. He’d really taken the time to talk to his son since the wedding. Brody told Lauren that his father had even come by the house to see his projects and they’d talked for over an hour about Brody’s artwork. Chuck had confessed to Brody that he hadn’t been the best father, and while he couldn’t get those years back, he wanted to do everything he could to make the time they had ahead happy.
“I’m proud of you, son,” Chuck said before reaching out and giving Brody a hug.
Brody returned the gesture. “Thanks, Dad.”
Melinda looked on with tears in her eyes.
Chuck moved back next to Melinda and took her hand.
“Y’all be good, okay?” Melinda said, wiping her eyes.
Brody kissed her cheek. “Love you, Mom.”
“I’ve made you all lunch,” Mary said, emotion showing in her face, handing Lauren a handled bag full of containers. “There’s chicken salad, crab cakes, biscuits, a cheese tray, and a bottle of wine.” She leaned over to view the contents while attempting to list the final items.
“You didn’t have to do all that,” Lauren said.
“Of course I didn’t. But you all need to be fed, don’t you?”
Brody put his arm around Mary. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Mary said with a wink.
“You gonna be okay?” Brody asked Joe.
He gave Brody a good-natured slug on the arm. “I’ve managed for this long.”
Brody chuckled, giving him a warm hug.
“You and Stephanie have my number,” Lauren said to Mary. “If you need me for anything at all, just give me a ring.”
Stephanie stepped forward as the palm trees rustled when the warm coastal breeze blew. “Don’t worry about us! We’ll be just fine. You’ll be too busy on your adventures to have time to think about what’s going on here.”
“Wewillbe very busy,” Lauren agreed, while Brody gave Mitchell a handshake to tell him goodbye. “We’re visiting my old Sugar and Lace partner and friend, Andy Jacobs, in New York just in time to see a little of the shooting for her next show.”
Stephanie bounced up and down. “Oh, that’s exciting! Think you could video call so I can say hello?”
“Definitely.” Lauren laughed. “And by the time we get across the country, we’ll be in California just in time to see the premiere of the new series,Bait and Switch.” She gave Stephanie a conspiratorial grin. Stephanie and Mary had been with Lauren while she’d chatted with Dave, and the two had kept the secret until today.
“Bait and Switch?” Joe asked.
“The name of my new TV show. Dave had an idea to do a show about how my life as a wedding planner took a turn in the total opposite direction and how I fell for a fisherman. The network loved it. The series is going to follow us along on our journey across country to document how I rebuild my life. They even have more episodes planned for the next season to cover restoring the inn. Which is good because I’m competing with Andy’s show and I hear the Maxwell wedding will be an absolute smash of an episode.”
Mary turned to the group. “Isn’t that wonderful?”
They all agreed enthusiastically.
“I had a long conversation with Dave and decided that maybe telling my story could help others who have lost someone wonderful not to give up.”
Mary reached out and took Lauren’s arm, jingling the sea glass bracelet. “Still don’t believe in good luck?”
“I believe in luck now,” Lauren admitted. “And so much more.” She put her arm around Brody and he kissed the top of her head.
Milton whined from the back window, making them all laugh.
“Well, I guess this is it,” Brody said just as the sun came from behind a white billowy cloud, casting a golden light across them all.
