Page 90 of Smuggler's Cove
“Ahead of ourselves. One of your famous mottos. You are a contradiction,” Olivia noted.
“How so?”
“You are always looking ahead, yet when it comes to certain things, you always say, ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.’ ”
“That doesn’t mean I’m not looking ahead. I simply do not want to count on anything until I am absolutely sure.”
“You are so full of baloney. You are one of the most courageous people I know. You take chances. Big ones, except for romantic situations.”
“And that is because I have failed miserably at it, and I am treading carefully. That is not to say I do not have romantic notions about whatcouldbe. I believe it is called Creative Visualization. Or in my case, cautiously optimistic.”
“That’s a step in the right direction,” Olivia responded.
When they arrived at the landing, Lincoln was waiting for them. The plan was for him to drive them to the house and then go back and work with Charlie and the gang.
“How are things going?” Madison asked.
“Quite well. So far, everything is moving at a good clip. The dock should be finished by next weekend; then the shed is being delivered. I have Josh cleaning up the skiffs.”
“I have something to show you when we get to the house.” Madison and Olivia had been secretly designing a new logo that saidKirby’s Marina, with a clamshell dotting theiand a crab claw as the bottom of they. It was quirky enough and appropriate. When they got to the house, she rolled the paper open.
There it was, with the name in bright red on a white background, with clams and crabs as a border. “This is great!” Lincoln shouted. “When did you have time to do it?”
“Let’s just say I had a few sleepless nights.” Madison turned to her partner behind the scenes. “Glad you like it, because Olivia and I have been working on this together. Livvy ordered a wooden sign, T-shirts, caps, and overalls. They should be arriving mid-week.”
“I am totally impressed.” Lincoln stared at the new artwork. “And merchandise, too?”
“Go big or go home.” Madison chuckled. “I think it’s important to have a cohesive appearance, even if people are not used to it.”
“This is great. I am certain everyone is going to appreciate it, especially Crusty. I think he has three T-shirts to his name.”
“Now he’ll have a Kirby’s wardrobe,” Olivia said. “Hey, what about Crocs?”
“Great idea!” Madison said with great enthusiasm. “We probably don’t have time to get them with logos, but let’s get a bunch of pairs in red.”
“Not hot pink?” Olivia teased. “I’ll see if Target has them tomorrow.”
Lincoln was in a fine mood. “I do not want to jinx it, so I will not say anything.”
“Jinx? Don’t be silly. Mr. Jinx has seen me through every trial and tribulation.”
“True. And things are moving along well. There. I said it.”
“Good. Now go back to work.” Olivia patted him on the tush. “I am going to pick up some steaks for you to grill later.”
“Don’t you have a date?” He turned to Madison.
“Yes, and so do you. With your wife.”
Lincoln looked a bit perplexed; then it dawned on him. “Oh. Good. Right. We will have the house to ourselves.” He rubbed his hands together and raised his eyebrows at Olivia.
“Get. Back. To. Work,” Olivia said again.
* * *
Most of the afternoon was about putting things away and getting the place organized. At four o’clock, Madison took a look around and surveyed their progress. “I think things are starting to come together,” Madison said. “And I’d better start to getmyselftogether.” She went to the bedroom on the far end of the hallway.
By six she was ready. She went down to the lower level, where Olivia was preparing a salad.
