Page 78 of Summer Longing
“Well, then, you’re on your own. I have a bunch of tourists waiting to see some seals, so I’m off.” He kissed Lidia on the forehead and wished them luck on his way out the door.
Olivia didn’t know if it was the company, the calming task of sitting at the table sipping tea for hours at a time, or the fact that she’d woken up pain-free that morning, but she felt downright buoyant.
“Okay, so now we’re moving on to the honeybush and sea lettuce,” Fern said. She poured four mugs, for Olivia, Lidia, Marco, and herself. Jaci hadn’t emerged from her bedroom to join them.
The tea was fruity and sweet, one of the best Olivia had tasted so far. She marked the flavor profile on the printout Marco had made listing all the teas. So far, there had been only one she didn’t like at all and that was a black-tea blend that was too smoky.
While they waited for the next sample, genmaicha and kelp, to steep, Marco refilled the water glasses they were using between teas to cleanse their palates.
“By the way, Olivia and Fern, we’re having a Fourth of July party,” Lidia said. “Potluck and clambake starting around seven, and of course we have a great view of the fireworks.”
“And plan to stay awhile. Last summer, people were still here at breakfast the next morning,” Marco said.
“Oh, my all-nighters are far behind me,” Fern said. “But if I’m in town, I’d love to come.”
“Are you planning a trip?” Lidia said.
“I might. I’m looking at farmers’ markets in a few cities to grow our customer base. We’ll see.”
“Olivia, be sure to tell your mother. I know I’ll see her, but if I forget.”
Fern poured the next sample into mugs. “So this is a Japanese brown-rice tea and kelp. I’ve been wanting to experiment with this tea for a while, so I’m hoping this one’s a keeper.”
Jaci walked into the kitchen.
“Just in time for some genmaicha,” Lidia said. “Have a seat, Jace.”
“Sorry, Ma. I’ve got to run. I’m babysitting.”
“You are?” Fern and Marco said at the same time.
Interestingly, Fern seemed more vexed by Jaci’s announcement than Marco. And Marco seemed pretty darn vexed.
“Jaci, be back here by one thirty so we can head out to the flats,” he said.
“I can’t,” she said.
Marco looked at his mother, then stood up. “A few weeks of this attitude was maybe tolerable because you had to adjust to being back here. But it’s time to get with the program. We need youhere. I need you out on the water with me today. That baby is not your responsibility.” He turned to Fern. “Sorry, Fern.”
“No, no—I completely agree. I apologize for Elise overstepping. I’ll talk to her.”
“No!” Jaci said. She glanced at Olivia, then said, “This isn’t about the baby. This is about me andI’m entitled to live my own life.”
Olivia felt the blood drain from her face. Weren’t those the exact words she had used when coaching Jaci to stand up for herself? Oh, what had she done?
Jaci stormed out before Marco could say another word to her. He turned to his mother in frustration. “Can’t you do something about this?”
“What am I supposed to do? I can’t force her onto the skiff with you.”
The relaxed, fun vibe of the morning had been completely ruined and it was all Olivia’s fault. Desperate to restore harmony, she said, “I’ll help you out today. If you need an extra set of hands.” Everyone looked at her in surprise.
“It’s work,” he said, a comment she found more than a little insulting.
“I’m capable,” Olivia said. “I helped you hang the seaweed, didn’t I?”
“Marco, she’s offering the solution to your problem today, so please just accept it so we can move on,” Lidia said.
“Fine,” Marco said, a few degrees less enthusiastically than Olivia would have liked. He eyed her flip-flops. “You’ll need more practical shoes.”
