Page 3 of New Day at the Beach House

“It’s a great thing. A Cut Above is your salon. It should reflect you. If that’s what you like, that’s what you should have. I think it’ll look fantastic. And I bet you’ll have clients taking photos in front of it for their social media.”

Trina hadn’t thought about that. “Maybe I should add the salon name to that wall, too.”

“You could do it in brushed-gold letters.”

Trina’s grandmother joined them on the porch. “Miguel said he’d get an Uber to drive us to the play tonight. Isn’t that sweet of him? That way we can all have a glass of champagne at intermission.”

Roxie snorted. “You really think they’re going to serve champagne at the seniors center? I don’t think they have a liquor license, Ma.”

Willie took a seat in her usual chair. “Hmm. I’d better bring my flask.”

“Mimi! Don’t cause trouble,” Trina said, laughing. “What do you think of this wallpaper?”

Her grandmother looked over at the book. “That’s a humdinger, that one. I love it. Is that what you’re going with?”

Trina took a breath. “Yeah, I think it is.”

Her grandmother clapped her hands. “Fantastic. I love it.”

Her mom tapped the sample. “Now you don’t have to decide on a paint color. You can just have the paint store match one of the colors already in the wallpaper.”

“That’s good,” Trina said. “Then that’s settled, and we can place our order. After that, let’s see if we can pick out some lighting now, too.”

Willie grinned. “Let’s do it. You know, I never realized how much fun it was to spend money, but then, until recently, I never had very much to spend.”

Trina laughed. “I’m so glad you think so, Mimi.”

Jules and Cash had gone upstairs, but Margo stayed in her chair until Claire ended her phone call. Margo wanted to know what Claire had found out. She wanted to know that her daughter and granddaughter would be taken care of.

Claire had been standing, but now she sat back down on the couch and stared at her phone.

Margo stayed quiet for a moment as she waited, then finally said, “Well?”

Claire blinked and shook her head. “Sorry. Just lost in thought. His life insurance was for one point two million dollars. That means we’ll each get six hundred thousand.” She turned to better see her mother and finally smiled. “We’re going to be okay.”

“Well, you were always going to be okay,” Margo said. “But that amount will definitely make things easier.”

“Easier for sure, but it’s more than that. Mom, I can be a real partner in the bakery now. This will allow me to put some of my own money in and truly be an investor. Bryan did a lot of things I hate, but he got this one right.”

Margo nodded. She’d never liked her son-in-law, but on this matter, she could agree. “I’m very happy for you. I know it’ll take a lot of the worry away.”

“It will.” Claire sighed like that worry was just now leaving her. “I can’t wait to tell Danny.”

“I’m sure he’ll be happy, too. What are your plans for the day?”

“I’m going to work on a new cookie idea. A popcorn sugar cookie. It just came to me when I realized I’d be able to be a true partner in the business.” She smiled. “I’m more excited about it than ever.”

“It’s good to be excited about something, isn’t it?” Margo knew of which she spoke. The book she and her new friend, Conrad, had started writing together had filled her with a whole new love for life. She got up from her chair to get ready.

“Are you off to Conrad’s?”

“Soon, yes.”

Claire held her mother’s gaze for a moment as a soft smile curved her mouth. “We’re really moving here, aren’t we?”

Margo nodded. “We are. Which means we need to sort things out at home. Get those places up for sale, bring the cars over, deal with our belongings…”

Claire’s smile disappeared as she blew out a breath. “It’s a lot to think about.”

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