Page 58 of Sunsets at the Beach House

“Hello, there,” Margo said. “We’re about to take over the kitchen.”

“That’s all right,” Claire said. “Because I’m about to be done in here. Did you get a lot of writing done?”

“We did,” Margo answered. She liked being asked that. And being able to answer honestly.

Claire carried some plates to the cabinet and put them away. “So what are we having for dinner?”

“Sirloin,” Conrad announced as he set his grocery bags on the island. “With a nice green salad, steamed broccoli, and instead of baked potatoes, which your mom said would take too long, we’re doing mashed potatoes.”

“Sounds great,” Claire said. “I’m happy to provide dessert.”

Margo unpacked the bags. “Sour orange pie?”

Claire nodded, smiling. “Yes. And there’s one for Conrad to take home.

“How did it come out? Did you use your grandmother’s recipe?”

“I did and Danny loved it. Grandma’s recipe was a hit. He thinks we can even get some publicity out of it. The whole bringing-back-a-Florida-classic angle.”

“What’s this now?” Conrad asked. He was unwrapping the steaks. “Sour pie?”

Margo gathered up the shopping bags to put them away in a storage bin. “Sour orange pie. It’s a very old traditional recipe that’s sort of fallen out of favor with a lot of bakers. Most people make key lime and think that’s what Florida is all about, but once upon a time, it was sour orange pie.”

Claire nodded. “It’s been in our family for a long time. Mom used to make it a lot.”

Conrad used the salt grinder that was on the island to season the steaks. “I’ve lived here my whole life and I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it.”

“That’s pretty typical,” Claire said. “But tonight, you’ll get to taste it. And like I said, I made an extra, so you can take one home.”

“You did?” Conrad smiled. “That was very thoughtful of you. Just in time for my sister’s visit, too. Thank you, Claire.”

Margo beamed, proud of her daughter and pleased by her generosity.

“You’re welcome,” Claire said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a little bakery work to do before dinner. Kat should be home in a few minutes.”

Margo took out a bowl for the salad and a big platter for the steaks, which she handed to Conrad. “Wait. You said you’d explain about Alex. What happened?”

“He was injured in an accident at a call they went to. A truss collapsed and fell on him. I guess it burned through maybe? Anyway, he has a concussion, a sprained shoulder, and some minor burns.”

“That poor boy. Kat must be beside herself.”

Claire lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. She seems to be handling it all right. Of course, that means it’ll just be her and Cash tomorrow to do the big move. But I called Pastor Freeman to see about getting some help and he said he’d do his best to round up some men. He texted a bit ago to say a couple had agreed to help.”

“That’s good,” Margo said. She didn’t want her grandchildren having to do all of that by themselves.

“Also, Danny’s going tomorrow, too, so you don’t have to wait on me. Although I do appreciate the offer to take me,” Claire said. “He’s going to drive me over and help the kids, as well. Plus, he said I can pack his car as full as I like.”

Conrad put his hands on the counter. “After your mom and I get her car and whatever else she wants to bring back, we can certainly come to your house afterwards and help. If you want us. I might be a few years older than Danny but I’m still capable of pitching in.”

Claire smiled. “I know how capable you are, Conrad. If you want to stop by, that’s up to you, but you might have your hands full at my mom’s.”

Margo approved of Conrad’s offer. He was very generous that way. “How about we play it by ear? Not that I don’t want to help, but like Claire said, it could take us longer at my place than we anticipate.”

“That’s fine,” Conrad said. “Now, if you can direct me toward a potato peeler, I should get started on these spuds.”

Claire opened the drawer beside him and got one out. “There you go. I’m off to do my bakery work.”

“We’ll keep it down,” Margo said. “Don’t want to disturb you.”

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