Page 65 of Sunsets at the Beach House

Kat looked over. “Cash is down with him now.”

“Cash is already up?” Wonders never ceased.

Claire nodded. “Mom already left. Conrad picked her up about ten minutes ago.”

Jules squinted at the time. It was barely seven thirty. “Wow, they left early.”

“They did,” Claire said. “They’re going to do as much as they can at her house, then come to mine and help.”

Jules went toward the coffeemaker. “I feel bad that I’m not coming to help. I should be. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be silly,” Claire said. “You’ve got to get this song done. We need someone really famous in this family so we can all ride on their coattails.”

Jules laughed as she filled a cup. “I’ll do my best. But Mom might end up being that person, depending on how this book thing goes.”

Kat snorted. “Wouldn’t that be something.”

“It would.” Jules fixed her coffee, then took a very welcome sip. She sighed and leaned against the counter. “What time are you guys leaving?”

“Soon,” Claire said. “I’m actually going with Danny. He’s coming over to help, too.”

“Wow.” Jules hadn’t been expecting that. “How nice of him!”

“Tell me about it.”

Kat laughed. “He just wants to make sure his prize baker doesn’t change her mind about moving here.”

“That,” Claire said. “Is not about to happen.” She looked at Jules. “You missed a great dinner last night. Conrad and Mom made a wonderful meal.”

Kat nodded. “Plus, we got to have sour orange pie, which is now my new favorite.”

Claire smiled. “There’s plenty left over. If you’re going to the studio today, take a piece for yourself and for Jesse.”

“Okay,” Jules said. “I will. Thanks.”

The elevator doors opened, and Cash came out. “Hey, Mom. Toby did his thing. Very successfully, I might add.”

Jules laughed. “Thanks for that information.”

He looked at Kat. “You about ready?”

She nodded. “Let me just go brush my teeth. I want to take a travel mug of coffee with me.”

“Yeah, good idea. Me, too.” He got two of them down from the same cabinet that held the coffee cups, but the shelf that held the travel mugs was the highest one. No one but Cash could have gotten them without a stepstool.

Claire poured the remains of her coffee in the sink. “I should go brush, too.”

Jules stood nearby while Cash emptied the rest of the coffee pot into the two travel mugs. “I hope you have an easy day of things.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Thanks. I’m kind of envious you get to play with all the musicians today.”

She smiled. “You will be missed.”

“I’m not so sure about that, but thanks for saying so.”

“Hey,” she said. “I don’t know if I’ve told you this enough, but you being here and being a part of this is really special for me. Having kids is a blessing. Getting to hang out with them when they’re adults and them actually wanting to be around you is a whole other level of amazing. I’m really grateful for this time.”

He smiled. Then came over and hugged her. “It’s pretty cool for me, too.”

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