Page 78 of Sunsets at the Beach House

“I can only imagine.”

Roxie frowned. “You know both of our daughters are named Katrina. That was something he pushed for. Probably because he didn’t want to accidentally call one of them by the wrong name.”

Paulina’s brow bent. “All I knew was that one was Kat, and one was Trina. I never realized they were the same until you told me that night I came to the beach house. Bryan never said a word about how they were only a day apart.”

“Why would he? That would have unraveled his lies. Did you know when he was coming to stay with one of us? Or did he tell you it was a business trip? I’m curious.”

“He often went away on business. Sometimes he would mention that he’d be seeing one of his daughters. But I never thought anything of it. I knew he traveled a lot. His traveling was how I met him.”

“Right. Well, I guess we all got lied to in different ways.”

Paulina chewed her bottom lip. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” Roxie would have to hear the question before she knew if she’d answer or not.

“Are you going to let your daughter see Nico?”

“She’s an adult. She can make her own choices. I won’t stand in her way. He is her brother, after all.”

“Thank you,” Paulina said. “Can I ask you something else?”

“I suppose.” Once again, Roxie wasn’t sure she’d answer.

“Are you upset that Nico and I got some of Bryan’s insurance money?”

Roxie narrowed her eyes slightly. “I am. Some. But I’m not upset that he provided for you. He should have done that. I guess…maybe I don’t think it’s fair you got so much when Claire and I were both with him for so much longer. Six hundred thousand is a lot of money.” She crossed her arms. “He wouldn’t even pay for Trina’s college.”

“I’m sorry,” Paulina said. “I seem to be saying that a lot.”

“We all have been. That’s Bryan’s real legacy. Leaving us to clean up his mess.” Roxie sighed. The beach and Gulf were beautiful through the windows. “Listen, Claire and I thought we’d be getting the whole thing split in two. When that didn’t happen, we knew something was up.” Roxie snorted. “We never figured on you, though.”

“I’m sure you didn’t. I also got this condo, which is where we’ve lived since we were married. Did you get your house as well?”

“Yes. I got my house in Port St. Rosa, Claire got hers in Landry, and our daughters each got fifty percent of the beach house. We’re making that our permanent residence now. My daughter is opening a hair salon in Diamond Beach.” Roxie didn’t know why she was sharing so much but she couldn’t stop herself. Maybe she needed Paulina to know that her daughter was managing just fine.

Paulina smiled. “Then she will be around to visit with her brother. I’m glad for that.”

“So you’re going to stay? Not going back to Mexico?”

“No, we are staying. Nico was born here, and I am working on my citizenship. My mother, too, although it will take her longer. We both have work visas. She cleans part-time for the Tidewater Inn. I can’t work right now.”

“No, of course not.”

“Eventually, I will.”

“What will you do?”

Paulina shrugged. “I worked in hospitality and conference planning at the resort in Mexico. I’m sure I can find something like that here.”

Roxie remembered what it had been like raising Trina with Bryan gone all the time. Willie had been married to Zippy then and not really been around, although she had come to stay for two weeks. “I’m, uh…I’m glad you got that insurance money.”

Paulina nodded. “Thank you. Without it, I don’t know what we’d do.”

Roxie swallowed. “If you need anything, you can reach out to me. I don’t know how available I’ll be, but I know how hard it is to raise a baby without your partner to help. So…” She shrugged.

“Thank you again,” Paulina said. “That is very kind.”

In another room, Nico started to cry.

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