by Carol Ross
Nina met her eyes with a solid challenging gaze of her own. She was going to make her say it? Fine. If that’s what it took to keep her sister safe, she’d say it. Aubrey accepted that it was her role in life to keep people safe—including her family.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be living that far out.”
“It’s twelve miles from town. I clocked it yesterday when I drove out there. That’s hardly far out.”
“You know what I’m talking about. You’re way closer to civilization here.”
“You honestly believe the Cove is civilization?” she quipped.
“You know what I mean.” Aubrey stared, willing her sister to take this seriously.
Nina began fiddling with her silverware. “I haven’t had a seizure in ages.”
Her sister had been diagnosed with epilepsy when she was a teenager. Medication had kept it under control, an occasional seizure cropping up only now and then. Something had changed when her marriage began to fall apart. Stress, the neurologist hypothesized. Aubrey believed it; she couldn’t imagine anything more stressful than the breakup of her sister’s marriage to the lying, abusive Doug Halloren.
There was really no way to know for sure, but Nina had been through hell. Whatever the trigger, the result had been an increase in the frequency and intensity of her seizures. Changes in medication, dosages and counseling to manage her stress level had ensued in an effort to get her stable. To Aubrey’s way of thinking, that stability had yet to be achieved and her city-girl sister moving even farther out into the country was not going to help matters.
“Six months and three days is ages?”
Brows scooted up onto the flawless alabaster skin of her sister’s forehead. “You keep track?”
“Of course I keep track. You’re my sister. I love you.” And she did. Bottom line, the thought of her living so far out by herself scared her to death. “You know what? Forget about civilization. You’re closer to me living here and that’s what I want. Let’s make this about me.”
“That is so sweet. I don’t know what I’d do without you—what I would have done without you all these months.” Nina reached over and squeezed her hand. “But it’s too late. I signed the papers this morning. I’m moving in this Thursday.”
“Thursday! Without even talking to me about this first?”
She dipped her chin and looked up at Aubrey through her lashes. “I know you, too, Aubrey. Just as well as you know me. I knew you would try and talk me out of it.”
No point in trying to deny that.
Nina gave her a beseeching smile. “Please try to understand, okay? I need something. I need... I don’t know what I need, but this feels right somehow. Mom and Dad will be home for Christmas soon. I’m excited to show them how much better I am. Dad is so...judge-y. Especially when it comes to me. I want them to see that I can take care of myself again. I know they’ve had their doubts. And I can understand that. But I’m better now—you know that. I could really use your support here.”
“Of course you can take care of yourself. No one doubts that. And Dad is not judge-y. He only wants you to be happy. But...a farm? How are you even going to...?”
A Santa-hat-wearing waitress stopped by to take their orders. Aubrey complimented her festive attire and requested another minute.
Nina reached down to the seat beside her and heaved a large three-ring binder onto the table between them. Giving it a firm pat with the palm of her hand, she added, “Don’t worry, I have months to read up on how to be a farmer.”
She had no idea what to even say to that. Did her sister seriously believe a notebook was going to teach her how to be a commercial berry farmer?
“Plus, I ordered three pairs of overalls from Amazon and the barn came with a pitchfork.”
Aubrey snuffled out a surprised laugh.
“According to the Quinleys, buying in the winter is the way to go. Gives me plenty of time to get up to speed.”
“Gives them plenty of time to get that humongous RV to Sedona in time to spend the holidays with their new grandbaby you mean?”
Nina let out a chuckle. “There is that.” Something caught her attention in the direction of the door. “There’s Alex! And, wait, is that...?”
Aubrey turned to look.
“Oh, my... Is that Eli? He looks...different. Wow. Even better.”
Aubrey’s pulse took off at a crazy flutter as the men strolled toward their table.
“Hey, ladies,” Alex said, stopping in front of them. He removed a baseball cap to reveal his thick, brown thatch of unruly hair. It was the one thing about him that hadn’t changed over the years. Unlike his once-stocky frame of muscle, which was rapidly softening toward plump. Of course, that was no surprise what with the atrocious eating habits Aubrey was constantly harping on him about.
He gestured happily at Eli. “Look who I ran into? Didn’t think you’d mind if I asked him to join us.”
Nina was already on her feet, moving toward him for a hug. “Of course we don’t mind. Eli, hi! Alex told me you were back. It’s been ages.”
Nina was right; the years had been ridiculously kind to him. She’d always thought his sculpted and flawless features were unfairly beautiful. A thin white scar was now etched below his bottom lip and his olive-toned skin was a bit weathered from so much time outdoors. Soft lines were making a home around his eyes. The combination made him look less...perfect. And even more appealing, if that were possible.
Alex slid across the booth from her while Nina and Eli chatted. Her sisters had always adored Eli. Three years older than Aubrey, Nina had been away at college by the time Aubrey and Eli’s romance began. Aubrey had never told her about it. Camile, being four years younger than Aubrey, had also been clueless. But then again, no one had noticed.
They’d always been friends so it wasn’t unusual for the two of them to spend time together. They’d been very aware that if her parents, especially her father, knew their friendship had blossomed into more, restrictions would be placed on their time together. They had planned to reveal the status of their relationship at the end of summer, when it was time for Eli to leave for the Coast Guard Academy.
But they didn’t make it that long. Aubrey had never shared her heartbreak with anyone, not even her sisters. She’d suffered silently and persevered, focusing on swimming, school and her own career goals. The distance between them had been the perfect cover for their waning friendship.
Nina resumed her spot next to Alex. Eli slid in beside her. Why hadn’t she thought to scoot over first? Because now his muscled thigh was pressing against hers and burning her skin. She felt a flush creeping up her neck and hoped no one would notice.
After another few moments of small talk, Nina flashed her a grin. “Let’s ask Alex his opinion.”
She shot her sister a wry look. They both knew very well he would support whatever Nina decided to do. He held himself partially responsible for Nina’s disastrous marriage. He’d been the one to introduce her to Doug.
“Alex, you like pie, right?”
His eyes widened in surprise, as if she’d asked him if he liked to breathe. “Do I like pie? Remember how I used to have birthday pie instead of cake at my parties when I was a kid?”
“That’s right!” Nina exclaimed. “I do remember that. Geez, your birthday parties were fun. I still remember that magician—the one who made your dad’s plate disappear?”
He belted out a laugh. “I remember that. My mom was worried the guy was going to steal the china. My parties were epic.”
Aubrey had to agree. Alex’s parties had been legendary. The St. Johns would go all-out. Every year there’d been something new to look forward to—pony rides on the beach, a bouncy house or a magician. And Mrs. St. John would put together party bags so every kid would have a gift to take home. She and Eli used to discuss how the gift was always something more expensive than either of them could expect to receive for their own birthdays. One year they’d all gotten hand-held vi
deo-game systems.
Alex’s dad, Carlisle, was a gazillionaire who’d only joined the Coast Guard because that’s what the men in his family did—they gave back by serving their country. He’d been unusual in that he’d chosen to remain in the service beyond the requisite years before he’d retired to run his family’s empire. Alex liked to joke that his dad’s extra years entitled him to skip military service altogether. He made up for it by doing volunteer work and serving on the town council, which he loved. Aubrey believed he had political aspirations beyond the local level, although he had yet to confess as much.
“Remember your parents’ Christmas Eve parties?” Nina asked. “Those were like...fairy-tale stuff. Do they still have those?”
Was it her imagination or did Eli tense beside her? And was it for the same reason that she was gripping her fingers together under the table so tightly they hurt? Thirteen Christmas Eves ago, with the scent of evergreen subtly floating on the air and soft Christmas lights twinkling around them, Eli had kissed her for the first time right beside the tree at the St. Johns’ party. That kiss had marked the beginning of their romance.
“When she and Dad aren’t traveling, they do. They’ve been wintering in the south of France for the last few years. They’ll be home this year. I’ll have to ask Mom.”
Nina clapped a hand on the tabletop to indicate a subject change. “Eli, what about you?”
Eli, who had been studying the menu, looked up. “What about me?”
“Do you like pie?”
“Uh, no to pie.”
Aubrey almost laughed at the stricken look on her sister’s face. “What do you mean ‘no’? You don’t like pie?”
He hissed out a breath. “Sorry, no. Too much sugar.”
Alex gave his head a mystified shake.
“You don’t eat sugar?”
“Very little.”
“Not another one?” She rolled her eyes. “Neither does Aubrey.”
“Aubrey is a smart woman. She’s always been smart. She obviously knows it’s not good for her.”
He winked conspiratorially and Aubrey couldn’t help but share a smile with him.
Nina lifted one perfect brow and made a show of addressing Alex. “Neither is swimming in freezing-cold ocean water, but apparently these two haven’t thoroughly researched the dangers of their chosen professions. Not to mention the recent increase in shark attacks worldwide.”
Alex let out a loud guffaw.
She looked pointedly at Eli. “You do eat berries, though, right?”
“What, like blueberries?”
“Yes, and raspberries and strawberries.”
“Yep, love berries.”
Her sister grinned and said happily, “There, that settles it.”
“Settles what?” Alex asked.
“Nina has decided to become a berry farmer. She’s purchased—”
“The Quinley place?” Alex broke in excitedly. “I heard it was for sale. Nina, this is fantastic!”
She nodded happily while Alex beamed at her.
Aubrey felt a stab of pain behind her left eye as she willed Alex to think about what he was saying.
“This is great! Don’t you think this is great?” He looked at her, his hazel eyes sparkling with sheer delight.
“She doesn’t know anything about farming, Alex.”
He waved a breezy hand through the air. “Well, she’ll learn. I think it’s perfect. It’s gorgeous out there—all that open space. I can just see her in a big floppy hat strolling through the green fields...”
Aubrey stared, barely managing to keep her jaw from gaping as he waxed on about “fresh air” and “the harvest.” She wanted to ask if he was out of his mind. Didn’t he realize Nina had already had enough dramatic changes in her life?
In a few days their parents would be returning from their annual southerly sojourn and all the Wynns would be back home in Pacific Cove. Eli was back in Pacific Cove, too. Alex was still in Pacific Cove. Aubrey knew she should be happy about this growing profusion of family and friends, but for some reason, between that and work and trying to save the pool, she suddenly felt as if the weight of the world had taken up residence on her shoulders.
And just when she’d finally started thinking that weight had begun to lighten, guilt immediately added its considerable heft. This was her family—and her friends. Or whatever Eli was. He was obviously too connected to not be a part of her life. Regardless, she should happy, she told herself, and not plagued with concerns.
Alex went on. “We’ll help, right? At least, I will. Eli, remember that summer I worked for the Quinleys, too? That was such a blast. There’s nothing better than fresh raspberries. Man, we had some epic berry fights in those strawberry fields.”
“We sure did,” Eli said with a chuckle. They’d pelt each other with rotten and damaged berries. “Country kids version of paintball fights.”
“How many years did you work for the Quinleys?”
“Five.”
Eli had been Hank Quinley’s permanent employee, but every person at the table had worked for the Quinleys at one time or another. The farm had always hired local kids during harvest time. He’d even gotten Alex a job after he’d been caught drag racing his father’s vintage Mustang one warm spring night at the end of their junior year. Carlisle St. John had decided his son had too much free time on his hands and a summer job would curtail his “penchant for mischief.” It hadn’t really worked. The next summer Carlisle sent Alex on a mission to the Honduras to build homes for the poor. He’d hated it, but the situation had proved convenient for her and Eli because it had been much easier to keep their romance under wraps with him out of town. And as a bonus, Alex had discovered his love for engineering and construction.
“Probably about time to cut the blueberries back,” Eli offered, and there was no mistaking the nostalgia in his tone, either.
Aubrey glared at him.
Nina beamed and tapped on her gigantic binder. “Yes, that’s what Mr. Quinley said, too. He gave me this notebook full of schedules and charts and instructions. It’s incredible. It goes back for decades...”
Excited conversation ensued around the table as Aubrey’s stress and incredulity grew. As soon as she could get a word in edgewise, she interjected, “Farming is also a lot of hard work, Nina.”
Her sister gaped at her with a wounded expression. “I know how to work hard, Aubrey. I’ve worked hard my entire life, except for the last year, anyway. I miss it. I didn’t know anything about starting my own business, either, until I did.”
Alex and Eli were both giving her looks, too. Censorious ones. Additional weight seemed to settle in upon her. Why did it seem as if she was the only one who could see reason here?
CHAPTER SIX
THE SHOALS HOTEL was located on the outskirts of Pacific Cove on a long stretch of gorgeous sandy beach. The hotel was an institution on Oregon’s coast, featuring a large Victorian-style lodge painted in charcoal-gray with white accents.
The hotel staff always decorated enthusiastically for Christmas, but they’d gone all out for tonight’s crab feed. Lights glowed from the peak of the roof, all the way around the tall turret, and illuminated virtually every angle. An animated crab constructed of flashing lights skittered back and forth along the roof.
“Nice touch with the crab,” Camile commented as they pulled into a parking spot in the already rapidly filling lot.
Aubrey had to agree, and she was thrilled. “Score points for creativity, decorations and Christmas spirit.”
“I’ll say,” Nina added.
A couple of high school students were serving as doormen and handed them crab-shaped magnets as they walked through the entrance.
“Cute!” Camile exclaimed as she examined the keepsake.
A sign pointed upstairs, directing them toward the Driftwood Ballroom. The space took up nearly the entire second floor of the hotel. It was a popular venue for gatherings of all kinds: wedding receptions, reunions, parties and pr
oms.
The sisters made their way up the stairs and entered through the tall double doors that stood propped open. A “race track” made out of wood had been assembled off to one side where a series of crab races would kick off the event and set the winning crab free.
The other end of the room was cordoned off where giant pots were already steaming. A buffet table had been set up near the front of the room. If it had still been light outside they would be treated to a stunning ocean view. Instead a lighted magical scene greeted them on the beach below. The crab sidestepping across the roof had only been a teaser as animated crabs and other sea creatures frolicked on the sand with their Christmas-themed friends. A snowman danced with a starfish while an elf rode a dolphin and a mermaid curled around an anchor.
A petite, curvy woman with silky black hair piled on top of her head hustled over to them.
“Aubrey, hi!”
“Gabby! Wow! I am speechless. No, I’m not. I am actually full of speech. All of it fantastic. You didn’t mention some of these details and I am blown away. We are totally winning the food category. Remington’s starfish-shaped pizza does not hold a candle to this.” She motioned at the elaborate buffet table. Neighboring town and top competitor, Remington, had thrown an all-you-can eat pizza and movie night a few days ago. They’d rented a big screen and held it in their prized auditorium. Aubrey and Alex had gone to check out the competition. It had been well-attended and festive, but the pizza had been mediocre.
Gabby was beaming. “I am so stoked. Thank you for the last-minute help.”
“Help?” Aubrey shook her head. “You mean the mailer?” She had called in a favor from a former high school classmate and had sent out postcards a couple weeks ago to advertise the event.
“No, I mean the cook.” She pointed toward the cooking area. “Hailey Bennett was supposed help us boil, but she came down with some kind of terrible bug.”
“Is that... Eli?” Nina asked.
Aubrey didn’t have to ask. She’d already spotted him in the silly-looking white chef’s hat that somehow managed to not look all that silly on him. He was so tall it would be difficult not to see him, even in a room full of people wearing the same hat. He was talking to the mayor, lifting a large pair of tongs above his head, and she couldn’t help but admire the cut of his bicep. She immediately told herself this was only because she admired anyone who maintained peak physical condition. She knew herself how difficult it was to do.