by Jan Moran
Jack followed her to her bedroom and placed her mug on the nightstand.
“Thanks,” she muttered. If she weren’t hungover, in desperate need of caffeine, and reeking of Eau de Wet Dog, she might laugh at the absurdity of this situation.
“And will there be anything else?” Jack asked as he executed a quick bow.
“Doubtful.” She tossed her crutch aside.
And then it struck her. Jack had the same cheesy grin as his dog. “Please shut the door behind you.”
After he’d gone, she gulped her coffee and peeled off her smelly clothes. She managed a bath and then wrapped on a robe and climbed back in bed to finish her lukewarm coffee.
She could hear Ginger laughing and talking in the kitchen and Jack egging her on with questions. And then it dawned on her.
Jack was flirting with Ginger.
Narrowing her eyes, Marina wondered what Jack’s angle was. She’d heard plenty of cases of much younger men who latched onto older women. Usually, it ended badly. Occasionally, the remnants of the relationship ended up on the morning news with one party shot or strangled or poisoned.
Marina shuddered. Could Ginger be in danger? Maybe she was overly cautious, but she would definitely conduct an internet search on him.
Though her stomach was calling for breakfast, Marina closed her eyes, willing Jack to leave so she could return to the kitchen.
Just then, her phone buzzed, and she answered it. “Hello, Kai, how’s theater life?” After talking to Heather, she’d sent her younger sister a text to say that she was okay and in Summer Beach. She’d also been trading messages with her other sister, Brooke, who always seemed busy with her family.
“Hey, you. Glad to hear your voice.” Kai’s melodic voice bubbled over the connection.
“Sorry I worried you the other day.”
“Just glad you’re okay,” Kai said. “Did Ginger tell you what happened?”
Marina sat up in bed and clutched her phone. “What’s wrong?”
Kai’s sweet, high-pitched voice floated over the phone. “The last theater the musical was booked into had a fire, so it’s closed for remodeling. That means I’m officially free for the entire summer. I’m coming for a couple of weeks.”
“When?” Marina sat up and tucked her legs under her. Except for holidays, she and Kai hadn’t been able to spend much time together since they were children.
“I’m almost there.” Kai’s voice squeaked with excitement. “I got a ride-share from the airport, and I’ll be there soon. We’re going to have so much fun this summer.”
Marina could have picked Kai up at the airport, but Kai was as independent as Ginger. Still, her spirits lifted. Kai had always been the entertainer of the family. By the age of three, she was belting out children’s tunes, singing at the top of her little lungs in her toddler car seat as their parents sang along with gusto. By seven, she knew every Disney song, and at twelve, she had moved on to Broadway show tunes. Kai’s natural exuberance had manifested itself in song and dance all her life.
Marina went into the room next to hers and opened the windows to air the room.
Voices floated from outside.
“Well, hello handsome,” Kai said in a flirty voice. “Are you a friend of Ginger’s?”
Marina peeked out. Kai had arrived in a blaze of glitter with a stack of leopard-print luggage. Jack was outside with Scout.
Jack hooked a thumb into the belt loop of his jeans. “I just leased the guest cottage for the summer.”
Kai stuck out her hand. “I’m Kai, Ginger’s granddaughter.”
Shaking Kai’s hand, Jack grinned like his oversized puppy dog. “Jack Ventana.”
The front door slammed, and Ginger strode out, her arms open wide to Kai. “Hello, darling. I see you’ve met my new summer tenant. Jack is writing a book.” She embraced her granddaughter and kissed her on the cheek.
Inside, Marina rolled her eyes. And Kai was here all summer. Marina sensed trouble. She stepped in front of the window and called out, “Kai, your old room is ready.”
“I’ll be right in.” Kai glanced at her luggage and turned to Jack. “Would you be a dear and—”
“I’ll get them.” Jack grinned. “I know the way.”
After Jack brought in Kai’s stuffed suitcases and left, Marina joined Kai in her room. Lounging on a white chenille bedspread, she watched her sister unpack.
Dancing in the musical theatre production kept Kai in great shape. She was the tallest of the three sisters and had taken after Ginger. Kai’s strawberry blond hair waved down her back, and her green eyes often sparkled with mischief.
Marina adored her lively younger sister, but she often wondered if Kai was truly happy or simply perpetually busy.
After unzipping a large suitcase, Kai lifted a handful of fancy cocktail dresses on hangars, transferring them straight to the closet. They were more big-city glitz than lazy SoCal beach.
“You pack like a pro,” Marina said, admiring her sister’s organizational deftness.
Kai paused with a hand on her hip. “As much as we travel, you learn to pack and unpack in record time.” She tossed two zippered, mesh pouches that held lingerie into drawers. In another suitcase, an envelope-style pouch held jeans and T-shirts. High-heels, flats, and a cosmetic case emerged from the smallest case. She beat even Ginger for efficiency.
At last, Kai brushed her hands. “All done in less than five minutes. Have you been to town yet?”
“Not with this ankle. Don’t you want to change? Glitter and gold might be a little much for beachwear.”
“Oh, right,” Kai said, kicking off her high-heels and quickly changing into a soft, buttercup-yellow sundress that accented her hair.
“Heard you flirting with Jack,” Marina said. “Hello, handsome.”
“Actually, I was talking to the dog.” Kai grinned. “Jealous?”
“Jack might be good-looking, but he’s hardly my type,” Marina said.
“He’s way too old for me.” Kai brightened. “But more your age, right?”
“Ouch. You, too?”
Kai laughed. “I didn’t mean it to sound like that. But after the Grady debacle, you’ve earned some fun this summer.”
“Absolutely not with that specimen of man,” Marina said, slicing her hands through the air. “Besides, I have to find another job.”
“You don’t sound excited about that.” Kai hung up her traveling clothes and turned to Marina, drawing her finely arched brows together. “Don’t you think it’s interesting that Brooke is the only one of us who is happily married?”
“You forget that I once was.”
“I know,” Kai said, sitting beside Marina and taking her hand. “But that was so long ago.”
“Eighteen years.” Marina blinked. And it still seems like yesterday. Every time she looked at her children, she saw her husband in them. Heather’s quick smile and misty, blue-gray eyes were reflections of Stan, while Ethan was a near replica—even down to his golf swing. It was uncanny how Ethan’s movements echoed Stan’s, as if such muscle memory were in the DNA. Stan was everything she’d ever wanted in a man; he was kind and even-tempered with a zany sense of humor.
“That Grady guy was never good enough for you,” Kai said. “Was he at least fun?”
“He was different, that’s for sure. He professed his undying devotion from the first date. Now I know not to trust insta-love.” Marina twisted her lips to one side. “I was really too old to fall for that.”
“Out of practice.” Kai leaned her head on Marina’s shoulder. “Would you think I was crazy if I told you I’m dealing with a similar issue?”
“You’re seeing someone?”
Fidgeting with her hair, Kai said, “It happened so fast. We’ve been seeing each other barely a month, and he’s already proposed.”
“And what did you say?”
Kai got up and opened her purse. She withdrew a ring box and opened it. A large emerald flanked with diamonds caught the sunlight
. “What should I say?”
“Wow, that’s quite a statement,” Marina said. “But you’re not wearing it. That says a lot.”
Kai tucked it away. “I’m not sure.”
“What’s the rush?” Marina asked.
Kai shook her head. “It’s complicated. I’ll tell you later. Come on, let’s see what Ginger is up to.”
Chapter 6
Jack looked up and saw Mitch walking across the patio of Java Beach. He pushed his notebook away. While his intentions of writing were good, he’d had too much on his mind to brainstorm ideas, and all he’d been doing was sketching little cartoon figures of seagulls for his nieces and nephews in Texas.
Jack needed to talk to someone who knew more than he did about this unusual situation.
“Here you are—today’s California fusion omelet with a toasted onion bagel,” Mitch said, placing a hot dish in front of Jack. His tie-dyed T-shirt was a bright spot on a cloudy morning.
“Great, thanks.” Jack could have cooked in his little kitchen in the guest cottage, but he liked walking here and enjoyed hearing conversations. That made him feel less alone. Checking out the generous portion, he said, “If this is breakfast, what’s for dinner?”
“Java Beach closes after lunch,” Mitch said. “In the beginning, it was just me, and I could only work so many hours a day and still have time to enjoy living here. I have a boat and take visitors in the afternoon a few times a week.”
“Sounds like you keep busy.”
“Not as busy as usual today.” Mitch frowned, and Jack detected a sense of concern on his new friend’s face.
“Any particular reason for that?”
Mitch jerked a thumb toward the south. “The next community over let in some big box stores and chain restaurants that are advertising cheap deals and stealing our tourist traffic. Some of the locals, too. Today is Endless Breakfast day.”
“I don’t see how anyone could want any more than this,” Jack said, motioning to his omelet.
“I know, but it’s affecting a lot of local restaurants here. Shops, too. Some might not be able to weather the loss of business.”
“That’s tough.” Instantly, Jack felt terrible. He’d planned to go to one of those big stores to replace Ginger’s garden. Reaching down, Jack slipped Scout a slice of crispy bacon. “Say, is there a local garden center in town?”
“You bet. The Hidden Garden is about three blocks down on the left. Tell Leilani and Roy that I sent you.”
“Think they have vegetable plants?”
“The best. That’s where I get mine.” Mitch nodded toward a raised planter bursting with healthy herbs and young vegetable plants. “What do you want to grow?”
Jack raked a hand through his messy morning hair. “Probably tomatoes, peppers, and the usual. I promised Ginger I’d replace her garden. Scout made a mess of it.” At the mention of his name, Scout raised his head. “Yeah, I’m talking about you, champ. Who knew this dog knew how to operate doorknobs?” He had to make sure he locked his doors now.
Mitch winced. “Off to a rough start?”
“Ginger is great, but her granddaughter is in constant attack mode,” Jack said, shaking his head. “I’m sure she’s angry about losing her job, and I’m afraid I haven’t helped matters. Do you know Marina?”
“Not really. Kai comes around in the summer between her touring schedule, but I’ve only seen her with Ginger. I think Ivy knows Marina from way back.” Mitch glanced over his shoulder at a woman with royal blue hair and a rhinestone visor calling for him. “I’ve got to check on Darla, but let me know if you need anything else.”
Jack dug into his omelet, which was as light and flavorful as any he’d ever had. Today, it was filled with green onions, orange tomatoes, and pink salmon. Topping the fluffy eggs were creamy avocados and a garnish of orange tobiko, a caviar or roe that often accompanied his favorite sushi. He wasn’t going to go hungry in Summer Beach.
Jack had just finished his breakfast when his phone rang.
“Jack here.”
“Hi, my name is Imani Jones. Seems we have a mutual friend in L.A.”
It was the attorney his friend had recommended. “Thanks for getting in touch,” Jack said. “Any chance I could meet you at your office today? It won’t take long, but I could use some good advice.”
She hesitated. “What’s the problem?”
“It’s kind of sensitive,” Jack said, lowering his voice. “Can we talk in person?”
“Okay, but just so you know, I don’t practice much anymore,” Imani replied. “I left that rat race in the city. But you’re welcome to stop by Blossoms, my flower stand in the village. Happy to chat in between customers and point you in the right direction.”
“That would be great. Where is Blossoms?”
“Where are you now?”
“At Java Beach.”
“Tell Mitch hello for me. When you leave, walk past a hardware store called Nailed It and turn toward the beach. You can’t miss it.”
“And how will I know you?” He realized too late that was a silly question.
“You haven’t been in Summer Beach very long, have you?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Look for a woman with long black hair and a sun hat.”
“I’ll be the guy with a yellow Labrador.”
She laughed. “So I’ve heard.”
After clicking off the phone, Jack left Java Beach with Scout trotting beside him on a leash. He’d never faced a situation like this before, though he wasn’t one to shirk his responsibilities. This, however, represented an enormous obligation that would change his life. As he walked to Blossoms, a cascade of emotions swept through him.
Imani was correct. The flower stand wasn’t hard to find. The scent of roses, lilies, and tuberose filled the air. Peonies and sunflowers spread their cheerful petals under the morning sun. At the center of it all, a woman in a plum-colored, batik-print dress with long sisterlocks and a broad-brimmed sun hat tended to customers.
Jack waited until she finished wrapping up a bouquet of yellow roses for a young woman. “Are you Imani?”
“You must be Jack,” she replied, shaking his hand. “Welcome to Summer Beach. Are you staying long?”
He told her about his sabbatical. “That could change, though, depending on this situation.” He might have to return to Los Angeles.
“The situation is what, exactly?”
Jack glanced around. It wasn’t that he was ashamed, but he wasn’t ready to make an announcement. Eating at Java Beach, he’d already figured out that Summer Beach had a lively gossip network.
“I received a call from a woman I’d known a decade ago. We were both covering a story in a dangerous venue.” He paused, remembering the standoff between the FBI and a heavily armed, pseudo-religious cult. Fortunately, the children were released early. In the end, no one was hurt, but tensions were insanely high. “Now, she’s not well. She has some final wishes that involve me.”
“And just what are these wishes?”
Jack hardly knew how to explain this. “After her death, she would like for me to raise her son.” He waited, searching her face. If Imani had a reaction, she didn’t let it show. He’d bet she was great at poker.
Imani cleared her throat. “This might sound callous, but are you sure she’s that close to death, or is this a ploy to gain financial support?”
Jack hadn’t thought about that, but Vanessa had always been a straight-forward reporter, searching for the truth. “I think it’s for real. Unfortunately for her.”
“What age is the child?”
“He’s ten years old.”
“Have you met him?”
“Not yet.”
Imani was quiet for a few moments. “And why do you think a woman would give up her child to someone she hasn’t seen in years and barely knew then?”
Jack ran his knuckles across the bristle on his chin. “She thinks that I might be the child’s father.”
“Ah.
Now we’re getting somewhere.” She gave him a sympathetic smile. “Is this the first time you’ve ever heard of this boy?”
Jack nodded. “I had no idea he existed. When I asked why she didn’t tell me, she said her family would’ve disapproved. Vanessa never saw the point in contacting me.” He shook his head. “I truly wish she had. That is, if she knows for sure.”
“And do you think she’s telling the truth now? I hear you’re an accomplished writer. Pulitzer Prize and all. You’ve got to have a little tucked away.”
“A little,” he agreed. “But I don’t think money has anything to do with it. Vanessa said she has an independent income. She’s been battling a rare disorder. I’m not sure how much time she has left, but it’s not long, and she doesn’t have anyone to take care of her son. She said she wants him to know his father.”
Jack swallowed hard. He couldn’t imagine facing such a predicament alone, and his heart went out to Vanessa and her son. “Leonardo is his name. She calls him Leo.”
Imani gazed intently at him as if she were trying to look into his soul and judge the veracity of his words. “First, you’ll want to establish paternity. And then, you—and the court—will do what’s in the best interest for the child.”
Jack nodded numbly. Beside him, Scout whimpered as if he felt Jack’s pain. “As in a DNA test?”
“That’s one way,” Imani said. “You can also sign a voluntary declaration of paternity. At that point, you’ll have the legal rights and responsibilities that go along with being a parent. That means visitation and physical custody rights, as well as the financial responsibilities that accompany those rights.”
Jack breathed out. “So, if I do that, then no test is required?”
“Wouldn’t you want to know for sure?”
“That’s a valid question, but I’m not sure I want to know.” The way he saw it, a little boy was about to be alone in the world, and Vanessa had reached out to him. She believed he could do the job. Did he want to complicate the issue with a test?