Summer Beach: Coral Cottage

by Jan Moran

  Marina reached across to Kai and touched her shoulder. “Thanks for all your help today. I couldn’t have done it without you. And don’t worry, you’ll figure out your relationship with Dmitri.” She smiled. “There’s always Axe.”

  “He is easy on the eyes,” Kai said. “And he did summer stock.”

  “The singing contractor.” Marina pulled the car in front of the cottage and stopped. “The fact that you’re even noticing other men should mean something.”

  As they went inside, Marina noticed a car parked in the front of the cottage. She figured that Ginger might have company. After putting down her purse, a knock sounded at the door, and she opened it.

  An older man wearing sunglasses and a sport shirt stood before her. “Marina Moore?”

  “Yes?”

  He handed her a sheaf of papers. “You’ve been served.”

  Marina threw up her hands. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she said, her throat constricting with anger. Hal was behind this for sure.

  Kai raced back to the front door. “What’s the matter?”

  “Please take them, ma’am.” The papers shook in his hand.

  “Let me see that,” Kai said, snatching the stapled packet from the man, who immediately scurried away. “What a vile little man.” She flipped the pages. “These are from the company that owns the station. They’re suing you?”

  Marina watched the man jump into his car and peel out. “He’s just doing his job on behalf of that lecherous fool at the station,” she said, jabbing the air to punctuate her words.

  Just then, her phone rang. Answering it, she said, “Gwen, I just got served with a lawsuit.”

  “I was calling to warn you. I’ve been in touch with your attorney, who says you should start getting prepared. Your contract calls for mediation. When can you be here for that?”

  Marina gulped. Just when her life was looking up, legal complications were the last thing she needed. “I have to close my apartment next week. I can do it then.”

  “I’m not sure the attorneys can act that fast. You should call your lawyer.”

  After hanging up, Kai hugged her. “I’m so sorry. But I’m coming with you to San Francisco.”

  “What about Dmitri in Chicago?”

  Kai tightened her arms around Marina. “You’re my sister.”

  Chapter 15

  Jack leaned back in his chair and stretched his fingers. His Monterey-style, carved wooden desk was positioned in front of a large window overlooking the beach—one of the most incredible views he could imagine for inspiration.

  The guest cottage was conducive to inspiration and furnished in early California beach-style. White canvas slipcovers clothed threadbare sofas, throw pillows with pink flamingos and palm trees were strewn comfortably about, and braided rugs in sandy shades covered the Saltillo tile pavers. And in the kitchen, vintage melamine dinnerware was still perfectly serviceable. The guest cottage was a time-capsule of mid-century California beach living, which was fine by him.

  Jack tapped a few more notes before closing his laptop. Although he was making progress in his research, he was still at a loss on the angle he wanted for a biography of Ginger Delavie. He had to prepare the first three chapters and a detailed outline before pitching his project. If only Ginger would answer his questions, but she still wouldn’t talk about her work.

  Scout knew that when the laptop closed, he had a shot for a walk on the beach. He rose and pawed Jack’s leg, curling his lips into what looked like a grin.

  “Hey, boy,” Jack said. “Now that’s a great expression. Hold that a minute.”

  Jack picked up his sketch pad and flipped it open. Drawing had always been relaxing, and he often sent his pictures to his little nephews and nieces. Scout was his latest subject. Jack sketched a few quick lines on the paper, smiling at the personality in Scout’s face that he was capturing.

  “You’re famous in Texas,” Jack said, reaching down to scratch Scout’s neck. The kids had been clamoring for more cartoon-like Scout illustrations. Jack sometimes wondered what it would have been like to have followed this first passion he’d had. He would have lived a different, quieter life, that was for sure.

  One thing was clear now. While Jack was known for investigative journalism that often took him on the road, he would need to change his working style to accommodate young Leo. That quiet path might have been better. With Vanessa and Leo, everything had happened so quickly that Jack was still processing plans and feelings.

  Jack closed his sketch pad, satisfied with his work. He’d finish the drawing later.

  Clucking his tongue, Jack grabbed a lightweight windbreaker. Mornings were crisp on the beach, especially with the onshore winds. At his signal, Scout leapt up from his position beside Jack’s desk and trailed him to the door. The dog sat, wagging his tail and waiting.

  “There’s a good boy,” Jack said, snapping a leash onto Scout’s collar. “Who knew you were so smart?”

  Jack liked to work early in the morning as soon as the sun rose. By this time, he was often ready for a break with a walk on the beach, though today, he had a meeting. The last few days, he had been easing into a trot. Although he was far from being as fit as the local mayor, he could feel his lung capacity increasing, which felt good.

  This morning, Jack was meeting Bennett at a property not far away. He snapped his fingers for Scout. “Come on, boy. Let’s go.”

  After a short walk, Jack saw Bennett waiting in front of a house a few blocks from the beach. The elevated house had a good view of the ocean.

  “Get your run in this morning?” Bennett asked.

  “A little later. I’m picking up speed, though.”

  “We have a 10k race through town soon,” Bennett said. “You should join us.” He leaned down to rub Scout’s neck. “Your sidekick is welcome, too. It’s a fundraiser for the animal shelter.” At the sound of a car, he glanced up. “Here they are.”

  Denise and John stepped from the SUV, and together they helped Vanessa from the back seat. Leo and Samantha scrambled out, looking sleepy.

  “I have a nephew about their age,” Bennett said. “Maybe they’d like to go snorkeling off the dock together.”

  Leo and Samantha brightened. “Could we?” Leo asked his mother as he fell into step beside her.

  “That sounds like fun,” Vanessa said. She stopped at the clapboard house in front of them. “What a pretty summer place. It reminds me of the houses I used to see on Nantucket.”

  Bennett fished a key from his pocket. “It has two suites and a third bedroom, plus a loft that leads out onto an observation deck. I thought that configuration might work well. The owners were going to sell it, but they decided to rent it for the season. It needs some work, but it’s comfortable.”

  Denise hooked her arm into Vanessa’s. “We’re going to have a good time this summer sharing a beach house. I don’t know why we haven’t done this before.”

  As they walked through the house, which was a mid-century home furnished in fresh shades of white and turquoise, Bennett pointed out features.

  “Ceiling fans throughout, just open the windows and let the sea breezes in. You can easily walk to the beach and the village.” He opened the door to a suite, which had a patio off to the side. A wisteria-laden trellis shaded the sunny area, and gardenia flowers sweetened the air.

  “This would be lovely for you,” Denise said to Vanessa.

  “I like it very much,” Vanessa replied, looking around with an expression of delight.

  Jack guided her to the patio, where a lion’s head fountain trickled in one corner.

  “I can just imagine sitting here and reading,” she said, holding her hand out to Leo. The boy kept close to his mother.

  Jack’s heart went out to her. Denise and John and the children looked at the rest of the house, and they all claimed rooms. Samantha liked a bedroom decorated with mermaids.

  “The loft is amazing,” Leo said, his eyes rounded. The spacious area had a nautical th
eme of blue and white. A circular staircase led to the roof, where a viewing platform was setup.

  “Then it’s yours,” Vanessa said. “We could put a telescope on the roof for you to explore the stars. This beach house is perfect for us.”

  Jack knew the hospice wasn’t far away and thought that having Denise and John and Samantha nearby with Leo was a good plan. He hated to think of what was ahead, though he was looking forward to seeing more of Leo.

  “Then we’ll take it,” John said, shaking Bennett’s hand.

  Bennett locked the house and turned back to them. “I have all the paperwork at my office if you want to fill it out there or take it with you.”

  “Might as well do it now,” John said, putting his arms around Denise, who clutched Vanessa’s hand.

  “As long as I can sit down somewhere,” Vanessa said.

  Jack thought Vanessa looked better than she had the first time he’d seen her in Los Angeles. He hoped that she might improve and maybe even beat this illness, although he doubted that was realistic. Still, Jack could hope. He respected Vanessa and the path she had chosen. It hadn’t been easy, he was sure of that, but she seemed content with her decision.

  Vanessa and Leo had consumed his thoughts since meeting her again in Santa Monica.

  Scout whined beside Jack and thumped his tail. Jack scratched his head. “While you guys tend to that, I can take the kids to the beach with Scout.” This bittersweet summer was Jack’s opportunity to get to know his son.

  Leo and Samantha looked excited, and their parents gave their permission.

  Jack started toward the beach with the two children and Scout. When they arrived, he let the kids kick off their shoes while he bought a frisbee from a souvenir shop.

  Not many people were on the beach. Surfers were returning from a morning on the waves, and a few people strolled on the sand. A lifeguard sat in a perch high above them, watching the remaining surfers and a couple with children racing through the water’s edge.

  Jack handed the frisbee to Leo. “Do you know how to throw one of these?”

  “Sure,” Leo said. He and Samantha giggled.

  Stupid question for kids that lived at the beach, Jack figured. “Scout’s new at this, so tell him to sit and stay. Throw this as far as you can. Then, give him the command—fetch it up.”

  Scout’s ears pricked up. He was taking in everything. As if he understood, he trotted to Leo and sat, panting with excitement.

  “Look at him,” Leo said, his eyes widening. “He knows what’s going on.”

  “He’s alert and learns quickly. Now give it a good throw.”

  Scout tilted his head, watching the frisbee spin in the air and settle on the beach. He panted after the new toy.

  “What do you say?” Jack asked. “Add a motion, like this.” He pointed at the frisbee.

  “Fetch it,” Leo said, mimicking Jack.

  Scout took off running so fast he could hardly stop and skidded around the frisbee. He nabbed it with his mouth and happily padded back.

  Soon Leo and Samantha were taking turns and having a great time with Scout.

  “Have either of you ever had a dog?” Jack asked.

  “We have a cat,” Samantha said. “It’s with my aunt right now.”

  “I always wanted one,” Leo said. “But my mom says they’re a lot of work.”

  Some of Jack’s fondest memories as a boy were with his dog, Buster. “Well, you guys can hang out with Scout this summer if you want. I’m staying in the guest cottage over by the Coral Cottage just on the other side of the village. You can pick him up anytime you like.”

  “Uh, we’d have to ask our parents,” Leo said, and Samantha nodded.

  “Oh, sure. I understand.” Jack would have to learn a lot about parenting.

  “But that would be so cool,” Leo said.

  “Let’s try something different with Scout,” Jack said. Taking the frisbee, he whirled it into the air, but before it landed, he gave Scout the command. The dog hesitated, but when Jack repeated the instruction, Scout took off. Moments later, Scout leapt into the air and snatched the frisbee. The dog was so excited at this new twist that he galloped back and circled them twice before settling down.

  “Wow, he liked that,” Leo said.

  Jack rubbed Scout’s neck. “He’s a smart dog. You can teach him a lot. Just be sure to keep him out of vegetable patches and flower gardens. He loves to wreak havoc in those.”

  Leo and Samantha were having so much fun with Scout that Jack stepped back and watched the kids, thinking about everything he had missed. He couldn’t blame Vanessa, especially now, but he felt a pang of sadness that he’d missed so much.

  And yet, Jack was also grateful that Vanessa had called. The alternative was that someday, when Jack was an old man, he might have opened the door to a grown-up Leo, informing him that Jack was his father.

  No, better to have part of Leo’s childhood than none at all.

  I’m a father now. Jack let that sink in, feeling the magnitude of that responsibility. And yet, it was still complicated. Leo had no idea, and the little boy would soon face the tragic loss of his mother. Jack knew he would be a poor substitute for Vanessa.

  What could he offer his son? Jack had spent his life chasing stories across the country and around the globe. He had plenty of stories to tell, but now he was having a hard time deciding which direction to take this manuscript. Sometimes he wished he’d become an illustrator, but he was entirely self-taught in that field.

  Maybe it was the difference between writing an article and the longer form of a book. Whatever it was, Jack was having a hard time focusing. Whether it was Leo and Vanessa on his mind, Scout tugging on his leg to go for a walk, or Marina distracting him, he’d had a hard time sorting out the notes he’d jotted down over the years.

  And then there was Ginger. On the trail, she’d teased him with another project. Could there be something there? Whatever he chose, he had to send a proposal to his agent soon.

  Now that Jack was responsible for Leo, his life would change. Leo would start school somewhere in the fall. He wondered how Vanessa would be then. Maybe in future summers, he and Leo could take off in the van and camp out across the country.

  “Watch out,” Leo called out.

  Jack ducked just in time to avoid a low flying frisbee with Scout in hot pursuit.

  Behind him, he heard a scream. Whirling around, he saw Scout sprawled across Marina licking her face, the frisbee slowing to a stop on the sand behind her. Scout had collided with her, overjoyed to see her.

  “No, Scout, wrong!” Jack jumped up and rushed to Marina’s aid. Behind him, Leo and Samantha were racing after him, screaming for Scout.

  Jack pushed Scout away and helped Marina sit up. “I’m so sorry. Did he hurt you?”

  “Not really, unless you count the sand in my hair.” She shook out her hair and brushed sand from her dress. “Look at Scout,” Marina said. “I think he’s grinning at me.”

  Jack brushed a little sand from her face. Her skin was soft, not that he should have noticed.

  Leo took a step toward her. “Ma’am, I’m sorry. It was all my fault.”

  Jack put his arm around Leo. “Those frisbees can sure go sideways on you.” He tousled Leo’s hair. “That was nice of you to apologize.”

  “Apology accepted, though not necessary,” Marina said. “I should have been looking where I was going, but I was so deep in my thoughts.”

  “Don’t get up. You might have hurt something. Your ankle again?” As Jack gazed at her, a thought bubbled up. She was the kind of woman who became more beautiful with age.

  “I’m fine. But that darn dog…” She shook her finger at him. “We’re going to have a talk.”

  As if Scout understood, he slunk toward Marina with his head lowered. She smoothed her hand over his silky, golden fur.

  “Apology accepted,” she said.

  Jack picked up the frisbee and tossed it back to Leo. Scout raced after it with hi
s gangly, lopsided gait.

  “He’s quite something,” Marina said, clasping her arms around her legs. “Though I’m not sure what.”

  “Like an overgrown kid,” Jack said, easing next to her on the sand. The sun brought out golden highlights in her hair.

  “Cute kids,” Marina said, tossing her hair back over her shoulders. “Ivy told me that Bennett was showing Denise and John a place. Along with Vanessa and Leo, right?”

  “Bennett is writing up the lease for them right now, so I thought I’d give the kids something to do.”

  Marina tented her hands to watch the children. “They’re good kids. I remember when my sisters and I used to visit our grandmother here in the summer. We would spend all day at the beach and only go in to eat. Or we’d roam the village, saving our pennies for ice cream.”

  “Sounds like an ideal childhood.”

  “In many ways, it was. Summer Beach is a great place for families.”

  “And for single people of a certain age?” Jack raised his brow.

  Marina laughed—a little nervously, he noted. “I don’t know about that.” Abruptly, she switched topics. “How is your writing coming along?”

  “Slower than I’d like,” Jack said.

  “I know what you mean,” Marina said. “I wrote a lot of my material for the news, and I never had time to second-guess myself. Without a deadline, I’d flounder.”

  “We’ve both been chasing the news, just on opposite sides,” Jack said, changing the conversation. “Do you miss it?”

  Clasping her legs, she rested her chin on her knees. “I thought I would, but I’m not. But then, I fell into my career by accident.”

  “Are you taking the summer off?” he asked.

  “Not like you. No, I’ve left that position…” She paused and shook her head. “I’m changing careers. It’s time I do what I want with my life.”

  “And what’s that?”

  Marina’s eyes lit with happiness. “I just had a great test run at the farmers market. With Kai’s help, I sold out. That’s part of a larger plan. See, I’m going to organize dinners at the cottage. And someday, I plan to open a cafe here in Summer Beach.”