Led by Aunt Grace, a battalion of gray-haired ladies from the church sewing circle had arrived that morning with the curtains they had sewn. They were deep, red velvet with gold trim and long tassels on the ends. Aunt Grace and the sewing circle weren’t the only audience today. Gran had come as well, bringing Beth and Josh.
Layla’s father had shown up, too. Colin claimed to be at loose ends without his kids around, but Layla suspected he was really here because of Beth. Her father inevitably showed up wherever her mother happened to be.
Layla watched the tableau in front of her, unable to believe this was her life. She’d spent the last couple weeks in Miami, finalizing the sale of her condo. She’d sold most of the furniture. Anything she’d wanted had come back home with her.
Home. Shellwater Key. Miami had seemed like it was part of a dream. A past life she no longer had any connection to. She hadn’t felt the slightest twinge when she’d turned over the keys to her condo. Hadn’t looked back as she’d driven away.
She gazed around the theatre. The curtains were beautiful. The Tragedy/Comedy Masks above the stage had been repainted, too, giving the old girl a facelift. It was as if Greta had donned her best party clothes for an evening out.
The dining room rehabilitation continued, too. The repainted walls and the royal blue carpet gave the room a new sheen of elegance. A new bar would be arriving within the week. There was still a lot to do, but things were starting to take shape in more ways than one.
Grayson climbed down from the scaffold and stood back to inspect his handiwork. He nodded and slapped Noah on the back. Man code for “good job”.
Grayson looked over his shoulder and grinned at her. Layla felt certain she would melt right on the spot.
Colin appeared by her elbow. “That is one happy man,” he said, pointing his chin in Grayson’s direction.
Layla turned her head and smiled. “You think?”
He grinned. “I know. So do you, and if Grayson knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep you happy, too.”
Her brow arched. “You didn’t threaten him, did you?”
“We had a little talk,” Colin said, rubbing his knuckles against his shirt.
She stared at him in surprise. “You did not.”
“What kind of father would I be if I didn’t check out the guy my little girl loves?” he asked, gazing down at her.
A swift arrow of shock and pure joy went straight to her heart, and she had to blink back sudden tears. “But I’m not your little girl,” she whispered. She couldn’t have spoken any louder past the lump in her throat.
Colin’s eyes glazed, and he looped an arm around her shoulders. “Yes, you are. I may have missed the first few years, but I’ll never miss anything again. When you walk down the aisle it’ll be on my arm, and some day I’ll be the proudest grandpa you can imagine.”
She nudged him. “Stop doing that,” she said on a watery chuckle. She brushed the back of her hand across her wet cheek. “I’m a mess, and anyway I don’t know that Grayson and I are getting married. We’re still figuring all that out.”
“You figure all you want. Just let me know the date.”
“What about you?” Layla asked.
It was his turn to arch a brow. “Me?”
“Don’t play dumb.” She gestured toward Beth. “Do you know what you’re doing with her?”
He didn’t bother trying to pretend then. “Not a clue,” he said, with a happy sigh.
Beth seemed to sense she was the topic of conversation because she looked over. She started to walk toward them, and then hesitated as if uncertain of her reception. Layla sent her a welcoming smile, and Beth followed suit, walking over to join them.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the jolt of seeing you two together,” Beth said.
“I think you might have to,” Layla said. “Looks like he’s not going anywhere.”
Beth gazed up at Colin, suddenly seeming to be shy. “Neither am I.”
Layla suddenly felt like a very large and unwanted third wheel. “I’ll just leave you two to… whatever.”
Layla escaped the brimming sexual tension surrounding her parents. Even the idea of “sexual tension” and “parents” gave her the shivers. She made her way over to Grayson. His eyes tracked her the entire way, the intensity reminding her of the first time they’d met at Joe’s Crab Shack. There would never be a time when she would get tired of that intense gaze. She looped her arms around his neck.
“Am I wrong in sensing something going on with your parents?” he asked.
“No,” she mumbled against his shoulder. “It’s embarrassing.”
“It’s pretty sweet actually.”
She lifted her head to glare at him.
“What?” He grinned down at her. “It is.”
She fisted his shirt and tugged him closer. “Just wait. You’ll be punished later.”
Molten fire lit his gray eyes. “You promise?”
He’d started to lower his head when something distracted him. Layla looked over his shoulder to see Annaliese emerge through the double doors with a rolling cart. On top of the cart were two bottles of iced champagne and a stack of disposable, plastic champagne glasses.
“What’s all this for?” Layla asked.
“I thought today would be a good time to announce that we’re ready to hold auditions,” Annaliese said.
A thrill went through Layla, even as she hesitated. “But we still have so much to do.”
“We’re far enough along that we can get going,” Grayson said. “What do you say? If we get the word out, we can hold the first round in a few weeks.”
Layla smiled. “Let’s do it.”
Grayson kissed the tip of Layla’s nose. “Then come with me,” he said, leading her over to the cart.
Annaliese watched them approach. “Do we have lift off?” she asked.
“Yes, but only if you’re part of our show,” Layla said, surprising even herself.
Annaliese’s cheeks turned pink, and she lowered her gaze. “I will be. Maybe not on stage, but I’ll help any way I can.”
“I’ll get you to change your mind,” Layla said. “I think Matthew would want you to.”
Annaliese tilted her head. “You play dirty.”
“Like someone else I know,” Layla quipped.
Grayson looked from one woman to the other in confusion. “Did I miss something?”
Annaliese patted him on the shoulder. “Of course, Gray. You’re a man.”
A crowd had started to form around the cart so the three of them popped the champagne bottles and started pouring. When everyone had a glass, Grayson picked up his and held it above his head.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to thank all of you for the hard work that’s gone into making The Paradise a living theatre again. I also have to tell you that we’re not done yet. Not even close. Because we’re going to be holding our very first auditions very soon.”
A burst of cheers and applause went up.
“So let’s raise a glass to The Paradise,” Grayson said. “May she have a long and glorious second life!”
“Here here!”
Glasses clinked around them. Layla sipped her champagne. As she lowered her glass her gaze fell on Gran and Aunt Grace. She made her way over to them.
She kissed her great-aunt’s cheeks. “Is it everything you hoped?”
Aunt Grace looked at her with eyes glazed with tears. “You can’t know what this means to me. It’s almost as if I can feel Derek here.”
Layla hugged the older woman. “Maybe a part of him is here.”
“Perhaps.” Aunt Grace nodded. “Oh, I forgot to tell you in all the excitement over your return last night! Emma Bertram has been given custody of her sisters. She’s staying in Shellwater Key.”
“Really?” Layla said in shock. “Are you serious?”
“Very. Apparently, there was no one else. Not only that, Mary Bertram has decided to stay and help with the girls.”
; “She’s going to help raise her ex-husband’s children?” Layla asked, feeling her brow practically reach her hairline. “How can she do that?”
“Because a mother will always do whatever is necessary to protect her children,” Gran said, as she came to join them.
Layla turned to her grandmother. “But to Mona’s children? I can’t even imagine.”
“No one ever said motherhood doesn’t come with sacrifices,” Gran said. “And it doesn’t matter how old your children are. You always worry.”
Layla put an arm around her grandmother’s shoulders. “I hope you’re not worrying about me anymore. You’re the one who had a heart attack. How are you feeling? You haven’t done too much today, have you?”
“No.” Gran smiled. “I feel wonderful. Like so many pieces of the puzzle are back in place.”
“I’m glad.”
Barbara’s smile dimmed, and her eyes clouded. “I’m only sorry about how much I hurt you. I never should have lied to you all these years.”
“It’s okay, Gran.
And somehow it was. The hurt might take time to heal, but Layla knew it would. Her grandmother wasn’t an infallible being. No matter her motivations for sending Beth away, Gran had done her best to give Layla a good life. Gran had always been there. She’d helped Layla with her homework and nursed her through every childhood illness. Dried every tear. Gran had taught Layla to persevere, to be strong, and to value herself for what she accomplished. Throughout it all, Layla had always felt safe and loved.
“It’s all going to be okay,” Layla repeated.
“This family is going to be okay, but we’ve got other worries,” Aunt Grace said, frowning as she looked around.
Layla chuckled. “Like what?”
“Like that kitchen for one thing,” she said, “It’s a disgrace. We might have to gut it and start over.”
“We’ll need a professional,” Gran said. “I think it’s time we hired a chef. Someone who knows what he or she is doing.”
“Who can we get?” Aunt Grace asked. “Do we put an ad in the paper? Or I could ask around.”
Layla’s mind suddenly flashed to a night years ago, the summer after Emma’s parents divorced. Emma had come to stay with her father. Gran had been working late at the hospital, and Aunt Grace had gone on a women’s retreat. Emma had come over for dinner. Or rather, to make dinner.
Layla leaned over the pot of spaghetti sauce and sniffed. “That smells delicious.”
Emma shrugged. “Sauce isn’t too hard,” she said, dipping a wooden spoon into the pot to taste. “They taught us at that stupid cooking class I went to with my dad last week.”
“Why do you call it stupid?” Layla asked. “You like going.”
Emma stared down into the pot. “I like the cooking part.”
Layla stared at her friend, seeing the sadness in Emma’s eyes. “Just not the fact that you’re taking the class with him.”
“He didn’t sign up to do it with me.” Emma’s shoulders slumped, and she turned away to grab two plates. “Mona was supposed to go with him, but she can’t even boil water. She was the one who suggested I go in her place.”
Layla followed with silverware. “Maybe she thinks it’ll help you stop fighting with your dad.”
“Or maybe she’s just trying to ease her conscience.”
Layla started to protest, but she knew it would only turn into a fight if she did. Emma didn’t want to hear anything positive about her stepmother. So, she sat down and dug in to the meal.
She took a bite and then looked up in surprise. “Emma, this is really good!”
Emma tried hers. She frowned in concentration. “It could use a little more oregano.”
“I don’t even know what oregano is.”
Emma chuckled. “Maybe you should be taking the class with me.”
Layla rolled her eyes. “No way. I’d probably make your stepmother look like a pro. I’ll leave the cooking to you.”
“I bet I could teach you.”
Layla shrugged. “Doubt it. Anyway, maybe you should think about becoming a chef?”
“What?” Emma asked in surprise. “Like a career?”
“Sure. Just think—you could work in a fancy restaurant. Like Julia Child or something.”
Emma laughed. “Oh, come on. Get real.”
Layla glowered at her friend. “I am being real. You have to do something to make a living.”
“I’ll leave the high-powered career to you.”
“Well, I guess you could stay in Ft. Myers with your mom forever,” Layla said. “Or maybe you want to come back to Shellwater Key and live with your dad and Mona.”
Emma dropped her fork, and it hit her plate with a jarring clang. “Don’t even joke about that. I’d rather die than live here with them.”
Layla smiled and twirled spaghetti. “So what are you going to do about it?”
Layla looked up at the stage and raised her glass.
Don’t worry, Paradise, I have the perfect person in mind.
THE END
Keep reading to find out more about the other Shellwater Key Tales, as well as other books by Kristin
Other Books by Kristin Wallace
Sweet Contemporary Romances:
Shellwater Key Tales:
Poignant and funny contemporary romances set in sunny Florida that bring three childhood friends together to help rehab the abandoned Paradise Dinner Theatre.
Books in chronological order:
Finding You At Christmas (holiday novella) - Janie Worthy won’t make it to the blind date, but she will find her destiny this Christmas.
Left Turn At Paradise (Book 1) - High-powered business executive Layla McCarthy has lost everything, but The Paradise Dinner Theatre is about to usher in a brand new act in her life.
Coming Home To Paradise (Book 1.5) - A companion to Left Turn At Paradise, told from the perspective of Layla’s mother, Beth McCarthy.
Straight On Toward Paradise (Book 2) - Chef Emma Bertram’s life is a recipe for disaster, but she’s about to discover that love and forgiveness are the perfect ingredients for a happy ending.
Falling For You At Christmas (holiday novella) - One expectant mother. One gorgeous innkeeper. One Lamb, two Shepherds, and a King. Three days that will change her life forever.
Last Stop at Paradise (Book 3) - Scandal has turned Callie Dalton’s life upside down. Going home again will teach her that the curtain hasn’t set on her own story.
Loving You At Christmas (holiday novella) - Widowed stage actress, Annaliese Matheson, is convinced she’ll never love again. Stepping in to direct the middle school Christmas show will become the opening act for her holiday happily ever after.
The Heiress Games (Palm Cove Tales)
Eccentric heiress, Victoria Armington, has died and left her vast fortune to her pet pig, Matilda. Now, three Armington descendants have been chosen to compete for custody of the pig…and control of the money. Then there’s the lawyer in charge of overseeing the competition, and his two best friends, who arrive to make sure nothing goes wrong.
Least Likely Heiress - (Book 1)
She’s a struggling single mother whose claim to the Armington name stems from an affair between Palm Cove’s founder and his mistress. Winning the money will mean her family will never want for anything again. There’s just one big, knee-weakening, mouth-watering problem…the talk, dark and gorgeous lawyer in charge of the Heiress Games.
Not Quite An Heiress (Book 2)
Abby Douglas isn’t quite an Armington. She’s not quite part of The Heiress Games. Her half-sister is, though, and Abby will do anything to ensure she wins the fortune. Because there’s a secret Douglas sister out there...and they need to save her life. The last thing Abby expects is temptation in the form of an arrogant, yet irresistible, ex-football player, Killian O’Connor.
The Forgotten Heiress (Book 3)
Once upon a time, songwriter Bailey Tenant’s mother was cut off from the Armington family for dar
ing to love the wrong person. Bailey doesn’t want anything to do with them now, but she has a mountain of medical debt, and without that fortune her grandchildren could still be paying it off. When Grammy-winning singer Jackson Stone shows up to escort her to Palm Cove, she agrees to compete. She just never expected the most dangerous aspect of the competition would be losing her heart to Jackson.
Or get all 3 books with the Heiress Games Box Set!
Inspirational Romances:
Covington Falls Chronicles:
Funny and sweet faith-based romances set in a fictional Southern town with a character all its own.
Stay tuned for the relaunch of this series. Coming soon!
Marry Me (Book 1)
She’s a devout cynic who must take over a wedding planning business. He’s a handsome widowed minister who might be a reason for her to finally say, “I do”.
Acting Up (Book 2)
A disgraced Hollywood actress is out to become the star in her own comeback story by directing the high school musical, including a happy ending with the boy next door turned hottest high school principal she’s ever known.
Imagine That (Book 3)
A bestselling children’s author is on a journey to recover her lost imagination…and lose her heart to a blue collar house painter.
By Christmas (Book 4)
She’s a jilted bride. He’s her ex-fiancé’s brother. She’s trying to save Christmas. He’s disrupting her peace on earth. Together they find a holiday happy ending.
Join Kristin’s newsletter for the inside scoop on the latest news, contests and upcoming releases.
About the Author
Kristin is a USA TODAY Best Selling author of inspirational romance and sweet contemporary romance filled with “love, laughter and a leap of faith”. Growing up she devoured books like bags of Dove Dark Chocolate. Her first Golden Book led to Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nancy Drew, C.S. Lewis, and the Sweet Valley High series. Later, she discovered romance novels and fell in love all over again. It’s no surprise then that Kristin would one day try her hand at writing them.
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