Page 7 of Orange Blossom Way


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She watched him stroll away, tipping his chin or waving to people he knew. Sailor had grown up on Crown Island. She’d discovered he was a local celebrity, although he didn’t act like it. He was a championship surfer that sports magazines covered, yet here he was, managing a bike rental concession just because he liked to hang out on the beach.

Maileah’s gaze drifted after him. Golden sand stretched before her, dotted with colorful umbrellas and beachgoers. Breaking waves glinted under the afternoon sun.

She shot a quick text to Junie.Want to take a break? I’m at the cafe with an extra cup of coffee.She waited while her sister tapped a reply.

Store is super busy. Sending Mom.

Maileah smiled and sent a thumbs-up emoji. She needed to talk to her mother.

After her divorce, April Raines discovered a new passion; she created a new historical society for Crown Island. The recently renovated space was also on the Majestic Hotel grounds, so she often visited Junie or Ryan. April and Ryan were a confirmed couple now.

Maileah sipped her coffee, welcoming the jolt of caffeine. Even her mother had more dating success than she did.

A few minutes later, her mother arrived. Clad in white jeans and a blue-and-white striped mariner T-shirt with navy espadrilles, her mother looked stylish and happy.

“Hi, honey.” April hugged her before she sat down. “What a lovely dress. Did you have an interview?”

“Sort of.” Maileah needed to do that, too. “I had a coffee date.”

“I’m glad to see you’re out meeting people,” her mother said, her voice rising with interest. “And how did it go?”

“Not very well, I’m afraid. Sailor rescued me, though.”

April frowned. “I hope you weren’t in any danger.”

“No, he just wasn’t my type.” Quickly, Maileah added, “By that, I mean mynewtype. Not the old Hawk version.”

April reached for the cream and poured a small amount. “I’m relieved you’re looking for a different kind of man to date. Where did you meet this one?”

“On a dating app.” When her mother looked alarmed, Maileah touched her hand. “It’s okay. That’s how a lot of busy people meet their spouses, and I’m cautious. That’s why I meet men here at the hotel. If I need help, Junie and Sailor are nearby. So are you.”

“You can also call on Ryan and Whitley if you ever feel threatened.” April took Maileah’s hand. “Honey, maybe you shouldn’t try so hard to meet someone.”

“I have to.” Brimming with pent-up emotion, Maileah lowered her voice. “I’m running out of time to start a family. I want a life, Mom. Like everyone else has.”

“You can have a good life without a partner.” April gave her a look filled with compassion. “Try to be patient, sweetie.”

Maileah gulped her coffee, sloshing a little on Junie’s dress. It was all she could do to hold back tears. “I can’t go back to Seattle; Dad and what’s-her-name won’t let me stay in my old room, not even to interview and get back on my feet. Even though there’s little work here for me, I don’t want to leave. Does that make any sense?”

“More than you know.” April put down her cup. “It’s such a pretty day. Let’s slip off our shoes and walk on the beach. That always lifts my spirits.”

Fighting her feeling of failure, Maileah followed her mother.

When they reached the sand, they took off their sandals and dangled them between their fingers.

Her mother put her arm around her. “You’ve been through an entire life upheaval. But you’ve come through it, so give yourself credit.”

Maileah remembered the days she could barely get out of bed. Not unlike Junie after her husband died. Yet, Junie bore no guilt in the freak accident that happened to Mark. In Maileah’s case, she was guilty of bringing all her problems upon herself.

Pressing a finger to the corners of her eyes, she sniffed back hot tears, confiding in her mother as they walked.

April listened. When Maileah finished, she said, “You’re being too hard on yourself, darling. You have more going for you than you imagine.”

Maileah still felt so lost and adrift. “Like what?”

“First, you’re surrounded by a family who loves and cares for you. You’re making friends on the island, and Junie says you’ve done a great job with her website, mailing list, and ad campaigns.”

Maileah lifted a corner of her mouth in acknowledgment. She was proud of what she’d done for Junie. “I guess so. I just set up the backend of her online shop with theright software and started some ads for her. Now everything is automated, so there isn’t much to do that she can’t handle.”