“You’re still a man in his prime—do you miss the thrill of reporting from the front lines?”
Jack chuckled as he drew a hand through his damp hair. “I don’t miss ducking whizzing bullets. Once, I lived for that, but I’d be a fool to leave my life here. I’m finally doing what I always dreamed of—researching and writing books.”
“Congratulations on the successful book launch, by the way,” Oliver said. “How is it doing on the charts?”
“I’ll know in a few days.” He’d just returned from New York, where he’d made the rounds of morning shows, magazines, and radio talk shows to discuss the biography he’d written with Ginger,Decoding a Remarkable Life.The publisher risked a large print run on him, so he had to support the effort.
Oliver grinned. “Have you heard who might play Ginger in the film?”
“If they could bring Maureen O’Hara back, she’d be perfect.”
Oliver’s face lit. “I always thought Ginger favored her—more in grit and determination than actual appearance—though their hair was similar. In fact, we just saw Maureen O’Hara inMiracle on 34th Street, one of my favorite holiday films.”Oliver paused, and a smile lifted his lips. “Ginger will always be a beautiful woman. I’m a lucky man.”
“You two are a good match,” Jack said, and he meant it. “I can’t imagine Ginger putting up with anyone else.”
“Hey, Dad,” Leo yelled. “Watch this.” He tossed three pieces of driftwood in different directions, and Scout took off, making the rounds like he was touching bases—and loving every minute of it.
“Look at him go,” Jack yelled back, pumping a fist.
They watched Leo and Scout for a few minutes before resuming their walk toward the marina.
“I have to confess,” Jack began, changing the subject. “I’m having trouble finding the perfect gift for Marina. I know what would make my wife the happiest—seeing Ethan for Christmas, but he’s busy. Any suggestions?”
Oliver nodded knowingly, watching a pelican dive into the waves. “He’s got real potential on the pro circuit. In sports, a man must make his mark when young.”
“That’s true.” He and Marina had traveled to tournaments with Ginger and Oliver to watch Ethan play. Oliver’s golf expertise helped them appreciate just how good Ethan had become. And Oliver was always willing to hit golf balls with him.
“Have you and Ginger discussed any special plans this holiday?” Jack asked.
Oliver stroked his chin in thought. “I had an idea, but with your book out, I want to give her the time to make appearances if she needs to. Book signings, I suppose.”
Jack shook his head. “She doesn’t want to do any promotion, aside from talks she might want to give to students. She told me living her life is her job; writing about it was mine.”
Oliver chuckled. “That’s Ginger. She’s more interested in the next idea or experience.”
“I sympathize with you. What can you possibly give a woman like that?”
“I’ll figure it out,” Oliver replied. “This isn’t my first rodeo, Jack.”
“I suppose not. The Delavie-Moore women are gems, each in their own way.” Jack remembered the first time he’d seen Marina hobbling from her room at the Seabreeze Inn after she’d lost her job in San Francisco and sprained her ankle. His world had shifted on its axis.
The best gifts life had to offer couldn’t be wrapped.
As they approached the marina, Scout’s bark announced their arrival. They spotted Axe talking with another man near a boat.
Axe had built the Shell Amphitheater that he and Kai ran. Last summer, they produced the musicalMary Poppinsthey’d planned before Stella was born.Marina confided that, with the new baby, the production had been more difficult than Kai thought it would be. That was behind her decision to take the holidays off.
Jack couldn’t blame her. Leo taught him how much commitment children require.
This year, Axe leased out the venue to friends producing a Christmas choral extravaganza. He and Kai planned to produce another holiday musical next year when Stella was a little older.
“Hey there,” Jack called to Axe and his friend Tyler, who’d made his fortune in tech.
Tyler waved them over. “Axe and I are discussing some plans. I want to renovate the house and add a wing.”
“I can certainly help you with that, but my crew is booked for a couple of weeks after the holidays,” Axe said. “You’ll have to wait your turn.”
Tyler grinned. “You know I don’t like to do that.”
