“This time, it’s nonnegotiable,” Axe said. “I have a surprise project for Kai after the holidays. Don’t breathe a word about this. I’m building her a studio on the back of our property for her recording and dance choreography. Besides, your project will take much longer. We’ll need architectural plans and approvals before we do anything.”
“Put me in line, then,” Tyler said with a fist bump.
“You got it. In the meantime, let’s discuss what you want.” Axe turned to Jack and Oliver. “What are you guys up to?”
Oliver crossed his arms. “Aside from solving world problems, we’re trying to decide what to give the special women in our lives.”
Jack dragged his knuckles across his stubbled chin. “Maybe some sort of kitchen gadget, a sweater, new shoes…”
Oliver chuckled at his list.
“What’s wrong with that? Marina told me she needs new shoes for work. Some sort of heavy-duty clogs.”
“Oh, no, my man,” Tyler said. “That’s like buying a woman a toaster. I made that mistake once when we were young and poor. Don’t go there. You could take her shopping, but that has no romance, no originality.”
“Worse,” Oliver chimed in. “She would think you forgot about her. No, they deserve something memorable. Romantic, but not in a way she would expect. Something to make her laugh and throw her arms around you.”
Jack scrubbed his face in exasperation. “You’ve had more experience than all of us.”
“Doesn’t mean I have good ideas for Marina,” Oliver said. “And you know what Ginger is like. She’s seen the world.”
Axe snapped his fingers. “Say, I have an idea. We’re all in Summer Beach for Christmas, right?”
They all nodded, and Jack wondered what his brother-in-law had in mind.
“How much is this going to cost me?” Tyler asked.
“Don’t worry, you can afford it, old man,” Jack replied, giving him a playful punch in the arm.
“Hey, who’s old?” Tyler tugged a few gray hairs on Jack’s head while he swatted him away.
“Come on, guys, listen to this.” With a mischievous expression, Axe shared his idea. “This might be out of your comfort zones, but I guarantee it’s something they’ll never expect—and never forget.”
Oliver’s eyes lit up. “We should get Chip involved, too. Make this a surprise for all our sweethearts.”
“What do we need to do?” Jack asked, intrigued.
Axe waved his hands in a conspiratorial gesture. “First, we get everyone together. Heather’s fiancé, too. Trust me on this one.”
Just then, Leo and Scout bounded across the beach. “Hey, Dad, can we get ice cream now?”
“Soon, little man.” Jack shivered. “Make it hot chocolate with a dollop of ice cream, and you’ve got a deal. Marina makes the best. We’ll go to the cafe soon.”
Leo grinned. “Cool!”
“The kid is in, too,” Axe said, pulling Leo into the group.
Oliver put his arm around the boy, who looked slightly confused. “I have a feeling we’re about to get ourselves into something interesting, son.”
Jack laughed and tousled Leo’s hair. “Don’t we always have a good time?”
4
Marina arranged her thinly sliced, toasted cranberry bread squares on a serving board with an array of cheeses. She joined her sister at the communal chef’s table in the kitchen, open to the cafe. “Here’s a snack before the dinner crowd arrives. And some avocado for Stella.”
Kai bounced the baby on her lap. “Thanks. We’re famished.”
She tucked Stella into a baby carrier beside her, taking care to keep her out of the way of servers who might be whisking in and out with plates of food. Stella squealed with glee at the avocado slices.
