“I think that’s kind,” Kai said. “I probably would have done the same thing. Wouldn’t you?”
Marina shook her head. “Now I feel guilty that I didn’t.”
“That surprises me. You’re usually a good judge of people. This Holly—she’s okay, right?”
“I think so. She’s an artist, and she was on her way to a holiday market in Los Angeles.”
“Why doesn’t she just stay here and set up a booth at ours?”
“Well, I suppose she could. But Kai, there’s something odd about her.”
“Like what?”
“She paints ornaments with images.”
“You mean, like wreaths and trees? Yeah, that’s weird.”
Marina leaned forward and lowered her voice. “No, silly. Houses. The Seabreeze Inn—and even Ginger’s house.”
“So? Artists paint what they see. She’s obviously been here before.”
“No, she insists she hasn’t been. But then she says she paints from memory.”
Kai held her glass in midair. Even Stella looked up with rounded eyes. “Okay, that is weird. What’s up with that?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I think we should watch her. She’s not telling the truth, but I don’t know why she would lie. Why not just say you painted it from something you saw online? Or admit you’ve been here before. We don’t know her; we’re not judging her.”
“Really?” Kai raised her eyebrows.
“Okay, maybe a little.”
“Does she seem threatening or anything?”
Marina wiped Stella’s sweet little face again. “No, just…lost,” she added, looking for the right word. “Artistic, of course. Kind, I think.”
Holly had given Ivy and Ginger the ornaments, almost as if she’d been expecting to.
Kai scooped more cheese from the board. “I’ll invite her to the market in the morning.”
Marina touched a finger to her lips. “You can do that right now. Here they come.”
“Doesn’t this look cozy,” Ginger exclaimed when they arrived. “I wanted to show Holly your cafe before I began dinner.”
“I can bring dinner to you, or you can join us here,” Marina said. “Holly, too, of course.” If Ginger didn’t eat at the cafe or go out with Oliver or friends, Marina often brought dinner to her.
Marina gestured to seats at the table. “Would you like to join us at the chef’s table? It’s where family and friends sit.”
“It’s a little chilly this evening,” Holly said with a shiver.
“We turn on the heat lamps,” Marina said. “It’s quite cozy on the patio this time of year. And we have wraps if you need one. A local woman makes them for us.”
Cruise walked in through the rear door for his shift. “I’ll get them for you,” he offered. A few moments later, he reappeared with beautifully woven shawls.
“Thank you, dear,” Ginger said, putting one around her shoulders. Holly did the same, admiring it as she did.
After they sat down, Kai said, “Our friend has a booth to sell these shawls at the holiday market. I’d like to buy a couple for gifts.”
Ginger turned to Holly. “Since you have to forgo your market in Los Angeles, perhaps you can sell your ornaments here.” To Kai, she added, “They’re quite lovely.”
