“So I’ve heard,” Kai said.
Marina nudged her under the table. “That’s a great idea, and Kai will be happy to help.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” Holly said with relief. “Everyone in Summer Beach has made me feel so welcome, and just when I didn’t know where to turn.”
Feeling a little guilty, Marina glanced at Kai before continuing. “Our sister Brooke delivers her fresh produce and picks up my baked goods early in the morning from the cafe. She can give you a lift to the market.”
“Most of my inventory is in my vehicle,” Holly said. “I would have to get it from the garage.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Kai said, soothing her concern.
Marina nodded in agreement. Giving residents a chance to earn money from their arts and crafts was the impetus behind the holiday market.
This season, Holly was one of them.
“Hi everyone,” Heather said, breezing into the kitchen. “We have a party to cater tonight, but I wanted to welcome Holly. Ginger told me you’re staying upstairs with us. I’ll be back late, so I hope I don’t wake you.”
“When I’m in dreamland, nothing wakes me,” Holly said, smiling shyly.
The two younger women chatted while people began arriving for dinner. Marina excused herself to put on her chef jacket.
While she was changing, Kai slipped into the room.
“Well, what do you think?” Marina asked.
“Holly seems sweet,” Kai said. “Maybe she misspoke earlier. You and Ginger are a formidable pair.”
“But her story about never having been here, yet painting from memory, doesn’t make sense. Still, I want to help her because she seems adrift.”
Kai waved off her concerns. “People don’t always say exactly what they mean. I’m sure we’ll have a good day at the market.”
Marina wondered. She would hear all about it, for sure. They returned to the front with the others. She saw Jack and the other men heading toward them.
“Hey, look who’s here.” Kai scooped Stella from her carrier and wiped banana from her smiling, happy face. “It’s Daddy.”
“With Leo and Oliver,” Marina added. “I’ll bet they’re hungry.”
Her special this evening was roasted turkey over wild rice and a side of rosemary-infused red potatoes. With that was a garden salad with pomegranate seeds and mandarin orange slices.
“Here’s the light of my life,” Jack said, kissing Marina’s cheek.
“Now I know you’re hungry.” She laughed, hugging him and Leo.
Oliver greeted Ginger with a kiss, and Axe did the same with Kai before taking Stella to lift her into the air. The baby squealed with glee.
“She’s as expressive as her mother,” Axe said, laughing and cooing at his daughter.
“What have you guys been up to?” Kai asked.
“We ran into each other on the beach,” Axe replied. “I met Tyler to discuss a new project and saw these guys walking.”
“That’s good exercise for you,” Ginger said, giving Oliver a smile of approval.
“I don’t know,” Marina said, sizing up the innocent look Jack had on his face. “My husband looks sort of guilty to me.”
5
“Here’s a table for your items,” Kai said, her breath coming out in small clouds in the cool morning air. Despite Marina’s concerns, she felt good about doing this for Holly. She rubbed her hands together and blew on them.
