Kai let out a breath. Marina was never going to believe this.
6
“Heather, dear, would you bring extra blankets for the beach bonfire?” Ginger asked, pulling on a pair of red leather gloves. “You’ll find some in the study.”
“Sure, I’ll be just a moment,” Heather replied.
While Heather gathered blankets, Ginger paused to admire her comfortable living room, now suffused with the glow of lights reflecting off the vintage ornaments her family had carefully hung on the tree. Heather had draped the mantel with decorative garlands, weaving them around family photos that chronicled years of love and laughter.
Ginger inhaled the fresh scent of evergreen boughs that Brooke had fashioned into a centerpiece for the table. It wasn’t only the holiday decorations Ginger loved; more so, it was the family that gathered to help.
She checked her watch. They had ample time before sunset, but Heather and Cruise had to set up the food truck near the beach bonfire. While Blake wasn’t working in the food truck, he was there to support Heather, manage the line, and ensure customers were happy.
Heather reappeared with an armful of soft throws. Her engagement ring twinkled in the light as she moved.
Blake appeared in the doorway. “The folding chairs are loaded onto the truck.” He took the blankets from Heather as he spoke. “Ginger, are you sure you don’t want to come with us? Cruise is driving, but we can squeeze you in.”
“Oliver should be here shortly,” Ginger replied. He’d asked that just the two of them go together to the bonfire tonight, which she found rather romantic. “I’ll wait for him.”
She adjusted the red cashmere scarf Bertrand had given her years ago. Quality lasted, and so did the love she still held in her heart for her husband, though he’d been gone many years.
“Okay, we’ll see you there,” Heather said. “I’ll have two hot cups of cocoa for you.”
After Heather and Blake left, Ginger walked to her window, watching the sun begin its descent over the Pacific. She touched the windowpane, now cool against her fingers.
She had the comforting sense that Bertrand approved of Oliver. Bertrand had enjoyed a long friendship with Oliver and his brother Kurt, who had been Ginger’s first employer.
Yet, it was more than that. Sometimes, when Oliver arrived, she could almost hear Bertrand calling out to him.What took you so long?And then, his laughter seemed so real she had to smile, too.
The Christmas beach bonfire was an old tradition in Summer Beach, but this year was different. It might be the last one she would see, perhaps for a long time. That would depend on Oliver’s decision—and hers, of course.
For now, she wanted to enjoy every moment.
The doorbell chimed, and Oliver stood on her porch, handsome as always in a red and black plaid flannel shirt and a down vest. His thick silver hair was slightly mussed, and his bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
Her heart warmed at the sight of him, though she wondered what he was up to. She loved being with him. This was a new chapter of her life, and Oliver Powell had arrived right on cue.
“Merry Christmas, darling.” Oliver took her in his arms and kissed her. “Ready for some early festivities? I have a marvelous surprise for you.”
“I’m more than ready.” She leaned in to snuff out a candle on the table, but as she drew close to the flame, it sizzled and blazed, then flickered and snuffed itself out.
She and Oliver stared at the smoldering wick. “I didn’t do that,” she said slowly.
“Must be your natural magnetism,” Oliver said. “Even fire is dazzled by your presence and bends to your indomitable will.”
“If only I were that powerful,” she said, somehow detecting a faint whiff of the pipe tobacco Bertrand favored. Maybe he was teasing her about her date with Oliver.
“Oh, but you are,” Oliver said, running a hand over her shoulder. “I’m already in thrall to your charms.”
“And I to yours, my darling.” She drew her hand over his face, thinking how fortunate they’d reconnected. Beyond scientific explanations, life still held mysteries and surprises.
Perhaps most surprising of all was the relationship that had blossomed with Oliver. Still marveling over their relationship, she chose a white wool jacket from the coat stand.
He held the jacket for her, helping her put it on. “Do you have everything, my dear?”
She glanced at the candle again, making sure the flame was out. “Everything I could possibly want.”
Chuckling, Oliver opened the door for her. “Give it a moment. I don’t think we’ll ever run out of fresh ideas. That’s what keeps us young at heart.”
