With a groan, Ethan charged upstairs, and Heather raced after him. Minutes later, they reappeared in sweatshirts and jeans, their dark blond hair looking a little less wild. Ethan’s frame was trimmer but more muscular, and the freckles that appeared in the sun were prominent across his nose now.
Marina whisked eggs in a bowl while Ethan brought out the dry ingredients—flour, butter, and milk. Minutes later, fluffy Southern-style biscuits were baking in the old O’Keefe & Merritt fire-engine red oven.
Heather hip-checked her brother as she reached for berries. “Are you sure those carbs are on your golf pro diet?”
Ethan made a face. “I’m on holiday, and it’s none of your business.”
“These two haven’t missed a beat,” Ginger said, laughing at their behavior.
Marina kept an eye on the oven. When the biscuits were ready, she pulled them out, and a heavenly scent filled the air.
“Good morning,” came a soft voice. Holly appeared in the doorway wearing a sweater and jeans.
Ethan froze mid-reach for a hot biscuit and butter. His eyes followed Holly as she sat at the table across from Ginger. “Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“Until some sort of commotion woke me,” she replied, grinning.
Across the room, Ginger caught Marina’s eye and raised an eyebrow.
Marina picked up on an unusual tone in her son’s voice. Was he interested in Holly or just flirting? Darting a glance at him, she decided it was likely an innocent holiday crush. She slid omelets from a pair of pans and started two more.
“That was your fault for not getting up right away,” Heather told Ethan.
“You can’t expect me to be coherent from a dead sleep,” Ethan protested, then turned to Holly with interest brightening his face. “I meant to ask you about the ornaments and snow globes you make last night. Kai told me about them.”
“They all sold out at the market,” Holly said, accepting the mug of coffee Marina offered. “Almost all, that is. I kept a few special ones back.”
Holly’s phone buzzed in her pocket, and she took it out. “That’s the garage. Looks like my car will be ready later this afternoon.” With a small sigh, Holly wrapped her hands around her mug. “I should head to Los Angeles then.”
“Must you leave so soon?” Ginger asked. “We’re going to Beach Waves, a salon in the village, for a little holiday pampering. I’ve already booked us all in—you too, Holly. We’re meeting Kai there, too.”
“For her pink and purple highlights,” Marina added, serving omelets to Ginger and Holly first.
“I could come along,” Ethan said eagerly.
“Down, boy,” Heather teased. “It’s girls only. Besides, your hair’s perfect. Looks like you just had it cut.”
“You could stay another night,” Ethan suggested to Holly, ignoring his sister’s remark. “Leave tomorrow instead? You shouldn’t drive in the dark.”
Holly sipped her coffee, considering. “Maybe...”
“What’s waiting in L.A.?” Marina asked, keeping her tone casual. “The craft show there is over, isn’t it?”
Holly’s voice grew quiet. “There’s someone I’d hoped to see before Christmas.”
“Boyfriend?” Ethan asked, leaning forward.
Smiling, Holly shook her head. “I’m not dating anyone.”
Ethan looked pleased by that. “Family?”
Marina shot him a warning look. “Holly grew up like your Grandpa Dennis,” she said lightly. She plated two more omelets for the twins.
“Oh, I get it.” Ethan’s gaze softened as he realized what that meant. “That’s cool. You’re like us.”
Heather reached across the table and squeezed Holly’s hand. “Welcome to the complicated family club. We’ve got T-shirts.”
Holly’s laughter bubbled up and seemed to surprise even herself. “I’ll join you at the salon. The person I’m meeting has a lot of style. I want to make a good first impression. It’s important…” Her voice trailed off.
