Ginger laughed at his attempt. “You’re a lousy liar,” she whispered with a conspiratorial wink. “But I choose to believe you this time. Just so you know.”
11
“Have you heard from Oliver today?” Marina asked as she mixed pureed pumpkin into cream cheese. “I’ve been trying to reach Jack, but he’s not picking up his phone. That’s not like him, so I suspect something.”
“Oliver checked in this morning,” Ginger said. “I imagine he’s out shopping.” She removed a pair of springform pans lined with a mixture of crumbled graham crackers and ginger cookies from the hot oven.
Marina made a face. “Golfing was Jack’s excuse, but he forgot his clubs in the garage.”
Heather turned around from her cookie station in Ginger’s kitchen. “Blake said he was meeting Jack and Ethan.”
“Well, don’t look at me,” Kai said when they turned to her. “Axe went to work. He has a project that’s run into trouble. Those custom home clients on the ridgetop can be awfully demanding.” She paused to tickle Stella’s little face.
“On Christmas Eve?” Marina lifted an eyebrow. “Where’s your sense of holiday distrust? They’re up to something.”
“Let them be,” Ginger said, smiling. “They’re probably on a last-minute shopping spree. You know how some men are.”
“They’d better be back before the show tonight,” Kai said, arranging shaped dough on a cookie sheet. “I’m not going to disrespect the performers by traipsing in late at the Shell on Christmas Eve. Axe reserved a section for all of us in the front.”
“Everyone in town is talking about the holiday choral performance,” Ginger said. “I know you’d love to be on stage, but you made a good choice this year.”
“How can such a tiny creature take over your world—not to mention the laundry? Still, I wouldn’t trade her for all the starring roles.” Kai kissed Stella in her baby carrier, and the little girl cooed and smiled. “She’s such an angel today. I hope she’ll take a long nap while we finish baking.”
Ginger tested the butternut squash soup simmering on the back burner of her stove. “How is your menu shaping up?”
“I’ve done most of the prep work,” Marina said.
The last few days had been a whir of shopping and preparations. She had used the cafe’s kitchen for most of her prep work. Her large refrigerators were convenient to hold feasts such as this.
She ticked off her menu from memory. “Beef Wellington, roast duck, honey glazed salmon, and a vegetarian lasagna are the main courses. We can nibble on crudité, glazed nuts, oysters Rockefeller, and shrimp cocktail. And for tonight, we’ll have the Christmas tamales that Rosa delivered.”
Heather looked up. “Blake’s mom is bringing an assortment of imported cheeses and caviar. Arlette has fancy tastes.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Ginger said. “Why, the foie gras in Paris on Christmas was such a treat with champagne.” She sighed at the memory. “And what about side dishes?”
“I’ll serve the classics,” Marina replied. “Pureed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts. Jack will grill Brooke’s freshvegetables. We’ll also have a crisp endive, apple, and walnut salad. And your butternut squash soup.”
“Get to the good stuff,” Kai said. “Dessert, please.”
Marina laughed. “Ginger and I have made a traditional Yule log, abûche de Noël.” She swept her hand over the cheesecake filling ready to pour into the round springform pans. “Cheesecakes, obviously. One pumpkin and one with cherries.”
“Aunt Brooke mentioned chocolate mousse,” Heather said.
“That’s Brooke’s specialty.” Marina picked up a spatula. “She makes hers with dark chocolate and silken tofu. It’s delicious and no one ever guesses.”
“The cookies for the kids are almost ready,” Kai added. “Bells, stars, and tree shapes. Along with these delicious gingerbread girls and boys.” She bit the head of a gingerbread figure. “Delicious.”
“Leave some for the children,” Ginger said, smiling.
“I will, but I get Stella’s share until her teeth come in.” Kai tapped her baby’s nose. “We have a deal, don’t we, boo-boo?”
Marina glanced around, pleased with their efforts. The soup and appetizers would hold everyone over until after the show. “When the performance is over, I’ll hurry to the cafe to set up the buffet, tamales, and desserts for our family and the cast.”
Kai blew a kiss to her sister across the kitchen. “Axe and I appreciate that, Marina. That means a lot to the performers. We’re putting up some at our house, and others are staying at the inn.”
“Brooke, Chip, and the boys will take rooms here,” Ginger said. “It’s too far for them to drive so late.”
Kai wagged a finger. “Don’t forget little Clover in that bunch.”
