"How do you like Sanibel, Hayden?" Joy asked.
"It's fine."
"I bet you miss your friends." Joy continued bustling around the kitchen while keeping an eye on Hayden's responses.
Hayden nodded, softening a little. "I do, but I've made some new ones here."
"She's volunteering at the senior center," Marshall interjected.
"That's lovely. Phyllis could always use more help," Joy said.
Jonathan entered the room from outside with an empty platter. He greeted Marshall with a hug. "How are you?"
"Just fine," Marshall said.
"We're very happy to see you, Hayden," Jonathan said with a smile.
"We're going to eat soon if everyone wants to find a seat," Joy said.
It was slightly awkward, but I tried not to let it get to me. Marshall was estranged from his family. There were a few hard feelings. It was bound to be weird. I just hoped Hayden wasn't picking up on the vibes.
In the center of the table there was barbecue chicken, potato salad, and a salad. Elena poured lemonade or water in everyone's glass. When she got to me, she said, "It's so nice to see another woman at dinner."
"I’m happy to be here.”
"We'll have to talk after dinner." Her smile was warm, but I wondered if she knew that something was going on between me and Marshall, and that's why she wanted to talk.
She set my glass down and moved onto Marshall, greeting him with a smile.
When she was done, she sat next to Hudson, and I assumed she was with him.
"Let me introduce you to everyone before we dig in," Joy began, and she went around the table. There was Hudson and Elena, Cooper and Ivy and their new baby, Henry, Brady and Hazel, and Dalton and Shepard, who were by themselves.
When Joy finished the introductions, I said, "It's nice to meet you. Thank you for having me over. Everything looks delicious."
"We're grateful that Marshall was able to stay in the beach cottage. We're so happy to have him home." There was obvious affection in Joy's tone.
I didn't detect any bad feelings from his mother. But then again, I hadn't heard whether she had much to do with the family business. From what I'd gleaned from Marshall, his oldest brother, Hudson, and his father were the ones that were upset the most when he decided to go to the military as opposed to working in the business.
I knew not much would be accomplished today, but I hoped Marshall could soothe some of the hurt feelings. It was a start, and I was proud of him for making this step.
Joy waved a hand at Hudson. "Can you start passing dishes around?"
Hudson rushed to comply, and Elena asked, "Is Blaire your grandmother?"
"Yes," I said, nervous again that the attention was on me.
Elena smiled. "She's a character."
"I guess she is. She always knows what's going on around the island."
"She sure does," Elena continued with a smile, accepting the bowl of potato salad from Hudson.
"You'll have to come out with us sometime," Hazel said.
"We like to go out for drinks here and there," Elena agreed.
Ivy cradled Henry in her arms. "I can't always make it now that I have this little guy."
