The Sunset Cottages: A Willa Bay Novel

by Nicole Ellis

  The doorbell rang. Debbie set the cup on an end table and walked over to the door. Without bothering to look through the peephole, she flung the door open, revealing Samantha and a petite girl with long brown hair.

  “Hey Mom.” Sam stood behind the girl and put her hands on her shoulders in a comforting manner. “This is Kimmy.” She looked down. “Kimmy, this is my mother, Mrs. Briggs.”

  “Hi,” Kimmy said shyly. “Nice to meet you.”

  Debbie smiled widely at her. “Nice to meet you too, Kimmy. We’ve all been looking forward to having you spend the holiday with us.” She gestured for them to follow her into the house and closed the door behind them.

  Kimmy’s gaze swept over the living room, lighting up at the sight of the Christmas tree. “I like your tree. My parents always had a big tree in our old house.” Her face paled and she bit her lip like she was trying to keep from crying.

  Debbie locked eyes with Sam, who seemed to be pleading with her to do something. At that moment, two of Libby’s kids streaked through the main floor on their way to the basement. Debbie pointed at their disappearing backs. “You know, a couple of my grandkids are right about your age. Do you think you’d like to meet them?”

  The corners of Kimmy’s lips twisted downward. “Do you think they’d want to play with me?”

  “Of course. I told them you were coming, and they’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” Debbie crouched down and hugged the fragile little girl. She caught Sam’s eyes again. “Maybe Miss Briggs could take you downstairs to introduce you to them.”

  Kimmy glanced at Sam, who nodded reassuringly at her and said, “I’ll be right up here if you decide you’d rather hang out with us, but I think you’ll have fun with the other kids. My parents have a whole recreation room down there full of toys and games.” Sam reached for Kimmy’s hand and led her toward the basement stairs.

  Debbie watched them go, her heart catching at the sight of Sam comforting the little girl. Although Sam didn’t think she had any strong maternal instincts, Debbie knew she’d be a wonderful mother someday, if that’s what she chose to do. Her youngest daughter had gone through a bad breakup last summer and a big career change as well, so Debbie didn’t plan to pressure her for grandkids anytime soon.

  When they’d disappeared down the stairs, the doorbell rang again. This time, it was Meg and her boyfriend, Taylor, along with Elizabeth Arnold, Debbie’s mother. Taylor hung up his jacket on a hook inside the door, then placed Meg and Elizabeth’s coats next to his. He knew the routine, having been over to the house several times for family dinners since October, when he and Meg had started dating. Debbie and Peter had a good feeling about this one, and liked him a lot – but even if he wasn’t Mr. Right, he made their daughter happy, and that was all that really mattered.

  Meg and Taylor disappeared into the kitchen to grab drinks, but Elizabeth stayed in the living room. She scanned the space and nodded approvingly, much like Debbie had done a little while ago.

  Elizabeth sighed. “I’ve always loved Christmas Eve. I just wish your father could have seen how our family has grown.”

  Debbie’s throat tightened. Her dad had been gone for almost ten years now and she still missed him every day. “I know. He would have loved Libby’s kids.”

  Elizabeth pressed her lips together, blinked a few times, then gave Debbie a small smile. “Where are those little imps anyway?”

  “You mean you can’t hear them?” Debbie joked.

  Kaya rushed over to her great-grandmother and handed her a cup. “Here, Grandma Elizabeth. I made you some hot cocoa. I can show you where Mommy put the cookies too.”

  “Why, thank you. I’d love a cookie. Your mama makes the best spritz cookies I’ve ever had.” Elizabeth winked at Debbie and then followed Kaya into the dining room, where Libby had set out a variety of Christmas cookies on the side buffet.

  Although Debbie now had the room to herself, lively voices carried over the sound of the Christmas music playing through the television’s speakers. In the kitchen, Peter, Gabe, Meg, and Taylor were engaged in a lively discussion regarding their favorite teams for the upcoming Super Bowl.

  Libby, who’d never much enjoyed sports, walked out of the kitchen holding a plate full of cookies decorated with red and green sprinkles. The stiffness in her expression eased when she saw her mother. “It’s so quiet in here.” Debbie raised an eyebrow, and Libby laughed. “Well, as quiet as it’s going to get tonight.”

  Debbie stared at the ornaments on her tree, her gaze drawn immediately to the vivid, abstract splashes of color on the ceramic angel Kaya had made for her last year. “I don’t mind.”

  “Me neither.” Libby sighed and bit into a delicate, wreath-shaped spritz cookie. When she’d finished chewing, she daintily brushed crumbs and stray green sprinkles off the front of her dress and into a napkin. “I’m probably going to regret making all of these cookies, but baking always takes my mind off of things.”

  Debbie looked up sharply. “Did Gabe hear something about the job?”

  Instead of answering, Libby popped another cookie into her mouth and walked over to the tree. She lifted a popsicle stick reindeer ornament from the branches and held it up to study it. “I can’t believe you still have this. I must have made this over twenty-five years ago.”

  Debbie joined her by the tree. She took the red-nosed reindeer from Libby, cradling it in the palm of her hand. Rudolph’s googly eyes rolled in all directions and Debbie grinned. “If I remember correctly, I think you were in first grade.”

  Libby laughed. “I think that’s the same grade William and Beth were in when they came home with similar projects.”

  “And I bet you’ll treasure those ornaments forever too.” Debbie slipped the reindeer’s hanging loop over a sturdy branch, inhaling the quintessential Christmassy fragrance of fresh fir the tree emitted when her fingers brushed against its needles.

  “You’re probably right.” Libby touched the last miniature wreath on her plate, as if trying to decide whether or not to eat it.

  Debbie squinted at her eldest daughter. Libby was actively avoiding Debbie’s question about Gabe. “Something is bothering you. Did Gabe find anything out about the job in Boise?”

  Libby set the plate with the uneaten cookie on an end table and flopped down on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “Yes.”

  Debbie sat next to her, turning her body until they were facing each other. In a low voice, she asked, “Are you moving to Idaho?”

  Libby gulped once, then nodded. “Yes.”

  Debbie leaned back against the cushions. With that one word, her life had changed. Libby wouldn’t be there to help with the catering business or anything else. With the long drive to the southern part of Idaho, Debbie would only be able to see her grandkids a few times a year instead of several times a week, which meant she’d miss seeing them grow up. Most of all, she’d miss Libby’s company. She’d always had a strong connection with her eldest daughter, even during the teenage years. Sure, there was always the option of video-chatting or phone calls, but it wouldn’t be the same as shooting the breeze with Libby over steaming mugs of strong coffee.

  “When?” Debbie asked, unable to hide the urgency in her voice. Now that the move was a reality, she couldn’t put off her discomfort about Libby and her family leaving. She needed details to reconcile everything in her mind. “When are you moving?”

  Libby looked down at her lap, twisting her fingers together. “They want him there the second week of January.”

  Debbie sucked in her breath. This was even worse than she’d feared. “In less than two weeks?” she whispered.

  Libby nodded again, then met Debbie’s eyes. “We just found out yesterday, so we’re still working out the details, but it looks like I’ll be staying here with the kids until the end of the school year. We haven’t decided yet whether we want to sell or rent out the house.” She winced after the word house, and Debbie’s heart went out to her. Libby had spent over a year s
earching for her dream home before finally buying a turn-of-the-century Cape Cod within walking distance of her parents. Over the years, she’d lovingly restored the interior to its former charm, at the same time making it fit her family’s active lifestyle.

  “Oh, Libby.” Debbie leaned over and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. This wasn’t easy for any of them.

  “I know.” Libby pressed her chin into the crook of Debbie’s shoulder. A wet tear dripped down Debbie’s neck, but she wasn’t sure if it was hers or her daughter’s. Libby pulled away and sniffled, brushing her cheeks with her fingertips. “I can’t let the kids see me crying. We haven’t told them yet because we didn’t want to ruin their Christmas.”

  Debbie nodded and dabbed at her eyes with a Kleenex. “I won’t say anything to the others.”

  “Thanks.” Libby offered her a meager smile.

  “Hey,” Meg said as she walked into the room. “What’s going on in here? Did someone die?”

  “Nope.” Debbie forced a bright tone. “Libby and I were just reminiscing about the history of some of the ornaments on the tree.” That was the truth, at least partially.

  Meg seemed to buy the little white lie. “Oh, Mom. You’re so sentimental.” She poked at a gnarled mass of white yarn and snorted. “This didn’t even look like an angel when I brought it home from Sunday school.”

  “But I loved it anyway.” Debbie stood and gave her other daughter a hug, holding her long enough that she earned a suspicious look from Meg when she stepped back.

  “Are you sure everything’s okay?” Meg asked.

  “Yup.” Libby pushed herself up from the couch, the long skirt of her silky red dress flowing around her ankles. “But I think I hear some kids arguing in the basement, so I’m going to check it out.”

  Meg raised her eyebrows. “I don’t hear anything.”

  “Yeah, well you don’t have the finely tuned ears of a parent.” Libby gave her a wry grin. “I can hear those kids fighting from a mile away.”

  After Libby left, Meg asked, “Are you getting excited about the cancer fundraiser?”

  Debbie’s stomach rolled. Libby may not be leaving Willa Bay for five more months, but she’d be busy with all of the rigmarole that came with moving a family of six to another state. Debbie would definitely need to hire an assistant soon to help with the catering business, and maybe the fundraiser too. “Uh-huh.”

  “Zoe told me that you’re going to be holding it at the Inn. That’s great!” Meg beamed at her.

  Debbie had a hard time matching Meg’s enthusiasm. While she’d locked down the date and some of the other details, there was still so much left to do. When she’d started the project, she’d thought it would be fun, but now she was having a hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

  She met Meg’s gaze and tried to be positive. “I think it’s all going to work out. Zoe’s giving me the event space at cost, and it’ll be good publicity for the Inn as well.” The fundraiser would be held on Valentine’s Day weekend, and everyone in the Willa Bay community, as well as all guests at the Inn at that time, would be invited to attend.

  “Oh, I know it’s going to work out.” Meg wrapped an arm around Debbie’s shoulders and gave her a comforting squeeze. “And soon, my restaurant will be up and running. I wish I could have it ready before the fundraiser, but the cottage renovations are taking longer than we expected.” Her expression darkened for a moment, but then she shrugged and grinned widely. “It’s all going to work out though, I just know it will.”

  Taylor gestured for Meg to rejoin him in the kitchen. She looked apologetically at Debbie. “Sorry, Mom. I think I need to referee another debate between Taylor and Dad.”

  Debbie nodded and sat down on the couch again, her attention drifting out the window.

  “Phew.” Sam made a beeline for the couch from the basement stairs. “I don’t know how Libby does it. I only spent half an hour with the kids and I’m already beat.” She may have been complaining, but a glimmer of a contented smile hung on her lips.

  “Oh, you love it,” Debbie teased.

  Sam laughed. “I don’t know about love, but I do enjoy spending time with them.” She scrunched up her face. “But I still don’t think I want quite that many kids.”

  Debbie peered at her. “But you do want kids?” She’d always thought Sam would be a great mother, and maybe this new job was helping her to see that possibility.

  Sam shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe?” She uttered a self-deprecating laugh. “I’ll have to find the right guy first though.”

  “You’ll find him when the time is right.” Debbie snuggled closer to her youngest daughter and leaned back against the couch cushions.

  “Maybe.” Sam tilted her head toward Debbie’s until they were touching, and reached for her mom’s hand. “But until then, I’m just grateful for you and the rest of the family. I feel so bad for Kimmy, being without her parents on Christmas.” She was quiet for a few seconds until Kaya’s infectious giggle erupted from the dining room. Sam grinned. “Our family may be a little crazy, but I can’t imagine spending the holidays without all of you.”

  Debbie’s chest filled with a happiness that swept away her earlier fears and doubts. Sam was right. For now, their family was together, which made everything right in her world. That was the best Christmas gift she could have ever asked for, and she wasn’t going to take a moment of it for granted.

  21

  Tia

  “Do you see them?” Tia stood on her tiptoes to scan the crowd coming up the escalator toward the SeaTac Airport baggage claim carousel labeled with their parents’ incoming flight number.

  Antonio shook his head. “Not yet.”

  Tia held onto the railing overlooking the escalator and bounced lightly on her toes. “Why are there so many people traveling on Christmas Eve anyway?”

  Antonio glanced at her, raising his eyebrows. “Anxious much?”

  She sighed and transferred her grip from the railing to the strap of her purse, clutching it so tightly that it would likely leave a mark on her sweaty palms. “Mom makes me twitchy.”

  He chuckled. “She makes everyone twitchy.” He turned away from the incoming travelers to fully face her. “But they’re just coming to see us for Christmas. Nothing more, nothing less, okay?”

  Now it was her turn to give him an incredulous look. “You really think so? Because I’m pretty sure they’re going to pressure me to go back with them to El Paso.”

  He shrugged. “We’ll see. If they do, you’ll just have to change their minds.” He shifted his attention back to the escalator.

  Tia stared at his profile. It was all so easy for Antonio. Nothing seemed to faze him.

  He’s had his own share of problems, Tia, she reminded herself. Antonio had fled Texas for a fresh start in Willa Bay, just as she had. He may not appear to be worried about their parents’ visit, but there was likely a part of him that feared their intrusion into his new life.

  “There!” Antonio pointed to the floor below them. “I see them.”

  Tia followed the direction of his finger, her pulse quickening. There they were – Marta and Daniel Ortiz. She’d managed to avoid dwelling on their impending visit, but now it was very much a reality.

  She craned her neck to get a closer look. Her parents neared the escalator and she did a double-take. “Abuela?” She nudged her brother. “Did you know Abuela Carlita was coming with them?”

  He shook his head, his face bearing the same expression of puzzlement that she felt. “Nope. They must have wanted to surprise us.”

  “I didn’t think she’d want to fly all the way out to Washington.” Tia couldn’t take her eyes off of her family, who were quickly approaching the spot she and Antonio had staked out to watch for them. Her grandmother was in her early eighties and hadn’t been on an airplane in years.

  Antonio shrugged. “I guess you never know.”

  They threaded their way through the crowd and met their family a
s they stepped off the escalator.

  When they were a safe distance away from the influx of travelers, Marta narrowed her eyes at each of her children in turn. “What? We come all this way and I can’t even get a proper greeting?”

  Antonio smiled. “Welcome to Washington, Mom.” He leaned down and wrapped his arms tightly around their mother, then did the same to their father. He took the handle of the small rolling suitcase from his grandmother and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s nice to see you, Abuela. We didn’t know you were coming today.”

  Abuela eyed him. “I wanted to see this place that has you and Tia so enchanted.”

  He grinned. “Willa Bay is pretty special.”

  Tia had been quiet the whole time, using the few minutes where Antonio was the center of attention to formulate what she was going to say. “We’re glad you’re here, Abuela.” She looked at her parents. “And you too, of course. I’m just surprised to see Abuela.”

  “Once I told her that your father and I planned to visit you for the holiday, she was determined to come with us.” Marta rolled her eyes and Abuela grinned triumphantly. There had never been much love lost between the two women.

  Tia felt the corners of her mouth shift upward. Her grandmother had been through a lot in her life, but she’d always maintained a strong spirit. Tia hoped to be just like Abuela Carlita when she reached her eighties.

  Marta looked pointedly at her watch. “We’d better get our luggage now if we’re going to make it to midnight mass.”

  Suitcases had already started circulating on the belt by the time Tia’s family had arrived. Her dad stood near it, scanning each piece of luggage that passed by. On the thinly carpeted floor next to him, his hunter-green rolling carry-on leaned against a larger matching suitcase like a child clinging to its parent.