by Jan Moran
“Or a side dish with barbecued vegetables and meats,” Leilani said. “Pineapple is pretty versatile. We prepare it a lot of different ways in Hawaii.”
“Delicious,” Marina said. “How do you manage to leave your business in the winter?”
“We just hang up a sign,” Leilani said. “We do a brisk business with poinsettias at the end of the year, and then we close until the first of March. If we have plants left, we hire high schoolers from the garden club to care for the plants until we return.” She nodded toward Leo and Samantha. “Our kids are grown now, but we used to enroll them for the winter in Kauai. They loved it and learned a lot from the experience. We work to live the life we want.”
“Rather than living to work,” Marina added.
Holding a cup of Hawaiian shave ice, Ginger turned around. “And what have I been telling you?”
“I’m beginning to understand,” Marina said. People in Summer Beach had a different outlook on life. The pace was beach-slow, but more than that, the locals she’d met seemed to love what they did. Somehow, they made it work in the modern world.
“Maybe we should spend the summer here,” Denise said.
“That’s a thought.” John put his arm around his wife. “I bet I could do a lot of work remotely, and it’s just a couple of hours away if I have to go in for a meeting.”
Their little girl’s face lit. “Could we? And could Leo come, too?”
Leo’s mother ruffled his hair. “I think that would work out well. I like it here a lot, too.” She mouthed a silent thank you to Denise, who nodded.
Marina detected an undercurrent of a story between them.
Denise looked excited. “Ivy, is it possible to rent our rooms for the entire summer?”
“I’m sorry, we’re really booked this year,” Ivy said. “But you can find summer rentals in town. Bennett can help you with that. He has a real estate license, so when he’s not mayoring, he helps people with their property.”
Standing by the grill, Bennett waved his tongs again. “Happy to help,” he said. “Once school is out, places rent fast. If you want to see some places this weekend, I can probably arrange it.”
“School is almost finished for the year,” Denise said. “We’d better look now.”
Marina listened, sensing an urgency behind Denise’s words, but she couldn’t quite place why. Maybe, like so many other people, they were burned out and needed to get away.
“I hope to see more of you all then,” Marina said to Denise and Vanessa. “Jack is renting the guest cottage on my grandmother’s property, so when Leo and Samantha visit Scout, we could have hors d’oeuvres on the patio.”
“We’d like that,” Vanessa said, taking Denise’s hand.
The two women seemed like very good friends who shared a special bond. Marina could see that Vanessa wasn’t well, and her heart went out to her.
“Mom, can I have some more fruit?” Leo asked. “This is really good.”
Vanessa nodded and reached for her purse.
“I’ll get it,” Marina said. She made her way to Bennett’s grill and dropped some money inside the donation jar. There was something about that little boy that tugged at her heart. He was crazy about his mother, of course, but it was more than that. Marina had brought up two children, and she recognized the sweet vulnerability in Leo.
Bennett looked up at her. “Seconds?”
“For Leo.”
Bennett nodded and piled the fruit high on the plate for the boy.
When Marina brought the plate of grilled peaches and pineapple back for Leo, the boy’s eyes widened with delight. He thanked her with a hug and offered the plate to his mother, who refused, and to his friend Samantha. The two children scrambled inside the boat—with help from Jack—where they sat sharing their sweet bounty.
“I just love kids at that age,” Marina said, watching Leo and Samantha. Feeling Jack’s eyes on her, she turned to him and saw deep compassion etched on his face. She could have fallen for him right then, but instead, she glanced away. Grady had done that to her, too. He’d been acting, though she hadn’t known it at the time. At the moment, she didn’t trust herself to tell the difference.
“Ready to go?” Marina asked Kai, feeling a little nervous.
Kai made a face. “You’ve got to be kidding. This is a great party.” Then, noticing Jack, Kai nodded. “I think I see your problem. But please stay. If you do, I’ll go with you to San Francisco to help you pack your place.”
Marina couldn’t turn down an offer like that. “Next weekend?”
“I promise.”
“You’re on,” Marina said. “I think I’m ready for a shave ice.”
Kai tugged her elbow and pointed across to the bow of the boat. “Shelly’s mixing her special Sea Breezes. Ask for the fully-loaded variety. Only for friends and family. She told me the password is woo-hoo. Let’s make a nice donation. It’s for a good cause, right?”
“Good thing we’re walking.” Marina had to laugh at Kai. Her sister and Shelly were about the same age, and they’d hit it off pretty well. They’d met at Java Beach, and Shelly had invited Kai to her morning yoga class.
After Shelly served them cocktails, Marina found a spot in the cabin to sit and elevate her ankle while she watched the crowd. Everyone was having a good time, and she was glad she’d stayed.
Ginger ducked inside the cabin and sat across from her. “Ah-ha, this is where you’re hiding.”
“Still recuperating,” Marina said, sipping her icy drink.
“Kai tells me you’re putting your household in storage next weekend.”
“That’s right.”
Ginger leaned forward on her knees. “Good to see you reducing your overhead and committing to a course of action. What’s your plan?”
As usual, Ginger was direct.
“I thought I’d start small and gain a clientele at the farmers market,” Marina said. “If it’s okay with you, I could organize pop-up dinners this summer on the little patio overlooking the beach. When I have enough saved, I could lease space and open a restaurant. I’ve already talked to Bennett about getting the right permits and licenses. Would you mind? It would just be for the summer. By then, I should know if I have a concept that will fly.”
Ginger tapped her fingertips together, ruminating over the idea. “This old cottage was my wedding gift from Bertrand, and we promised each other that we would keep it for our children and grandchildren and their children.”
As the boat rocked softly in its harbor, Marina put her hand on Ginger’s shoulder. “The cottage means a lot to me, too. And to Heather and Ethan, and Brooke’s boys, even if they don’t express their feelings often.”
Ginger smoothed her hand over Marina’s and smiled. “It’s funny you should ask about putting on dinners. You might not know this, but after befriending Julia Child, I often dreamed of having a little cafe myself. Summer Beach is a perfect spot, though, at my age, I’m enjoying my freedom.”
Marina listened, wondering where her grandmother was going with this. She could always look around and find another place. Maybe at the Seabreeze Inn. She could talk to Ivy and Shelly.
Ginger’s eyes sparkled. “I like that you’re taking action. Maybe my dream should be yours to exploit. You’d have to figure out your costs, but you’re clearly determined. I say, do it. Use the cottage for your dinners.”
Marina was thrilled to think of having events there. Gazing from the boat, she spied the cottage from a new vantage point. “Seriously?”
A smile touched Ginger’s lips. “Why not? I could use a little more company. Stay here and give it a go.”
“I’d love to do that,” Marina cried, hugging her grandmother. “I can just see it, filled with fairy lights and flowers. We’d open just in the evening. Ivy and Shelly will send guests my way, and Ivy wants to buy appetizers for their tea-and-wine hour.”
“I think we’re all going to have a grand time with these parties,” Ginger said. “But, we need a larger
patio.”
“I’ve been giving that some thought. Ivy mentioned a contractor who is rebuilding many of the damaged or destroyed homes on the ridgetop. I’ll ask her for his name.”
Ginger nodded. “Might be costly, though.”
“Not the way I’m thinking. If the contractor could handle the framework and electrical, I think we can do a lot of the finish work. I could ask Brooke’s boys to help. What I’d save from giving up my apartment would easily pay for this.”
“Good ideas.” Ginger frowned. “But there’s one big condition.”
“Anything.”
A smile crept onto Ginger’s face. “You have to name a dish after me.”
Marina sat back and folded her arms. “Only if I can use some of your recipes.”
“Deal,” Ginger said, and they shook on it. “As long as they’re not Julia’s recipes. Though I changed many of those,” she added with a mischievous grin.
For the first time in years, a new sense of freedom filled Marina. She loved having a new project to direct. This was surely going to be a summer to remember.
On the dock, she could hear Jack calling for Scout, and it made her smile. Even Jack seemed less irritating now. Besides, after the summer was over, he’d be on his way somewhere else, and she’d be free of the awkward feelings that seemed to bubble up whenever he was around.
Those feelings meant nothing, she told herself. Because of Grady, she’d learned that she was a lousy judge of character when it came to men.
She was officially retiring from dating. Never again.
Chapter 11
“Is this it?” Marina asked as she whipped her turquoise Mini Cooper into the small parking lot for the Summer Beach City Hall. The convertible top was down, and Ivy sat beside her.
“I love this little car you have,” Ivy said. “I have an old vintage Chevy that Bennett usually keeps in tip-top shape for me, but today that machine decided it was taking the day off. I hope it’s just the battery.”
“Can’t blame it. I sometimes wonder how anyone gets motivated to work at the beach,” Marina said.
Ivy tucked her highlighted, wavy brown hair behind an ear and laughed. “If you love what you do—”
“You’ll never work a day in your life.” Marina smiled at her old friend. “I love that quote.”
From their vantage point on the top of a hill, Marina could see boats nestled in the marina, and surfers cruising waves that rolled endlessly toward the shoreline.
This morning, Marina had met Ivy and Shelly at the Seabreeze Inn to discuss tasting trays for their daily events that brought their guests together every afternoon.
“Are you sure Mitch won’t feel like I’m moving in on his business?” Marina asked.
“He supplies the cookies, but his main reason for showing up every day is to see Shelly.” Ivy chuckled. “They’ve been dating for a while now. Our guests will love finding out about your pop-up dinners. I think you’re going to be surprised.”
“Shelly and Mitch seem like a good couple,” Marina said. Shelly had a quirky, yoga-bohemian style, which meshed well with Mitch’s relaxed surfer vibe. “Mitch is fortunate to do what he loves.”
“Surfing in the morning when the waves are good, then making coffee and chit-chatting with visitors and locals.” Ivy picked up her purse. “It’s a good life for Shelly, too. Aside from running the inn with Poppy and me, she films lifestyle videos. Over the last year, her vlog morphed from New York chic to a casual beach vibe. Her followers love it. And she covers the landscaping she manages at the inn. She studied horticulture in college.”
“The inn is lovely,” Marina said. “Did it take you long to renovate it?”
“It’s a work in progress,” Ivy said as they got out of the car. “We’re still working on the lower level, which was closed up for years.”
They started toward the City Hall doors. “What do you do for fun around here?” Marina asked.
“There’s always something to do,” Ivy replied, her lacy turquoise top fluttering in the breeze. “A big Independence Day celebration, plenty of beach barbecues. In between caring for guests and working on the inn, I manage to squeeze in a little painting, which is my passion. We hosted an art show last year that proved popular, so we’ll do that again this year.”
“Not much has changed here since I was a kid,” Marina said. “I wonder if I had stayed how I would have felt about Summer Beach.”
Over the years, Marina had brought the twins here when she could, but Ginger usually visited them in San Francisco. Since Marina had to work, it was easier. Her children had probably spent more time in Summer Beach than she had over the years. After a few weeks, they’d return with their little sunburned noses and happy faces. She’d often wished she could join them. And now, here she was. Possibly forever.
The sun was warm on Marina’s shoulders. Although she missed San Francisco at times, she didn’t miss the chill that often crept in from the sea, shrouding even summer days with coastal fog. They walked past purple bougainvillea and an assortment of desert-scape plants toward the mid-century modern building.
Shading her eyes, Marina said, “Looks like vintage California architecture.”
“Wait until you see inside,” Ivy said.
As Marina stepped inside the light-filled structure, the high ceiling drew her gaze. Sunlight spilled through the clerestory windows. A wall of plate glass windows looked out over the bay and beyond. And hung across the edge of the reception desk was a banner that read, Life is Better in Summer Beach.
Marina sure hoped so.
A woman’s voice rang out ahead. “Good morning, it’s a glorious day in Summer Beach. May I help you, hon?”
Ivy ducked out from behind Marina. “Good morning, Nan. Have you met Marina?”
The fifty-ish woman with a crop of red curls burst into a sweet smile. “Why, I’ll be. My husband Arthur and I were just talking about you at Java Beach this morning. Welcome to Summer Beach, hon.”
Ivy touched the edge of the reception desk, pausing to smell a vase full of garden roses as she concealed a little smile. “Word travels fast in a small town.”
Inwardly, Marina winced. The local gossip wire would take some getting used to, but it also meant that news about her baked goods and pop-up dinners would also spread quickly. That was good and bad. She couldn’t afford to make mistakes here.
“It’s hard to believe that it was just a year ago when I was standing right here, asking for a business license,” Ivy said.
“That’s why I’m here,” Marina said to Nan.
“Well, I thought you might be,” Nan said, her curls shimmying as she spoke. She leaned in and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Mitch tells me you’ve got some of Ginger’s recipes—the ones she wouldn’t share with him. She’s our local lady of mystery, that Ginger.”
“I don’t know if that’s true,” Marina said. “But Ginger made me promise to name a dish after her.”
“Why, you should name dishes after all the locals,” Nan said, her eyes dancing with delight. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”
“Maybe once I meet them,” Marina replied, trying to remain noncommittal. “Where do I go to get a business license?”
“Jim Boz can help you with that. He handles all matters in Planning and Zoning, and business licenses when he’s not busy.” Nan pulled out a form from a folder and snapped it onto a clipboard. “Fill this out, and walk right over there.” She motioned toward a doorway. “I’ll let Boz know you’re here. And Ivy, is Bennett expecting you?”
“He is, but don’t disturb him if he’s busy. I’ll get Marina started first.”
“Nice to meet you, Nan.” Marina started toward the doorway, weaving past a robust rubber plant that was reaching toward the light.
“Nan’s a real sweetheart,” Ivy whispered. “She might gossip a little too much, but she means no harm.”
“Unlike the one I used to work with,” Marina said, thinking of Babe Barstow, celebrity gossip qu
een. If she had some news she could pierce you with, so much the better. But now, that was in the past.
“Are you missing your old life yet?” Ivy asked.
“Sometimes. I love San Francisco, but this is feeling more like home every day. Ginger wants me to stay, and I have to think about her, too. She’s not getting any younger, even though she’s still a force. Are your parents nearby?”
“They are, and they’re still active, sailing and throwing parties every chance they get. Shelly and I have twin brothers here, and between them, they have a slew of children. Though all the kids are grown now.”
“And how are your two girls doing?”
“Good. The older one is an actress on the east coast, though she sometimes shoots commercials here. A few months ago, she shot a pilot show, but her real love is theater.” Ivy shook her head. “My younger daughter is commuting to the university in San Diego for her last year. It was an effort to get her here.”
“It’s not always easy.” Marina thought about her children. Heather had called to say that Ethan had failed an important exam and skipped a few classes afterward to play golf. Marina had been trying to get through to him, but he wasn’t answering her calls.
Scanning the application, Marina quickly filled it out while Ivy answered a few texts on her phone. When Marina finished, she turned to Ivy. “Ginger and I were talking about expanding the patio. You mentioned a good contractor who’s been rebuilding the homes on the ridgetop. I wonder if he’d have time for a simple job.”
“Axe has more than one crew, and he does small jobs, too,” Ivy said, scrolling through her address book. “I’ll give you his number.”
“Axe?” Marina raised her eyebrows. “Should I be worried?”
Ivy laughed. “That’s a nickname. Axel Woodson is an exceptionally nice guy from Montana.”
As Marina tapped in a number for Axe, a buff, youngish-looking man with a thick head of salt-and-pepper hair appeared at the counter.
