by Jan Moran
“That structure isn’t stable,” Chief Clarkson said, frowning. “Our emergency personnel are trained in search and rescue.” He took a swig of water and angled his chin toward Bennett. “Time we go back in and help.”
Suddenly, Scout perked up his ears and barked.
Bennett stopped and turned around. “Does he hear something?”
“What’s wrong, boy?” Jack rubbed the dog’s neck, but he couldn’t console Scout.
Marina’s heart raced. “Scout thinks someone is in there.”
“We’re concerned about the Petrovs, a young married couple who live here,” Bennett said. “No one has seen them. They could be away, but the car is here.”
Scout paced in front of the house, barking and whining.
“Have to try,” Jack said.
Bennett gestured to them. “Let’s go.”
They picked their way to the rear of the house, where Marina saw Ethan working alongside the firefighters.
Ethan looked up and acknowledged her with a nod, then continued working. “That’s about where I heard a call,” Ethan said, pointing where a firefighter swept a flashlight. “I think it was there. It was pretty dark.”
Scout broke free and raced toward another spot. He planted his paws and barked at the rubble.
Jack ran after him. “Scout found something.”
“Let’s go,” Chief Clarkson called out. Everyone began digging in that spot. Marina and Ethan worked side by side with Jack and Bennett.
Once the area was clear, Scout jumped forward, pawing at a spot.
“Right here,” Bennett said, hefting a door and pushing it aside. “Can you get in there, Jack?”
Marina spoke up. “I’m smaller,” she said, glancing at Jack. He nodded, and she squirmed in on her stomach. She wriggled through a small opening. “Anyone in there?”
Silence.
Marina poked her hand through a smaller opening and waved. “Hello? Can you hear me?” She waited a moment, and then, miraculously, another hand touched hers. Marina’s pulse quickened. “Someone is here,” she cried out.
A woman’s faint cry sounded. “Help us,” she said in a strangled voice.
Several firefighters pushed aside a dresser while Marina reached under the remains of a bed, and clasped the hands of a young woman.
“My husband is here, too. We got as far as the bedroom and dove under the bed.”
Everyone worked together to help them out. Thankfully, though shaken, the couple didn’t seem to be seriously injured. Even so, after consulting with the couple, emergency personnel took over and helped them into an ambulance to the hospital.
Marina put her arm around Ethan. “I’m so glad you heard them. I’m proud of you.”
“You, too, Mom.” Even though Ethan seemed pleased, he shrugged off her compliment. “Austin and I were just doing what we could. What you always taught me to do.” He lifted his chin toward Jack. “You got right in there, too.”
“Had to be done,” Jack said. “You did a good thing tonight.” Scout nudged his way among them and leaned on Ethan, wagging his tail and angling for attention from the new kid. And Scout seemed to have the largest grin of all.
Ethan bent down and rubbed the dog’s ear. “Couldn’t have done it that fast without this furry guy.”
“Are you coming back to the cottage now?” Marina asked Ethan.
“Mind if I crash at Austin’s house?” He nodded toward his friend.
“Go ahead,” she said. “We’ll put Jack in Brooke’s old room. The guest cottage is a mess, and he can’t stay there.”
“I’ve got my van,” Jack said. “My sidekick and I can sleep there.”
Ethan gave Jack a half-grin. “Take the room. Nice outfit, too, by the way.”
The two shook hands, and Ethan left with his friend.
Marina and Jack talked with Bennett and Chief Clarkson a little more, and after determining that there was nothing else they could do tonight, they made their way back to the main cottage. Scout loped along beside them with his funny gait.
As they walked, Marina looked around. Tomorrow there would be plenty of work, but tonight, all she wanted to do was ease into a hot bath and a warm bed. And then she thought about Jack and his dilemma.
As if reading her mind, Jack said, “Staying in the main cottage will be a little awkward, don’t you think?”
A note in his voice made Marina feel small for thinking that after the night they’d been through. Grudgingly, she said, “But you have to have a place to stay. And your clothes and computer…”
Jack shrugged off her concerns. “I didn’t have much with me. I’ll dig through the mess in the morning to see what I can salvage. As for the computer, I learned to guard my work against accidents a long time ago. I’ll make some calls for other accommodations in the morning.”
As he said that, Marina realized she would miss him, even though they didn’t always agree. “Are you planning to stay in Summer Beach?”
Jack hesitated before reaching for Marina’s hand. “I have several compelling reasons.”
Although the touch of his hand rippled through her, Marina yanked her hand back. “We still need to have that talk about the book you’re writing about my grandmother.”
Jack looked slightly hurt. “You should talk to Ginger about that.”
Marina quickened her step toward the cottage. “If she’s worked in sensitive areas as you say, revealing confidential details about her and her work—and Bertrand’s—could bring unwelcome scrutiny and endanger her. Don’t think I’m letting that go.”
“Marina, I’m sorry. But I can’t—”
“Won’t, not can’t.” Marina stalked off ahead of him. For a man to betray her was one thing, but to betray those she loved was much worse.
Chapter 25
“Found a computer,” Marina called out against the blare of classic Beach Boys music that Kai decided was the perfect soundtrack for their beach cleanup. Though still on edge, Marina had to admit the music lightened the workload and brought back childhood memories on the beach.
Gritting her teeth, Marina tugged a padded case from the debris in the living room of the guest cottage. She hadn’t slept much thinking about Vanessa’s announcement about Jack’s book last night. Even though she was barely talking to him, the guest cottage was her grandmother’s property. With Ginger in charge, they were all working together.
The entire household had been up since dawn when Scout decided it was time for a walk, though it hadn’t been a restful night. Jack slept in Brooke’s old room next to Kai’s bedroom, and that was enough to disturb Marina, though she hated to admit it. During the night, the electricity was restored. Lights flickered on, and the jazz they’d been playing at the party last night blasted through the house. As the sun rose, Marina staggered into jeans and a T-shirt, guzzled Ginger’s bracing coffee, and went to work.
Marina stepped over piles of debris into the kitchen, where Kai was sweeping as Jack scooped the soggy mess into trash bags.
“Do you want to check your laptop?” Marina dangled the case in the air. Tension sizzled between them. He might have helped protect the children during that sea-monster twister, but that didn’t absolve him from going ahead with Ginger’s biography—without her involvement. Her grandparents had dealt with classified information, and Marina worried that Jack’s audacity could endanger Ginger—as well as others. At the very least, his work could bring unwelcome scrutiny in Ginger’s golden years.
Jack straightened. “That should be a waterproof case.” He unzipped it on the counter. “Perfectly dry. I’d put it away when Leo and Samantha came over.”
He pressed the on-button, and the laptop blinked to life. “In my line of work, I never knew where a story would take me or what I might encounter. I took all kinds of precautions.”
Marina snapped one of the thick yellow gloves she was wearing. “Like when you write unauthorized biographies about older women?”
“You’ve got that all wrong.” Jac
k turned off the laptop and set the case to one side.
“Why don’t you explain it so my lady-brain can understand it?” Marina picked up a pile of soggy papers.
“Hey, careful with those,” Jack said, taking the papers from her. “That’s my work.”
Kai swept aside jagged remains of broken pottery. “This is getting interesting. Shall I bring out the boxing gloves?”
Marina shot a pointed look at her sister. “Don’t you have an opinion? She’s your grandmother, too.”
Wearing work clothes and duck boots, Ginger walked through the open door. “All of you need to calm down. There is nothing to argue about.” She stepped through the chaos toward the smaller bedroom.
Marina followed, her ire escalating. She couldn’t understand why Ginger wasn’t as upset with Jack as she was.
Ginger knocked on the old standing safe in the closet of the smaller bedroom. “Nothing gets past this fortress. Not even a waterspout twister.” She spun the dial.
“What do you need from there?” Marina asked.
Ginger swung open the door of the safe. Inside were stacks of papers. She pulled out an old notebook.
“These are the stories I began writing years ago,” Ginger said. “I’m not a professional writer or illustrator. But everywhere Bertrand and I traveled generated a wealth of ideas, so I wrote them down.” She secured the safe door and made her way back into the living room.
Marina trailed her grandmother, her curiosity growing.
Ginger flipped through the pages of her old notebook and looked up. “When I saw Jack’s sketches of Scout and Leo and Samantha, I thought we could work together. I gave him the idea I had for the first book, and he developed the concept and sent it to his agent.”
“That’s the book the agent accepted,” Jack said pointedly as he picked up shards of broken glass.
Skeptical, Marina crossed her arms. “A children’s book? That’s not what Vanessa said.”
“At one time, I mentioned to Vanessa that Ginger would make a fascinating subject for a book,” Jack said. “But that’s not the book I pitched. I couldn’t clarify that without giving away Ginger’s surprise.”
Finally, it dawned on Marina what they were talking about. “These are your stories,” she cried. Ginger might not consider herself a writer, but she was the consummate storyteller.
“That’s right,” Ginger said. “All the stories I used to tell you girls. Jack and I are partners now. Imagine that.”
“That’s so cool,” Kai said.
Another complication, Marina thought, glancing at Jack. But she was thrilled that Ginger would be bringing her stories to life—this time in book form. “Which story are you working on?”
Ginger’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “The first one will be about a boy and girl, rather like Leo and Samantha, who solve mysteries using ciphers and codes.”
Marina recalled the fun she and her sisters had with Ginger’s games. These would be fun for children.
“Other books might draw on mathematics, science, and technology,” Jack said. “We’ll start with illustrated books, but I think we could expand into chapter books for elementary ages.”
Marina was surprised that Ginger had been planning this with Jack, but now it made sense. She turned to Jack. “What about your career in journalism? Are you giving that up?”
Jack swept glass from a littered counter into a trash bag. “Now that I’m going to be more responsible for Leo, I can’t go tearing around after hot stories like I used to. I have to make changes, and this is a chance to do what I enjoy. Like you’re doing.”
“Don’t forget about that position with the local paper,” Ginger said. “We need good reporting in Summer Beach, too.”
Kai laughed. “I can’t imagine that there are many deep secrets in Summer Beach to investigate.”
“One never knows,” Ginger said, arching an eyebrow. “You must ask Ivy about the priceless artifacts discovered at the Seabreeze Inn.”
Summer Beach was proving more fascinating every day, Marina decided, casting a small smile of apology toward Jack. Maybe she’d been tough on him, but when it came to family, no one threatened them and got away with it. In her former position on the morning news, she put up with a lot to provide for her children.
Not anymore.
Kai tapped her music. She lowered the volume and switched to a song called “In My Room.” She flicked a teasing look at Marina before turning to Jack. “Will you staying on in the main cottage, Jack?”
“I told him he’s welcome to,” Ginger said. “We can put Ethan on the Murphy bed in the den. Or vice versa.”
Marina wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Given the range of emotions that Jack brought out in her, two doors down the hallway was a little too close, and yet, a persistent feeling inside told her it wasn’t close enough. She raised her gaze to him.
Jack caught Marina’s look and held it for a few seconds longer than necessary. “Thanks, but I checked in with Ivy, and there’s a room in the back with a grassy area for Scout.”
Kai leaned on her broom. “Are you saying you’d find it hard to work in a household with three women? Can’t imagine why.”
Just then, a truck pulled up in front of the house, and Axe stepped out.
Kai quickly removed her gloves and brushed her hair from her face. “Terrible timing again,” she muttered.
“This should be exciting,” Marina said. It was easy to see that an attraction was developing between Kai and Axe. Yet, just this morning, Dmitri had called to tell Kai that he’d booked a trip to Summer Beach. Kai would soon have to make a choice. Beach town contractor versus Broadway producer. Marina slung her arm around Kai. “Just kidding. I’ve got your back, sis. Follow your heart.”
“Thanks,” Kai whispered, her eyes lighting.
Axe stepped inside, bending slightly so as not to hit his head in the low doorway. “Getting cleaned up, I see. How’s this temporary roof holding up?”
“Fairly well,” Ginger said. “Jack is moving into the Seabreeze Inn until the guest cottage is habitable again. How soon can you replace the roof?”
“Since you were the first to call, you’re first in line,” Axe said. “I’ll have a proposal for you this afternoon.” He tapped the brim of his cap. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”
Kai leaned her broom against the counter. “Axe, I’ve been meaning to ask you about summer stock theater around here.”
A smile spread across Axe’s face. “Walk with me to the truck, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Watching them strolling toward the truck, Marina said, “It’s going to be an interesting summer around here.”
“Kind of sorry I’ll miss it,” Jack said.
Ginger tucked her notebook under her arm. “You’re not going far. I have a feeling you’ll be able to see the fireworks from where you are. Now, since the cottage is nearly clean, I’ll take my leave.” She tapped her old notes. “I want to refresh my memory.”
Marina finished sweeping while Jack packed his belongings. “Let’s leave all the windows open to let the interior dry.” Together, they slid the window sashes.
After carrying the last of the trash bags out, Jack hoisted his backpack, computer case, and duffle bag over his shoulders. “Guess I’ll be off.”
“Guess so,” Marina said, at a loss for words. Scout was waiting for Jack in front of the cottage.
At the door, Jack hesitated. “I probably don’t have any right to ask this, but would you like to join me at the inn for a swim later? Might feel good after all this messy work. The sunset is amazing, and I’m sure I can arrange a couple of Sea Breezes.”
Marina shook her head. “Jack, I don’t know what to say. All that business with Ginger…” Frankly, she was a little embarrassed now. More than that, was she up for another relationship? She still had Ethan and Heather to think about, and a business to get off the ground. Or was that even what Jack was offering? Maybe she was leaping to another conclu
sion.
Jack waited. Finally, he said, “Ginger wanted to be the one to tell you. I think she wanted to have a little celebration to share the news. I’m sorry the way it came out at dinner.”
That sounded like something Ginger would have done. As Marina considered this, she figured forgiveness was in order. Just then, Scout trotted in, rubbing against her leg and whining to reinforce Jack’s request.
Marina laughed. “That’s quite a wingman you have there.”
“Then you’ll come?” His voice kicked up a notch. “I’ll be waiting at the pool.”
How could she resist two sets of plaintive eyes?
Carrying a straw beach bag over her shoulder, Marina strolled through the tropical grounds of the Seabreeze Inn, past Shelly’s sunny yellow hibiscus and fragrant white pikake flowers. Marina wore a sleek blue-and silver swimsuit she had bought for vacation but was unable to take due to one of Hal’s last-minute decisions. It still fit, though she spilled over the top a little now. Kai had assured her it was fine. But then, Kai would.
Still, this was all Marina had on such short notice. Not that this was a date, exactly. She’d also bought the matching swimsuit coverup with silvery threads running through the gossamer fabric—the kind of item she used to buy because of its sheer beauty, though she seldom had a chance to wear it. It helped cover her bruised shins from last night. She’d also borrowed one of Ginger’s large floppy hats, which Kai had wrapped a silver scarf around.
Marina strolled into the pool area, feeling a little theatrical in her outfit and dark sunglasses. Yet, the pool, with statues surrounding it, was a stage unto itself.
True to his word, Jack was waiting on a chaise lounge under a marine-blue umbrella. A fluffy white towel covered the chaise next to him, and two chilled pink cocktails sat on a table between them. He’d cleaned up and now wore swim trunks and a white shirt.
Nice legs, she thought, admiring his thigh muscles. Who said the forties were over-the-hill?
“Welcome to paradise,” he said, rising to greet her. “You look amazing.”
“Not too much?”
