“Maggie’s going to be so surprised you’re all here. Guaranteed …” Lacy spotted Finn as her words trailed off. She knew the moment he made his entrance onto the deck, a greek god come to life. Thankfully, she was still holding one of Grace’s hands. Kept her from swooning.
“Who in the world is that?” Grace said, craning her neck.
“He’s no one, my love. Eyes up here.” Chase took his wife’s hand from Lacy and tucked it into his folded arm, eliciting light laughter from Grace.
Even Bella sighed a little, her voice a whisper. “He’s really handsome.”
Finn approached the group, no sign of timidity. He strode toward them, a smile on his face, his eyes covered in shades. Captivating.
When he reached her, Finn took one of Lacy’s hands and kissed it. He did not let her go, but turned to the others. “Hello, everyone.”
“I’d like you all to meet Finn Hastings.” Lacy introduced them one by one. He shook each person’s hand, while still holding onto hers with his other one.
Grace pointed a wide-eyed look at Lacy that held a question in it, while Bella tilted her head to one side and stared up at Finn, as if framing him in one of her art projects.
Three more people appeared in the doorway. Wren pushed her Rollator across the deck, the sound of it like wheels on a pier. Her daughter, Daisy, helped her find a seat. And Jake, Lacy’s big brother and Daisy’s fiancé, hovered over the both of them. Would wonders never cease …
She scanned the far end of the deck where Siena and Eva had been talking nonstop since Lacy had stepped outside, and they were still there, looking pretty and possibly a little bored. Everyone was here. Lacy walked up to the front of the deck where a flowered arch stood. She greeted the pastor, nodded to Luke who had taken his position in the waiting zone, and turned to the small group of family and friends. “Thank you all for coming. I know Maggie’s going to be very touched that you all made the trip here.”
Lacy’s voice caught on the last few words, surprising herself. She licked her lips a moment, noting how Bella was already dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She cleared her throat. “So. Let’s get this party started, shall we? I’ll go get the bride.”
Jake joined her on the way back into the house. “I wish Dad was here,” he said.
Lacy paused in the hall. She put her hand on Jake’s chest and gave him a solemn nod. “Me too.” Her voice cracked.
Jake smiled. “I’m honored to be his stand in—for any and all of you.”
Lacy nodded and inhaled, righting her shoulders. “Thank you.” She knocked on the door, all smiles now, and peeked her head inside. “All ready to marry your dreamboat?”
Minutes later, Lacy cued Zack to start the music and took her seat next to Finn. She could almost feel Grace and Bella’s eyes on her. Patience, ladies, she thought. You know almost as much as I do about this relationship.
Within seconds, though, everyone had turned to watch as Siena and Eva walked down the center aisle together and took their places—Eva on the bride’s side and Siena on the groom’s. Maggie, accompanied by Jake, stood on the threshold of her new life. Her gaze was squarely on Luke’s, her smile wide, her eyes already flooded. They made it about halfway down the short aisle when she let out a wail.
“You’re here! Oh my gosh, you’re both here!”
Bella leaped up to hug Maggie, with Grace close behind. Jake stepped back as the three girls huddled in the narrow aisle, crying and carrying on as if they hadn’t spoken in years. While that wasn’t close to being true—the weekly calls had cured that—the last time they had all seen each other in person was to say goodbye to their parents.
Lacy found herself welling up again. What was happening to her? Maybe all this sea air was making her soft.
“That’s a beautiful smile on your face,” Finn whispered.
She felt her skin flush. Lacy hadn’t realized how lost in thought she had fallen. She peered at him. “Maggie said today that she’s an introvert.”
Finn chuckled.
Lacy looked to see Maggie lean over and kiss Chase on the cheek. She gave Grace’s barely-showing belly a pat before straightening and reaching again for Jake’s arm. “I know,” she said, “I’m not buying it either.”
They were both still laughing quietly by the time Maggie made it to the altar, so to speak, and Jake took his seat with Daisy and Wren.
Lacy let out a relieved sigh and listened as the reverend began, “Dearly beloved …”
Lacy couldn’t stop smiling. She usually prided herself on not smiling at the wrong time, such as when she was in negotiations. As a sales manager in the hotel industry she had learned to strike a balance between emotion and straight talk. Give the clients what they need and convince them they don’t need what they think they do. Smile only when it could be done sincerely—clients could spot a fake one and use it as their reason to walk away.
“That was a beautiful ceremony,” Finn said, breaking her concentration. He leaned in closer. “And you are stunning.”
She turned, their faces inches apart. Her mind swayed with scrambled thoughts. She was supposed to do something now, wasn’t she? His lips distracted her, as did his warm breath on her skin.
“Aunt Lacy?”
She blinked and turned to see Eva standing next to them. Her brown hair had grown out long and wavy, much like her mother’s, her gaze expectant.
“Yes, Eva?”
“My mom said you’re supposed to go to the restaurant and get the cake set up.”
“That’s right!” Lacy abruptly stood. She spun a look toward the door and then back to Finn who watched her with mild amusement. “What are you laughing at?”
He shrank back, a chuckle in his voice. “I didn’t realize how much you enjoyed … cake.”
Lacy put a hand on her hip and he took it in his. Playfully, she tried to pull it away. “I have to walk over to the restaurant and meet Lea. She’s delivering the cake right now.”
Finn did not let her go, but stood up. He took her other hand in his and lowered his chin. “I’ll go with you.”
She smiled and gave him a whatever shrug, but he laughed at her again.
They headed for the back steps when Jake approached them. He eyed Lacy like a protective father and stuck out his hand to Finn. “Jake Morelli.”
Finn shook his hand. “Finn Hastings.”
Lacy cut in. “I’ve been wanting to introduce you two. Finn is my—”
“Date.” Finn smiled at her.
Lacy smiled back and then addressed her brother. “Finn owns Hastings Resorts. Listen, why don’t you two stay and talk a moment while I go and set up the cake.” When Finn began to protest, she put her hand on his chest. “I’ll be fine.”
Jake assessed her date. “I’ll make sure Finn doesn’t get lost on the way over, Lace.”
Finn said, “If you’re sure.”
She nodded. “I am. See you in a few.” Lacy dashed down the back steps and around the corner to the front of the house. The restaurant was a short walk away. After only a few steps she could smell the aroma of tomatoes and garlic floating on the breeze and her stomach grumbled.
The maître d' met her at the entrance. “Ah, I believe you are here to meet with the baker.”
“I am.” Lacy peered over him to the back of the restaurant where she spotted Lea. “I see her.” Lea stood next to the most beautiful two-tiered cake topped with a plastic wavy-haired surfer and his brown-eyed bride.
“Wow.” Lacy gasped as she approached. “Brooke outdid herself. Please tell her how beautiful it is.”
“I agree. Did you notice the little sea stars in white?”
“Gorgeous. Too bad I can’t hire you in Vegas.”
Lea frowned. “Stay here and you can hire us anytime you want.”
“Believe me, I’ve thought about it!”
“Well, I hope you think about it more.” Lea lifted a stack of white plates from a crate. “How was the wedding?”
“Perfect. Quick.” She l
aughed. “Here. Let me help.”
“I brought along some cuttings from my garden. Thought they would drape nicely around the table after we set up the basics.”
Lacy noted the white cabbage roses and asparagus fern. “Perfect. All of it. Actually, these remind me of another garden around here.”
“The one up on the hill?”
“You—you know about that place? The old house?”
“That’s the one I told you about recently. It was my grandmother’s. She lived there a long while until she was too ill.”
“Oh—wow. I had no idea.”
“You’ve been up to see it, I take it?”
Lacy measured her response. She didn’t want to annoy Lea with the ghost house reference. “When I was a kid, I often would wander up there. Always wondered whose it was.”
“Some say it’s haunted.”
Lacy’s mouth opened.
“It’s okay.” Lea laughed. “I’ve heard it all. My aunt isn’t interested in living there—though it has nothing to do with that—but she’s kept up the gardens anyway. Well, a gardener has to some extent.”
“I see. I believe you mentioned that she has shown interest in selling recently, right?”
“Not really. It was the other way around.”
Lacy tilted her head, confused.
“I mean, someone has shown interest in the property.” Lea continued to set up plates and silverware on the table as she spoke. “I think the main reason she hadn’t pursued selling is that the house needs a ton of work. She figured she, well, we, would have to put money into it in order to sell it and that hasn’t appealed to her very much. But, I don’t know, maybe if someone makes her a great offer then she’ll agree.”
Lacy’s heart began to race. She had shown Finn the place at the top of the hill that had always felt like, at least in her childhood, her secret place. He … couldn’t. Right? Hadn’t they both said it wasn’t suited for a resort? Or … wait. She wracked her brain. Maybe she had mused that it could be considered for something smaller, something … boutique.
She bit the inside of her lip. Was … was Finn about to make an offer on her favorite property in all of Colibri Beach? Without telling her? He certainly didn’t have any obligation to divulge his real estate negotiations to her. But really?
A cluster of voices began to fill the dining room. “You’d better go,” Lea whispered. “I’m about done.”
“Thanks, Lea. Looks lovely.”
Lea turned to see Finn and Jake still in conversation. Maybe Finn was laying out his plans to rip down the old ghost house and build some monstrosity up there. Nice of him to tell her about it first. She swallowed. Should have never exposed that part of herself to him. Probably seemed pretty dumb at the time. What was she thinking? That a billionaire hotel developer would not see the potential that she saw in that once-loved old place?
Tears pressured her eyes, but she blinked them back. Lacy had been called a lot of things—stubborn, humorless, ice queen—but not silly. At this moment, though, she felt silly and ridiculous, spoiled even. If she really wanted to stay in Colibri, she could arm wrestle her siblings for the family home once the requirements of the will were fulfilled. Of course, she would have to find work first. And money.
Finn broke away from Jake and approached her, his smile wide. She tried to paste on a smile, but it wasn’t her thing. Concern knit his brow and he steered her away from the crowd by the elbow. “You okay? Did something happen?”
She ran her tongue along the underside of her upper lip, stalling.
A familiar voice interrupted them before she could respond. “There you both are.” It was Wren, holding on to her walker. “I’m so pleased that you two have become so well acquainted. Lacy, you were such a dear to bring—Mr. Johnson, is it?”
“My name is Finn,” he said, kindly.
“Well, now, that’s right. And such a very exotic name too!” She turned to Lacy and with a wink said, “See what happens when you do a good deed?”
Lacy looked Finn squarely in the eyes. “I do indeed.”
Daisy sidled up behind her mother. “Let’s find our seats, Momma. I’m starved.”
“See? This is why you need to be home more—so I can feed you!” Wren touched her daughter’s face gently before they made their way over to a table.
Finn rubbed her shoulder. “Lacy, if there’s something bothering you, let’s talk about it.”
She nodded tightly, her eyes flitting about. “Yes. We need to do that, Finn. I’ve heard something—”
Maggie and Luke made their entrance to her sisters’ cheers. Jake whistled. And Eva stood next to her sister, Siena, one arm hooked around her neck. How could Lacy’s mood be so sullen in an atmosphere like this?
Finn casually turned toward her. “What have you heard?”
“Aunt Lacy!” Eva and Siena skipped toward her, oblivious to the turn in her conversation with Finn. “Take our picture,” Siena said, mugging for some non-existent camera.
“Yes, ma’am,” Lacy said, turning to Finn. He handed her bag to her without a word and she removed her iPhone.
The girls wrapped their arms around each other and yelled, “Cheese!”
Lacy took a burst of photos and stood back, checking the lighting on the shots as the girls ran off to who-knew-where. She flipped a look upward, catching eyes with Chase. The guy had been a lawyer a long time, much longer than Grace had. He’d been trained to watch body language, and in some ways, so had she. She could tell by his expression that he was concerned. He was telegraphing a question to her and she was … ignoring it.
“Shall we take our seats?”
Lacy snapped a look up at Finn. Why, why, why did he have to be so handsome? So chivalrous? She exhaled, pushing away her suspicions. Maybe, just maybe, it was a coincidence that the very month she had taken Finn to see the ghost house, someone else had fallen for it as she had.
He offered her his arm and a question with the raising of his brows. “May I?”
His voice, like silk, both soothed and frightened her. She wanted to think the very best of him, but feared she couldn’t. Still, Lacy slipped her arm into his and let him lead her into the dining room to join the others in celebrating the very best day of her sister, Maggie’s, life.
Eight
She had been avoiding this moment all night.
“Ready to leave?” Finn’s smile was good-natured, though she sensed tension in his gaze. He had been nothing short of amazing all night, wowing her family with conversation both deep and friendly, never superficial or dull. More than once she’d noticed Bella mooning at him, and Grace had winked at her when she caught Lacy staring at him.
She nodded and took his hand when he offered it. It was cooler to the touch than she remembered.
Maggie approached her and hugged her neck, causing her to let go of Finn’s hand. “You’re the best sister ever.” Her voice sounded dreamy and perhaps a little tipsy.
“I heard that,” Grace said.
Maggie laughed and hugged Grace. “And you’re also the best sister—and you, too!” she said, lunging for Bella. “Thank you both so much for coming all this way for my wedding. Best surprise ever! I love you all.”
Luke appeared at his bride’s side. “It’s time for us to go, Mrs. Hunter.”
“Whoo!” Maggie lifted her bouquet into the air. “Did y’all hear that?”
“We heard it, Mags,” Jake said.
“Wait—wait!” Maggie stopped Luke and turned to Bella and Lacy. “You two need to fight for my bouquet.”
Lacy rolled her eyes. “Here.” She plucked the flowers from Maggie’s hand and gave them to Bella. “These are for you. Go find Mr. Wonderful.”
Bella’s signature ripply sigh filled the air. “Aw, thank you, Lacy.”
Lacy clapped her hands like she was calling a team meeting. “Chase and Grace, the master bedroom is ready for you when you get to the house. Bella, you and I—and that animal of yours—will be bunking in the whale room
.”
“What about us?” Maggie said, her smile sly.
“You two have a honeymoon to get started—get out.”
Luke took that opportunity to gently guide his bride out of the restaurant, the two of them waving and laughing the entire way.
“What about Eva and Siena?” Grace asked.
Chase cut in, “I believe I heard that they will be staying with their grandmother.”
“That’s so sweet,” Bella said.
“And I’ll camp out with Daisy and Wren tonight,” Jake quipped.
Grace laughed. “Okay then. Now that everyone is accounted for, I am ready for some rest because we fly out first thing in the morning. Will we see you back at the house, Finn?”
“I’m afraid not.” He scanned the group. “It was a pleasure to meet you all, but I have an early morning call tomorrow as well.”
Bella frowned. “Even on a Sunday?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I know you all have more catching up to do, but”—he turned to Lacy, something pleading in his eyes—“I hope you will allow me to borrow your sister for a little while longer this evening.”
Grace chuckled. “Borrow away. Lacy, we’ll see you in the morning.”
Lacy watched as the last of her family members straggled out of the restaurant. The din of clanking plates and silverware being cleared away filled the silence between her and Finn. He led her out of the restaurant, her mind and body spent. It had been a beautiful day. Truly. But her conversation with Lea had finely sharpened the otherwise-smooth edges of the day.
“Let’s walk home,” she said.
“Why not?” Finn didn’t skip a beat. Even though he had driven them there in his shiny rental convertible. He began down the sidewalk in the direction of their houses.
“On the beach,” she said, removing her heels.
He eyed her and she thought he was about to protest. Instead, he removed his leather derby shoes, tied the laces together, and swung them over his shoulder like a pair of cleats.
The sand felt cool and soft between her toes, like a gentle loofah. She allowed herself to breathe in the night air, thankful for a clear sky to guide them home.
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