Jack was running out of time. After Vanessa’s wedding last week, he realized he needed to make a decision about a ring. Even if Marina didn’t like what he chose, they could return it. But he’d made enough promises and empty allusions to their future. This time, he was committed. Now, he had to make sure she knew it.
With a surreptitious glance behind him worthy of a spy, he ducked into another jewelry shop in the village. Plenty of dolphin necklaces, starfish earrings, and beach-inspired charm bracelets dangled from displays and filled cases, but that’s what you gave a girlfriend.
Not the woman you planned to marry. If she’d have him, that is.
He let out a nervous breath and popped one of those curiously strong mints into his mouth. He’d been buying them in bulk ever since he stopped smoking to quell his nerves whenever he felt the urge to backslide. His first editor had been a chain smoker, and he’d picked up the habit on late-night deadlines.
He drew a breath, focusing on the bracing peppermint and the life he imagined with Marina and Leo.
Seeing Vanessa and Dr. Noah pledge themselves to one another had been so beautiful and touching. Their marriage meant a great deal to Leo. After all, Dr. Noah’s medical discovery saved his mother’s life.
Jack knew how much his son loved Marina, too. He couldn’t mess this up.
Turning, Jack spied a glass case that held wedding bands and engagement rings. Resting his hands on the edges, he peered inside, trying to act nonchalant. Still, his heart was hammering.
The shopkeeper moved toward him. “Anything I can help you with?”
The tall woman had a beachy look. Silver-palm trees dangled from her earlobes, and her sundress had a similar pattern.
“This case looks sort of interesting.”
A knowing look curved the woman’s mouth. “I can show you anything you like here.”
Jack scanned the assortment, but nothing jumped out at him. Nothing that was as unique as Marina. At the mere thought of her, his chest tightened in the once unfamiliar way that he’d grown accustomed to now.
As a young man, he recalled his father pressing a hand to his chest, saying that he didn’t know how to describe love, but he knew it was real because he felt it every time he looked at his wife.
Jack rubbed a hand on his chest. He had that feeling now—and every time he saw Marina.
At the Coral Cottage, he’d seen her wedding photo displayed on one of Ginger’s bookcases. She had worn a slim band and a simple patterned dress. The only giveaway was the bouquet she carried and the good-looking young man who stood beaming beside her in a uniform.
Jack had been struck by her youth and beauty, although in his eyes, Marina was even more beautiful now. She had maturity, sophistication, and intelligence. A powerful package, indeed. But most of all, he loved her for what was in her heart, for the way she cared for her family and friends. And for him and Leo.
He smiled to himself. Even Scout was smitten.
The woman unlocked the glass cabinet. “I’ll show you our most popular rings.”
With a second look at the counter, he quickly decided there was nothing here that was special enough for her. He twisted his mouth to one side. “You have some nice pieces, but I’m looking for something different. One of a kind.”
The woman nodded. “Like her, right?”
Jack’s face grew warm. “Guess you’ve heard that before.”
“Maybe we can accommodate you. We have a relationship with an excellent designer who visits Summer Beach often. Elena Eaton has an amazing line, and she accepts special commissions. Her upscale boutique on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles is a gorgeous little jewel box, and a lot of Hollywood stars wear her pieces. Some of her work was in Vogue magazine just last month.” The woman picked up a photo binder from a display behind her and began to flip through it.
That sounded interesting to Jack. He leaned forward to inspect photos of glittery rings and bracelets with a rainbow of stones. “Wow. That’s a lot of gemstones.”
“Fancy-colored diamonds are her specialty.”
“Does she do anything, uh…”
The woman must have read his mind because she flipped to the back of the book, where more simple designs were showcased. The stones were still fairly large, and now that he had Leo, likely out of his budget.
Besides, he was saving for an important goal. The illustrations for Ginger’s books had brought in a modest advance. At his beach rental, he was subletting the old artist’s studio above his garage by the week, mostly to surfers and young people piling in for a beach vacation. He was also writing a few articles for a magazine back east. He wanted to share this goal with Marina at Beaches. And a lot more.
Jack shook his head. “These are nice, but not quite right.”
“As I said, she does custom work. What’s your lead time?”
“I’m not sure. Soon, I hope.”
“Elena Eaton is backed up about six months for custom pieces.”
“Six months?” he echoed. But she was talented. A real artist, in fact.
“At least. Many people plan weddings pretty far ahead.”
Jack ran a hand through his hair and gave a self-conscious grin. “That’s never been my style. But she does incredible work. Thanks for showing me. What’s her connection with Summer Beach?”
“Elena has family here. She’s part of the Bay family.”
Jack nodded in thought. “Would one of them be Ivy Bay at the Seabreeze Inn?”
“Sure is. That’s her aunt. Do you know her?”
“I’ve stayed there in the past.” Jack grinned. Summer Beach was a small town, and he didn’t want word to get around that he was ring shopping. Ivy was an old friend of Marina’s. It seemed like everyone in town knew Marina or Ivy—or both of them. He’d run into Kai at a shop last week, but he’d sworn her to secrecy, confident that she’d keep her word.
“Anything else I can show you?”
“Not today, thanks.”
After another glance before stepping outside, Jack hurried toward the Coral Cafe. It was almost lunchtime.
Maybe he should have done this ring shopping before, even last Christmas as Axe had. But at that time, he hadn’t exactly proposed.
Or had he? After one of the holiday performances at the Seashell last season, A Christmas Carol…at the Beach, he remembered saying to Marina, Merry Christmas, Mrs. Cratchit, but I’d rather say Ventana.
Did that count as a proposal? He’d also told her he wanted a life together—and he intended to keep that promise. Now, with Kai and Axe having moved up their wedding, Jack was feeling the pressure.
And it wasn’t all coming from him. He’d sensed a change in Marina, too. Especially after Vanessa’s wedding. A woman like her could have almost anyone she wanted, even if she didn’t believe that. If he truly wanted to spend his life with her, he needed to make his intention known.
Because if he didn’t, someone else would. Now, since he was no longer in a dangerous, widow-maker line of work, he could make and keep a promise to a woman. In the past, he’d always left before breaking their hearts too badly, sparing them the possibility of devastating grief. He quickened his pace.
Marina wasn’t just any woman. She had become everything to him. Until now, Jack had never known how deeply he could care for someone. That made him feel at once both vulnerable and superhuman. It didn’t make sense, but he felt stronger with her by his side, though she could crush him with a word if she chose.
She would be working today, of course. The beachside restaurant was doing a brisk business now, but just being near her made him happy.
After lunch, Leo’s mother would drop him off. Jack and Leo would go to the beach, which his son never tired of doing. Later, they’d stop by the cafe for dinner, too. Leo had already voiced his opinion on Jack’s lack of culinary talent. Jack laughed as he thought of that. Leo had opened his heart, too.
As Jack recalled how driven and calloused he had once been, he also reflected on how lonely he had been. Now, he hardly recognized himself in this new life, but he liked it. And he never wanted it to end.
However, a decision like this one with Marina took a lot more courage than he realized. Still, he was ready. A few weeks ago, he had reserved a table at Beaches for the occasion. He wanted this date to be everything that Marina deserved.
As he swung out into the sunshine, his gaze fell on another little shop, Antique Times. They had a section for pre-owned jewelry there.
A thought crossed his mind. Would Marina like a vintage ring?
Suddenly, another idea sprang to mind. Reaching into his pocket, Jack pulled out his phone. He hadn’t told his sister how serious he was about Marina yet. Liz had once complained that she couldn’t keep up with his revolving door.
His sister answered on the first ring, and her Texas drawl was quickly evident. “Well, hey, stranger. How’re you doin’?”
“Great. Miss me?” They had an easy relationship, even though they didn’t talk often. She was usually busy with her children, and Jack had been on the road in one time zone or another for years.
She laughed. “I don’t have time to miss you. But I still do, you old goat.”
They talked while Jack walked from the village toward the Coral Cafe. “You and Ryder should bring the kids to the beach this summer.”
Liz laughed. “Is that an invitation?”
“Actually, it is. I’ve got that restored VW van the kids could sleep in. It’s pretty nice inside and has a little kitchenette. They’d have fun camping in the driveway and walking to the beach. You might not even see them that much.”
“Aw, you’re just trying to sweet talk me now.”
“I know how to get to an overworked mom’s heart.” He chuckled along with her. “But seriously, it would be great to see you all. I know it’s easier for me to visit, but I think I’m going to have an important occasion this summer. And I need a favor from you.”
Quickly, he told her what he had in mind.
Liz listened. “Marina sounds special. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about a woman like this.”
“Guess I finally grew up. I’ve been pretty shallow, haven’t I?”
“I wouldn’t say that. You had a lot to contribute and accomplish. I’ve always been proud of you and what you’ve done. Not many people win a Pulitzer Prize, at least not in my neck of the woods, though you’ll always be my baby brother. Just wish Mom and Dad were still around to hear this news.”
“So do I.” Jack still missed his parents. They were gone too young from a life of hard work, though they had loved farming, like Liz and her husband. “You’ll get to meet Leo. He’s been asking about his cousins.”
They talked a little more, then Liz said, “I’ll look through Mom’s things for you right away and talk to Ryder. We have neighbors down the road who could look after the livestock while we’re gone.”
“That would be great.” Jack turned toward the cafe.
After he hung up, he strolled to the open-air cafe and spotted Heather, Marina’s daughter. She was a younger version of her mother, though Jack knew her misty gray-blue eyes came from her father. Her golden, dark blond hair was wound into a knot at the nape of her neck. She wore a tank top, cotton capris, and an apron emblazoned with the logo and words, Coral Cafe.
That was new. Jack admired how adept Marina was at branding her business.
He eased out a chair at his regular table on the large patio where he could watch Marina in the kitchen. Locals and tourists were gathered around tables shaded by coral canvas umbrellas. The mood was as bright as the sunshine.
“Hey, Jack.” Heather pushed aside the reserved sign on the table and gave him a broad grin. “What’ll it be today?”
“I don’t know, what day is it?” Working for himself, he often lost track of the days unless he had Leo. Marina rotated certain items on the menu for the locals.
Heather laughed. “It’s New England clam chowder day.”
“Then I’ll have that with a salad.”
“Is that all?”
“I’m saving my appetite for supper.” Leo was at Samantha’s house now, but he’d pick him up later.
Heather was a good kid—a young woman, he corrected himself. She attended college in San Diego. They got along well, although he could feel the reservations that her brother Ethan still had about him. It wasn’t anything he’d actually said, and they got on pretty well, too, but Jack figured Ethan was looking out for his mother. As a young man should.
Heather put a glass of water in front of him. “Okay, one clam chowder and a house salad, coming right up. We’ll have Leo’s favorite chocolate chunk ice cream tonight.”
“That’s mine, too.” Marina made her own ice cream for the cafe. It was decadent, but as long as he kept running with the mayor in the morning, he could indulge. The question was if he could keep up with Bennett.
A large party of out-of-towners walked in, and Jack nodded toward them. “You see to them. I’ll put in my order with the chef. Won’t hurt your tip, I promise.”
Heather let out a breath. “Thanks. It’s been super busy today. We were slammed the minute we opened this morning, and it hasn’t let up.”
After Heather left to tend to the large group, Jack looked around the patio. The tourists outnumbered the locals, so he didn’t see too many familiar faces. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. He made his way toward the kitchen, which had once been the guest house he’d stayed in when he first arrived in Summer Beach. During the renovation, Marina had installed doors that opened wide, allowing her to see the patio while she cooked.
Marina glanced up when she saw him coming, and a smile lit her face. “You’re late today.”
“Had to run a few errands in town.” He leaned against the chef’s table on the other side of the counter, admiring her. She wore a floral-print chef jacket, and she moved with swift efficiency. The younger man was a tattooed surfer nicknamed Cruise, and he was tending to the sweet potato fries, which were turning crisp. They smelled delicious.
“Heather is with a large group, so I told her I’d deliver my order to you.”
As she plated crab cakes, she gestured to the side. “I’ve got your chowder today.”
“You read my mind. Along with a salad and some of those fries.” He paused, wishing he could help, but cooking had never been one of his talents, unless it was on a grill. He could grow the food, but what happened to it in the kitchen was often a mystery to him. Growing up, his mother and sister had cooked while he and his father tended the farm.
Still, Jack wished he could ease her burden. He didn’t know how she did it, being on her feet all day, but she seemed to love what she did. “Can I bus tables or something? I’m good at dishes.”
Marina laughed. “We’ll let you know if we need you. Do you want your chowder now?”
“I’ll wait. See you later.”
Jack walked from the kitchen and turned toward the restroom access off the back of the building. A whispered conversation floated toward him from around the corner. His old instinct for news kicked in, and he paused to listen.
“This is a dump of a town. This is the kind of place the government sticks people to disappear.”
Jack held his breath. Probably someone making a tired joke. The speaker’s voice and his words didn’t quite align for this to be real. Personally, he liked the small community; it was a welcome change from New York and Chicago—and a couple of other foreign countries where he’d literally been in the line of fire.
“No way is he in a witness protection program. He’s using his real name, I tell you.”
Despite his doubts, Jack’s curiosity surged.
“Or he’s on a story. Must be a big one. He’s gone to a lot of trouble to make himself blend in. A kid, a dog.”
At once, a shiver sliced through him. A lot of people in town had kids and dogs. But how many of them wrote? Still, he didn’t know everyone.
“I don’t think it’s his kid. Never listed in his bio, and this one’s older.”
A cold sweat covered him. The guy sounded young, and he might be talking about Leo. Jack had to see who this was. Could he risk it? He inched closer to the edge.
“Yeah, yeah. I got this. Later.”
Jack lurched around the corner, but the guy was rounding the corner in the other direction. Jeans, brown hair. Dark shirt. Just then, the bathroom door opened in his path. He nearly slammed into it.
“Oh, hey, Jack,” came Jen’s chirpy voice. She and her husband owned a hardware shop in the village. “What are you doing lurking around here like James Bond?” She stepped in front of him.
Jack pressed his hands downward, signaling her to lower her voice. With a nimble step, he dodged her, leaving her with her mouth ajar.
Careening toward the other side of the building, he scanned the area.
No one.
He whipped around. Where’d he go?
He turned back to the kitchen. Marina was still working at breakneck speed.
“Hey,” he said amiably, approaching her. “I just missed a friend. Did you see anyone come this way?”
Marina shook her head. “Heather has your order.”
Jack stared at Cruise. It couldn’t have been him. He’d been here all along by the deep fryer. Same jeans and a black T-shirt, but a long apron over it all.
Turning back toward the patio, he scanned the crowd for other guys in jeans. One, two, three…there were quite a lot of them. Some were leaving. He whirled around, but there was no one out front either. The man was a veritable Houdini.
Heather was putting his lunch on the table. “Enjoy.”
“Did you see a guy come by in jeans and a dark shirt? Probably a T-shirt.”
“I haven’t noticed. A friend of yours?”
“I’m not sure. Will you let me know?”
Heather swept a hand over her forehead and glanced over her shoulder. “It’s pretty busy, but if I see someone like that, I’ll send him your way.” With that, she hurried toward another table.
Jack stared at his food. Had he heard that conversation correctly?
Feeling frustrated, he made his way back to the restrooms but couldn’t see anything unusual. After returning to his table, he ate quickly and left a generous amount on the table for Heather before leaving.
In the span of a minute or so, his mood had swiftly changed. As he walked home, he glanced around, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. The sun was shimmering on the waves, people were laughing and playing volleyball on the beach, and boats were easing out of the marina.
Jack climbed the steps to his cottage and opened the door. He checked the house, then opened the back door and whistled. Scout bounded toward him with his awkward gait, probably the result of an injury as a young puppy before Jack had adopted him. He knelt and scratched the yellow Labrador retriever’s ears. “See anything, bud?”
Scout tossed his head back and forth and wagged his tail.
“No? That’s good. You’ll tell me if you do, right?”
Jack grabbed a stick and threw it across the yard. Scout bounded after it, narrowly missing low-hanging lemons and oranges.
He’d been meaning to trim those trees before they flowered, but the fruit was too good to waste now. Scout would have to deal with it. But then, he liked playing with the fruit, too. Silly old dog.
Jack went back inside to his studio off the bedroom where he worked. Built as a sunroom, the light was perfect for the illustrations he was doing for Ginger’s series of children’s books. He sat down and stared from the window. He had a little time before Leo arrived.
Outside, the scene was as innocuous as it could be. This was Summer Beach, after all. Not much went on here except for the yacht incident last year. That was a one-off situation, and certainly not related to what he’d overheard.
He picked up a pencil and went to work. By the time he’d completed his drawing, a knock sounded on the door, and he could hear Leo stomping on the front porch, eager to go to the beach. And Jack had nearly finished talking himself out of what he’d overhead.
After all, this was Summer Beach.