“We’re being summoned,” Marina said to Kai as they followed their grandmother into her spacious bedroom filled with antiques and mementos. Stepping into Ginger’s room was like going through a portal in time.
Ginger led the way. “Since you’re both engaged now, the timing is quite apropos,” she said, her voice imperious as she led her granddaughters into her suite, where she’d lived for more than fifty years in between her world travels.
The sun shone into the bedroom, warming the honeyed wood floors worn smooth over the years. Ginger had placed soft, Persian silk rugs by the bed and in her sitting area away from the direct sunlight. A vintage chandelier sparkled overhead, and peach roses from the garden spilled from an antique crystal vase, perfuming the room. Silver-framed photos of Ginger and Bertrand with foreign dignitaries were carefully displayed.
Though the rest of the house was beach cottage chic, this room reflected Ginger’s refined taste. The treasures in this room had been collected during her travels with Bertrand.
Kai turned to Marina and grinned. “Did you hear that old Charlie at Java Beach is taking bets on whether you and Jack make it to the altar? That practically makes you a celebrity in Summer Beach.”
“Already?” Though Marina supposed it was inevitable.
Ginger pursed her lips with disdain. “Charlie would take bets on the sunrise if he could find a willing fool.”
“How are we stacking up to you and Axe?”
Kai quirked her mouth to one side. “Sorry to say, but you’re considered a much longer shot. But you can still prove them wrong.”
“Gee, thanks for the encouragement.”
Marina was surprised that her engagement to Jack—and Leo—had zipped around Summer Beach in record time. She wondered who had unleashed the details, but then she recalled seeing a few locals on the beach not far from their party. The beach was a public gathering place, after all. And they hadn’t exactly been quiet about Leo’s proposal.
Ginger opened the door to her enormous custom closet. With a proud flourish, she brought out a zippered bag. “Heather helped me find this in the attic.” She unzipped the fabric cover.
Marina leaned forward in anticipation.
“It’s my wedding dress.” Ginger withdrew a long, candlelight satin dress and draped it across the bed. “You may take it or leave it, of course. I wouldn’t want to hinder your sense of style or self-expression.”
Cherished memories rushed to Marina’s mind.
Stroking the rich fabric with reverence, Ginger smiled. “This dress has been worn only two times. Once, when I married my dear Bertrand…” Her eyes lit with a faraway memory, and her words trailed off.
“Mom wore it, too,” Marina added softly, lifting the hem.
“Yes. My darling Sandi.” Ginger picked up a photo of their mother and father at their wedding on the beach. In the photo, she was wearing the dress. Next to that one was a black-and-white wedding photo of Ginger and Bertrand. “Your mother looked like an angel in this dress. It carries with it so many happy memories.”
“For me, too.” Marina ran her hand over the shimmering fabric, admiring it anew. Through windows facing the ocean, the sun cast a glow across the dress. Marina’s heart filled with an old longing. “I remember the day I begged Mom to put on this dress. I told her she looked like a fairy princess, and she promised that one day I would wear it, too. For my wedding.”
That scene had filled Marina’s thoughts for years, and she’d always assumed she would wear this exquisite gown. But now, as the gorgeous vintage dress called to her, other memories flooded back.
When she’d married Stan, they’d been in such a rush before he was to ship out that they’d opted for a simple ceremony with the chaplain. There hadn’t been time for her grandmother to mail the dress across the country—or even time to make the wedding—so she’d hastily bought an outfit from a local boutique.
Marina could hardly believe she was getting married again. Thanks to Leo, she was getting a second chance with the man she loved. She smiled at the memory of Jack’s awkward proposal following Leo’s. Surely, they’d laugh about it all someday.
The rest of the town already was.
“Why haven’t I ever seen this dress?” Kai asked, a trace of sadness edging her words.
“You were pretty young at the time,” Marina replied.
Kai frowned. “I don’t remember Brooke wearing it.”
“That’s right,” Ginger said. “She wore a cotton lace dress with her Birkenstocks under it. Comfort first is dear Brooke’s motto. She looked lovely, too.”
Lifting the dress with care, Marina held it to her shoulders, and it puddled beautifully on the floor, even though she stood on her tiptoes. Kai had Ginger’s height, while she and Brooke were shorter. She glanced in the mirror at her reflection. The soft, candlelight shade brought out her new hair color.
Kai’s lower lip extended in a little pout that Marina instantly recognized. “It’s so pretty.”
Marina had always felt sorry for her sister, who had been so young when their parents had been taken from them. Marina had been preparing to go to college, and Brooke was just starting high school, so they were both old enough to have vivid memories of their parents. Not so with Kai.
“I’m sure Sandi would have loved for any of her girls to wear it.” A smile wreathed Ginger’s face as she gazed diplomatically between them. “It was certainly one of the happiest days of my life.”
Eyeing the dress, Kai put a hand on her hip and frowned. “It’s too long for you, Marina.”
“I can hem it.”
“But I wouldn’t need to. Let me try it on.”
“But I—” Before Marina could finish, Kai peeled off her sundress and reached for the wedding gown. With a gulp, Marina relinquished it to her.
Her sister slithered into a cascade of rippling fabric. The bias-cut satin skimmed her narrow hips and clung to her figure in all the right places. Kai twirled in front of the mirror. With Kai’s hair, she looked like an ivory goddess from head to toe.
“See? It’s perfect for me.”
So it is, Marina thought, self-consciously straightening as she tightened her stomach muscles. Spending her days in the kitchen tasting dishes she created had added a little extra girth to her frame. When she’d been a news anchor in San Francisco, she’d had to keep her weight in check. Yet, after losing that job and moving to Summer Beach, she’d found freedom in not having to watch every bite.
Marina felt Ginger’s gaze on her as if waiting for her approval. A sinking feeling hollowed her chest. How could she deny her younger sister this dream?
Squelching her desire, Marina put her arm around Kai’s slender shoulders and peered at her sister in the mirror. “This dress looks like it was made for you. So, it’s yours to wear.”
Kai flung her arms around Marina. “You’re the best. I was afraid you’d be upset.”
“Me?” Marina managed a strangled laugh. “Oh, I have something else in mind.” Over her sister’s shoulder, she saw Ginger nod her approval.
Inside, Marina’s heart was crushed as her dream withered away. Yet, this was the right thing to do, she told herself. The dress looked better on Kai. Her sister spent her days practicing dance routines and performing. She had Ginger’s lean physique, too. Besides, this was Kai’s first wedding.
Still, Marina wanted to look her best for Jack. This was her forever wedding—the fates willing, that is. She bit her lip.
“You’ll both be beautiful brides.” Embracing Marina and Kai, Ginger kissed each of them on the cheek. “Your mother is surely smiling down on you now.”
And Ginger had lost her only daughter, Marina reminded herself, feeling small for begrudging Kai the opportunity of feeling close to the mother she’d barely known. To have another chance to marry a man she truly loved was something Marina had hardly dared to imagine.
Surely that was enough for her.
Kai stepped out of the dress. “I’m glad that’s settled. Axe and I still have a lot of work to do on the new show. If you don’t mind, I’ll take this with me. See you later.”
As soon as Kai left, Ginger reached into another garment bag. “Since Kai is wearing the wedding gown, I thought you might like this.” She brought out a long swath of vintage lace.
“This is the sheer coat I wore over the dress. It was just enough on a balmy summer evening. And it’s easy to hem. Your mother wore this, too.” She nodded to a smaller photo.
“It’s so pretty,” Marina said, her spirits guarded. “But if it goes with the dress, shouldn’t Kai wear this, too?”
“It’s probably too conservative for Kai’s taste, don’t you think?” A smile danced on Ginger’s face. She held the garment up to Marina’s shoulders. “This sheer lace coat will be spectacular over a simple sheath. My dear Bertrand called it the epitome of elegance. Years later, I wore it again to a ball in Paris with all the important diplomats. This is quite a special piece.”
Marina embraced her grandmother. “You always know just what to say.”
“Well, it was better than dividing the dress.” Ginger gave a soft laugh. “But you were admirably magnanimous. A sure mark of character.”
Marina’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment. “Actually, I was struggling over that.”
“That was clear to see. Well, clear to me, dear. Not to Kai, of course.” Ginger patted Marina’s hand. “Jack will love seeing you in this.” Leveling her gaze at Marina, she asked, “He’s still committed?”
Marina nodded with a high degree of certainty. “He wants another do-over at Beaches.”
“Maybe that handsome new pediatrician helped spur him to action.”
After the busy lunch run at the cafe, Marina left her new cook Cruise in charge of the kitchen. The food truck was being delivered today. When she saw Judith pull the vehicle to the side of the road in front of the cafe, Marina went out to greet her.
“Here she is,” Judith called out from the window. She stepped out with a sheaf of papers. “I got Bessie all cleaned up for you, and if you’re happy, we can sign all the final paperwork. Have a look inside.”
Marina stepped into the truck. Immediately, she could see that Judith had taken extra care in cleaning it. She saw stacks of paper napkins and other supplies in the cabinets. “Do you want these supplies?”
“I have no use for them, so they’re yours if you want them.”
“I sure do, thanks. I plan to take her out this weekend. My sister is having a show at the Seashell.”
“I heard the holiday show last year was pretty funny. I wish I’d seen that.” Judith leaned against the vehicle. “I’ve called her Bessie, but you can give her a new name.”
Marina paused. “I’ve been thinking about Coralina. It will go well with her new paint job.”
“I’m so glad you’re taking over. I’m excited to leave and start my new life in New Zealand, but it makes me happy to know that Bessie—Coralina, that is—will be in good hands with you. It took me a long time to get everything just the way I wanted in her.”
“I can see all the little details you’ve added. And the flowers are beautiful. How thoughtful.” A small vase filled with roses was attached to a wall. Judith had thought of everything.
The other woman demonstrated how everything worked. “The vase is on a swinging arm, so you can push it out of the serving window when you’re parked and open for business. Flowers give good vibes. People used to comment on this all the time.”
“I’ll bet they did.” Marina could just imagine how coral roses from Ginger’s garden would look in it and subtly convey her brand. Often, it was the little touches that welcomed people and made them feel at home.
Heather hurried across the patio. “Hey, Mom. Is this the new addition?”
Marina introduced her daughter and Judith. “Meet Coralina. Her maiden voyage will be opening night of the new show.”
A thoughtful look filled Heather’s face. “Wow, we can have some fun with this. I know a lot of concerts that Cruise and I could take this to. Or just up and down the beach on the weekends.” She began to explore inside.
“Looks like we have a deal.” Marina handed Judith the cashier’s check from her bank, and the two women signed the documents and shook hands.
When they stepped from the vehicle, Judith handed Marina the keys. “I hope you’ll have many adventures in this food truck.”
“And I wish you the very best for your wedding and the new restaurant.” Marina gave her a hug.
“Unexpected new chapters of life are a lot of fun,” Judith said.
Marina jingled the keys with happiness. “That’s what my grandmother says.”
She’d tried to do everything to get ready for her next chapters. The food truck was here and ready to go. As for the Jack chapter, she wished she could be as certain. Once stood up, twice shy.