Later that afternoon, Marina smoothed Ginger’s hair from her forehead. Thankfully, her grandmother was fully awake now in her hospital bed, and a glow had returned to her face. “I’m so relieved,” Marina said softly. “You look like you’re feeling better.”
Ginger smiled up at her. “I am. But I don’t understand why they want to keep me for observation.”
“Be happy for that,” Kai said, forcing a smile. She sat on the other side of the hospital bed, as she had for the past hour. “They only keep the people they like.” She reached across and clasped Marina’s hand.
Ginger rested her hand on theirs. “Sisters again?”
“Forever,” Marina said, her eyes welling. “Forgive me?”
Ginger’s eyes seemed lit with renewed force. “Of course.”
When Ginger smiled at them, it was as if the cracks in Marina’s heart were mending themselves. She bowed her head and wiped tears of relief from her eyes. As she did, she noticed Kai was doing the same.
The entire Delavie-Moore family had crowded into the small room to keep Ginger company and wait for test results. The doctor had assured Marina that Ginger seemed healthy; the tests were simply to rule out other conditions.
So far, Ginger’s tests had been normal. Marina looked up at Brooke and her family, who’d also been sitting with Ginger. Heather and Ethan were standing with Jack at the door.
Ginger’s eyes brightened when she saw them. “Tell the twins to come see me.”
Jack whispered to Heather and Ethan, and they approached the bed. “Here, have my seat,” Marina said to her daughter.
Ethan perched on the side of the bed, and the two of them began to talk to Ginger.
While they did, Marina moved out of the way. There weren’t many places to stand except near Jack. She took the spot next to him, grateful to him for staying with her. She slipped her hand into his.
In the space of a few tense hours, their relationship seemed to have reset itself.
“It’s such a relief to see her looking better,” Jack said, squeezing her hand. He was still wearing his running gear.
“If you hadn’t been out for a run on the beach, I don’t know what I would have done.”
“I have no doubt that you would have managed. But I’m glad I could help.”
Marina smiled up at him with fresh admiration. Jack had been there for her and, most important, for Ginger. He’d dropped everything to take care of them and had called her entire family. When they met at the hospital, he brought food for everyone and kept the younger kids entertained. Even with all that, he made sure Leo could stay with his friend Samantha and her parents so that he could stay at the hospital.
Presently, the doctor arrived, and she wore a smile. “Looks like it’s time for you to check out of this posh hotel, Ms. Delavie.”
Ginger beamed. “I can’t say that I’ve fully enjoyed my stay, but you and your team have been the consummate hosts. Thank you for all you’ve done.”
As the doctor was leaving, Marina followed her into the hallway to speak to her. “Is there anything else we should know?”
“Your grandmother appears to take good care of herself. All the same, keep an eye on her and make sure she is proactive in her healthcare, nutrition, and exercise regimen.”
“I can assure you that she is,” Marina said. “She also takes an assortment of herbs and potions that she discovered in her travels around the world to keep her immune system strong.”
The doctor nodded. “She told me about that, and I’ve made a note of it in her chart. I wish more patients had her stamina and wit.”
Marina had to ask. “Do you think it was stress that caused this episode?” They had ruled out almost everything. Thankfully, it had not been a stroke or heart attack, but she had lost consciousness.
The doctor explained a little. “Stress certainly has a negative effect on our systems. Try not to upset her unduly. She seems like such a kind woman.”
The doctor excused herself, and Marina was relieved that it hadn’t been anything more serious.
Kai stepped into the hallway to join them. “I’m really sorry about the things I said.” She waved a hand toward Ginger’s room. “This was my fault for upsetting her.”
“It wasn’t just you. Or me.” As Marina embraced Kai, clarity rushed over her. “It was everything at once—a perfect storm. This morning, Ginger told me that she hadn’t slept well, and she didn’t eat anything for breakfast. Going through the photos of Mom had to have an effect on her, even though she accepted her daughter’s death with more grace than I will ever comprehend.”
“She took such good care of us,” Kai said. “I remember that.”
“So do I.” Marina swallowed. “But the trauma of that accident remains. And then, when we started arguing this morning, that stress that had built up must have taken over. Her body simply shut down.”
Kai clasped Marina’s hands. “Thank you for sharing that perspective. Still, we’re sisters. We should do better. And I promise that I will.” She cast a look at Jack. “I appreciate everything you did for our grandmother.”
“Of course.” He nodded modestly.
After Kai left them, Marina turned to Jack. “You must be concerned about Leo.”
“He’s fine with Denise and John, but I’ll let him know Ginger is okay. He’s awfully fond of her.”
“Who isn’t? My goal is to be like her someday.”
“You have her superior genes, that’s for sure.” Jack tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her cheek. “I would invite you back to Beaches, but I think that place is bad luck for us. If Ginger is feeling better, would you like to come to my house later this week? I’ve been cleaning and making changes. I’d really like for you to see the place. And I promise an edible meal.”
“I’d like that,” she said softly.
By the next day, after Ginger had slept late and eaten well, she was moving about with her usual energy. And by the time the end of the week came and most weekend tourists had left on Sunday, Marina closed the cafe early. She was looking forward to spending the evening with Jack.
Even after seeing him at the hospital, he hadn’t stopped by the cafe with Leo. But he’d called to see how Ginger was doing every day.
In preparation for tonight’s dinner with Jack at his house, she showered and took extra care with her new hairstyle, though she didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard. She put on a pair of white jeans and a fluttery turquoise top with earrings to match. Yet, she couldn’t resist the strappy heels she’d bought to wear for their date at Beaches.
Stepping back from the mirror in her room, she decided her look was nice enough. Not sloppy, not too fancy—just right.
Oddly enough, she wasn’t that nervous. Still, when she turned on her heel, she nearly fell. She caught herself on the dresser.
Well, maybe just a little bit nervous. She sucked in a breath and smiled back at her reflection before going downstairs.
Heather and Ginger were playing dominoes in the den. “Wow. You look hot, Mom.”
“You must be going out,” Ginger said.
“Too much?”
“No, I love those shoes,” Heather replied. “Can I borrow them sometimes?”
If her daughter wanted to wear them, maybe they were too young and high for her. “Right. Too much.” She turned to go back upstairs.
“Wait.” Ginger tapped a finger on the table. “You’re only young once. Go have fun.” She winked as she picked up another domino. “Fabulous hair, by the way.”
Marina couldn’t possibly walk the distance in these shoes, so she slid into her Mini-Cooper. Along the way, she stopped at Blossoms. At the flower stand, she bought a tropical bouquet with red ginger flowers, birds of paradise, and glossy ferns. When she pulled in front of Jack’s house, she did a double take.
It looked…different.
The grass was cut, the ivy trimmed, and flowers bloomed in glazed pots on the porch.
Was she in the right place? Marina glanced around. Jack’s classic VW van was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he’d cleaned the garage. But she was sure this was the house he’d rented. She stepped from the car.
Carefully, she made her way up the front steps. Before she reached the door, it swung open.
“Welcome to Chez Jacques.” Jack wore beige cotton chinos and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up over his taut forearms, and his feet were bare. “Wow,” he said, taking her in with a long, admiring look.
At the sight of him, Marina’s heart skipped. She stepped over the threshold. “The yard looks so neat that I wasn’t sure I was in the right place. Did your landlord receive complaints from the neighbors?”
Jack gave a self-conscious shrug. “I made a few changes.”
The windows were open to the soft ocean breeze. A pale, fluffy new rug sat before the fireplace, where groups of candles on the hearth flickered in hurricane lamps, sweetening the sea breeze. Jasmine, she detected, recalling her essential oils. A known aphrodisiac.
“I thought you might like these,” she said, handing him the flowers she carried.
His eyes twinkled, and he bent his head to admire them. “You brought me flowers?”
“Don’t get too excited. Ginger taught me to never arrive empty-handed for dinner.” She glanced around. “Is Leo here?”
“He’s spending the night with Denise and John. They’re taking the kids bowling. I’ll put these flowers in water.”
She followed him into the kitchen and watched while he brought out an old glass vase that had probably been the previous owner’s, but he rinsed it carefully and arranged the flowers. The kitchen was as clean as she’d ever seen it.
“Care for wine? I have a nice bottle.”
“I’d like that,” she replied.
As he poured two glasses, she took in her surroundings. The floor had been scrubbed, bright new cushions sat on the wooden kitchen chairs, and even the windows looked clean. What had gotten into him?
“You’ve done a lot of work here.” She accepted a glass from him.
“It was time to clean up my act.”
“You must have had a good housekeeping team in here.”
“Leo and I make a fine team.”
“The two of you did this?”
“In this case, I have to take most of the credit. Child labor laws being what they are and all.” He lifted his glass to hers and tapped it. “To you,” he said, softly meeting her lips.
The kiss was gentle, sending a warm feeling through her. If she had any reservations about tonight, they vanished.
When he pulled away, his eyes lingered on hers. “First course, gazpacho.”
“You made it?”
“I watched a couple of videos. It’s surprisingly easy with a blender. Throw in the veggies and bam. It’s pretty healthy, too.”
“And you have a blender now?”
He motioned to a new model on the countertop. “I’ve learned a lot these past couple of weeks.”
“So have I.” Ginger’s health scare and Kai’s words had shifted her thoughts.
They decided to have dinner at the coffee table in the living room, where they could sit on new cushions in front of the candles with a view of the ocean. Jack put on the jazzy music that Marina liked, and she helped him carry dishes and cutlery into the living room, along with the chilled soup and crusty bread with Spanish olive oil.
“And what’s this one?” she asked.
“A new salad. It has sliced avocado, feta cheese, balsamic drizzle, and something called little gem lettuce, which I sliced and grilled. Cute little guys, aren’t they?”
“You went to the farmers market.” And she recognized this recipe. It was one of Ginger’s. Was she being set up?
Jack’s expression fell. “Is that cheating?”
“Of course not,” she replied, touching his chest. “That’s where you find the best local produce.” Seeing the hopefulness on Jack’s face, she decided that if Ginger had helped guide him, she’d have to thank her later.
Marina turned toward the stovetop. “Something smells fabulous. What’s this?” She peeked into a covered cast iron skillet.
“Grilled langoustine. I’m keeping it warm in there.” He picked up a potholder. “Easy to make, too. If you can grill over a campfire, you can pretty much grill anywhere else. Who knew?”
This was a version of Jack she hadn’t seen before. She shook her head with wonder as she followed him back into the living room. “Did aliens abduct you and replace you with a creature from a different species?”
Jack eased dishes onto the table. “I started listening to what you, and other people, had to say.”
“Would that other person have been Ginger?”
“She’s a wise woman. I’ve been checking on her while you were working at the cafe.”
“I appreciate that,” she said, easing onto a silk cushion.
Jack eyed her high heels. “Would you be more comfortable without those? They’re beautiful, but I can help you take them off.”
She liked the sound of that. “Would you?” She extended a leg.
Touching her ankle with warm hands, he smiled up at her.
Marina watched while Jack undid the tiny buckle on first one shoe, and then the other. Her heart raced as he took his time and placed the high heels carefully to one side.
She folded her legs under her and sipped her wine. “I think I like Chez Jacques much better than Beaches.”
“About that. You were right about a lot of things that night.”
She cringed. “I don’t care about being right anymore.”
“Just hear me out,” Jack said, smoothing his hand over hers. “In retrospect, I needed that wake-up call. When guys say they can’t cook or they don’t know how to do laundry, what they’re really saying is they don’t want to. I can’t think of many people who like doing chores, but it sure is nice when they’re done. Back on the farm, if you didn’t plant the seeds, you wouldn’t reap the harvest. I realized I need to be an example to Leo. And to you.”
Marina hardly knew what to say. “Not that long ago, you told me you didn’t know how to cook unless it was over a campfire.”
“That’s a macho guy thing to say.” He shrugged. “I watched a few cooking videos and talked to your grandmother. She shared some easy tips. You’re on your feet at the cafe all day. Just because you’re a great cook doesn’t mean you should have to carry the entire load. I can certainly learn to shoulder my share. And I need to take better care of Leo.”
Marina was pleasantly surprised. “I’ll take you up on that.”
Between sips of the summer soup, Jack went on. “I have plans for the kitchen, too. For starters, I got a good drain cover.”
Marina nearly choked on her wine. It was a shame about the ring, though.
“I sure learned my lesson,” Jack said, chuckling. “I’m also installing a dishwasher. And getting a new refrigerator and one of those center islands for more workspace. Axe promised to look at the electrical and plumbing for me.”
Marina arched an eyebrow at the list. “Sounds like a lot of money to put into a rental.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Taking her hand, Jack smiled. “But it’s no longer a rental. You’re looking at the new owner. And that means no more surfers in the studio out back.”
“You bought it?”
“When I was turned down for a loan, Bennett talked to the owner. Garrett is a great guy—he grew up in this house—and he agreed to carry the loan for me. It’s not much more than rent.”
“Can you manage it?”
“Let’s just say it’s been a busy week.” Jack grinned.
Curiosity rose in her. “What else happened?”
Jack tore a piece of bread and dipped it in olive oil. As they ate, enjoying the langoustine and the salad, he told her the story of the guy he’d overheard at the cafe.
Marina was shocked. “Were you frightened?”
“At first, until I ran into him at Fisherman’s Wharf. I recognized his voice. Turns out, he’s an intern for a top producer. But not a very honest one.”
Jack continued the story. “I figured if this was such a hot story right now, it might be time to pitch it again. I got in touch with my agent, and tonight we’re celebrating. I signed an option this morning for a new series, and the attorneys are working on the full contract right now. The producers are interested in what they’re calling the next phase, which is the research I had that never made it into the trial. Because of that, essentially, I’ll get to write my own ticket.”
“Oh, Jack, I’m thrilled for you.”
“And the best part is, I get to stay right here in Summer Beach.” He cleared his throat and reached into his pocket. “With you, if you’ll have me.”
He withdrew the faded, red velvet ring box that she recognized.
Marina gazed at him in astonishment as he opened the velvet carrier, and a diamond band twinkled in the candlelight.
“Oh, it’s so lovely,” she breathed. But more than that, Jack loved her, and he was committed to staying in Summer Beach.
“This was my grandmother’s.”
She was surprised. “But I thought it was lost.”
“Almost. It was a messy job, but Axe rescued it. This ring has been through a lot more than that, though. The woman who wore it first was a creative, determined, beautiful woman. You remind me of her in the best possible ways. You can choose whatever ring you want, but if you like this one, and what it means between us…” Jack lifted it from the box. “You don’t need me, Marina Moore, but you would do me the greatest honor and make me the happiest—”
Marina cut off his words with a kiss. In her heart, this is why she was here. To step into their future together. As a torrent of happiness gushed through her, she cradled his face in her hands. “Yes,” she whispered.
Jack enveloped her in his arms, and for the first time in years, Marina felt like she’d found a place that her heart could call home. Tears of joy filled her eyes.
Smiling, Jack peppered her face with kisses. “Then the only questions that remain are when and where?”