Page 9 of Sea Glass Serenade

“Of course I’m right,” Alexis said complacently, and grinned.

At that moment, Samantha stepped inside the kitchen through the back door, her school backpack slung over her shoulder. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and her brown eyes widened, her jaw dropping as she stepped inside the house.

“Whoa!” A grin spread across the twelve-year-old’s face. “This looks amazing!”

She dumped her backpack down in front of the refrigerator and scampered over to her mother to give her a hug.

“How was school today, honey?” Hazel asked.

“Oh, fine. We learned about the Space Race. There’s a documentary they told us we could watch for extra credit, so you guys want to watch that with me later?”

“I’d love to,” Hazel said. “As long as your aunt Alexis ever decides to part herself from that wall.”

“Let me go upstairs and change into some old clothes,” Samantha said. “I’d love to help paint the wall.”

She darted out of the kitchen, and Hazel laughed.

“You know, I think that’s the first time she’s come home from school and didn’t immediately ask me about dinner.”

“See? A remodeled kitchen is more important than dinner.”

Hazel stood up, grinning. “I think you’re both crazy, but you’re like a couple of Tom Sawyers, inspiring me to join the whitewashing fun. I’ll get into some painting clothes too.”

She started to make her way upstairs, feeling lighthearted and full of excitement. She told herself that she was just excited about painting with her daughter and sister, and then going out to dinner and watching a documentary afterward. But as she changed into a pair of old jeans and a baggy t-shirt, she couldn’t stop thinking about Jacob Dorsey.

CHAPTER SIX

Julia watched the way the sunlight gleamed on the edges of her mother’s stove, and she took a deep breath, savoring the smell of brewing coffee and sizzling bacon.

She was surrounded by food, all of which she was attempting to cook by herself. There had been moments in which she felt as though she’d convinced herself to take on some kind of impossible task, but she was managing to stay on top of all of the different things she was trying to cook. She had a quiche baking in the oven along with croissants, and she was just about finished cooking a whole package of bacon. Beside her on the counter was a gleaming glass dish of fruit salad, looking especially beautiful with all of its various bright colors.

Since none of her siblings had to be at work early that Friday morning, she’d invited them all over to her mother’s house, promising a big breakfast for six. She’d felt in the cooking mood, and she liked cooking best when she had people to cook for.

She glanced at the clock, noting that her siblings were due to start arriving at any moment, and reflecting with a smile that everything should time out just right. She pulled the last slices of bacon out of the pan and set them inside a covered dish to keep warm. She practically scampered over to the kitchen table,which she’d already set with cheerful yellow dishes, and set the dish of bacon down in the center of the table. She got a jug of orange juice out of the refrigerator and set it on the table, and soon the fruit salad, coffee, quiche, and a basket of croissants joined the bacon and orange juice.

There,she thought, feeling pleased.That looks downright picturesque and it smells absolutely delicious.

“Knock knock!” Dean’s voice called from outside the back door, and a moment later he stepped into the kitchen. He was wearing his mechanic’s uniform, but for now he was clean and tidy. “Gosh, it smells incredible in here.”

“Why thank you. Go on and take a seat at the table, everyone else should be here in a second.”

Vivian stepped through the back door a moment later. She was wearing a wide-brimmed straw gardening hat, dirty gardening gloves, and a smile that stretched from ear to ear. “That garden is looking better and better every day. I can’t wait until we have fresh vegetables all summer, and flowers to put into vases.”

“It’s going to be amazing.” Julia kissed her mother’s cheek.

“And my goodness, what a feast you’ve prepared!” Vivian smiled in admiration at the table as she peeled off her dirty gloves. “I’m so impressed with you, Julia. You’re really becoming quite the chef.”

“Aw, shucks.” Julia laughed, and at that moment, Hazel, Samantha, and Alexis stepped through the back door.

“Good morning, everyone!” Hazel sang out. “Wow, what a breakfast! It was so nice to wake up and think, ‘I don’t have to do any cooking this morning.’” She laughed and gave Julia a hug.

“You’re so welcome. I found this quiche recipe in one of Mom’s cookbooks and I’ve been itching to try it. Doesn’t it smell delicious?”

“Amazing.” Samantha grinned. “I don’t even like quiche and I want to eat it.”

Hazel laughed. “You haven’t tried quiche since you were four. I bet you love it.”

“Well, today is clearly the day to find out.” Alexis patted Samantha’s shoulder as she sat down at the kitchen table. “Oh, croissants! Those look fluffy enough to melt in your mouth.”

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