Page 125 of Ten Beach Road

“But what if they want us to start with something else?” Maddie asked.

“We might not have that kind of control,” Nicole said. “And a television series isn’t an opportunity that comes along every day.”

“That’s for sure,” Kyra said. “It’s pretty much a dream come true.”

Deirdre nodded her agreement. “There are no guarantees here. And all we’re being offered is the chance to make a pilot. The odds of a series actually happening are low.”

“We’d have to stand together on this, make it a condition for moving forward,” Avery said. She shot Deirdre and then Nicole a look. “No side deals or jockeying for position. We’d have to put Bella Flora’s comeback before our own.”

Maddie couldn’t imagine wanting to do this without the others, but this was Kyra’s dream. “What do you think, Ky? You made this happen and it could be the shot you’ve been working toward. Are you willing to take the risk?”

Slowly, Kyra nodded. “I think we owe it to Bella Flora. And to ourselves.” She smiled at all of them. “I’m willing to roll the dice if you are.”

Each of them nodded their agreement as Maddie’s heart swelled with pride in her daughter.

“Call her back right now,” Avery said. “And tell her we’re all on board. But only if we can do Bella Flora first.”

They sat on the edge of their chairs while Kyra punched in the numbers, the cheap straps and aluminum straining. Maddie could see the mixture of hope and fear on all of their faces. She was fairly certain no one was breathing. She knew for sure she wasn’t.

“Is this Karen Crandall?” Kyra’s voice wobbled slightly as her call was answered. “This is Kyra Singer. I’m the one who . . .”

She fell silent, listening carefully, her gaze on Bella Flora. The voice on the other end sounded tinny and distant in the silence, but Maddie couldn’t make out what was being said. “Thank you. Yes. We’re interested. In fact, we’re all together right now. At Bella Flora.” Kyra swallowed. “With Bella Flora.”

The woman said something else and Kyra nodded, but her expression gave nothing away. “Yes, we’re all excited about the opportunity, but there’s just one thing.”

They listened as Kyra explained their position and waited, still barely breathing, while Kyra listened to the network head’s answer.

“No,” Kyra said, her expression still unreadable. “Of course. Yes. I understand.”

Maddie thought it a miracle that no one had passed out from lack of oxygen by the time Kyra hung up the phone. Her hand shook as she set down the phone and reached for the camera.

“Jesus, Kyra!” Nicole said. “Forget about the damned camera. Just tell us what she said!”

“I don’t think I want to hear it unless it’s good news,” Avery said. “I can’t take any more bad.”

Deirdre reached out to squeeze Avery’s hand. “I could have my agent call the network. Maybe we should . . .”

“Come on, Ky,” Maddie said. “Just tell us. Put us out of our misery. My heart is pounding so hard I’m afraid it’s going to burst through my chest.”

“Okay,” Kyra said quietly. “But I want to be able to capture your reactions.” She raised the camera to her eye and fiddled with the zoom. “Because I’m thinking that maybe we could use footage of this moment. You know . . .” A small smile tugged at her lips. “During the opening credits of the pilot!”

“You mean . . .” Nikki began.

“. . . She agreed?” Deirdre asked.

Kyra nodded happily but didn’t speak until she’d finished capturing their first gasps of joy. “Yes, she said yes!” Kyra beamed. “There’s lots of details to work out, and a budget to set, but she agreed to let us redo Bella Flora for the pilot!”

“Oh, my God,” Avery said. “I can’t believe it.” The tears she’d been holding back streamed down her face. Deirdre reached over with a napkin and dabbed at the corners of her daughter’s eyes.

Nikki had turned her face, but Maddie could see the sheen of tears in the corner of her eye.

It hit home then that the miracle Maddie had been afraid to wish for had actually come true. They were going to get another chance to bring Bella Flora back to life just as she had given them back theirs. Despite her injuries, Bella Flora hunkered almost protectively behind them; she was strong deep down where it mattered most.

“To Bella Flora!” Maddie said, raising her glass. “And everything she taught us!”

“To Bella Flora!” they said in unison, clinking their plastic tumblers, then lifting them toward the house in homage before draining them in long, celebratory gulps.

The moonlight flattered Bella Flora’s angles and curves and spilled out over the pass to shimmer on the water’s surface as they laughed and talked.

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