Page 47 of Just Beachy

“Well, those two words will never cross my mind, let alone my lips, now that I’ve been up close and personal to pregnancy, childbirth, and everything that comes after,” Joe says. “I’ve started thinking we should rain dirty diapers down on our enemies from the sky and see how fast they surrender.”

Nikki rolls her eyes and heads toward the back room to make sure the kids are okay.

Locals, including some of the regulars from Harley’s, show up. Brian Boyer is here, of course, always close to Grand and ready to do her bidding. I wish I could take him and his interest in Grand at face value, but there’s something in his manner that feels off. Or maybe it’s the way that Luke, who’s still in uniform, keeps Boyer in his sights even as the kids gather around Luke and pepper him with questions like “How’d you git to be a po-ees-man? Kin I beone? Why are poeesman called Leos? Is it becuz they’re like lions? Where’s your gun? Kin I hold it?”

Some of the kids watch every move Luke makes, having apparently never been this close to a real-life law enforcement officer.

I have no problem with the children’s adoration. But I’d like to tell those women lusting after the man I’m sleeping with to get lost.

Except I know that while Luke might find my jealousy amusing—he’s just glanced my way, eyebrow raised—Myra might never forgive me for chasing off even a single handsy female customer.

Then Maddie Singer and William Hightower, who’s toting a guitar case, arrive and the adults present buzz with excitement.

“Oh, thank you so much for coming,” Myra gushes as she hugs them both.

“We’re so glad we could be here.” Maddie smiles. “Will and the band head out on tour next week, but neither of us wanted to miss your grand opening. It’ll be so wonderful to have a bookstore right here on Pass-a-Grille.”

Myra beams. “Well, you just let me know your favorite authors and genres and I’ll make sure to keep them stocked.”

“Absolutely.” Maddie’s smile grows even larger.

“I hope that applies to me, too,” Will adds.

“Yeah, Will’s a voracious reader. He likes the classics, biographies, and history especially.” Maddie gives Will awink. “But he’s been known to read the occasional romance. I think he’s learned a lot from them.”

“Guilty on all counts,” Will agrees. “I realized back when I got out of rehab for the last time and started touring again that a good book can make life on the road way more bearable.”

“Gosh, I don’t remember seeing that little tidbit about you in the tabloids,” Grand teases.

“That would be because an aging rock star who’d rather read than trash a hotel room isnotsomething the publicists play up.” Will smiles. “They’re afraid someone will notice that I’m an old fart.”

“Ha! As if.” I laugh.

“Fortunately, Maddie here likes her men old and grizzled,” Will teases.

“Well, I choose to think of him as rugged and mature.” Maddie plants a kiss on his cheek. “But I think it’s time for you to ‘stop jawing’ and entertain these folks.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nods to a mini stage that we set up over in the corner near the window. “Is that where you want me?”

“Yes. There’s an outlet there if you need it and no one will be able to sneak up behind you.”

“Perfect. Let me just get set up and plugged in and we’ll get this party ramped up a bit.”

Moments later, Will sends me a smile and nods to those already in the living room as he steps up on the stage. Then, not waiting for, or needing, an introduction, he begins to pick out a familiar tune on his guitar. The livingroom fills up as Will launches into “Mermaid in You,” one of his biggest hits. Soon, without urging or warning, the crowd gathered in front of him begins to sing along, swaying in place, clearly thrilled to be in the same room with the man formerly known as “Wild Will.”

Kyra and Troy shoot Will and the crowd from every possible angle then livestream the video. When it goes viral, I start to worry that we’ll end up with more people than we can stuff into the space, front and back porches included.

I’m almost relieved when the grand opening officially ends a little after five, but even though a lot of alcohol has been consumed, no one seems eager to leave. Myra grins as she rings up book sales on the cash register and thanks people for coming.

Kyra, Troy, Maddie, and Will get hugs from all of us, and it’s six o’clock by the time all our guests, with the exception of Luke and Brian, have departed.

“To Sandcastle Books!” I say, raising a glass in toast. “We are just so frickin’ beachy!”

“We sure are!” Grand crows.

Myra laughs. “I can’t thank you all enough. You made the grand opening a huge success.”

After another round of toasts, Grand and I head back to Casas de Flores. Luke tags along behind us.

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