Page 48 of Hibiscus Heights

Feeling Nicole’s spirit surrounding and reassuring them, Grant wrapped his arms around his sons. “Her spirit is free, and I believe she and Grandpa are looking out for you two. Let’s send them our love and say a silent prayer.”

Nodding her approval, Kitty put her arm around Mason. After a few moments of silence, she nodded at the captain.

When the engine started again, a sense of lightness filled Grant. Mason and Teddy also wore peaceful expressions. It was as if Nicole had urged them on to live their lives. Perhaps it was time, although they would never forget her.

Kitty raised her face to the breeze and smiled. “I’ve made a decision you should all know about.”

“What’s that?” Jen asked.

“I’m buying a beach house here. I met with a real estate agent this morning, and she showed me a perfect place. It’s move-in ready, even though the furnishings are desperately outdated. I signed a contract right there.”

Jen looked stunned. “You’re moving to Crown Island?”

Kitty shook her hair back. “I needed a fresh start in a place I’ve always loved. I hope you’ll want to spend summers and holidays here. There’s room for all of you. I’ll keep a small condo or townhome in Tiburon to be close to these two.” She put her arms around Mason and Teddy.

Grant was surprised but pleased for her. She needed a change. “When do you close the deal?”

“In ten days. We’ll have such fun and make such lovely memories.” Kitty smiled and hugged each one.

As they cruised around the island, Kitty pointed out landmarks and shared stories from their past. “Jen, you learned to ride a bike on that boardwalk. And Grant, that’s where we used to swim.”

As she spoke with renewed excitement in her voice, he considered his mother’s words. A fresh start. Maybe that’s what he needed, too.

This holiday had already been good for the boys, taking them away from the daily reminders of what they had lost. Here on the island, they seemed carefree, more like the children they should be.

If only the boys could be like that at home in Tiburon again. Between the mother they missed and the bullies that cast shadows over their school days, Grant suddenly questioned their environment. It had once seemed so important to him for everything to remain exactly as it had been when their mother was alive. That had been soothing to all of them in the first years after her death.

But now? The fresh glow on his mother’s face was genuine. He hadn’t seen that in a long time.

Teddy had been talking about Deb frequently, and even Mason seemed to have formed an attachment to her. His kids were perceptive; they recognized kindness.

As they watched the boys lean over the rail, trying to spot dolphins, Kitty asked, “Will you and the boys stay with me for the rest of the summer? There’s plenty of sights on Crown Island for you to shoot.”

That was true, and he’d planned on doing that. “What about the house in Tiburon?”

“I don’t need to finish the sorting and packing right away. Everything will still be there when the boys return for school.”

He gazed out over the sparkling water toward the colorful neighborhoods with their murals and artist colony vibe. There was plenty here he could photograph.

Nodding, he said, “We could all use some island time. I’ll help you get settled.”

A smile touched his mother’s lips. “I have just the project for you.”

13

Deb compared a handful of paint swatches against the rug in the meeting room. The final decor was progressing well, but details mattered enormously to her. The exact shade of blue would make all the difference between coastal elegance and a tacky beach theme. Every color changed in the light, compounding the problem.

“This one is better,” she said to the head of the painting crew, pointing to a swatch that matched elements in the rug and other furnishings. She held out a sample.

The painter nodded, making a note on his clipboard. “We’ll get that mixed and tested this afternoon.”

Deb’s phone buzzed in her pocket, and she checked the message. Knox had a question about custom light fixtures she’d ordered for the main hallway. She tapped a response and returned to her color deliberations.

A hotel staff member stepped inside the door. The young woman said, “Excuse me, but you have visitors at the front desk.”

Hating to step away, Deb frowned. “Can you put them through on the phone?”

“They asked to see you in person.”

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