Page 1 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

“ I can hardly believe my work is on the cover.” Deb touched the new issue of Coastal Design & Living with reverence, thrilled with the exposure. Page after page of the magazine featured her interior designs.

Seated next to her at a table on the Majestic Hotel’s sunny patio cafe, her friend April lifted her champagne glass. “To Crown Island’s most celebrated interior designer.”

April’s mother, Ella, raised her glass, too. “I’m so proud of you, dear. The career you’ve worked so hard for is now on an even higher upward trajectory. It must feel wonderful.”

Deb touched their glasses and sipped her well-deserved bubbly, courtesy of Ryan Kingston. “This project is my largest job and best work so far. I have to give Ryan credit for the publicity firm he engaged.”

As the new owner of the vintage Majestic Hotel, Ryan was determined to showcase his beloved hotel’s renovation through extensive publicity and advertising campaigns.

The glossy pages of the hotel’s transformation documented their team’s work with before-and-after photographs that captured their attention to detail. They had worked diligently to preserve the original character of the Victorian-era beach hotel.

Deb had refurbished or chosen every new piece, including the wrought-iron table where she sat under a marine-blue umbrella with her closest friends.

April was like a sister. Her mother, Ella, had been like an aunt to her. She’d known them all her life because her mother and Ella were friends.

Pride shimmered in Ella’s eyes. “Would you ever leave us if an amazing opportunity came up?”

“I’ll always come back to the island. I have plenty to do here.” Deb appreciated their enthusiasm, but she enjoyed living and working here. Her entire family lived on Crown Island, just off the coast of Southern California.

She loved her boisterous older brothers, but when she was younger, they had intimidated and chased off every one of her boyfriends.

Although she usually beat them to it now.

Her brothers were inescapable on this island. Even now, she spied one of them across the patio with new clients and nodded at him. David was just a year older, and he worked as an architect. He grinned and lifted his hand in a brief wave.

“Who is that with David?” Ella asked.

“The Hunts,” Deb replied, folding back the sleeves of her white linen shirt. The sun was warmer now, and the light breeze carried the fresh scent of the sea.

Deb went on, “They’re here for the summer, and they’ve asked David to design a new beach house for them. I might bid on the interior design work.”

A smile played on Ella’s face, barely lined by her years. “You’re a star now. You’ll have to think like one.”

Deb nodded, grateful for the opportunity she’d pursued.

“I haven’t forgotten that Ryan took a risk hiring local talent.

Most developers would have brought in a New York designer, gutted the old beauty, and created a modern atmosphere.

Luxurious but generic, devoid of Crown Island personality or history. ”

Ella pressed her lips together. “That’s what the community fought against.”

“The Historical Society must help preserve the island charm,” April added, brushing her hair over her shoulder.

Fresh highlights, new yellow sundress, Deb noted, approving of April’s evolving look. Love looked good on her, and Deb was pleased for her.

She sipped her champagne as April and Ella perused the article. She counted herself lucky to have friends who were like a chosen family, not that she didn’t love the one she was born into.

As a retired nurse, Ella had been a beloved force in the community for decades.

Just last year, April had returned to her hometown after her divorce to start a new chapter in her life.

A historian and former university lecturer, she deserved every good thing that had recently come her way, from Ryan Kingston to the historical society she’d conceived and created.

Ella paused and looked up. “I’d like to read this at my leisure. Did you buy out Ace’s newsstand, or can I still find a copy of this edition?”

Grinning sheepishly, Deb said, “Actually, my mother bought them all, so Ace is trying to get more copies. But you can have this one.”

They flipped through the pages, pausing at a photograph of the lobby restoration.

The three-story rotunda was a masterpiece of original design, with a ceiling finished in white oak, cedar, and hemlock.

The vintage wooden panels had taken artisans weeks to restore, but the effect was breathtaking.

It was a beautiful balance of historic craftsmanship and casual beach elegance.

Now more than a century old, the beachside resort was an island landmark, known for movies filmed on the property and presidents who’d vacationed there.

Significant deliberations that changed the course of history had taken place at the Majestic.

The grand hotel was polished to perfection once again.

Deb turned the page to a photo of her with Ryan and Knox MacKenzie, who oversaw construction. To pull off the job before the high summer season, the three of them had worked many long days for months.

“That’s a great photo of Ryan.” April’s cheeks colored slightly.

“Look at you.” Deb nudged her friend’s shoulder. “Practically glowing whenever you mention his name.”

Laughing, April bumped her shoulder back. “I never thought I’d feel this way again.”

Deb folded her arms and leaned in. “He’s the lucky one. You chose well this time around.”

April’s husband had left her for a much younger woman with whom he’d had an affair, and her friend had been devastated. Now, to her credit, April was thriving again.

Ella fixed a gaze on Deb. “Which brings us to another question. Are you seeing anyone now?”

“I’ve hardly had a moment to spare this past year,” Deb replied.

April traded a glance with her mother. “There must be someone out there for you.”

Laughing, Deb said, “You’re drunk on love and want everyone to share your happiness. But it’s not that easy, especially at my age.”

Ella shook her head. “You’re at the peak of your career, my dear. You’re brilliant, accomplished, and gorgeous. Never undersell yourself.”

“I don’t think she ever has, Mom.” April grinned and wrinkled her nose at the champagne bubbles.

“I know what I’m worth. And I’m happy with my life.

Besides, I have Duke.” Deb stretched her long legs beneath the table.

Now in her mid-fifties, she loved her work.

She had her freedom, earned good money, and still jogged daily on the beach with her dog.

Flipping up the collar of her shirt, she smiled, satisfied with her life.

“Don’t be so quick to give up.” Ella smoothed a hand over Deb’s.

“After five turns as mother-of-the-groom, Mom has finally accepted that she’ll never help plan a wedding for me. Still, the grandkids keep her busy.”

Ella studied her. “Are you sure you don’t have regrets?”

“I’m Auntie Deb to a slew of nieces and nephews. I’ve changed diapers, wiped tears, and thrown birthday parties. That’s enough family time for me.”

Deb had built her life by choice. She preferred to embrace what was rather than mourn what might have been. She’d been in love before and had received her share of marriage proposals, but she knew they weren’t quite right. Now, the chance for a family of her own was long past.

Eager to change the subject, Deb gestured toward the hotel. The sprawling wooden structure gleamed in the sunshine, its fresh white paint complemented by red-and-white cupolas and a new red roof. “The exterior is complete, but I still have more to tend to inside before the official debut party.”

April shielded her eyes from the sun as she gazed up. “This was a major achievement, and everyone will be impressed. What did your father have to say?”

Deb’s smile turned wry. “Dad finally admitted that he’s proud of my work.

Remember when I tried to join Whitaker Construction after graduation?

He told me everyone would assume I got the job because I was his daughter, not because I earned it.

The same could be said of my brothers, and believe me, I did.

But he didn’t budge. Knowing my brothers had all started work there only made it worse. ”

“That was typical of Wilt then,” Ella said, shaking her head. “Making you prove yourself twice as much as anyone else.”

Deb nodded. “Funny thing is that it worked.”

“And to your advantage,” April added. “You might not have built your business otherwise. You were determined to prove him wrong.”

April was right. Deb was known for creating beautiful, livable interiors with meticulous attention to detail, whether the project was a hotel, a business, or a summer retreat. On an island of this size, she had to do it all.

And now, her work spoke for itself.

“You’re in a good place in your life,” Ella said, studying her. “You’ll soon have more time to date.”

Deb laughed and shook her head. “You’re not letting go of that, are you?”

“And neither should you.” April tapped the table for emphasis.

Ella leaned forward with a conspiratorial look.

“Several friends from my yoga class have met interesting men on dating apps they have on their phones. They swipe right or left if someone catches their fancy. I don’t recall which is which, so that could be a problem if people are directionally challenged like me. ”

“Not that you need to worry about that, Mom.” April inclined her head toward Whitley, the hotel’s distinguished manager, who was speaking to a pair of boys in swim trunks and T-shirts at a nearby table.

Must be brothers , Deb guessed, sizing up their freckled, sunburned faces. They had been wolfing down hamburgers and fries, and now they’d moved on to hot fudge sundaes.

Young as they were, every guest was a VIP at the Majestic.

Something about them seemed vaguely familiar. Probably because they reminded her of her nephews. They looked about eight and twelve years old.