Page 12 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

“ I always loved the approach to Crown Island,” Kitty said, her eyes sparkling. She smoothed her silver hair against the ocean breeze and shivered.

The wind off the water was chilly, even in the summer. Grant draped his lightweight jacket around her shoulders. “Would you be more comfortable inside?”

“I would be. You stay out here, though. It’s a mesmerizing sight.”

The ferry’s engine hummed beneath Grant’s feet as Crown Island emerged through the morning haze. He leaned against the railing, enjoying the salt spray mist on his face.

As they cleared the marine layer, the island spread before him in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Sherbet-painted houses climbed the hillsides, palm trees swayed against the bluest of skies, and rising above it all, the Majestic Hotel.

Even from this distance, the Victorian-era structure commanded attention with its red-tiled roof and white clapboard siding gleaming in the California sun.

His camera bag sat at his feet, but he resisted the urge to start shooting, even though a gallery in Miami had already expressed interest in an island-themed collection. First, he wanted to see the place where his father had spent his happiest years.

And many of his, too.

Sometimes, Grant wondered why he’d never returned. He knew the answer, though.

Beside him, a young couple were taking photos. They seemed excited about visiting Crown Island.

“First visit?” he asked.

They nodded. “It’s our honeymoon,” the young woman said.

Grant gestured to her mobile phone. “Would you like a photo?”

“We’d love that, thanks.” She handed him her phone and posed with her beaming husband.

Grant adjusted a couple of settings in the camera app and framed the pair with the hotel visible in the background. Nature photography was his specialty, but he liked to see people smile, and they usually did for photographs.

After snapping a few shots, he said, “That’s great. Now turn slightly toward each other and dip your chins.” He took a few more before handing the phone back to the young woman.

She opened the photos and stared with delight. “Wow, these look professional.”

Grant grinned at that. “They should,” he added with a wink. “Have a great time on the island. It’s a special place.”

He cut through the crowd to the cabin. His mother sat beside a window seat, staring out.

A woman’s voice rang out behind him. “Why, Grant Emerson, what are you doing here? Ellen Hunt, in case you forgot.”

He looked up, surprised to see her. She had remarried and moved to Chicago a few years ago. But here she was, looking like she’d just stepped from a salon. Not a hair was out of place on a sea-going ferry. She must use industrial-strength hairspray.

He stood to offer her his seat. “We needed a break and thought we’d spend it here with family like we used to. You remember my mother?”

“Of course.” She raised her voice. “How are you?”

Grant winced at Ellen’s assumption that his mother was hard of hearing.

Nevertheless, Kitty graciously extended her hand. “Healthy enough to travel, thank goodness. And my hearing is fine, dear. What brings you here?”

“Rob and I decided to build a beach house on the island. He says it’s a good investment, and honestly, we need a change of scenery. I was on the mainland looking for interior designers. My husband doesn’t have time for that sort of thing.” Ellen turned to Grant. “Is your sister joining you?”

“She’s already here,” he replied.

“And the boys?”

“They’re with her as well.”

A trace of sadness filled Ellen’s face. Before she could say anything, Grant asked, “How is the building process?”

She waved a diamond-studded hand. “Slower than Rob would like. He’s impossibly difficult about every detail, and we’re not really in sync. On the design, I mean.”

“Of course,” Kitty said, inclining her head.

Grant remembered Rob as controlling and dismissive. Ellen was a genuinely nice person, but he thought she’d married on the rebound after her divorce. “I’m sure it will come together for you. The island is a beautiful place to build.”

“Oh, it is. Though finding the right team to do it has been a nightmare.”

“Until your beach house is ready, where are you staying?” Kitty asked.

“We’re at the Majestic. And you?”

“We are as well,” Kitty replied.

“I could give you a ride,” Ellen said. “I left my rental car by the ferry ramp.”

Grant glanced at his mother, who nodded. “We’d planned on taking a taxi, but we would appreciate that.”

Grant gathered their bags and stepped from the ferry. The island had changed little, and memories rushed back. The Ferry Cafe still stood nearby, although it now looked more upscale with enlarged patios.

They got into the car, and Ellen continued talking as they drove toward the village. To one side was a trail that led to a steep hill where he remembered many people hiked and biked. He imagined he could get some good shots of the vivid neighborhoods from that vantage point.

Suddenly, he remembered. Locals called that hill the Queen’s Flight.

Continuing, they passed a retro diner now called Cuppa Jo’s. He used to take a special date there. Recalling those good times, he wondered if they still had live music.

“That’s a good place for breakfast and burgers,” Ellen said, gesturing to the diner. “Not in the same league as Tiburon or Sausalito, but decent in its way.”

His mother glanced at him but said nothing. Did she remember, too? Or was she amused by Ellen?

A few minutes later, Ellen pulled under the Majestic’s porte-cochère entry. “They’ve just renovated it, and I had lunch with the interior designer. Well, sort of.”

Kitty raised her brow at that but made no comment.

Grant gazed around. The hotel rose before them in all its vintage glory, with intricate gingerbread trim and wide verandas wrapping around multiple stories. Bougainvillea cascaded from planters, and tropical landscaping softened the grandeur without diminishing it.

“The hotel is spectacular now, isn’t it?” Ellen picked up her expensive designer purse. “I love what the interior designer did inside, although Rob hates the antiques. Still, we spoke to her about our beach house.”

“Might you hire her for your project?” Kitty asked, looking interested.

Ellen seemed dejected. “Sadly, I don’t think so. She’s terribly busy, and we don’t have time to wait.”

“I can imagine,” Kitty said.

Grant could hardly wait to go in. “Thank you for the ride. Give our best to Rob.”

“We should have dinner while you’re here,” Ellen said as she handed the keys to the valet attendant. “I’m running late, and Rob will be upset, but I’ll call you.”

Another attendant opened the door for his mother, and Grant swung out to assist her with her carry-on bag. He waited as Ellen hurried away.

“Sounds like her marriage is already in trouble,” his mother said under her breath.

As much as Grant didn’t like to judge, he added, “I don’t think she knew him long enough. Maybe they’re still adjusting.”

“Or maybe she made a mistake.” She patted his hand. “I’m glad you didn’t rush into anything afterward.”

Sometimes, he wished he had met someone. Would that have lessened the pain he’d gone through? Probably not, and he’d had no interest in replacing his beloved wife. Even now, when well-meaning friends broached the subject, citing his children’s need for a mother, he changed the subject.

Many women managed children on their own. Why did people think a man couldn’t? Yet, being a single parent wasn’t easy for women or men.

A robust gentleman of his mother’s age greeted them at the door. His bright tangerine jacket and broad smile were impossible to miss.

“Welcome to the Majestic. First time visiting with us?”

“First time in many years,” Kitty replied. “Although we used to come every summer. Whitley, isn’t it?”

His eyes lit. “Yes, ma’am. I’m the general manager. Welcome back.”

“We’re eager to see your changes,” Grant said.

“We have many improvements,” Whitley said. “However, I think you’ll find the ambiance just as relaxing as it’s always been.”

Grant could see that.

The soaring entry and lobby area featured the original wood paneling, now restored to warm honey tones that brought out the natural wood grains he found so intriguing. He’d once shot an entire series on the California redwood forests. That collection was immensely popular.

The bronze caged elevator Grant recalled looked like it had been polished and restored, although a red velvet rope indicated it was no longer in use. His gaze traveled up to the coffered ceiling and clerestory windows that flooded the space with sunlight and cast fascinating shadows.

“Oh, my,” Kitty breathed, taking in the Persian rugs and mahogany reception desk. “This is even lovelier than the photographs I saw in the magazine.”

“ Coastal Design & Living ?” Whitley asked.

“That’s the one,” Kitty replied. “It came in the mail just yesterday.”

Grant noted the fresh orchids and tropical plants arranged throughout the space.

Someone knew just where to place them. Through the lobby’s far windows, Grant could see a sunny courtyard where guests sipped drinks at wrought-iron tables.

Beyond that, the Pacific Ocean’s sun-dappled waves stretched to the horizon.

Kitty’s eyes danced with happiness. “I don’t know why we waited so long to return.”

Grant could think of a few reasons, but he only smiled. Why dwell on the past? He put his arm around his mother’s shoulders. “It’s good to be back. I’m glad you insisted.”

“We shouldn’t wait to do what we love,” she said. “We both know that all too well.”

Whitley chatted about the hotel’s services as he escorted them to the front desk. “We can send your luggage up for you if you’d like to go to the cafe or the beach.”

“We would appreciate that,” Grant said.