Page 6 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

“Bye, Duke,” Teddy said, hugging the dog. “Thanks for letting us play with him.”

She smiled and squeezed their shoulders. “I’ll see you both around.”

Whistling to Duke, she turned away from the Majestic. The ice cream had filled her, but she still had time before her family dinner.

Before resuming her run, she paused to make sure the two boys went back inside the hotel. Despite claiming she was too busy for children, she genuinely enjoyed their company. Kids didn’t hide their feelings.

Except maybe their pain and sadness. She hoped Mason and Teddy would have grief counseling someday.

As she watched Mason put a protective arm over his brother’s shoulder, she wondered what kind of man would let his children suffer.

When they disappeared into the hotel, Deb turned toward home with Duke beside her.

After an invigorating run back, Deb sprayed salt water off Duke in the outdoor shower and toweled him dry. She still had half an hour.

Inside, her hot shower was a luxury after the beach run, washing away salt and sand as well as the unexpected emotions that had surfaced with Mason and Teddy.

Deb brushed her damp hair and slipped into a simple floral sundress. Family dinners were always casual. She brought her bike from the garage and started the short trip from Hibiscus Heights.

The Whitaker family beach house sprawled along the coastline, its wraparound porches and multiple levels accommodating three generations when everyone was around. The original house had been small, and her father built more rooms as their family grew.

Tonight, judging by the collection of cars and bikes in the driveway, her brothers were already there.

“There she is,” her mother called out as Deb stepped onto the main deck where everyone was gathered. “My famous daughter.”

Deb groaned inwardly as her mother gestured to a stack of magazines. “Mom, you shouldn’t hoard those.”

“I wouldn’t dream of doing that, darling. I bought enough for everyone to take one home, as well as some for friends.”

Her brother David grinned as he tossed Deb a bottle of water. “Mom has a lot of friends. She’s proud of you, that’s all.”

Their father strode onto the deck with a platter of hamburgers and began to place them on the grill. The flames licked up as he did.

“Did you get the three veggie burgers?” Bitsy asked.

“Right here in the front.” Wilt Whitaker glanced at his wife, who was a petite powerhouse. “Sweetheart, would you bring the spatula for the grill? I couldn’t find it in the kitchen.”

“That’s because I moved a few things around.” Bitsy picked up her newest grandchild and tucked the baby girl onto her hip. “Come on, Peanut. Let’s go find your grandpa’s grilling tools.”

Deb sat at a table beside David, eager to catch up with him about his new clients. His wife Rachel stepped outside with a good-natured grin. “I hope that nickname doesn’t stick.”

“Lot of nicknames in this family,” Wilt said, chuckling. “And some, like your mother, never outgrow them.”

“I heard that,” Bitsy called out.

A guilty look crossed her father’s face, and Deb laughed. “You should know better by now, Dad.”

David grinned. “Thank goodness I finally grew out of Drummer in high school.”

“You could really bang those pots and pans.” Deb sipped her water. “Nicknames aren’t so bad. When I hear Deborah Lynn, I know I’m in trouble.”

Moments later, their mother reemerged with a long-handled spatula, followed by her sons, Randy, Drew, and Jim. Wilt Whitaker Junior, known as Wills, brought up the rear.

“We brought the decorations from the attic,” Randy said to their mother. “Since we’re eating on the deck tonight, we left the boxes on the kitchen table to give you space to sort through them.”

“Thank you, my dears. The girls will help me tomorrow.”

Deb knew that meant a couple or all of her mother’s daughters-in-law might volunteer, along with their children. After a few hours of unbridled chaos, they would have the entire deck and front yard decorated for their annual summer open house, a Whitaker family tradition.

The entire block was welcome, and neighbors dropped by with side dishes and desserts to add to the feast. Her father would be in grill heaven, turning out blackened fresh ocean catch and slow-roasted pork sliders with pineapple slices.

Deb and her sisters-in-law usually prepared side dishes of garden harvest salads, corn on the cob, and desserts of every sort, including lemon and blueberry pies.

This year, she would bring her lavender shortbread recipe, her mother’s favorite.

Her brothers would help by managing the bar, setting up the tables, and doing the clean-up.

Rachel sat down beside Deb, pulling her from her thoughts. “So, are you seeing anyone? With all your success, your phone must be ringing. That was a great photo of you in the magazine. Wow, I’d kill for your legs.”

“I’m too busy to think about dating,” Deb replied. “And no one is calling, at least, not like that.”

Rachel arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure you haven’t heard from anyone? Maybe you should check your texts.”

Suddenly, Deb remembered that strange message. She took out her phone and scrolled to find it buried among those of her friends and coworkers.

“That’s what Deb always says,” her brother Kenny chimed in from across the deck. “Face it, Deb, you’re just picky. I think you’ve dated the entire local inventory.”

“Nothing wrong with having high standards,” their father said, flipping the hamburgers. “Better to be selective than settle.”

As the familiar teasing continued around her, Deb watched her mother coo over the various grandchildren scattered across the deck. Five daughters-in-law, a slew of grandchildren Deb could hardly keep up with, and more on the way.

Sometimes Deb felt like the family oddity. The successful career woman who had somehow missed the marriage-and-babies memo.

Lining up the right person at the right time proved more challenging than people thought.

Her father was right. She was selective, whether it was the perfect paint color or the right man for her.

Paint colors, though notoriously difficult to match, were far easier and much less complicated.

“Found it,” Deb said, showing Rachel the odd message.

Her sister-in-law was beaming. “That’s from Matteo. He owns vineyards in Argentina and Napa Valley. Imagine the life you could have with him, decorating his houses and tasting rooms. I met him on the ferry a few days ago. Didn’t you speak to him?”

“He sent a text. I figured it was a scammer.”

“Well, he might be a little younger than you. Everyone texts now. But he was chatting with an older woman, so I thought you’d have a shot.”

“Older?” Deb intoned. “Gee, thanks for that.”

Did people think she was old now? Rachel wasn’t that much younger than Deb, though she’d just given birth to her third child.

The thought unnerved her. Deb was athletic and took pride in staying in great shape. From a mental perspective, she didn’t feel much older.

Wiser, she preferred to think.

Rachel was undeterred. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just thought you might need a date for the big party.”

Deb crossed her arms, thinking this sounded awfully familiar. “Did you talk to April?”

“I saw her at yoga,” Rachel replied, blushing. “She asked if my brother might be in town, which he won’t be. Anyway, Matteo is spending the summer here and has staff to manage his business. Sounds like a dreamy life. You could leave this place.”

“But I like it here,” Deb said, surprised. She supposed her family meant well. Still, there was always a catch. She’d bet he had women tucked away across the continents.

Was that cynical? Maybe, but it might be true.

“It only takes one.” Rachel turned toward David and raised her voice. “Unless someone doesn’t carry his share of the load, and then you might have to replace him with a new model.”

Deb’s father chuckled. “It’s probably your turn to change diapers and make dinner, son.”

“I’m not really looking for anything permanent,” Deb said. “Relationships don’t work that way in my world.”

Rachel looked disappointed in her. “We all worry about you living on your own.”

Deb couldn’t help laughing. “Are you kidding? I have Duke, and I grew up with five older brothers. I love having my own space.”

“Of course you do,” Rachel said, squeezing her arm. “But a summer fling might lead to something more permanent.”

Deb wondered why people who complained about their spouses were so eager to see others married. David and Rachel loved each other, but their relationship had always been tumultuous. Some people enjoyed the drama, she figured.

Not her.

Thankfully, her mother interrupted to talk about the upcoming gala, and then the hamburgers were ready, so Deb escaped the rest of Rachel’s conversation.

She watched the children scramble for places at the outdoor tables. Again, she thought of Mason and Teddy and wondered if they had other cousins.

Her phone buzzed again in her pocket. Across the table, she caught Rachel’s eye as she withdrew it and checked her text.

Hi again, this is Matteo. Enjoy the barbecue. Would you like to meet me at the Ferry Cafe for a drink afterward?

“Text him now.” Grinning, Rachel urgently tapped her fingers on her palm.

Deb sighed. She tapped a reply. Have to be at work early. Maybe another night.

There, that was done.

Her father brought his plate and sat next to Deb. “I heard an exclusive health spa is coming to the island. Their offer on a parcel of land was just accepted. You’re probably at the top of the designer list now. We’re bidding on the construction.”

“Thanks for letting me know, Dad.” She would find out more, but that sounded like another interesting project.

Across from them, David piled lettuce and tomatoes on his hamburger. “Over lunch, the Hunts asked me about meeting with you. The wife loves what you did at the hotel.”

“Have they signed on with you?”

“Not yet. I’ve submitted a bid for the architectural plan. They’re in a hurry and want to see your portfolio. Could you meet with us tomorrow?”

Deb hesitated. “Finalizing the Majestic interiors is taking most of my time now.”

“Sure, but once that job is done, you’ll want to move on to another project. The Hunts have serious money and very specific ideas about what they want.”

The practical side of her business brain kicked in. David was right. She’d need her next project lined up. “I’ll make time to meet with them. Lunch offsite would be best.”

Her brother’s expression shifted. “Fair warning, though. They’re an odd couple.”

“What do you mean by that?”

David just grinned. “You’ll find out. Good luck.”

“Will I need it?” Deb asked, suddenly wary.

Her brother’s grin widened. “Maybe.”

She swatted him on the shoulder, and he laughed. David had always enjoyed teasing her, but it was all in the name of good-natured fun. As for her other brothers, at times they had crossed the line, especially with her dates. But that was mostly in the past.

Around them, the family dinner continued with the adults talking over each other and the children squealing.

Deb looked around, enjoying the chaos. If she ever moved away, she would miss this.

On second thought, maybe she was too focused on work. She pulled out her phone and opened her text.

One drink, she tapped to Matteo, although she might regret this. She didn’t need to impress anyone, so he might as well see her as she was. She glanced down at her cotton dress and made a face. At least her hair had dried.

The reply came quickly. See you soon.