Page 38 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

“You mean we must bring our laundry down a flight of stairs? I am out of here,” Madison joked.

Irene wasn’t accustomed to Madison’s dry humor and gulped.

“Kidding.” Madison rested her hand on Irene’s arm. “I am serious. I mean about taking the place. But, if you insist, we will see the rest.”

Irene felt relieved. “Follow me.” The four went up the first flight to the level where they entered, then up another short flight to the three bedrooms. They were not particularly large, but big enough for one room to hold twin beds and two dressers, and the other two had queen-size beds.

Two of the bedrooms shared a bath that had a long white marble vanity with two undermounted sinks, a separate shower and tub, and a private water closet for the toilet that also opened to the hallway.

The master bedroom was equally appointed with a slate vanity, two vessel sinks, a large shower with several shower heads, and a private toilet area.

Each room had sliding doors with screens, which led to a long balcony that ran the entire length of the house.

“Who wouldn’t want to live here?” Madison said, as she opened the doors to two large walk-in closets.

Lincoln and Olivia looked at Madison with glee. They, too, fell in love with the house the minute they walked in the door.

Irene remained quiet as they perused the remaining rooms of the house. It was a perfect weekend or vacation home.

Lincoln stepped in. He knew they would have to get a move on if they wanted to refurbish the marina. The sooner they could get a base to begin their operation, the better. The room on the entry-level floor could serve as an office. “Irene? How soon do you think we could move in?”

“The place is yours, but the owners will want an additional month’s rent.”

“Of course. And a deposit, I assume,” Lincoln continued.

“Give me a minute.” She excused herself and went outside to make a call.

Madison could not believe how much things had changed in such a few short days. “This is great. We will have so much fun here.”

“And also relax,” Olivia tossed in.

“Indeed. This is the perfect place for parties, and no parties.” Madison’s face was pink with delight.

Irene returned with some information. “If you can pay four months upfront, they will waive the deposit. That’s a good deal. Normally they want two months’ worth. But I told them you were very respectable.”

“Thank you, Irene,” Lincoln said. “I left my attaché in the car. I will be right back.”

Irene ran down all the local summer activities. “Of course, we kick it off with the seafood festival. I hear they are honoring Kirby.”

News really did travel fast.

“Yes, and so are we.” Madison leaned closer. “Lincoln is going to meet with Charlie in a few days to discuss renovating the marina. Then we are going to rename it.”

Irene stiffened. She hoped they were not the usual carpetbaggers or opportunists coming into town, buying up property at a low price, then flipping it for a huge profit.

“We decided it should be called ‘Kirby’s Marina.’ From what we have learned in these few short days, his first name is how people knew him best.” She failed to mention how she and her brother wanted nothing to do with the name Taylor, but that was beside the point.

Irene’s shoulders immediately relaxed. “That is a fine idea. He would have liked that.”

Lincoln returned with a checkbook. “Who should I make this out to?”

Madison shot him a glance as if to ask, Are you sure?

He gave her one of their silent sibling signals that he had it covered. Irene gave him the information, and he handed over the check.

“I know you are going to have a wonderful summer here.” Irene was genuinely delighted.

She could tell this family appreciated the dwelling and its grounds.

Too often she would have people looking for a weekend party house, and this certainly fit the bill.

But there were always problems, which was why most owners asked for large deposits.

Madison was already dreaming about how wonderful her summer would be, even if the handsome captain was otherwise occupied. Her big challenge was Mario and Luigi, but like everything else in her life, she would figure out a solution.

Madison went down to the lower level and gave it a scrutinizing examination.

The laundry room was fitted with cabinets with countertops and connected to a screened-in porch.

Perfect for her boys. Depending on who was at the house, she could shuffle them from the bedroom to the laundry room.

She knew they would enjoy basking in the sun on the porch.

Madison scampered back to where Lincoln and Olivia were standing in the kitchen.

“Livvy, promise you will make fabulous dinners here.”

“Only if Lincoln promises to grill.”

“Deal!” He grinned. He could feel the relief rushing through his veins. Things had taken a much better turn, considering what the week had started like. “I want to give Charlie a call to see if he’s available this afternoon.”

“I can drop you there and then get the keys made,” Irene offered.

Lincoln dialed the number Charlie had given him. “Clams on Wheels!” a cheerful voice answered.

“Charlie. It’s Lincoln.”

“Howdy, my man. What can I do for you?”

“I want to run something by you.” Lincoln suddenly realized they were moving at full speed, and he hadn’t discussed any of it with Charlie. His buoyancy deflated several notches.

“Sure thing. I’m here all day.”

Lincoln looked over at Irene.

“We can go now,” she suggested.

“How’s ten minutes?” Lincoln asked.

“No problem,” Charlie responded.

“Great. See you in a few.” Lincoln ended the call. Now he had to convince Charlie to get on board. Again, another nautical pun.

The four piled back into Irene’s SUV and took the short drive to the marina.

Lincoln wasn’t the nervous type, but he had a bit of the jitters.

He just handed over a check for twenty thousand dollars with the notion they would be renovating the marina.

But what if he couldn’t get the help he needed?

He was about to find out. He squeezed Olivia’s hand.

She knew Lincoln was a little anxious, but her instincts told her things were moving the way they should, in the right direction.

It took about five minutes to arrive at the marina.

Just as before, a group of people were gathered around the food truck.

The crime-scene tape still surrounded the area.

Madison shut her eyes and visualized the tape gone, new planks, a new shed, and the new sign.

She already had a design for the logo in her head.

Madison was genuinely happy to see so many smiling faces. She guessed they got over their suspicions of the city slickers. People greeted them with big hellos and patted Lincoln on the back.

“What’s on yer mind?” Charlie asked through the truck’s open window, as he wiped his hands on a towel.

“Can you come outside?” Lincoln asked pleasantly. He didn’t want to give Charlie any reason to feel intimidated.

“Go on,” Hannah encouraged him, and then waved at Madison. “Hey!”

Madison grinned and gave her a “Hey!” Olivia waved and smiled. Madison indicated she and Olivia should go over and talk to Hannah while the two men sat at the table.

“How ya doin’?” Hannah asked. “Can I get you anything?”

“I’ll have one of your tasty sandwiches,” Madison eagerly responded. She looked at Olivia, who nodded. “Make that two. Oh, and you should probably make one for Lincoln.”

“Comin’ right up.” Hannah turned and dropped a few handfuls of clams into the hot oil. Then she turned back to the two women. “So, what ya suppose they’re talking about?”

Madison knew it wasn’t going to be a secret much longer and leaned into the window. “We rented a house for the summer. It’s on Portland.”

“The Kramer house? Nice.”

“Yes. But we have more news.” Madison tried to contain her excitement. “Detective Burton told us they are going to be honoring Uncle Kirby at the seafood festival.”

“Yessiree. I know Charlie misses him more than he would miss me.” Hannah chortled.

“I doubt that. Men usually do not know how to show their appreciation. Something in their DNA.”

Hannah let out a huge cackle. “You got that right!”

Madison began to answer Hannah’s initial query. “When you told me you were concerned about summer business, Lincoln, Olivia, and I had a meeting. Lincoln wants to refurbish the marina and keep it open this summer.”

“Well, golly! That there is good news!” Hannah’s smile filled her entire face.

“Lincoln would like Charlie to be a supervisor in the reconstruction and pay him for his time. Lincoln knows how to balance budgets, but he’s not the best when it comes to a hammer and nails.”

Olivia chuckled. “I think I can use a screwdriver with more precision.”

“Do you think Charlie will agree?” Madison was bobbing her heel.

“I don’t see why not. It’ll be good for everyone.”

“We also want to rename it Kirby’s.”

“Aw, Kirby woulda loved that.” Hannah’s eyes teared up.

“It is the least we can do.” Madison waited as Hannah turned to scoop up the crispy clams and put them on a roll. Then came a dash of tartar sauce.

Hannah handed the sandwiches to Madison, who continued, “This place meant the world to him. It is his legacy, and it is only proper we honor him that way.”

Hannah wiped her eyes. “That is one of the nicest things I ever heard anybody say about anybody.”

Madison’s eyes also welled. She looked at Olivia, who was also blotting her face.

The sound of an outboard motor caught their attention.

It was a Coast Guard SPC-SW, a special purpose craft–shallow water patrol boat.

Madison almost dropped her sandwich. Her knees got wobbly.

Olivia put her hand on Madison’s shoulder and smiled at Hannah.

“We are very happy to be here and be part of this community.”