Page 46 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

There were a few groans. Everyone knew it was almost impossible to predict what was going to be in fashion a year from now, which meant they would have to create what would be in fashion.

“Anyone have any ideas?”

“Melon,” Victor said. “Cantaloupe. This spring, it was robin’s-egg blue. Time to go to the other side of the color spectrum.”

“And this is why I love you, Victor. I think that is a fabulous idea,” Madison noted.

“What about watermelon?” someone asked.

“Yes! It can be an entire melon theme! I like it!” Madison was energized. “Now we just have to convince the fashion houses to make that their color palate.”

“Liz, that will be your task. Start the rumor mill. Leak that Prada is considering mango, and then tell Dior the same thing.” Madison grinned. “And everyone will think it is their idea.”

Victor clapped. “Genius.”

“Meeting is now adjourned. We can figure out the rest next month. Olivia, let Wagner know that we are on it, and he can enjoy his six weeks in Ibiza, or whatever exotic island he is going to be lounging on.”

Madison checked her watch, the same Cartier she had been wearing since she graduated from Hackley.

The strap was replaced twice, but it still kept perfect time.

She noted the meeting took less than a half hour.

A record. She already had ideas as to layout and color combos.

Madison was known for mixed-media layouts, and she busied herself with giant color swatch books and fabrics.

Before she knew it, it was time to go home.

She said her goodnights to Olivia and the few remaining staff. “Have a good weekend, everyone. See you tomorrow, Liv. Are you driving down with Linc or taking the ferry? I’ll be on the eleven-something.”

“Eleven thirty,” Olivia said. “Yes. Me too. Meet you on the dock.”

“Cool. See you manana.”

“Sleep well. If you can.” Olivia winked.

* * *

Madison was all atwitter on the ferry ride to Highlands. Olivia kept putting her hand on Madison’s bouncing knee. “Easy, girl. You’ll create a wake.”

“Listen to you and your nautical lingo.” Madison grinned.

“You should think about getting used to it.” Olivia raised her eyebrows.

“Please stop. I am nervous enough without you and my brother needling me.”

“You told Lincoln?” Olivia was surprised. “I thought you were going to wait until Viggo picked you up.”

“That was my original thought, but I figured Lincoln would want to know what we were going to do about dinner, etcetera.”

“True.”

“Which means the two of you will have the house to yourselves. Make a cozy fire in the firepit? A little moonlight?”

“Sounds like a date,” Olivia said.

“Aren’t Saturday nights known for them?”

“Not recently,” Olivia said, smirking. “For either of us.”

“If all goes well tonight, perhaps we can change this rut we have gotten ourselves into.”

“Good idea. There will be a lot to explore, or simply relax under the stars,” Olivia romanticized.

“I do not want to get . . .”

“Ahead of ourselves. One of your famous mottos. You are a contradiction,” Olivia noted.

“How so?”

“You are always looking ahead, yet when it comes to certain things, you always say, ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.’ ”

“That doesn’t mean I’m not looking ahead. I simply do not want to count on anything until I am absolutely sure.”

“You are so full of baloney. You are one of the most courageous people I know. You take chances. Big ones, except for romantic situations.”

“And that is because I have failed miserably at it, and I am treading carefully. That is not to say I do not have romantic notions about what could be. I believe it is called Creative Visualization. Or in my case, cautiously optimistic.”

“That’s a step in the right direction,” Olivia responded.

When they arrived at the landing, Lincoln was waiting for them. The plan was for him to drive them to the house and then go back and work with Charlie and the gang.

“How are things going?” Madison asked.

“Quite well. So far, everything is moving at a good clip. The dock should be finished by next weekend; then the shed is being delivered. I have Josh cleaning up the skiffs.”

“I have something to show you when we get to the house.” Madison and Olivia had been secretly designing a new logo that said Kirby’s Marina , with a clamshell dotting the i and a crab claw as the bottom of the y .

It was quirky enough and appropriate. When they got to the house, she rolled the paper open.

There it was, with the name in bright red on a white background, with clams and crabs as a border. “This is great!” Lincoln shouted. “When did you have time to do it?”

“Let’s just say I had a few sleepless nights.” Madison turned to her partner behind the scenes. “Glad you like it, because Olivia and I have been working on this together. Livvy ordered a wooden sign, T-shirts, caps, and overalls. They should be arriving mid-week.”

“I am totally impressed.” Lincoln stared at the new artwork. “And merchandise, too?”

“Go big or go home.” Madison chuckled. “I think it’s important to have a cohesive appearance, even if people are not used to it.”

“This is great. I am certain everyone is going to appreciate it, especially Crusty. I think he has three T-shirts to his name.”

“Now he’ll have a Kirby’s wardrobe,” Olivia said. “Hey, what about Crocs?”

“Great idea!” Madison said with great enthusiasm. “We probably don’t have time to get them with logos, but let’s get a bunch of pairs in red.”

“Not hot pink?” Olivia teased. “I’ll see if Target has them tomorrow.”

Lincoln was in a fine mood. “I do not want to jinx it, so I will not say anything.”

“Jinx? Don’t be silly. Mr. Jinx has seen me through every trial and tribulation.”

“True. And things are moving along well. There. I said it.”

“Good. Now go back to work.” Olivia patted him on the tush. “I am going to pick up some steaks for you to grill later.”

“Don’t you have a date?” He turned to Madison.

“Yes, and so do you. With your wife.”

Lincoln looked a bit perplexed; then it dawned on him. “Oh. Good. Right. We will have the house to ourselves.” He rubbed his hands together and raised his eyebrows at Olivia.

“Get. Back. To. Work,” Olivia said again.

* * *

Most of the afternoon was about putting things away and getting the place organized.

At four o’clock, Madison took a look around and surveyed their progress.

“I think things are starting to come together,” Madison said.

“And I’d better start to get myself together.

” She went to the bedroom on the far end of the hallway.

By six she was ready. She went down to the lower level, where Olivia was preparing a salad.

“Well, hello, gorgeous!” Olivia dropped the salad tongs into the bowl. “Let me take a look at you.”

Madison did a little twirl. She was grinning from east to west. “I am so glad you suggested this tunic. I feel glamorous but not glitzy. Comfortable but not slack.”

“He is going to fall over when he sees you.” Olivia nodded with approval.

Lincoln walked in from the patio. “Wow, sis. You look spectacular.”

“Thank you.” She put her hands in prayer position and bowed slightly. The sound of a truck on the gravel made her stomach flutter. “Yikes,” she said in a stage whisper.

A minute later, there was a knock on the door. Madison took a deep breath, slowly climbed the stairs to the main level, and opened the door. She was momentarily speechless. He was wearing a crisp white shirt, steel gray blazer, dark jeans, and loafers, and boy, did he look good.

“You look lovely,” Viggo said, staring directly into her eyes.

“And you look rather handsome yourself.” She pulled the door open wide. “Please, come in. Lincoln and Olivia are downstairs.”

Madison proceeded to the lower level, and Viggo followed. “I’ve been here once before. This is a great house.”

“We were very lucky to find it,” Madison said over her shoulder.

Olivia wiped her hands on a towel and handed it to Lincoln to do the same. “Nice to see you, Viggo.” Lincoln extended his now clean hand.

“Yes, good to see you,” Olivia followed suit.

“Where are you off to?” Lincoln asked.

“One Willow. Have you been there?”

“No, but I hear good things. These two have been, though.”

“Yes, I heard. Speaking of which, we should probably get going. Good to see you both,” Viggo said.

“If it’s not too late, maybe we can have a nightcap later,” Lincoln offered.

“Thanks,” Viggo replied, without fully committing. “See you later.”

Viggo opened the passenger door for Madison and held his hand to give her a lift.

She graciously accepted. It was hard these days when it came to chivalry.

Some people thought it was dead, and others thought it was still polite.

Some women wanted to open their own doors, but if someone was offering, why not?

Let them enjoy doing something nice for someone.

Viggo apologized again for the vehicle. “It was either this or riding on the handlebars of my bicycle.”

Madison cackled, “That would be some sight! This is fine, really. And it is clean, as you promised.”

“Diogo, my dog, likes to take rides. I hope I got all of his hair off the seat.”

Madison chuckled. “I have two cats. I don’t wear fur unless it’s theirs and on my clothes.”

“How do you feel about dog hair?”

“I love animals, hair and all.”

Viggo was beginning to like this person more than he expected.

Madison shuffled through her purse and bent down. When she lifted her head, she was wearing the goofy glasses and nonchalantly asked, “How long have you lived here?”

Viggo almost went off the road in hysterics. “Didn’t see that coming!” His face hurt from laughing.

“Do I amuse you?” Again, she was stoic.

Viggo chuckled. “So far, yes.” He also smiled to himself. He was smitten.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Viggo hurried to Madison’s side of the truck and helped her out. “Do you need those to read the menu?” he joked.

Madison grinned and removed them. “If I have a problem, you can help.”