Gulf Coast Wedding by Maggie Miller
Chapter Seven
Georgia sat with Travis on the back deck of his cottage. Levi, Sam, and Clayton had just left for their evening of trick or treating, so Travis had texted her to see if she’d wanted to hang out.
Of course, she had. And while it was a little chilly to walk the beach, he’d gotten a portable fire pit recently and had it lit. The square gas unit really put off a lovely glow and a nice amount of heat, making the chilly deck quite comfortable. Not to mention rather romantic. Especially with the overhead lights on and the soft serenade of the waves.
There was only one thing wrong with the evening. She patted the arm of the Adirondack chair. “I like these chairs, but they sort of keep us at a distance.”
Travis smiled and reached over to take her hand. “I know. We need a two-seater.”
She loved the warm embrace of their interlaced fingers. “How are you feeling about Monday?”
He took a deep breath at the mention of the impending election. “Like we’ve done just about everything we can.”
She nodded. “Me too. All we can do now is pray.”
“I have been. There’s a lot riding on this.”
“You mean because of Lavinia.” Why else? This was all about defeating her.
“I do.” He stared out at the gulf, his brow furrowing a little.
“You’re worried about the kids. Sam and Levi, I mean.”
“Yes. Them getting married is going to wind her up even more. To the point that she could do something really dumb.”
Georgia shifted to see him better. “Like what?”
He shook his head. “I’m sure I’m just overreacting but I keep thinking she might try to take Clayton and go to Alabama with him.”
Travis’s ex-wife lived in Alabama. She’d been oddly quiet since Sam had left, but Georgia had wondered if that wasn’t because Jillian was all right with Sam leaving. Maybe not all right, exactly, but okay with no longer having to take care of her daughter and grandson. Georgia was only speculating, though, because she didn’t know the woman. She had no desire to change that, either.
“Do you really think Lavinia would be that dumb? I mean, that would be kidnapping.”
Travis shot her a look. “You’re thinking like a sane person. Don’t forget, we’re talking about a woman who hired an alleged witch to put a curse on the inn.”
“Point taken. I’m so glad nothing ever came of that.”
“Me, too, but it proves that she’s not above doing things most people would consider crazy.”
Georgia listened to the gentle crash of the waves for a moment. It was one of her favorite soothing sounds. “I think it’s good they’re getting married. Now Sam will have you and Levi to protect her and Clayton.”
He shook his head slowly. “I won’t be around as much if they buy that house and move. They’ll be farther away.”
“Not by that much.”
“No, but I won’t be picking him up from school anymore.”
“You’re assuming that. They might very well still need help. Just because Levi works from home doesn’t mean he’s going to be available twenty-four seven.”
The tiniest little smile lifted one corner of Travis’s mouth. “I suppose that’s true.”
“And when Levi’s working, Clayton is still going to need someone to throw the football with. Plus Sam will be in school in a couple months. Her level of busyness is about go through the roof. She’s absolutely going to need help.”
The other corner of Travis’s mouth went up. “Okay, I get it. I’m still going to be needed.”
“Hey, I’m not done.” Georgia poked him in the arm. “I haven’t even gotten to the part where that house is going to need some renovation and there’s literally no one better I can think of than you to help them with that.”
He was smirking a little now, like she’d made her point and he’d realized he’d been moping. “I do still have a job at the inn, you know.”
“I know. But we’ve been through that place from top to bottom. There shouldn’t be too much that needs your attention for the first few months. You’ll have plenty of time to help them get that house in shape.”
He nodded. “That will be fun, actually. Helping them make it their own place.” His smile faded a little then. “I didn’t think Sam and Clayton would be moving out quite so soon, though.”
“That part must be a little hard, huh? But you’re still going to see them a lot.”
He squeezed her hand. “Thanks. If I haven’t said it lately, I love you.”
“I love you too. I’d probably love you more if you brought me some ice cream.”
He laughed. “Even in this weather?”
“You really need to ask that?”
Still chuckling, he moved forward in the chair like he was about to get up. “What kind?”
“What have you got?”
“Cinnamon toast, which Clayton picked out because he also likes that cereal, and mint cookies and cream, my choice because it was new and I wanted to try it.”
“How is it?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to break into it.”
She raised her brows and gave him a little smile. “You should know me well enough by now to know what my choice is.”
He got up, nodding. “I do. You want a little of both.”
She grinned. “We are meant to be.”
He laughed and headed for the door. “Be right back.”
He was true to his word, returning in what seemed like no time at all with two bowls. “Here you go. Some of each.”
“Did you get both too?”
“Yes. Just in case I don’t like the mint cookies and cream. Although I’m sure it’ll be great. I’ve never been disappointed in a Frosty King flavor. Speaking of, they’re supposed to be debuting butterscotch pumpkin for Thanksgiving.”
She scooped up a bite of the pale green ice cream flecked with chocolate cookie bits. “We definitely need a quart of that for our dinner. Maybe more.”
He spoke around a mouthful. “That’s going to be some gathering.”
“I know. I can’t wait.” She downed the spoonful, instantly pleased by the cool mint, the darker notes of the chocolate cookie, and the smoothness of the vanilla base. Frosty King made the best ice cream, hands down.
“You really love having family around, don’t you?”
“I do.” She gestured at him with her spoon. “So do you.”
“For sure. I think that’s part of why we get on so well.” He sat back in his seat and kicked his feet up onto the edge of the fire pit. “Norma would be pretty happy with how things are going, don’t you think?”
She glanced over at him. “You mean with the inn? Or with us?”
He smiled at her, an easy, languid smile that made her warm all over. “Both.”
She looked down at the promise ring he’d given her, the one that had once belonged to her great aunt Norma. The diamond and sapphire band had very quickly become her favorite possession, not just because it had once been Norma’s, but because of what it represented. “She would be. I’m sure she’s smiling down on us right now.”
Travis was about to say something when the doorbell rang. He made a face as he looked toward the cottage. “No idea who that might be, but I’ll be back as quick as I can.”
He set his bowl down then gave her a teasing look. “I know how much ice cream I have left in there, by the way.”
Georgia laughed. “Do you really though?”
He chuckled as he went back inside.
She sat there, eating her ice cream, and staring out at the gulf, which had a gone a deep, deep blue under the growing twilight. A few stars twinkled in the dusky sky, overachievers out to shine before any of the rest.
Her contentment was at an all-time high. Until she heard a sharp voice from inside the cottage.
A sharp female voice.