Captiva Ever After (Captiva Island Series #7)

Beth was already on the phone before Gabriel could say another word.

“Mom, do you realize a hurricane is headed your way?” Beth yelled into the phone.

Maggie laughed, “Yes, honey, I believe I’ve heard something about it. Calm down. We’re getting prepared and will move someplace safe. You don’t have to worry.”

“You and Sarah need to come up here until the storm passes,” Beth insisted.

“We’re considering all options. Coming up to Boston is a possibility but we’re not sure just yet,” Maggie answered.

“What do you mean, you’re not sure? What other options do you have?”

“First we’re going to attend a Town Hall meeting in the morning. We can’t just leave the island without making sure the inn is protected as best we can manage. There are plenty of people to help. As a matter of fact everyone on the island is willing to help out wherever necessary. I will call you tomorrow night after we’ve had more time to digest this whole thing.”

“Mom, please…” Beth pleaded.

“Honey, you need to relax and stop worrying so much. We won’t do anything risky. All we need to do is get the inn boarded up and pack some things to protect what we can. Worrying isn’t going to help anything.”

Beth took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “Promise me that you’ll call me tomorrow night? Don’t forget.”

“I promise. Now say hello to Gabriel and you go enjoy your evening. I’ll talk with you tomorrow.”

“Okay, goodnight…love you.”

When she ended the call, Beth sat on the sofa. She watched Gabriel add more wood to the fire and then sit next to her. Their dog, Charlie, walked in a circle several times before settling in front of the fireplace.

“It feels so weird to be so cozy and safe while miles away my mother will be preparing for a hurricane that could destroy her home.”

Gabriel put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Maggie will be fine. She’s not alone. She has Paolo and Sarah to make sure she’s safe.”

They sat in comfortable silence, the crackling of the fire providing a soothing backdrop. Beth rested her head on Gabriel’s shoulder, feeling his warmth enveloping her. Their wedding was only five weeks away, but seemed unimportant next to the storm that was only days away from the Key Lime Garden Inn.

* * *

“What do you think? Where should we go?” Sarah whispered to Trevor who was putting Sophia to bed.

“I don’t think we’re going to have much choice. I don’t really want to go there, but we have to think of the kids. My father’s West Palm Beach house is big enough to hold half of Captiva if he wanted to. Trust me, the thought of living under the same roof with my father is the last thing I want, but Noah is so close to him these days, I think it would be good for him.”

Sarah nodded. “I just wish he hadn’t asked us in front of Noah.”

Trevor smiled. “He knew exactly what he was doing when he did that. My father is the king of manipulation.”

“Oh, no. I just thought of something. The baby chicks? What are we going to do about them?”

“Sarah, the chicks are five weeks old. We can take them with us. They just have to be kept warm in the box. We can do it. Besides, my father won’t let anything happen to those little guys. I wouldn’t be surprised if the chicks get to ride in a limo all the way to West Palm Beach.”

Sarah laughed at the image. She didn’t care one bit what they had to do to keep her children from being scared about the hurricane. If the baby chicks get to ride in a limousine then so be it.

Her cell phone buzzed and Sarah answered it. “Hey, Mom, I was going to call you in the morning. What’s going on over where you are?”

“Well, the town hall is having a meeting in the morning. We’ll know better then what our plans are. We’ve got to get the inn prepared before we leave the island.”

“Oh, that’s great. Listen, Trevor wants to come over tomorrow to see what he and his company can do to help people prepare. Would you like him to meet you at the Town Hall in the morning?”

“Oh, honey, that would be great. I’m not sure what they’re going to say at the meeting but Captiva and Sanibel have been through these kinds of storms before. Even Paolo and his business on Sanibel experienced a hurricane once, but the inn is right on the water. I have no idea what to expect.”

“After you get the inn boarded up, what are your plans?” Sarah asked.

“I’m not sure just yet. Beth called a few minutes ago all in a panic. She wants you and I to fly back to Boston. You should have heard her. I’m more worried about her than I am of us.”