Captiva Ever After (Captiva Island Series #7)

“Have all the employees left Sanibellia?” Maggie asked.

“Yes, everyone except Duncan. He stayed and helped me get the last of the trees moved. The plants are protected but whether the building stays is anyone’s guess. I’d hate to have to rebuild that, but we’ll do what we have to, I guess.”

Paolo lifted the bag off the kitchen counter. “What’s this?”

“Cat food,” Maggie answered.

“Why do we need cat food?” Paolo questioned.

“Because Chelsea has a new kitten. As a matter of fact, we also have a carrying case, a litter box and litter, cat toys and a clean bill of health from the vet.”

Chelsea carried her new kitten into the kitchen. “Hello, Paolo. Looks like we have another rider for the truck.”

Paolo didn’t look pleased. “Maggie, how are we supposed to show up at the Hutchins’ home with a cat? Didn’t I hear something about baby chicks going with Sarah and her family?”

“Uh-huh,” she answered, trying to appear nonchalant.

“Well?” he asked.

“Well, what? You can’t possibly expect us to leave this little unprotected baby on Captiva Island while we go off to a luxury estate. I’d feel guilty the rest of my life if we did that.”

“Me, too,” Chelsea added looking at Paolo with a sad face, her lower lip pretending to quiver. “I’d never forgive myself if we left Penelope to fend for herself.”

“Penelope?” he asked.

“Well, we’ll call her Penny, but I think Penelope as her formal name is a good one. Penelope Alexandra Marsden. The Alexandra is in honor of my mother.”

Paolo scratched his head and then lifted the litter box and litter from the kitchen floor. Mumbling under his breath as he walked to his truck, he could be heard talking to himself and complaining that he couldn’t wait for the hurricane to pass so that things could get back to normal.

CHAPTER 9

Isabella and Sebastian Barlowe arrived at the Key Lime Garden Inn at seven o’clock the next morning. Sebastian stayed inside the car so that he didn’t have to use his wheelchair or forearm crutches. Isabella got out of the car and gave Maggie a hug.

“Are you four the only people here?”

“Yes, but we’re about to leave,” Maggie answered.

“Good morning, Sebastian. Hello, Isabella,” Chelsea said. “It’s an eerie feeling, being so quiet.”

“I guess this is what they mean when they say, ‘the quiet before the storm,” Maggie said. “Where are the two of you headed?”

“We’re staying with Sebastian’s daughter. She lives in Sarasota. We feel it’s far enough away to be safe.”

Maggie nodded. “Yes, I’m sure you’ll be safe. We’re about to get on the road ourselves. We’ve got to stop to pick up Ciara and then we’re off to West Palm Beach. Sarah’s in-laws have a home there. Hopefully, we can come back right away.”

“Well, Sebastian and I just wanted to stop to say goodbye. We’ll see you after the storm. You all take care.”

Isabella got back in the car, and they both waved from the window as they drove down the driveway and out onto the empty street.

Paolo honked on the truck’s horn. “Let’s go!”

“We’re coming. Hang on.”

Maggie and Chelsea and Penny got into the car and made their way to Powell Water Sports. When they got there, Ciara and Crawford were standing in front of the store.

Paolo jumped out of the truck and shook Crawford’s hand. “So, you’re staying?”

Crawford nodded. “Yup, my boys are staying with me.”