Seabreeze Reunion (Summer Beach #8)

Book 8, Summer Beach Series

 Sisters Ivy and Shelly Bay are looking forward to hosting a joyful, long-awaited family reunion at the Seabreeze Inn to introduce their new husbands to distant kin. Beach barbecues, games, and other festivities are planned, but everyone is shocked when hidden family secrets emerge.

 This season, gather on the shores of Summer Beach for sunny shenanigans and warm ocean breezes, as well as unexpected events that could change lives and family dynamics.

 Discover the latest chapter in the Summer Beach series set on sunny California shores, and find out why readers say, “Life is better in Summer Beach.”

The summer sun was setting as Ivy walked along the beach with her mother. Golden rays washed the sky with watercolor strokes of orange and purple. Ivy paused to slip off her sandals, enjoying the warmth of the sun-warmed sand and the cool rush of seawater.


“What was it you wanted to talk about?” Ivy asked, curious why her mother had asked to speak to her. Alone, she’d emphasized. Ivy caught a fold of her full cotton skirt in one hand, holding it as they strolled.


“It’s about the reunion,” Carlotta began. “You’ve done so much already. I didn’t realize the inn would be so busy.”


“We’re full every summer now, so we expect that. And I want to do this for you and Dad. We all do.” Her parents would leave after the event to resume their sail around the world. Although she loved seeing them pursue their dream, she would miss them. This was the least she could do for them.


“I appreciate this more than you know.” Carlotta smiled and brushed her silver-threaded dark hair from her face, her turquoise bracelets tinkling against the sound of the surf. “Still, gathering the family has been an extra burden on you, especially coming so soon after the sorority reunion Shelly booked. You’ve been working awfully late on the new attic rooms.”


Ivy still had more to do tonight before the new guests arrived. “We host a lot of events now, and Poppy has done most of the planning and coordinating for our reunion.” Her niece was a whiz at scheduling and marketing. Ivy couldn’t have managed the reunion or the inn without her. “And Shelly,” she added, though her sister had been busy with her new baby the past few months.


“Poppy’s a treasure, like all of you girls. And you must go easy on Shelly right now,” Carlotta added softly. She gazed over the ocean. “Your father will love seeing everyone.” 


Detecting unusual hesitancy in her mother’s voice, Ivy waited for her to continue, watching the gulls soar over the ocean waves beside her. This wasn’t like her mother. Carlotta was usually direct and forthright. 


Finally, Ivy asked, “What else can I do to help?”


Carlotta sighed and took her hand. “What I want most is for Maya to come. Would you help me reach her? I know you’re busy, and I probably shouldn’t impose on you, but as her niece, maybe you can appeal to her in a way that I can’t.” 


Ivy sucked in a breath. “I didn’t think you were speaking.” 


“No, but I reached out to her children.”


“And?”


Carlotta shook her head.


Ivy hadn’t planned on this new task, and there wasn’t much time left. Maya was her mother’s only remaining sibling, and it had been years since they’d seen each other. They’d had a falling out when they were younger, although her mother didn’t like to speak of it. All Ivy knew was that the relationship had gone from strained to nonexistent.


Carlotta pressed a finger to the corner of her eyes. “It’s been my fault as much as hers.”


“Mom, I doubt that.” 


“No, that’s the truth. I had opportunities I should have taken. I see that now.”


Ivy bit her lip, wondering what she could possibly do. “I don’t know how you think I can help.”


“You’re not a threat to her. At least, not like I am. And I’ve watched how you deal with tiresome guests at the inn.” Carlotta smiled. “You’ve grown into this new role and become quite the diplomat.”


Coming from her mother, that meant a lot to Ivy. “Aunt Maya is in a different class.”


Carlotta slowed her step. “Families shouldn’t splinter, mija. I’ve tried, but Maya won’t take my calls.”


“And you think she’ll take mine?”
A strange look filled Carlotta’s face. “I have a feeling she will. Ivy, I need your help in mending our relationship. I’d like you to get to know her and her children.”


Ivy wasn’t sure this was a good idea, or if it was even possible. Most of all, she didn’t want to see her mother hurt. “Do you think she would be amenable to that?”


Carlotta stooped to pick up a shell. As she turned it over, she said, “I know this is a lot to ask of you.”


Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose. Her mother seldom asked anything of her, and this had clearly been weighing on her. “What makes you think Aunt Maya might be receptive to speaking again?”


“We’re not getting any younger. When I think of the time we’ve wasted…” Carlotta dipped her head.


Ivy noticed her mother’s eyes were rimmed with red, and she put her arm around Carlotta’s still-strong shoulders. Her mother was a force; she’d raised five children and ran an import business with her husband, and now she was helping Ivy’s sister Shelly with her first child. Surely Ivy could do this much for her. 


“I’ll do what I can,” Ivy said lightly, hoping she wouldn’t regret it.


“No, mija. We must do more than that.” Carlotta pressed a hand to her heart. “For weeks, I’ve had one of my feelings that I just can’t shake. I have no idea why, but I feel it’s imperative that Maya and I resolve our issues. Not only for us but for the entire family.”


Ivy was at a loss for words. Her mother had a well-developed prescience, a sort of sixth sense about things that both impressed and unnerved Ivy. But she would never make a promise to her mother that she couldn’t keep.


Carlotta gazed toward the horizon, which had deepened into a spectacular, jewel-toned show of the heavens. “Our family needs this healing, and I know you’re the one to do it.” She hesitated again. “I’ve had dreams about this, mija.”


Ivy sighed with reluctance. “While I appreciate your confidence in me, if Aunt Maya won’t speak to you, I’m not sure she’ll take my call.”


Carlotta gripped her hands. “You’ll think of a way. I know you will.” She paused. “I’ve seen it. And it’s here…in this house.”


Ivy blinked. “What is?”


“I don’t know, but it’s the answer to everything.”


The fine hairs on Ivy’s neck bristled. Her mother’s dreams had foretold incidents on more than one occasion. Ivy had little choice but to believe her.


“Say you’ll do it,” Carlotta said with quiet insistence.


Ivy knew that look of determination. She’d inherited more than her mother’s deep green eyes.Yet she had no idea how she could accomplish this enormous task. Maya had cut off Carlotta so completely, and her children, too.


Slowly, Ivy nodded. “I promise.”


“A wonderful story… Will make you feel like the sea breeze is streaming through your hair.” – Laura Bradbury, Bestselling Author

“A novel that gives fans of romantic sagas a compelling voice to follow.” – Booklist 

“An entertaining beach read with multi-generational context and humor.” – InD’Tale Magazine
 
“Wonderful characters and a sweet story.” – Kellie Coates Gilbert, Bestselling Author
 
“A fun read that grabs you at the start.” – Tina Sloan, Author and Award-Winning Actress
 
“Jan Moran is the queen of the epic romance.” —Rebecca Forster, USA Today Bestselling Author

“The women are intelligent and strong. At the core is a strong, close-knit family.” — Betty’s Reviews

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