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“It’s super far away?”
Marley nodded. “That’s right. You have plenty of beaches on the East Coast you can visit just by driving.”
Addy seemed placated by that, and Marley mouthed, “Sorry,” to Sarah and Knox.
Sarah just shook her head and smiled. “You didn’t say anything wrong.”
“Marley used to live here,” Knox said to Addy. “Her family owns the property next to us. The one with the little inn we’ve talked about?”
Addy’s face screwed up. “Why do you live in California, then?”
I stilled, needing to hear her answer. I figured it was an escape, but I always wondered why she’d chosen to be so far away.
“After college, I wanted to travel, and that’s where I ended up. I stayed because I love the ocean.”
“More syrup, Mommy,” Addy said, and when Knox gave her a look, she quickly added, “Please.”
“I can’t believe you live in Malibu. It must be amazing,” Sarah said, drizzling maple syrup over Addy’s pancake.
“It is nice,” Marley agreed, but I sensed that it wasn’t as amazing as most people would believe. “The restaurants and shops are lovely, and you already know I adore the ocean. I keep the windows open so I can hear the sound while I’m sleeping.”
“I want to hear the ocean while I’m sleeping, too,” Addy said.
“We’ll get you a sound machine,” Knox said reasonably.
Marley smiled at Addy. “You’ll love that. It sounds the same.”
“Knox said you’re in town to handle some legal stuff?” Sarah asked.
Marley’s face pinched. “That’s right. I want to get things settled before one of my parents shows up, thinking they deserve a piece of the inn.”
“Lila wouldn’t want them to benefit from the sale. She knew they wouldn’t appreciate it or want to run it,” I said.
Marley shrugged. “I don’t want to run it either.”
“Didn’t you when we were kids? I remember you enjoying checking guests in and taking them towels and things they forgot.” I remembered how fondly she spoke of the inn.
“I wouldn’t want to be tied to it. You can’t travel or go on vacation.”
“You could hire someone to manage it for you.” I wouldn’t have suggested it except for the fact she’d hinted she was well-off financially. She presumably owned that house in Malibu. That wasn’t cheap.
“I could,” she said as her shoulders drew up. “But I live so far away. It would be difficult.”
I couldn’t argue with that. But I was hoping she’d see what she was missing here.
“You should spend some time here during the holidays. There’s something magical about this place. I think you’ll enjoy it,” Sarah said.
“I thought you said it was busy during the season,” Marley said.
“We’re busy with tree customers, but it’s neat to see. The items at the shop, the hot chocolate, cookies, and now the light display Talon is making. It’s an experience.” I wanted her to see for herself. I’d seen the way Sarah and Ireland had taken to the farm, how they enjoyed being here with my family, enjoyed our traditions, and wanted the business to do well.
I wished Marley felt the same about her property and the inn. It’s what Lila would have wanted, and I think deep down, Marley did, too. It was her dream at one point. She’d changed over the years, but I couldn’t believe that girl had been erased, at least not entirely.
Eleven
Marley
I’d had a good time making pancakes with Addy. I never thought I’d want kids, not after the way I was raised. My parents treated me as someone they didn’t want. I wasn’t sure I’d make the best mother, but spending time with Addy had been easy and enjoyable.
