Almost Paradise by Chris Keniston

Author:Chris Keniston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indie House Publishing
Published: 2014-01-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Magnolia Maplewood turned the key in the lock and shoved the condo door open. Bethany and Adam Deluca filed quietly past her, each rolling a suitcase and carry-on behind them. Bethany’s a leopard pattern in pink. Adam’s desert camo. Before the accident, Annette Deluca had hit every luggage store in LA looking for a set of US Navy-themed baggage for her ten-year-old son, and finally Adam agreed military camo would be a suitable substitute.

“There are three bedrooms.” Magnolia pushed her bags to one side, dropped her keys on the kitchen counter, and crossed the expansive living room, pausing to glance out the triple doors to the ocean beyond. No doubt tomorrow in daylight, the view would be impressive. Opening the doorway to one side of the dining area, she stepped into a large room painted in shades of light pastels with seashell patterns on the bedspread and curtains.

In silence, Adam and Bethany looked around then followed her to the next room. Similar in size to the previous room, the decor kept to a sandy earth-toned pattern with driftwood pieces placed about. A bowl, a lamp, a basket with magazines in the corner. Simple, understated, yet a peaceful compliment to the crashing waves outside.

Making her way across the living area once again, Magnolia opened the door to the third bedroom. Most likely the master. Only slightly larger than the other two rooms, this one was done in a tropical theme of palm trees. Adam and Bethany stood in the doorway, neither saying a word.

Magnolia would swim naked with a great white to bring back Tom Deluca. Anything to see these two tussling with her for the master. Instead, both turned, Bethany leading the way, Adam on her tail.

“I guess I’ll take the palm tree room,” Bethany finally said, detouring to retrieve her suitcases. “Adam can have the other room. Looks more manly.”

She flashed her brother a wan smile, but he offered only a shrug in return.

“Let’s get the bags unpacked.” Wishing once again that things could be different, she rubbed her hands together and forged ahead with her first effort at starting their trip on a happier note. “I’ve been told the kitchen is stocked. What do you say as soon as we’re settled in I make some of my famous garlic parmesan popcorn and we find a good movie on TV? Maybe something with Elvis and hula dancers.”

“That is so lame.” Bethany rolled her eyes, but Magnolia was delighted to see the hint of a teenage twinkle in the fifteen-year-old’s gesture. It certainly beat the five hours on the plane of the very vocal teen insisting she should be at the hospital with her mother. Magnolie wasn’t totally sure she didn’t agree with the girl. But it wasn’t her decision to make.

Adam shrugged at his sister’s choice and headed for what had been designated the manly room.

Under the pretext of changing out of her travel clothes, Magnolia closed her bedroom door and pulled out her phone. Three texts from Tom Deluca’s lawyer.

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