An Emerald Cove Christmas

Book 5: Emerald Cove

by Lilly Mirren

Genres: Women's Fiction; Holiday books; Clean & Wholesome Romance; Holiday Romance; Family Saga; holiday romance; womens fiction; A sweet beach read

Synopsis

The USA Today Bestselling author of the Waratah Inn series, Lilly Mirren, proves there’s no place like Emerald Cove for the holidays.

Adele Flannigan has moved home to the Cove, and this will be her first Christmas since the move. She’s always had big dreams, but things in her life have become more complicated and she’s not sure where to go next. With each passing day, Adele’s relationship with a new friend deepens, forcing her to take a long, hard look at her priorities and plans.

Cindy’s hosting Christmas, but the Flannigan family has changed in recent years and she’s nervous about how things will go. There’s been a divorce, new members added, stray dogs adopted, heartbreak, romance and even a brand new bouncing baby. Christmas at Cindy’s has the potential to be a delightful family feast, or to set off fireworks that could ruin the entire holiday.

Can this blended family learn to love one another during the Christmas season or will their family be torn apart?

A Merry Christmas may be just what the doctor ordered for the residents Emerald Cove.

Release date: November 30, 2021

Publisher: Black Lab Press

Sample

Adele

20th December

She didn’t see the seagull at first. Adele Flannigan’s mind was elsewhere, thinking through what she’d need to do the moment she walked through the doors of the cafe. Wondering whether they had enough supplies to weather the rush of tourists that shouldn’t have surprised her, but somehow had, given that it was her first time managing the cafe during a major holiday. 

She tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear and smoothed her ponytail as she crossed the street, her bike rolling along beside her. Then she noticed the bird. It squatted on the footpath ahead of her, one wing slightly outstretched, it’s beak ajar as though it was panting. 

With a frown, she paused, studying the seagull. “What’s going on little buddy?”

The bird didn’t move. It lolled on one side, looking decidedly stunned. With a deep breath, she rolled the bike around the bird to the bike rack and padlocked it. Then she returned to look at the seagull again. She had a million things to do, and she’d be running late if she didn’t hurry to open the cafe for the staff. But still, she couldn’t walk away and leave it. What if it was injured or sick? It was so close to the road and vulnerable where it lay out in the open.

She squatted beside it, squinting into the morning sunshine that glanced off the roof of the Foodstore across the street, almost blinding her. She sheltered her eyes with one hand. “What am I going to do with you?”

The bird stared at her out of one black beady eye, then turned its head to watch her from the other eye.

“Did you run into a window or something? Did a cat get you? I wish I knew what was wrong, so I could help you,” she whispered.

A quick glance up and down the main street of Emerald Cove revealed there was no one else around at that time of the morning, other than an occasional passing car. The Foodstore was still shut, and the pharmacy was as well. The Chinese Garden wouldn’t open for hours yet. And the Surf Life Savers hadn’t set up on the nearby beach yet either. The club appeared empty.

She reached out a hand and cupped the bird’s back. It shuffled forward a little, so she retracted her hand and sighed. “Should I take you to the vet?” If she did, she’d be unbelievably late, and the entire day would be knocked off course. There was a lot going on at the cafe — she still hadn’t gotten used to the ordering process. Mum had done everything on paper, over the phone, and using her experience to guess quantities. 

Adele had gradually transferred all of the stock, vendors, and ordering information into a brand new piece of software she’d purchased, but it’d take time before it all worked smoothly. So far, she was a little behind on orders. And on top of all of that, she was having continual issues with staffing. Staff not showing up for their shifts, or leaving early, or forgetting to let her know when they weren’t available, and the constant bickering between them all was becoming overwhelming. 

“Wait right here, I’ll get you a box or something, and maybe some water,” she said.

She jogged around to the cafe’s front door and found Crystal Waters leaning against the wall, inspecting her fingernails. Her long, black hair obscured her face. 

“Hi, Crystal,” said Adele. “Sorry, I’m a little late.” 

Crystal smiled. “No worries.”

Adele unlocked the door and let Crystal in, then followed her, veering off to the kitchen to look for a small box and something to hold water for the bird. Before long, she was outside again, scurrying to where she’d last seen it. It was still there but flapped a little as she approached, and its beak was now shut.

She sat beside it, tried to feed it some water, but it didn’t seem interested. Then, within a few minutes of her return, it suddenly righted itself, flapped its wings, then flapped again and leapt into the air. It flew towards the beach and joined the birds already circling high above the sand.

“Not even a goodbye, huh?” Adele watched it go, one hand cupped above her eyes. She smiled and stood to her feet, brushing the dust off her rear end. 

Across the street, Marg waved to her as she opened the Foodstore. Nearby, a car pulled into a parking lot at the curb and a young man climbed out. He was well-dressed and had an athletic physique, his dark hair perfectly tousled. He was on the phone, talking quietly to someone when an elderly woman began fighting with a grocery trolley outside the Foodstore, attempting to extract it from the line of trollies in the bay. The trolley wouldn’t let go and the woman couldn’t dislodge it, no matter how she tried. Adele was about to cross the street, when she saw the young man hang up the phone and jog up the ramp to help.

He tugged the trolley free, and the woman thanked him before walking into the shop. He spun around to walk back the way he’d come and for a single moment his gaze found Adele’s. She was too far away to see the colour of his eyes, but she guessed they were dark brown. And as his eyes met hers, her heart skipped a beat.

Within moments he’d walked into the pharmacy and out of sight. Why did she never meet men like that? Handsome, put together, and kind to little old ladies when no one else was watching. Where were these men? Clearly, they existed, he was evidence of that, but she didn’t seem to cross paths men like him. She’d thought her ex-boyfriend Antoine was a good guy the first time they’d flown together. It’d been a rural flight, only twenty passengers, and she was the co-pilot. He was handsome, confident, and when he’d flirted with her, she couldn’t believe her luck.

With a sigh she retrieved the box and the dish filled with cool water and returned to the cafe. At least the seagull was okay, and she hadn’t stashed it in a box — she honestly didn’t know what she’d have done with it anyway now that the only vet she knew, her sister’s friend, Vicky, had moved away from the Cove. With one last glance at the sky and the gulls that hung on the updraft overhead calling to one another, she stepped through the cafe’s front door and steeled herself for the day ahead.

***

The crash of waves in the distance was like a metronome, the rhythm a backdrop to the bustle and hum in the busy Emerald Cafe. Adele wiped her sweaty hands on the white apron tied neatly around her waist and studied the bookings in the ledger by the door. They’d be full that night. Crystal Waters, their resident musician, and a waitress at the cafe, was playing. She always drew a good local crowd. Besides, it was almost Christmas and Emerald Cove was full to the brim with summer tourists.

She tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind one ear and moved the couple listed for table four to table eight. That way she could push table four up to table two and create enough room for the group of six who had a birthday booking.

Managing the cafe was taking more of her time, energy, and strength than she’d ever imagined it could. She’d helped Mum plenty of times over the years, working as a waitress or kitchen hand. She’d even taken a turn at cooking when the cook had called in sick a few times. Summers during her high school years had been spent right here, in the cafe, ferrying baskets of chips and chicken parmigiana to tables of tourists.

But managing the staff, supplies, and guests was an entirely different matter. And she loved it. The challenge of it, the busyness. The fact that there were regulars who came on the same day every week, whom she’d already grown to know and love. And the tourists who came once or twice, with their smiling red faces, stark tan lines, playful children, and insatiable appetites. She loved it all — yet she couldn’t help wondering if she could manage this level of exhaustion long term.

“We’re low on napkins!” called Crystal as she hurried past.

Adele frowned as she retreated to the kitchen. She’d meant to call the laundry service about washing the napkins and tablecloths but had forgotten and now they couldn’t do it until tomorrow. The small linen closet in the back of the kitchen was almost empty. How would they manage for the night? She ran fingers through her fringe and tightened her ponytail with a sigh. They’d have no tablecloths and nothing for guests to wipe their mouths with. Perhaps she wasn’t cut out for managing a cafe after all. She should call Mum and tell her she’d changed her mind. She couldn’t possibly accept the business her grandparents had handed down. It was too much responsibility, and she was only twenty-four years old.

She slumped into a nearby chair and rubbed her hands over her face. Her feet ached and she desperately needed a drink of water. But the lunch crowd had been particularly large, and she’d not had a chance to grab anything for herself. 

In her pocket, her mobile phone played a familiar tune. She tugged it free and answered with another sigh.

“Hello?”

“Hi Adele, how’s life in a small-town?” Her friend, Becky, from Darwin called her every now and then to encourage her to return to the northern city. They’d been neighbours with flats across the hall from one another. Becky was a primary school teacher and they’d bonded over their shared love of movie nights and popcorn.

“Life is good, busy but good. How about you? Sick of the heat yet?”

Becky groaned. “It’s unbearable. How is it possible that I forget every year how bad it gets in summer? Why would anyone choose to live here? I can’t leave home without a change of clothes in my shoulder bag. Thank goodness school is finished, I don’t think I could take another day stuck to my chair in front of a class of sweaty children.”

Adele laughed. “You’re always trying to get me to move back, but this really isn’t helping your cause.”

“I take it back. You should stay in Emerald Cove. I feel like I’m living in an oven. I’ll be staying inside for Christmas. Speaking of which, what time does your flight get in?”

Adele glanced at her watch. She should get started on the dinner preparation soon, or she’d be running behind schedule again. “I don’t have the details in front of me. I’ll call you later about it, okay.”

“But you’re still coming?”

“I’m still coming. And looking forward to it. We can spend Christmas Day in the swimming pool together.”

Becky sighed. “That sounds perfect. We’ll go to Mum and Dad’s for lunch, and we can swim all afternoon. They have a really nice pool, it’s huge and has plenty of shade. Mum makes a killer cocktail, as well. You’re gonna love them.”

Adele felt a little uncomfortable going to a stranger’s house for Christmas. But Mum and Athol were headed to New Zealand to see Auntie Sharon and Uncle Bart. Sarah and Mick had their two-month-old baby, so no doubt they’d be completely occupied with him. And Ethan and Emily were traveling to Tasmania for the holidays with Diana. That left Adele at a loose end, and she hated to be a bother to anyone. So, when Becky invited her to spend Christmas with her family in Darwin, she’d hesitantly agreed.

Now, she was wondering whether it’d been a good idea. Perhaps she should’ve simply spent the day with Sarah, Mick, and baby Leo. It would be quiet, but at least she’d be with family.

“How’s the cafe?” asked Becky.

Adele glanced around the busy kitchen. A kitchen hand banged and clanked dishes in the sink as he scrubbed them clean. The cook wiped down gleaming stainless-steel counters.

“It’s good. I’m getting into the swing of things. It’s a lot of hard work though. I’m exhausted all the time.”

“I bet you are. Listen, if you haven’t given up entirely on flying, that airline in Hong Kong got back to you. You told me to open the letter if I saw it, so I did. They’d like you to come into their Darwin office for an interview. Maybe you can do that while you’re up here.”

“Wow, okay thanks for letting me know. I wasn’t expecting it, to be honest. I know how competitive those positions are.”

“So, what do you think? Would you give up the beach cafe lifestyle to fly in Hong Kong?”

Adele didn’t know what to think. She’d come to terms with her new life in the Cove and was even enjoying it. It was freeing to be her own boss, something she’d never really considered doing before. But she liked it. She could make her own decisions, didn’t have anyone’s life in her hands. Although she missed the feeling of being up high, the power of the airplane around her, the throttle in her hands. “I don’t know. I feel as though I’ve only recently settled into my life here. And Mum really needs me at the cafe. But I don’t want to give up on flying yet, either. Can you send me a photo of it? I’ll have to think about it and give them a call.”

“Sounds like you have a lot to consider in the next few days before you fly north. So, I hate to do this to you, but before you get here, there’s something you should know,” began Becky, her voice changing tone. “It’s about Antoine.”

Adele’s heart skipped a beat. Antoine was her married ex. He’d hidden the fact that he had a wife until she’d already fallen in love with him. When the truth came out, he told her their marriage was over, that he loved Adele, and would do everything within his power to be with her. But every time he made the promise, she’d waited, and nothing had happened. He was separated from his wife now, but Adele had moved back to Emerald Cove and cut him out of her life. Or at least, she’d tried to. He still called her sometimes and begged her to come back to Darwin. He’d even offered to fly to the Gold Coast to meet her, but she’d put him off.

“What about him?” she asked.

Becky hesitated. “He and his wife are back together.”

“What? How do you know that?”

“Everyone’s talking about it. I had coffee with Eamon, that pilot you gave my number to. Do you remember? Thanks for that, by the way. He’s a complete psychopath.”

“Eamon? No he’s not, he’s really nice.”

“Maybe not a psycho, but he still lives with his mother.”

“Hey, I’ve been living with my mother until recently. It’s perfectly normal for someone in their early twenties these days.”

“Of course, it is, sweetie. You’re right. I’m sorry, he’s a very nice man, just not for me. Anyhow, apparently Antoine took his wife to the office with him, introduced her around and bragged about how happy they are.”

Adele swallowed. “Eamon said that? That they were happy?”

“Mmmm…and there’s something else. She’s pregnant. Even has a bump.”

Her pulse thudded in her throat. Pregnant? They were supposed to be separated. “But if she has a bump…”

“Yep. That means the baby’s at least four or five months along. When was the last time you spoke to Antoine?”

“Last week. He called me to see if he could visit. Wanted me to spend the weekend with him in Surfer’s Paradise.”

“Wow,” exclaimed Beck. “What a jerk.”

“I said no. I mean, I’m not comfortable having a weekend away with him. He’s still married, even if they are separated.”

“Seems like they’re very much together.”

Adele shook her head slowly. He’d lied to her so many times and every time she’d fallen for it. “Right. You’re right — they’re together, they have been all along. I can’t believe I was so gullible. Mum told me he was using me. Not in so many words, but I thought she was being unfair.”

“Your Mum is smarter than you give her credit for,” admitted Becky. “Look, I have to go. But we can talk more about this when you visit. We’ll have an amazing time and forget all about Antoine and his perfect little family.”

She hung up the phone. Christmas music sifted gently through the cafe’s speaker system. It contrasted starkly with the tumult going on inside Adele’s mind. She’d loved Antoine. He’d been her first love. She was young and naive when she travelled to Darwin. On her own for the first time, away from home. And he’d treated her with kindness and affection. He’d drawn her in slowly, bit by bit, until she’d loved him without realising it. To find out now that it’d all been a lie brought a pain to her chest that made it hard to breathe.

She pushed herself to her feet. There was too much work to do. She couldn’t afford to waste time pining for a man who’d never really loved her. With a shake of her head she wiped her eyes dry and pushed through the swinging doors into the cafe. Her mother stood by the entrance, running a finger down the booking ledger.

“Mum,” she said, striding to meet her. She threw her arms around her mother and buried her head in her warm, soft shoulder. Mum smelled of lavender and baby powder.

“Well, this is a nice welcome,” said Mum, patting her back. “Is everything okay, love? You look a little red-eyed and disheveled.”

Self-consciously, Adele smoothed the apron over her faded shorts, and tucked her oversized T-shirt into the waistband. It was just like Mum to point out that Adele didn’t meet her expectations for presentation. She was never mean about it, but her comment was pointed, and Adele knew exactly what she meant by it. The truth was, she’d given up putting any effort into how she looked most days. She was busy, on her feet all day long and at night too. She didn’t have time for personal grooming, nor did she have the money to go shopping. The cafe had absorbed every cent she‘d made, although she could already tell the Christmas rush would help refill the coffers. But truthfully, it wasn’t important to her. Or maybe the issue was that she was still feeling deflated after fleeing her affair in Darwin.

“Yes, completely fine. I might be disheveled, but I’m a busy woman. You know that. And I’m happy to see you, that’s all.” She stepped away, wiping her eyes again. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have to pack or something?”

“I wanted to check in and make sure everything’s okay. I’ve never left the cafe at Christmas time before, and I’m a little nervous about the whole thing.”

“We’ll be fine, Mum. Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it all under control.” She ushered her mother away from the bookings ledger and towards the door.

“Did you remember to call the laundry service? Because this is the busy season and if you run out of linens it’ll be a disaster.” Mum glanced over her shoulder as she shuffled out of the cafe.

“Of course, it’s all handled.” It wasn’t handled. Not even close. But her mother didn’t need to know that. If she understood just how behind Adele was on linens, supplies orders, and shift scheduling, she’d never go to New Zealand and see her sister for Christmas. She knew that if she told Mum what was going on, she’d cancel her trip, swoop in, and take care of everything. But that wouldn’t be fair on her, considering she hadn’t been able to relax over the Christmas holiday since…well, ever. As far as Adele could recall, her mother had always run the cafe and hosted Christmas at her house, every single year of Adele’s life.

“Wait, stop pushing me out the door,” objected Mum, hands raised.

Adele set her hands on her hips. “Sorry, but I don’t want you worrying about this place. I’ll take care of it, you should enjoy your trip.”

“Who is that man over there? We don’t really allow dogs…” Mum pointed back into the cafe.

Adele spun to face the outdoor seating area, eyes scanning. An elderly man leaned forward on a chair, feeding something to a small dog that stood on its hind legs begging. His white hair had been blown into a bouffant by the ocean breeze and he wore a festive Christmas shirt, buttoned slightly off kilter, with a pair of long, khaki pants. Black-rimmed spectacles perched on his nose.

“I don’t know,” replied Adele. “Maybe a tourist. We’ve had a lot of them through the cafe today.”

“Maybe,” agreed Mum. “But I’ve seen him around, I think. When I was shopping last week, and at the police station when I was…” She glanced at Adele, cheeks reddening. “Paying for that speeding ticket, I didn’t tell you about.”

“Mum, really? Another speeding ticket? You’re gonna lose your license if you’re not careful.”

Mum waved a hand. “Pfft…they give them out like lollies. It’s a travesty if you ask me. They could be out there, solving crimes and putting criminals behind bars. But no, they’re stalking senior citizens who are driving slightly over the speed limit because they’re running late to a Pilates class. A complete travesty.”

Adele shook her head. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with you. You’ll have to ask Athol to drive you everywhere. I suppose he won’t mind.”

“I’m not going to lose my license.”

“Good. So, you’ve seen this guy around? Maybe he’s moved to the Cove. I don’t recognise him, so he can’t have lived here long. His dog seems well behaved.” The truth was, she hated the idea of telling a little old man that his dog couldn’t stay in the cafe.

“Perhaps you’re right. Okay, I’m leaving. There’s no need to push. I’ll go and pack my bag — will that make you happy?”

“Very happy,” replied Adele.

“Bye then!”

Adele watched her mother leave, then let her gaze wander back to the old man in the corner. He’d stopped feeding the dog and was staring at something on the table — a book perhaps. He looked lonely, the corners of his mouth hanging low. There was something about the slouch of his shoulders that made her sorry for him. He glanced up and met her gaze, then waved her over with his fingertips.

She strode to his table. “Yes, sir, can I get you something?” 

“I’d love some hot chips with gravy, please. And a pot of Earl Grey.”

“Right away.” She hesitated. “Have you moved to the Cove, or just visiting?”

He reached for the dog, which had settled into the chair beside him, and stroked the animal’s head. “I moved here about a month ago.” He had a soft accent she couldn’t place.

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you. I know all the locals, so I should introduce myself. I’m Adele, I own this cafe. Well, my mother does officially, but I run the place.”

He smiled, the corners of his brown eyes crinkling. “A pleasure to meet you, Adele. I’m Samuel and this is Eddy.” He pointed to the dog. It looked like a Fox Terrier, with short white fur and black spots.

“I see you’re reading.”

“Yes, a thriller,” he replied, closing the book to show her the cover. “It’s a little scary so I like to read it in public.” He offered her a wink, then laughed at his own joke.

She grinned. “I do the same thing. I can’t read thrillers alone in my house at night. I have to read them on the beach, or out in the open somewhere with the sun on my face.”

“We are kindred spirits then,” he replied, dipping his head.

“We are indeed. I’ll get you those chips, Samuel.”

As she walked away, she couldn’t help wondering if he lived alone, or if he had someone to care for him. His shirt buttons were mismatched, and he had a walking cane leaning up against his chair. She hoped he had someone to go home to. There was something about him that piqued her interest — a melancholy that provoked a compassion deep inside of her. Perhaps it was, as he’d said, that they were kindred spirits. 

Her telephone buzzed and she pulled it from her pocket and stared at the screen. 

Antoine.

Her heart dropped into her stomach, and she held the phone to her chest. Her eyes squeezed shut for just a moment before she muted the phone and slipped it back into her pocket. She couldn’t talk to him now, not after her conversation with Becky. He’d lied to her — he wasn’t separated from his wife or headed for divorce. He was expecting their third child with her and parading her around the office to show off their wedded bliss. She’d been taken in and she had no intention of letting him do it again.