Beaming with pride and satisfaction, Lena’s grandfather, Cleveland, lifted his glass and called out jubilantly, “Here’s to the bride and groom!”
A chorus of cheers swept around the table as everyone raised their drinks to toast the newlyweds, who shared a deep, passionate kiss that left the women fanning themselves.
“That’ll get me some more grandchildren soon,” predicted Roderick’s mother, Bernadette.
Everyone laughed.
“Not to be greedy,” added Eleanor Brand, the indomitable family matriarch, “but I’m ready to start planning the next wedding.”
“Me, too,” Bernadette agreed.
As several pairs of eyes turned and settled—inexplicably—on Remy and Zandra, a slow flush crawled up her neck and spread over her cheeks.
Grandma Eleanor gave Remy and Zandra an indulgent smile. “Did you two have a good time this afternoon?”
“Yes, ma’am, we did.” Lips twitching, Remy met Zandra’s gaze. “Didn’t we?”
She couldn’t help smiling. “Yes. We did.”
“That’s good,” Grandma Eleanor said approvingly. “I’m so glad you were able to come on this trip, Zandra. I would have been sorely disappointed if you couldn’t make it. You know you’ve always been a cherished member of this family.”
“I know,” Zandra said with warm sincerity. “And I’m very grateful for that, Grandma Eleanor.”
The old woman’s dark eyes twinkled. “Well, if you’d really like to show your gratitude—”
“Oh, my God!” Racquel suddenly exclaimed, pointing toward the sky. “Would you guys just look at that!”
Everyone turned to watch as the golden glow of the setting sun illuminated the horizon with breathtaking hues of pink, lavender and blue.
As the others admired the view, Zandra leaned close to Racquel and murmured, “Thanks for the bailout.”
Racquel chuckled, her eyes glimmering with amusement. “As someone who’s been on the receiving end of Grandma’s uncensored advice more times than I care to recall, I considered it my duty to intervene on your behalf.”
Zandra grinned. “God bless you.”
Not everyone was preoccupied with the spectacular sunset.
As Zandra turned and reached for her drink, she noticed Remy and Roderick looking at each other from opposite ends of the table, silently communicating in their secret twin language.
As her eyes narrowed suspiciously, the two brothers tipped their glasses to each other and shared the slow, cunning smile of coconspirators.
After dinner, everyone lingered on the beach to enjoy the live music and the gentle trade winds wafting off the Caribbean Sea.
Grabbing a cold bottle of Piton beer, Remy walked to a large boulder jutting out of the sand and nimbly climbed to the top. From his elevated perch he could see the entire beach, a glittering oasis rimmed by lush green mountains and cliffs.
Sipping his beer, he surveyed the tranquil scene below him, mentally adding it to the collection of images that had gotten him through the darkest days of battle and bloodshed, when he’d succumbed to rare moments of wondering whether he would ever see his family again.
He watched as his nieces and nephews chased one another up and down the beach, their squeals of laughter like music to his ears. He smiled at the sight of his older sister and her husband strolling along the shore holding hands, while the image of his mother and grandmother with their heads bent close together made him wonder what they were plotting.
He chuckled at the sounds of raucous laughter and banter coming from the table where his older brother, father, grandfather and Cleveland Morrison were playing gin rummy.