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Dalton was just to my side, a little behind me. I could sense him there, and I smiled.

“Yeah, I am.”

“Good,” she said, patting my cheek and then Dalton’s. I opened my mouth to protest, but she didn’t let me speak. Giving me a look, she said, “I hear we’re celebrating a marriage. And a new baby. Can I get some of that champagne?

“Yes, ma’am.”

I turned toward the makeshift bar, but Dalton tapped the small of my back. “I’ve got it. You two go congratulate the grandma and grandpa to be. Mom will be thrilled that you’re home, Miss Anita.”

“A new baby, what a blessing!”

“Anita,” I said, but she began walking, and all I could do was follow.

“You’re worrying. I can see you worrying. This is a party. We’re celebrating. Everyone is having fun! On top of which, you’ve got the cutest, tallest, broadest, handsomest boy in the whole room mooning over you, and I have to say, it’s nice to see you mooning back at him again.”

I stopped short.

“Anita! I … how …”

She stopped too and leaned in to speak conspiratorially.

“You think I don’t know what goes on in my own house? I’m happy for you both. Been a long time coming. Oh, and son, while I’m here? Let’s work to get bugs off the ice cream menu.”

I was laughing and about to agree when the room went silent, Chris Garner’s voice booming above the happy chatter, the laughter, and the holiday music.

“Anita Madsen.”

“Oh, here we go,” she muttered.

Wyatt got up from where he sat and was working his way toward us, as was Chris. Leila had stood up and tried to grab her husband’s hand, but he kept walking.

“I know you think you can just move to this town and do whatever you want. The both of you do.” Chris seemed unsteady on his feet as he wagged a finger between us.

“Funny.” Anita’s hands were on her hips. Even standing tall, she had to look up to glare at him. Chris took a wobbly step back. “I could say the same thing about you. One of us has lived here a lot longer than the other.”

“Yeah, well, I bought my home. You … You stole yours. Swindled it from the Carreys when they were too old and feeble to know what you were doing to them. Lied to the daughter, stole their beachfront property! Then you transferred those ill-gotten gains right out of your name before she came after you! Foisting them on this unsuspecting child.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about, Chris.”

“She’s still alive, you know, the daughter? The rightful heir to One Hundred Four.” There may have been some audible gasps.

Brett said, “Dad,” in a vain attempt to get him to stop, but I said, “Anita?” at the same time.

She looked at me as if there was no one else in the room. “It’s fine, Turner. Nothing to worry about.

“Of course she’s still alive, Chris! I had a lovely conversation with her just other day. We tend to catch up around the holidays. She loves hearing all the news from Breakwater.”

“I’ve talked to the sheriff, and my company’s lawyers are looking into it.”

I was trembling. I trusted Anita, but Anita was also one to do things her own way. What if we had something to worry about? What if Chris could finally find a loophole and swoop in and steal the stores, rob me of my home?

Anita turned toward me, but I heard rustling from behind me.

Turning, I saw Brett and Dalton both trying to get to us. Brett got there first, but Dalton pushed his way between us, weaving an arm around my waist to support my trembling frame. The weight and warmth of him by my side calmed me, like the sound of the ocean always had.

Dalton pushed us forward, Anita reluctantly moving out of the way until Dalton was face-to-face with his father.

“This ends tonight, Dad! Look at him. You’re making him miserable. For what? For a fight you’ve been having with yourself for, what, twenty years? The Carreys sold to Anita, and Anita sold to my boyfriend. Turner Misher is the sole owner of One Hundred Four Breakwater, and One Hundred Four Breakwater is a toy store and an ice cream shop and the home of the boardwalk’s newest thriving business, Breakwater Books and the Cuppa Café. It’s not going to be sold, and it’s not going to be stolen, and it is not going to be torn down. This. Ends. Tonight!” he repeated.