“Nate made them. He runs the Surf Café now. We took over from our parents.” She waited for Joanna’s reaction at the mention of her brother but she saw nothing.

The composure that had slipped for a moment when Mel let rip was back. “Of course. Family business. I’m sure it’s successful. So you didn’t jet off and get a job in the Big Apple? I imagined you sitting in a glass corner office barking out orders.”

So Joanna had thought about her. “No. I chose to stay here. You didn’t get a job in a bookstore.”

“No. Childish dreams.” Joanna looked at her and they shared a smile of understanding.

“I suppose life doesn’t always turn out the way you plan.”

“That’s true. How are your parents?”

“They’re well, thanks. They decided to make the most of their retirement, hired a van and they’re touring South America.” There was more to it than that, of course, but this wasn’t the time to share it. “Dad’s developed an interest in photography so we get a burst of photos most days.”

“And your mom?”

“She wanted to try writing a book, although I’m not sure she’s ever going to finish it.” Was Joanna going to ask about Nate? No personal questions about him? Wasn’t she even going to ask if he was married?

Why not tell her, anyway? “Nate divides his time between the restaurant and the adaptive surf program. The kids love him.”

See what a good person he is? Why did you leave him, Joanna?

“And you?” Joanna seemed determined to talk about everything except Nate. “You work in the café, too?”

“Yes. I do all the admin. The ordering, the accounts. Everything that isn’t cooking or customers basically.” It sounded boring, even to her. “I got pregnant with Eden pretty quickly and our parents needed help in the café, so that’s where I ended up.” Had she sold out? Ever since Eden had made that accusation she’d been unable to get the words out of her head. But Nate needed her, the café had needed her and she and Greg needed the salary she drew from it. “I still run, though. And I do yoga on the beach every Tuesday and Thursday. If you’re hanging around for a bit, you could join me.”

“Maybe. So far I haven’t left the beach house.” Joanna transferred the basket onto her arm. “Come in. You won’t recognize Otter’s Nest.”

“You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to peek inside this place.” Mel stepped inside. Curiosity overwhelmed all other emotions. “Clever design. No glass at all by the entrance so nowhere a photographer can get a sneaky shot.”