Down and Out in Flamingo Beach (21 page)

“Where did you find these pictures, boy?” she asked when she could catch her breath. She slowly examined the quilt, while others read the messages that her guests had written with a special pen.

“I have my ways,” he said, beaming, clearly pleased by his great-grandmother's reaction.

“Do you like your gift, Nana Belle?” Joya asked, cautiously. So much love and patience had gone into it. Even with additional help and everyone pulling together, it had taken many, many hours to tell the story of Nana Belle's life.

“It's a dream, something to be cherished for the rest of my life. There's another gift that I'd like though,” the old lady said slyly.

“You name it, Nana.” Derek was accommodating as always. Joya could tell he loved the old lady dearly, just like she loved her Granny J.

Nana paused for dramatic effect and began wheezing again. Joya's own heart almost stopped. “Before your old nana goes I want to see you married and settled.”

Oh, boy! Talk about putting them on the spot.

Derek wrapped his arms around Joya and brought her up against him. “First, I have a couple of important decisions to make.” He kissed Joya's forehead. “A lot depends on the lady I love whether I return to Chicago and the corporate grind or whether I make Flamingo Beach home. I've been offered a partnership here with Rowan James.”

Joya clapped a hand to her mouth. “Oh, Derek, that's wonderful.”

Derek was trusting her to help him make the right decision. They'd need to have a little talk in private, maybe later after the cake. She'd thought she loved life in a big city, but there was something to be said for a growing beach community like Flamingo Beach.

Now that Granny J was back on her feet, Joya was free to pursue the events-planning job Emilie had mentioned. Derek had already done the corporate thing and decided it wasn't for him, and she couldn't imagine any amount of money would make him love it any more. Their families were here: the people they loved. Nosey as some of them could be.

The lights above Nana Belle's head dimmed and flashed. People began coming in from outside, crowding the room. Joya spotted the projection screens up above. Derek had thought of everything. Those who weren't able to get up that close would see the event on the plasma TVs.

On screen, a local television reporter was talking to Tre Monroe about his interview with Nana Belle and excerpts could be heard over the noise of the guests. A path was soon cleared and a huge cake was wheeled into the center of the room.

Derek took that moment to whisper in her ear, “I'll be planning an event just like this one for you. If you can stand being around me for sixty-plus years.”

Joya looked at him with her heart in her eyes. She gave his hand a little squeeze.

“I could be with you forever and ever,” she said, meaning it. She shouted over the noise, “Happy Birthday, Nana Belle. You got your other present!”

The old lady stood and took a couple of faltering steps. The room hushed. “Thank you, Lord,” she said.

“Speech! Speech!” the attendees chanted.

“Sheesh, no speech from me. I'd have too much to say.” Faltering at times, Nana Belle blew out the flickering flames that spelled out one hundred in several breaths.

“Happy Birthday to me,” Belle sang. “Happy Birthday Flamingo Beach! I never would have thought we'd make it a full century.”

As more applause broke out around them, Derek whispered into Joya's ear, “I love you, Joya Hamill. This century and the next.”

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