“Marco has a girlfriend,” Lemon sing-songed. She had been waiting in the hall and ambushed him.

  “Not now, Lemon!” he snapped.

  Still rattled after everything that had just happened with Olivia, he didn’t have room in his head for Lemon’s games.

  “Is she going to be all right?” Lemon asked. She glanced toward the open bedroom door and added quietly, “I feel bad.”

  “She’s fine.”

  Marco pushed past her, hopping quickly down the stairs to put some distance between them.

  He paused at the bottom step, trying to compose himself before facing everyone again.

  The others were back in the dining room, sitting around the table and talking loudly, their voices spilling into the hallway.

  Mrs. Cookie-Montebello’s voice rang out, “So, you mean they can’t touch you?”

  Carly replied, “That’s right. I own this property free and clear, and Golden Rays can’t do a thing about it.”

  “But I don’t understand,” said Ginger. “How did you become a club member?”

  Carly explained, “When they built Golden Rays, they tried to sweeten me up, so I’d sell. First thing they did was give me a guaranteed, irrevocable lifetime membership. When that didn’t work, they offered me a nice new house in exchange for Sunshine Castle. I told them no—not even if they offered me a million dollars.”

  Ginger blinked hard and leaned in, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “That’s when they gave up being nice and started being mean. They tore down half the date farm before I could stop ’em. Then they surrounded my property with garbage. If they think they can stink me out, they’re wrong. I’ve smelled worse!”

  Through the front window, Marco spotted Mr. Ravel stepping out of the golf cart, mud on his boots and sleeves. He came through the front door and nodded. Marco silently pointed to where everyone was sitting.

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  Mr. Cookie-Montebello was the first to see them enter the dining room. “Marco, you’re back.”

  Worn out, he dropped down into the chair next to Marbles.

  “Is Olivia okay?” Marbles asked.

  “She’s better than she was.” Marco picked up a glass and took a sip of water. He dribbled and quickly wiped his mouth.

  Ginger leaned forward, brow furrowed. “So they gave you a membership, tried to buy you out, and now they want to force you to sell?”

  “That’s about the size of it,” answered Carly. “If something happens to me, this place goes to my son and to Olivia. We’re going to be here a long time.”

  Carly began describing life inside Golden Rays. The slow erosion of freedom. The petty sabotage. The Sunshine Club’s quiet rebellion under the iron thumb of Mrs. Neel.

  “You know Mrs. Neel named it the Sunshine Club after Sunshine Castle,” she told them. “It was meant as an insult. As though I was crazy and incapable of making my own decisions. Just another jab to make my life here miserable.”

  “We saw that wicked Mrs. Neel in the rose garden,” piped up Old Lady Marbles. “She was yelling at everyone. Made them all work while she did nothing!”

  Carly went over the dilemma. “But she’s in charge. Everyone has to do what she says or risk getting kicked out of Golden Rays.”

  “Wait! I have an idea,” Marbles said, eyes wide. “What if we made the Sunshine Club real—like, your version. It could meet here at Sunshine Castle. Only your members allowed. That way, Mrs. Neel wouldn’t get to boss anyone around.”

  Carly replied, “Now don’t get too excited. I’ve thought this through before. She’d never allow it, and she’d banish anyone who tried to come.”

  “Hmm.” Old Lady Marbles ran different scenarios through her mind. “Okay. What about this?” she said slowly. “It’s simple. Don’t tell her. Keep it a secret. Don’t tell Mrs. Neel.”

  The table went quiet, everyone processing the boldness of it.

  Carly leaned back in her chair and rubbed her chin.

  “A secret, huh?” she said, thinking out loud.

  “Let’s see… I still have that big circus tent… Mrs. Neel never comes back here anymore… and Olivia sure could use a few new friends…”

  For a moment, something softened in Carly’s expression. As if she were remembering a version of herself she hadn’t felt in a long time.

  Then she resolved, “Ya know what? You just might be onto something.”

  Mr. Ravel volunteered enthusiastically. “I know how to put up tents.”

  The Water Witch also stepped forward, saying a little ominously, “I will gather my friends.”

  Everyone watched with anticipation, waiting for Carly’s final thoughts on the matter.

  Even the storm outside seemed to quiet down, waiting for her reply.

  Marco took a deep breath and held it without meaning to.