So Close by Serena Bell

Author:Serena Bell
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781732894846
Publisher: Jelsba Media Group

25

Brynn and the boys found him setting up beach chairs for parade viewing on a stretch of Main Street sidewalk. Auburn had sent him ahead, an advance guard, to stake out the territory for Beachcrest guests.

“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do,” Brynn said.

He gave her his best innocent wide-eyed look.

“Don’t bullsh—” She shot a look toward her boys. “Don’t yank my chain. You know what I mean. Beach fire. Marshmallows. Hot dogs. And now you’re watching a parade, and you’re cheerful about it. It’s her, isn’t it? Auburn.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Boys, you see the Starbucks over there? Take this money and get yourselves a snack, okay?” Brynn handed his nephews cash and turned back to him as soon as they took off. Her too-sharp eyes scraped over him, and there was nowhere to hide. “You like her!”

That, too, was spoken in the tone of an accusation, and there was no point in denying it. He didn’t even try.

She was obviously completely delighted with this turn of events. “So that’s what the hot dog roast thing was all about. And you inviting me and the boys to watch the parade in front of Beachcrest.”

He shook his head. “No. This has nothing to do with that. Carl and I cut a deal—he’d let me sell Beachcrest if I spent a week letting her show me Beachcrest’s finer features—”

“And she turned out to be one of its finest!” Brynn burst out.

“You’re having way too much fun with this.”

“I just haven’t seen you enjoying yourself like you did last night since before Mom died,” she said.

That shut them both up for a minute—as any mention of their mother’s death did—but Brynn was irrepressible. “I couldn’t figure out why you were suddenly acting like a real human being. But it’s because you got roped into it. I knew there had to be money on the line somehow or other.”

That hurt—but since it was true enough—there was money on the line—he didn’t dispute it.

“But that doesn’t explain why you seem to be genuinely having a good time.”

“No,” he said, fighting a smile. “It doesn’t.”

She stared at him for a long time. “Well,” she said. “Well, well, well.”

“Don’t get too excited. It can’t happen. Believe me. I spent most of last night trying to figure it out, and—she and I? It’s just not an option.”

“Because you’re going to tear down her inn.”

She said it matter of factly, but the voice that spoke up behind him was anything but matter of fact.

“He is, the ass! He’s—Trey, you’ve turned into someone I don’t even know.”

He turned to find Carl there, a little hunch-shouldered—the surgery scars were still bothering him—but otherwise more or less himself. For better or for worse…

“I didn’t teach you to do business the way you’re doing it now. Fighting dirty with the people you care about. Selling to the highest bidder even if there’s someone else who needs it more—”

“Grandpa, you just got out of the hospital,” Brynn said. “This isn’t

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