Page 16 of Return to Rosewood Beach

Alexis threw her head back, laughing. “Oh, I’ll never forget it. You remember how Mom was so worried we’d be sad that Santa Claus was really Dad that she baked all of those cookies?”

“Those cookies were really good.” Julia laughed. “I just remember giggling so much with you guys because we felt so proud we’d already figured it out.”

Alexis turned another page in the album she was combing through. In many ways, their task was easy, because they were only looking for photographs of their dad, and most of the pictures in the albums were just of them as kids. As she looked through the memories, she was reminded of how many times their dad actually hadn’t been with them for various outings and events. She’d almost forgotten how busy he’d been, working hard at The Lighthouse Grill.

“And this day.” Julia’s eyes brimmed with tears as she held up a photograph of their dad holding a nine-year-old Dean in his arms. “Dean slipped on the ice and got that minor concussion. Dad was so worried about him.”

Alexis wiped a few stray tears off her own face. “We were all so worried when we saw him fall like that.”

For a moment, all three of the sisters were quiet. Alexis felt the bittersweet ache in her chest intensify for a few heartbeats.

As hard as this is, I’m so grateful we’re doing it together,she thought.And I’m glad I have some time to step away from L.A. so I can sort out my emotions about all of that better.

She had been trying not to think too much about Grayson or her home life while she was in Rosewood Beach, because she knew that taking a break from brooding over how her marriage had been getting rocky would give her a clearer head about everything when she did finally go back. And she could feel her spirits being bolstered by the love of her family and the cheerful energy of Rosewood Beach. She wanted to drink that in as muchas possible before she had to return to the things that were troubling her.

“How are you liking being back, Julia?” Hazel asked, smiling at their other sister as she took a sip of her mango ginger tea. “Are you itching to get back to the hustle and bustle of New York City?”

Julia, who usually loved talking about her job and the big city, simply shrugged. She looked out the window and hesitated for a few moments before saying, “No, I’m not itching to get back.”

“Well, they’re probably itching for you to get back.” Alexis smiled at her. “I’m glad they were able to spare you for this week.”

Julia cleared her throat gently and said, “No, they can manage without me.”

“Oh, I’m sure they’re struggling hard.” Hazel grinned at her. “You always said that they told you you’re indispensable, right?”

Julia made a face and muttered dryly, “Well, clearly that’s not true.”

Confused, Alexis glanced at Hazel, wondering if she knew what Julia was talking about. But Hazel was staring back at her, looking just as confused as she was.

“It’s really fun to be away from New York, actually,” Julia said hurriedly, as if to try to brush off what she’d just said. “I’m really enjoying being back in Rosewood. It’s been nice to be back in the quiet life for a while—everyone’s so much more joyful out here, and our town is so beautiful.”

“It is.” Alexis smiled at her sister, but internally, she was still wondering what Julia’s comment about not being indispensable at her job meant.

“And so much busier than it used to be!” Julia chattered on, smiling and seeming determined to keep the subject changed. “I went to The Salty Spoon this morning, and I couldn’t even get atable before I had to leave to go to the pub. I’m glad tourism is increasing here, especially because that’s good for Mom too. But the place was packed—I could have eaten there, I guess, but I didn’t want to skip the other people in line.”

“What do you mean?” Alexis asked curiously as Julia suddenly paused in her narrative.

“Oh, well, there was a little girl who spilled her chocolate milk so I hurried over to help do some damage control.” Julia’s cheeks started to flush slightly as she told that part of her story. “Her dad was very nice and he offered to let me sit with them, but I told him no.”

“Oh, yeah?” Hazel set down her mug of tea, her eyes narrowing with affectionate suspicion. “Is this dad a single father by any chance?”

The flush on Julia’s cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink. “I—well, I guess so. He isn’t wearing a wedding ring or anything like that. And he seemed pretty worn out, even though he was being really sweet and patient with his daughter. I got the impression that he’s a single father.”

“Hmm, really. Is he handsome?” Hazel seemed all ears and determined to pry.

“I—well, I suppose so.” Julia was decidedly blushing then. “Actually, I’ve already met him. The second I stepped out of my cab on my first day here, he caught me just as I was about to fall into a patch of mud.”

“He caught you? In the rain? Oh, that’s so romantic,” Hazel cooed.

Julia shook her head firmly. “It’s not—I was just being a klutz. And then I was rude to him. It was hardly romantic.”

“Well, then today you got to help him out to return the favor. And he obviously likes you if he offered to let you sit with them.”

“I think he was just being polite.”

“Oh, come on! I’m sure he’s at least somewhat interested. Men don’t go catching random beautiful women in the rain without getting a few heart flutters about it.”

Julia shook her head, laughing at Hazel’s words. “Even if he was interested in me, that doesn’t mean this is going anywhere. I mean, he had a two-year-old daughter and I don’t know anything about children.”

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