Page 42 of Return to Rosewood Beach

“And it isn’t over yet.” Hazel’s blue-green eyes were full of empathy as she looked at her sister. “Stay positive for as long as you can. Things may still get better between you and Grayson.”

Alexis nodded, smiling weakly. “Thank you both. I feel a bit better—well, better supported at least.” Her smile widened and she looked almost happy.

“Good. Whenever you’re feeling down, just know that you can talk to us.” Hazel reached across the table and squeezed her sister’s hand. “And try to keep your mind off it as much as you can. I’ll do my best to distract you. You want some more waffles?”

“Yes, please.” Alexis laughed. “These are wonderful.”

All three of them had second helpings of the waffles, and Vivian felt a rush of happiness as she watched her daughters smile and talk to each other. She felt very proud of her family, and grateful that she had them by her side.

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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Cooper paced back and forth in the living room, checking his watch every few seconds. The babysitter who he’d hired to babysit Macey during his date with Julia wasn’t late yet, but she only had a couple more minutes until she was, and he didn’t see any new cars outside his house. If she was late, it would make him even more nervous than he already was, since it would be a sign of irresponsibility.

The babysitter was a local teenager who’d come highly recommended by some people at work. He’d been told that she was kind, responsible, and great with kids, but he still felt fluttery with anxiety. He didn’t like the idea of leaving Macey with a stranger, even when it was a stranger he’d been assured he could trust.

In the next moment, he saw a car drive up to the house and park along the curb. He let out a sigh of relief. He wanted plenty of time to make sure Macey would be okay with being alone with the young woman, and he also didn’t want to be late for his date with Julia.

“Hey, Macey!” he called. “Your new friend is here!”

Macey looked up from where she was playing on the living room couch. She frowned a little, as if doubtful that the person who was arriving was anything to celebrate.

The teenager walked up to the front door, smiling and looking cheerful. She had braces and a ponytail, and her eyes were kind. Cooper felt relieved when he saw her crouch down and introduce herself to Macey without any kind of hesitation, and Macey even offered the babysitter a small smile.

He stayed for another ten minutes or so, making sure that Macey wasn’t feeling too anxious, and making sure that Callie, the babysitter, knew where everything was located and what his phone number was.

“Okay.” He sighed as he looked at his watch, realizing that he needed to leave in another few minutes if he was going to be on time. “You call me if you have any questions, Callie. Anything at all.”

“You enjoy your date, Mr. Harris.” Callie grinned at him from where she was sitting with Macey on the rug. “Macey and I are going to watch a movie, aren’t we, Macey?”

Macey looked up and seemed to realize that Cooper was leaving. Her bottom lip started to tremble and she stood up and ran over to him. His heart melted and he gave her a big hug.

“I’m going to be back really soon,” he said. “I’ll only be gone a few hours.”

“Hours?” Macey’s voice rose in pitch, as if she considered hours to be the equivalent of weeks.

“Hours go by really fast, Macey, especially when you’re having as much fun as we’ll be having,” Callie said, coming over to the little girl. Cooper felt reassured by how calm the teenager was acting in spite of Macey’s tears. “We’re going to have so much fun. I’m so excited. Are you excited?”

Macey frowned doubtfully, but she stopped crying. Cooper bent down and kissed her head.

“I’m going to see our friend Julia, honey. Should I say hi for you?”

Macey nodded, and he waved to her as he said goodbye and slipped out the door. He did it quickly, hoping she wouldn’t start crying again before he could leave. He didn’t think he’d be able to go if she was crying as he left.

He took a deep breath as he made his way to the garage. He glanced back at the house, still feeling nervous about the whole thing.

This Callie seems like a great babysitter, he reassured himself.And besides—what would you tell Julia if you decided to cancel?

Julia. At the thought of her, he had a different kind of jitters. He smiled, suddenly feeling buoyant, and hurried into the garage.

He arrived at Julia’s mother’s house a few minutes later. He parked on the street outside the house, and then hurried up the front path to the door. He was a minute late, and he felt badly about it. He had a feeling that Julia was the kind of person who was always early to everything.

He rang the doorbell and waited. Around him, the wind sighed in the branches of the trees, and the last traces of the sunset glowed along the eastern edge of the sky. Julia opened the door a moment later, and his breath caught when he saw her.

She was wearing casual clothes, jeans and a baggy sweater, and her face was shining with excitement.

“Hey.” She grinned at him, and he grinned back at her.

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