Page 17 of Summer Love

"Now, tell me; did he work without a shirt? If so, I'd like to come along one of these days." Grams cackled. "Wait till my friends here about this."

"That's not happening. It's not safe for you." There were so many things for her to trip on, and it was too hot.

Grams sobered. "Then we'll have to invite him here. He can do my porch."

My eyes widened. "What? No. He's busy with other projects."

"I want him to work on my porch."

"Grams, you can't just order him to do your porch."

Grams face was pinched. "I bet if I talked to him, he'd want to."

"I'll ask him for you, okay?" I didn't want her talking to him. God knows what would come out of her mouth. She'd probably tell him I had some school-girl crush on him, and I'd never be able to face him again.

"You see that you do. I want to sit on my porch again before I die."

"Grams, don't talk about dying. That's not happening anytime soon." Not on my watch. I didn't come home only to lose her.

"If you don't get this porch done?—"

"Okay. Okay. I'll ask him tomorrow."

"See that you do, and, Elena, give him a chance. I bet he's a nice boy."

"Is that the criteria these days? I just need a nice boy?" I asked, amusement tingeing my voice.

"That's always been the criteria. You young people muddle everything up with your questions and doubts. Some things you just know. You can feel it."

Grams was a wealth of information at times. I wanted to believe that life could be as simple as following a feeling, but in this case, I was sure my body was wrong. There was no way I could pursue anything with Hudson.

I was clearly not memorable enough for him. And nothing had changed. I was just an island girl taking care of her grandmother. Nothing to see here.

My job wasn't fancy. I didn't have any admirable purpose, like saving the family business. Hudson was destined for bigger and better things than me. If he noticed me at all.

ChapterFive

HUDSON

Iwent for an evening run because I felt restless. I couldn't stop thinking about Elena, and I was fairly sure I could still smell her from spending the day together in such proximity.

It was torture, and I had to do it all over again tomorrow. I'd go for a run, get rid of this excess energy, and if I was still thinking about Elena, I'd take care of that situation in the shower. I'd survive a gorgeous woman shadowing me.

I ran along the beach as the sun was just starting to set. It was my favorite time to go for a run.

I slowed when I came upon a woman helping an older lady onto the soft sand. "Can I help you ladies?"

Elena looked up at me and frowned. "Hudson? What are you doing here?"

"Going for a run," I stated the obvious as I jogged in place. The older woman next to her had to be her grandmother. "Are you Elena's mother?"

Grams grinned. "Oh, aren't you a charmer. I'm her grandmother."

I stopped jogging, my hands on my hips. "Grams?" At her nod, I continued, "Elena has told me so much about you."

Her lips twitched. "All good things, I hope."

"Of course."

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