Page 55 of Summer Love

Her eyes lit up. "Now, isn't that fun? I used to love bonfires."

"You went to bonfires?" I asked, not knowing why I thought it was something only our generation did.

"Oh, yes. That was the only social event we could do around here. You've seen the movie theater, right?"

I chuckled. "Yes."

"If you weren't allowed to go off the island, it was the only place to get into some trouble."

I raised a brow. "You got into trouble?"

"Oh, yeah." She moved farther into the house, sitting on her chair in front of the TV where a movie was playing. "We got into all sorts of trouble. The sheriff knew us by name."

I sat on the edge of the couch, folding my hands together. "I had no idea that Sofia Perkins was a troublemaker."

"I was quite the character back then," Grams said with a smile.

"I guess it's not so hard to believe. I've heard you keep everyone on their toes at the senior center."

"Speaking of which, you should come down and meet my friends. That brother of yours… What's his name?" She snapped her fingers. "Shepard is building flower boxes this weekend. You could come and help, and then I'll introduce you around."

"You want to watch them work through the windows," Elena said as she entered the room.

She wore a jean jacket over a blue-and-green floral dress and sandals. Her hair was blown out and fell in waves around her shoulders.

I stood, my heart pounding. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." She moved closer, and my breath caught as she brushed a nonexistent piece of lint from my shoulder. "Not a stray piece of sawdust anywhere."

Grams raised an eyebrow, and I cleared my throat, prompting Elena to step back. "Are you ready to head out?"

"Let me grab my purse." Elena disappeared into the kitchen.

"Be at the senior center bright and early."

"I can do that."

In the cab of my truck, Elena said, "You know you can say no to her."

"I can't, actually. It's physically impossible."

Elena laughed. "Then you're in for a ride. Once she senses your weakness, she'll take advantage of you."

"Grams is sweet," I protested.

Elena laughed harder. "I'm not saying she's not, but I wouldn't trust her when she's with her friends. Maybe they're building up to ask us to do the photo shoot at the senior center."

I glanced over at her. "You won't do that, will you?"

"I'm fairly sure my boss won't be on board for that. It will be on the beach. It is an island magazine."

"I don't know how I feel about the older ladies checking me out."

Elena laughed. "I guarantee they'll be ogling you."

"Will you come and keep me safe?" I asked her.

Elena's head tipped back as she laughed harder. When she recovered, she said, "I don't think you'll need it. But I can stop by and protect your virtue."

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