Page 27 of A Brambleberry Summer

“Good luck with that,” Wyatt said to his sister.

“I know. I remember Dad teaching me how to drive. It was a nightmare. And I believe you wrecked a car or two in your day.”

“You wrecked cars, Uncle Wyatt?” Bella looked at him wide-eyed and so did his son.

Wyatt gave his sister a rueful look. “One. And it wasn’t my fault. A guy T-boned me in an intersection. He got the citation.”

“In that case, I’m sorry I impugned your driving credentials,” Carrie said.

He shrugged. “I will confess that in the past, I might have had a propensity to drive too fast. Good thing I can do that legally now, with lights and sirens going.”

He tapped Bella lightly on the head. “But remember, I’m a highly trained officer of the law. You should always stay within the legal speed limit.”

Bella giggled. “What about you, Rosa. Where did you learn to drive? Here or in Honduras?”

She always felt strange talking about her childhood life with Bella and Carrie. “Here. My father taught me when I was in high school. He and my mother were tired of driving me to after-school activities all the time. We had many ranch roads in Utah, where they live, so we practiced for hours until I could feel comfortable behind the wheel.”

That was one more gift Lauren and Daniel had given her. Independence. They had wanted her to have all the skills she would need to make a success of her life. She knew they were proud of what she had done and how far she had come. At the same time, she knew Lauren especially worried about her love life.

What would Lauren think about Wyatt? Rosa could guess. She would probably adore him—first because he was in law enforcement like Daniel and second because he was a good man who loved his child.

She would be over the moon if she had any idea how Rosa couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him.

She didn’t plan to tell either of them about her new tenant. Her parents and siblings were coming to town just before Labor Day, but Logan and Wyatt would be back in their own home by then. She would have to tell them nothing.

Oddly, the thought of the Townsends moving out left her feeling slightly depressed.

“When I get my learner’s permit,” Bella said, “I’m going to need a lot of practice time. Rosa, maybe you and Uncle Wyatt can help and give my mom and dad a break so they don’t always have to ride with me.”

Rosa couldn’t find words for a few seconds, she was so honored that Bella would even consider allowing her to help her learn how to drive.

“I would enjoy that,” she said, her voice a little ragged.

“It’s a deal,” Wyatt said. “It will be good practice for when I have to teach this kiddo how to drive.”

Would she be here when Bella was learning how to drive? Rosa wasn’t sure. She had never intended to stay in Cannon Beach for long, but once she had moved here, it had been hard to drag herself away. Now that she was a part owner of the gift store, it became even more difficult.

She didn’t like thinking about leaving all the friends she had made here, but perhaps she would one day find it inevitable.

“Showing off my car wasn’t the only reason we dropped by. I know you have the weekend off. Joe and I were thinking of grilling steaks and then watching the fireworks on Sunday. We would love to have you. Rosa, you’re invited as well. And your friend Jen, if she would like to come.”

Rosa wasn’t sure if she was ready to have another social outing with the irresistible Townsend men. On the other hand, how could she refuse an invitation from Carrie?

At her hesitation, Carrie made a face. “I know it’s rude to just drop in with an invitation two days beforehand. I should have planned better. Please don’t worry if you already have plans. But if you can come, we will eat at about seven thirty.”

“I do not have plans,” she said. In truth, she had been so busy at work, she had not given the holiday weekend much thought.

She could handle a few hours in Wyatt’s company. She would simply spend the evening talking with Carrie and Bella.

“Dinner would be nice. What should I bring?”

“Yourself. That’s the main thing. But if you want to bring a salad or a fruit plate, that’s always good.”

She nodded. “Yes. I can do that.”

“Oh, lovely. We will see you Sunday, then. Now we’re off to take this beauty for a drive down the coast. With me behind the wheel, of course,” she assured them, which made Bella moan in mock disappointment.

A moment later, she stood beside Wyatt and watched the little red SUV back out of the driveway.

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