Page 36 of A Beach House Beginning

“Yes. You should,” Jenna said. She had only been reminding her daughter to finish getting ready for the past half hour.

“Maybe the ghost hid my shoes, too,” Addie said, looking thrilled at the possibility. “Maybe the ghost doesn’t want either one of us to go to science camp. Maybe she doesn’t like science.”

“Before you start spreading any unfounded conspiracy theories about our poor Abigail, go look in your closet,” Jenna said.

“You can come help me find them,” Addie said to Brielle. “Four eyes are better than two. That’s what my mom always says, anyway.”

“Okay,” the other girl said cheerfully. The two of them hurried, Theo close on their heels, toward Addie’s bedroom door, decorated with drawings of unicorns and flower gardens, along with the occasional bloodthirsty, jagged-toothed dinosaur.

Their departure left her alone with Wes, she suddenly realized.

There was no reason for things to be awkward between them, she told herself. Yes, they had shared a kiss, but they had dealt with it after it happened. Surely they could go back to being friends now, right?

“She’s a great kid,” Jenna said.

“Yeah. I really lucked out in the kid department. Even with the divorce and all the mess of the past three years, Brielle is great. I thank heaven for it every day.”

“Children can be fairly resilient. After my husband died, I was so worried about how it would impact Addie, but she seems to be doing okay, so far.”

She couldn’t resist knocking on the intricate woodwork of the door frame, which earned her a smile from him.

She did not tell him that while she certainly had worried about Addie losing her father at a young age, she had also stressed about how her daughter internalized their summer two years earlier when they had fled to Cannon Beach. They had been forced to use assumed names, to change their hair color, to be cautious about everyone who came into their tight circle.

She didn’t want to share that with Wes, though. That was in the past and she refused to let Aaron Barker take up any more space in her present or her future.

“It’s a nice day so we’ll probably walk the three blocks to the community center where the camp is based. Is that okay with you? I’m multitasking and walking Theo in hopes of wearing him out so I can get some things done around here today.”

“Sounds like a plan. Thanks again.”

“The forecast calls for more rain this afternoon, so I’ll probably drive to the center to pick them up after day camp.”

“I’ll be here soon as I can after work.”

“No rush. The girls are getting along great and I don’t mind having Brielle here at all.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I’m definitely going to owe you dinner.”

She shook her head. “You don’t. This is what friends do for each other, Wes.”

His gaze met hers in a searching look that left her slightly breathless.

“I was worried you might not want anything to do with me and Brielle after that kiss the other night.”

She studied him, surprised by the note of uncertainty in his voice. Was it possible that he had been left as disconcerted as she was by their kiss?

“Don’t be silly. It was only a kiss.” She knew that was a vast understatement. It had been much more than that for her. The wordsstunningandearthshakingseemed more appropriate. “It shouldn’t have happened and we both agree it won’t happen again. But it’s no big deal.”

He didn’t answer immediately. “I’ll try to keep my hands to myself but I’m very attracted to you and...it’s been a long time for me.”

His hands had shaken when he touched her, she suddenly remembered. The memory made her toes curl.

“Same here,” she admitted. “I guess it’s a good thing neither of us is in the market for a quick fling.”

“I don’t know. I could probably be persuaded.”

Her gaze flew to his. Though his tone was sober, there was a sparkle in his gaze, a little devilish glint that made her give a startled laugh.

“So could I, truth be told,” she admitted. “But it’s not a good idea, right? We’re neighbors. Our daughters are friends. I would hate for things to become messy and awkward between us.”

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