Page 86 of Summer on Sunshine Bay

“Dad, it takes a lot of time. There are classes and—”

“I know. I’ve checked into it.”

“But James, you don’t live here. You’re going back to London after Lila’s wedding,” her mother said.

Lila didn’t think her dad heard the panic in her mother’s voice—he was too excited about his new venture—but Lila did.

“I’m thinking of staying. I found a great place not far from the beach house, and with the baby on the way, I want to be close by. And this really interests me,” he said, gesturing to the boat. He looked from Lila to her mother and put his hands in his pockets. “I thought you guys would be happy about it.”

“Of course we are, darling,” her mother said, attempting a happy smile that Lila could see through.

As much as she knew that her mother loved James, she also knew she wouldn’t be able to commit to a long-term relationship. And if Lila’s father was willing to pack up his life and move here, she knew that was exactly what he wanted.

Lila pressed a hand to her stomach, feeling sick for both of them. They were going to break each other’s hearts, and she had to do something. She wouldn’t say anything to her mother. Not after the last time. Lila had hurt her, and she wouldn’t do it again. Her mother meant too much to her.

“Mom’s right. There’s nothing I want more than to have you here. But what about Sheena and Faith? London? The estate? You love it there.”

“There’s a lot to love about Sunshine Bay too,” he said, and smiled at her mother. His smile faltered a little, and her mother shored hers up. Lila knew how difficult this was for her mother and appreciated her trying to hide her true feelings. “Your sisters can come whenever they want, and I can go back whenever they need me. I didn’t get a chance to spend as much time with you as I did with them growing up, sweetheart. They’ll understand.”

Faith would, but Lila wasn’t so sure about Sheena, and that was when she realized exactly what she had to do. She had to get her father to go back to London. He needed some distance from her mother. He wasn’t thinking straight. He had to see what he was giving up.

Lila kissed his cheek and gave him a hug to make up for her less-than-enthusiastic reaction. “I’ll see you later.”

“I should go relieve Gia. I promised I’d work the dinner service,” her mother said, which clearly wasn’t what her parents had planned given her father’s obvious disappointment. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I’ll try and get away early.”

“Are you okay, Mom?” Lila asked as they walked along the pier.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I just… Nothing.” She smiled, even though it hurt a little that her mother wouldn’t confide in her. But why would she after what Lila had said to her that morning after the shower?

“What about you? Are you okay? You’re a little pale and subdued.”

“I got queasy. I guess I haven’t gotten my sea legs back.” Unlike Luke’s former fiancée, Lila loved being on the water.

“Or maybe it’s the baby. You should go back to the beach house and lie down, or come to the restaurant and I’ll make you something to eat.”

“I’ll come after I finish up with David.”

“Okay, good.” She patted Lila’s cheek before heading off. Eva talked to a couple of people she knew before stepping off the pier and slipping off her shoes. Lila watched as she walked along the shoreline, looking as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Lila brought her phone to her ear. Her sister picked up on the second ring. By the time Lila walked through the doors of Windemere, she’d convinced Sheena to call their father and tell him she needed him to come home.

Lila looked around for David. He wasn’t in the dining room or out on the patio, so she headed for the office. She knocked. “Coast clear?” she asked, poking her head inside.

He looked up from where he sat behind the desk and gave her a tired smile, sitting back in his chair to run his hand through his hair. “If you mean is my father here, you’re safe. He has an appointment with his lawyer.”

“We missed you whale watching.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. I’m under the gun. My father didn’t approve any of the ideas I came up with for July Fourth weekend. According to him, they’re not big enough,” he said, his brow furrowing as he glanced at her. “Did you have a good time?”

She followed his gaze. She’d forgotten to return Luke’s jacket. “We did, but it would’ve been more fun if you’d been there. I think you would’ve enjoyed it.” He needed to get away from Windemere, or, more to the point, his father. “So what is it Gavin wants you—”

A woman walked in without knocking. It was Sam. “Chef made your favorite,” she said, depositing a tray holding what looked like a club sandwich, a leaf salad, and a glass of iced tea in front of David. “And don’t tell me you’re not hungry. You need to eat. You’re fading away.” She reached over and brushed his hair from his eyes.

David flushed, clearing his throat with a pointed glance in Lila’s direction. “Thanks, Sam.”

She whirled around, and the soft smile that had been on her face disappeared. “Oh, hi, Lila. I didn’t see you there. Can I get you something to eat or something to drink?”

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