Page 31 of Hibiscus Heights

He remembered the Whitaker family was full of boys, so there had to be quite a few with that name on the island. She was probably one of the brothers’ wives, he decided, tempering his thoughts.

When his mother joined them at the table, Grant stood to pull out her chair, just as his father always had.

Once Kitty sat down, he turned his attention back to his sons. “Tell me everything. How’s the island? Has your aunt arranged any lessons for you?” He’d asked her to, but Jen could be forgetful. She was in new-marriage bliss.

Mason spoke between bites of his fries. “We have surfing lessons after lunch.”

Teddy bounced in his chair. “We’ve been riding bikes on the beach and playing frisbee with Deb’s dog. We got ice cream, too.”

“Your father used to do all that as well,” Kitty said, smiling. “I’m glad you’re making friends.”

Grant relaxed, letting their voices wash over him. For the first time in months, the tight knot in his chest began to loosen. Here, with his boys on the island his family loved, his perspective was already shifting.

This was just the beginning for him. He needed to get out among people and start doing the things he used to love. Even though the boys kept him busy, being on his own felt lonely.

Grant tousled Teddy’s hair. “Who’s up for sailing in a few days?”

Mason grinned and nodded while Teddy wiggled with excitement.

“Looks like that’s settled,” Kitty said, laughing. “We also have another important excursion on a yacht planned. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

8

“Are you sure there’s no way to get my shipment any sooner?” Sitting in an extra room in the executive offices, Deb clutched the phone. Her stomach growled so loud she hit mute while her contact spoke.

She needed these vintage surfboards to arrive for the grand reopening. They had belonged to famous early surfers who’d stayed at the Majestic and ridden the waves around the island. The boards were part of the hotel’s history, so she had tracked them to a collector in the South Pacific. He’d recently passed away, and his daughter had been eager to sell them.

The surfboards would serve as part of her visual collection celebrating the history of the Majestic Hotel. Editors, writers, and photographers from surfing magazines and websites would be at the event. Maileah planned to auction one board at the event, much like the successful broken boards fundraiser she’d held a few months ago. Surfing events hosted on the island drew large crowds to the hotel.

The shipping manager paused. “Are you still there?”

Deb unmuted the phone. “I’m here.”

“The package is on its way, but the problem will be getting it through your customs.”

“I’ll see what I can do on my side. I know this was short notice, so I appreciate you working with me.”

The surfboards were important, but so were many other things.

A local artist, working on a custom seascape painting that was to be an essential focal piece, had been rear-ended by a texting tourist. She’d suffered a whiplash and injury to her wrists. When she was finally able to work again, her progress slowed due to the excruciating pain. Deb didn’t want to push the artist, but she had to put a temporary piece in that spot that would look good without breaking her budget.

Deb drummed her fingers on the desk. She also needed to resolve issues with the new spa decor.

Standing, she peered from the window. She spotted Mason and Teddy on surfboards, paddling in the small waves with an instructor. They looked so adorable trying to stay on their boards. After they’d talked about surfing, she’d given them the name of an instructor Sailor recommended.

It seemed their aunt approved of the lessons. Deb smiled at their antics.

Mason had been following Sailor and his surfing career, so he was thrilled to learn to surf. Sailor promised he’d drop by and surprise them.

A man walked to the water’s edge and waved at the boys. She’d seen him earlier with the boys when she passed by the terrace cafe on her way back to the office. Presumably, this was their father.

The ogre. Watching him, she folded her arms in disgust.

She recalled how worried the boys were about their father discovering their mistakes. There had to be an explanation behind that.

However, it wasn’t her place to step in unless she saw a dangerous situation. She would keep her eyes open.

After what she’d gleaned about him, she had no desire to meet the man. Maybe she’d see the boys on their own around the hotel. She wondered how long they would stay now.

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