Page 36 of Hibiscus Heights

“It was lovely seeing you again,” Deb said, her words edged with remorse. “I’ll leave real estate agent recommendations with the concierge for you.”

Kitty flicked a glance in her son’s direction, looking perplexed. “Did you meet my son?”

“We spoke, but I have to leave.” Deb nodded politely, inching away toward the exit.

“Let’s see each other again soon,” Kitty called after her, charging down the hallway toward an exit.

A fresh breeze off the ocean cooled her heated face as she stepped outside, not far from the employee parking area. She paused by the steps to catch her breath.

The beach run she’d planned with Duke now felt essential. She needed to outpace her discomfort and clear her head.

She’d likely offended both Kitty and her son with her opinions, but those boys had seemed genuinely afraid of disappointing their father. She couldn’t ignore that.

She could have said even more, but if Ryan and Whitley heard about this, she’d lose her job.

If speaking up meant losing a potential client, so be it. First the Hunts, now Kitty. Yet, she could choose who she wanted to do business with, now more than ever.

The door opened behind her, and a male voice growled out a comment that sounded more like an accusation. “You’re Deb Whitaker.”

She whirled around to face the offensive man-child. “All my life.”

“It’s Grant. Grant Emerson.” He took off his sunglasses and held up his hands. “I should have introduced myself when we met, but when I saw you and realized who you were, I was stunned.”

The shock of recognition left her reeling. Deb sucked in a breath as a torrent of memories flooded her. He’d changed, and she tried to reconcile this man with the younger version she recalled. His once smooth skin now bore lines around his eyes and forehead, though instead of diminishing his looks, they only made him more attractive. The sprinkle of gray hair at his temples added an air of experience and wisdom.

This isn’t fair, she thought. “Why did you follow me?”

“Look, you’ve got me all wrong. You know me.”

“No, I knew you. People change, and not always for the better.”

She crossed her arms, shielding herself, and lifted her chin. He couldn’t hurt her now. She wasn’t a lovesick teenager anymore. But his kids were another matter.

“First, I’m not divorced.” Grant’s voice was heavy and halting. “My wife died three years ago in a freak accident on a ski slope. We were devastated… Nothing has been the same since then.”

Seeing the raw grief on his face, Deb was acutely embarrassed for what she’d incorrectly assumed.

His voice cracked, and he added, “That’s why the boys don’t want to disappoint me, but they never could. I swear to you, they’re my life. I would never mistreat them.”

Her original assessment was rapidly waning. “Then why did you send them here with their aunt?”

Grant’s hazel eyes shone as bright as they always had, unnerving her.

“This is their summer holiday. My sister has been helping my mother sort through the house. I took over to give Jen a break, and she invited the boys so I could work uninterrupted.”

That made sense, but Deb wasn’t quite ready to concede defeat.

Neither was Grant. “Did my mother tell you our father died? She needs a fresh start, but it’s taken a long time to wind down my father’s affairs.”

Deb bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I remember your father. He was an admirable man.” Even if he had been distant to her, but why bring that up now?

A nostalgic smile crossed his face. “They both loved coming here. Maybe you remember the parties my parents used to have.”

Slowly, the decades rolled away, and an old memory of his mother formed. Katherine Emerson, but friends called her Kitty.

Deb knew her as Mrs. Emerson. Decades ago, Kitty had thick, wavy brown hair and wore bright Lily Pulitzer dresses. “Everyone admired your parents. They were so glamorous and full of life.”

Grant nodded. “Mom still is.”

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