Page 69 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

Daisy echoed the sentiment. “Likewise.”

Miles leaned in just a hair, as though about to say something more, and Hunter’s breath hitched. Miles was the only one who knew about his and Daisy’s arrangement…Hunter probably should have warned her. He went to cut in, but then another figure stepped through the door.

Hunter’s breath caught in his throat.

“Ey!” Waylen shouted. “Gramps is here!”

“Sorry I’m late. Had to check in at the inn. I’ll tell you, it’s a lot colder here than in Florida. I’m getting soft in my old age,” he said between hugs for his grandsons. Tall and lean, their grandfather hardly looked like a man in his seventies except for his gray hair and wrinkled smile. He gave Miles a pat on the shoulder before turning, his gaze landing on Daisy.

“You must be Hunter’s fiancée,” he said, reaching out to shake her hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Richard, Hunter’s grandpa.”

“Daisy,” she said, smiling brightly as she took his hand.

Hunter watched, his heart pounding, as his grandfather’s hand came up to cup Daisy’s elbow, pulling her in and dropping his voice. “I hope you know how truly blessed we are to have you join the family.”

A soft pink rose to Daisy’s cheeks, her fingers lacing through Hunter’s. “Thank you. Hunter is a blessing to me as well.”

Hunter’s grandpa turned, glancing around the group. “Where’s Joe?”

“He’s going to meet us at dinner,” Hunter said, trying his best to sound casual. His dad had refused to visit the house, even after Hunter had explained it was just a short tour.

Waylen let out a low whistle as he backpedaled through the foyer. “Look at this place…”

Hunter let out a sigh of relief as his brothers ventured into the house. He’d had himself halfway convinced they’d take one look at the changes and declare it ruined.

“This place looks amazing!” Jude called out from the parlor.

Daisy chuckled. “We didn’t do anything in there, Jude. Just a little elbow grease on the soot and a little paint.”

“You paintgood,” Evan chimed in next to his twin.

She stifled a laugh. “Thank you, gentlemen.”

Miles took a step down the hall, toward the kitchen.

“Oh,” she said, scurrying after him. “The kitchen’s not done.”

It didn’t matter. The boys were already headed that direction. A moment later, they were all standing around the island, smiles plastered on their faces as they reminisced over the space.

Waylen hopped up onto the tiled counter, his feet dangling as he regaled them with a wild story about the time he and Jude tricked Evan into playing hide-and-seek all alone for an hour.

“He really thought he was like, the world champion!” Jude barked, wheezing with laughter.

“How about the time Evan convinced Miles his room was infested with beetles and then put raisins in his bed? I’ve never heard Miles scream like that.” Hunter chuckled.

It was like old times, riffing with this lot. Easy and effortless. He slid an arm around Daisy’s shoulder and pulled her in, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“You good?” she whispered.

“Perfect,” he replied.

It was perfect.

Across the circle, his grandpa watched, his eyes crinkling with a smile. He would understand why Hunter had needed to lie for this place. He would.

Miles glanced at his watch and cut into the raucous noise that hadn’t stopped since the group had arrived. “I hate to break it to you guys, but we’re gonna be late.”

Daisy frowned. “Late for what?”

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