Page 71 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

“Daisy!” a cheerful voice called as they stepped onto the grassy expanse, already dotted with picnic blankets and lawn chairs.

Children darted between adults, tossing a football and laughing cheerily. Daisy’s eyes searched the surprising crowd for the voice. She spotted Holland and Jordi milling about. They both waved, and Daisy heard her name again. She turned and found Mia waving at her. She was settled on a checkered blanket, with another wrapped warmly around her shoulders. Beside her, a man in a Carhartt jacket reclined on his elbow, and next to him stood another couple—a good-looking man with his arms around a beautiful blonde woman. And beside them, a tall man rocking a pair of aviators had his arm slung over the shoulder of an adorable woman with lavender hair. They obviously all knew each other, but that was no surprise in a little town like this.

“Daisy, sit with us!” Mia called again.

Daisy veered that direction, tugging Hunter along with her. “Hey, you! Who’s this?” she asked.

“This is my boyfriend, Cody,” Mia said, beaming at the man reclined beside her. “And this is his sister, Lily.” She waved toward the lavender-haired woman. “And her fiancé, Declan.”

She took a pause, dramatically catching her breath, before continuing. “And this is my cousin, Dani, andherfiancé, Liam.”

Dani gave a friendly wave and Cody reached up a hand. “You must be Hunter’s mysterious fiancée.”

Daisy laughed, taking the hand and shaking it. “I don’t know about mysterious, seeing as most of my life is broadcast to the world. But fiancée is spot on.” And then it was her turn to beam up at her man.

“I’ve been watching your show,” Lily said, her lavender hair falling over her shoulder. “I am absolutely inlovewith the new banister.”

Pride swelled in her chest, and Daisy leaned toward the group. “Hunter made it.”

“Come on now,” Hunter said, hiding a sheepish grin.

“We’ve got to get you working on the Grand,” Dani said. “We’d love to have some signature Barrett pieces to really anchor the renovations, right, Liam?”

“Absolutely.”

Hunter’s smile faltered. “Thanks, but Seb already tried convincing my dad to start taking projects on the island. ’S not gonna happen.”

Liam nodded in understanding. “Let us know if you change your mind.”

Before anyone could go on, a loud voice boomed over the crowd.

“Speaking of Uncle Seb…” Dani said, turning expectantly toward the older gentleman walking onto the field.

Daisy had heard about Mia’s father, the mayor of Jonathon Island, but she hadn’t had a chance to meet him yet. The man, tall with white hair, commanded the crowd with his presence, his easy smile connecting with friends and family.

“I want to welcome everyone to the Jonathon Island Thanksgiving football game. I see a lot of new faces in the crowd.” He nodded toward the smiling faces of a few supposed newcomers. “And it’s a great reminder of how much we have to be thankful for this year. I know we’ve had a rough stretch, but God always has a plan, and nothing could be more evidence of that than all of you here today…” His gaze moved over the crowd and landed on her. “We’re glad you’re here.”

Her too.

Seb turned, clapped his hands together, and tossed them into the air. “Now, who’s ready for some football?”

The crowd cheered, and Hunter gave Daisy’s temple a quick peck before jogging off with Liam, Declan, and Cody to join the game.

“Not playing?” Dani asked.

“I think I’ll sit this one out, get to know a few of the locals,” Daisy replied with a wink.

“Well, by all means,” Mia said, patting the blanket in the spot that Cody had vacated.

Daisy settled in, grateful for the warmth of the sun on her face. “Where are the kids today?”

“Oh, they’re around.” Mia chuckled, pointing in the direction of her littlest one, who was showing an older woman a bright-red leaf she’d found. “That’s my mom with Maggie.”

A loud roar sounded nearby, and Daisy spotted Finn, making his best monster impression to Augo, who was pretending not to notice until the monster got close enough to tickle. Finn collapsed in giggles as Lucky bounded over, licking his ear.

Daisy had only met the kids in passing, but they seemed as sweet as could be.

She watched as Hunter joined his brothers, their playful banter and roughhousing eliciting a chuckle from her.

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