Page 74 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

Hunter’s arm instinctively tightened around her, a rush of warmth flooding through him.

“Glad to hear it,” Miles said, raising his coffee mug in a mock toast. “Because guests get control of the radio, and I can’t handle another six-hour trip while being forced to listen to one of Evan’s board game podcasters.”

“Hey now,” Evan rebutted. “The Dice Toweris quality content. It’s not my fault you’re uncultured.”

The table erupted in good-natured laughter, and Hunter found himself joining in.

“It’ll be nice to slow down a little,” Daisy explained. “I have a friend coming to take photos on the ninth so we can submit the renovations to the Home and Garden contest. Winner gets this huge cash prize, which could be really nice to have toward another project.”

Hunter tried not to flinch as she said it. “Another project”could mean anything. Anywhere. It could mean back in California…But there were plenty of projects on the island too. They hadn’t talked about what was next for them. Whatever they had growing between them, there was hope for it.

He threaded his fingers through hers.

Maybe they were playing a losing game, letting themselves fall for each other.

But maybe…

She glanced up at him, oblivious to his thoughts. “Hunter’s beautiful banister was the perfect addition…” She returned her gaze to the group. “But I’m not sure it’s going to be enough. I walked by Logan’s Zinnia project earlier this week, and it’s really incredible, even after just two weeks. He’s already restored all the original lap siding, installed period-correct mullioned windows, and that wraparound porch with its tapered columns and river rock base is half finished. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see…”

As if on cue, Hunter’s grandpa rapped his knuckles on the table and rose, pressing a hand to his back, the other to his stomach. “Ohh, I think I’m going to be stuffed for a week,” he joked.

To which Jude responded, “Preach it, Gramps. I’m about to enter my annual food coma.”

Grandpa chuckled. “I think I’m going to head up to the inn. I’ll see you all at your dad’s tomorrow, right?”

A round of agreement filled the table.

“All right then, g’night boys.”

“And Daisy,” Evan corrected.

A round of chuckles. “And Daisy.”

He started toward the door, and Hunter pulled away from Daisy. “I’m gonna walk him home,” he said, giving her a look as if to say,you know, for the thing…

“Oh—oh, right,” she said, quickly glancing after his grandpa. “Okay. I’m probably going to turn in too. Still have episodes to edit. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Count on it,” he said, halfway out the door.

Warm light poured from the diner as Hunter fell into step alongside his grandpa. The night was colder than he’d expected, the earlier unprecedented warmth now faded below the horizon. Their breaths fogged in the lamplight as Hunter rehearsed what he was about to say.Grandpa, there’s something I need to tell you. About Daisy and me…It’s a funny story, actually…

“I was wondering when we’d get a chance to talk,” his grandpa said, turning his shoulders to glance at Hunter.

“Me too, actually,” Hunter said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. He took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage to speak.

The truth is…Daisy and I aren’t engaged. We’re not even dating. Well, maybe we are. It’s complicated…

Wow. He was rambling even inside his head.

“I wanted to tell you how proud I am, Hunt,” his grandpa said. “Of what you and Daisy have done with the house so far. And of everything you’ve done to hold your family together all these years. You’ve shown real strength.”

Hunter’s confession died on his lips, his heart hammering in his chest at his grandfather’s words. “Thank you,” he said, the words scraping from his lungs.

They continued on in silence for a moment, the sound of their footsteps echoing on the empty street.

“I was starting to think it might be time to let go of that old house,” his grandpa started again. “To trust God to give it to the next right person…Call me sentimental, but I’m glad to see we’ve still got some time left with it.”

Hunter swallowed hard, the lump in his throat growing. “Grandpa, about the house?—”

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