Page 75 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

“You know,” his grandfather continued, “your father asked me, years ago, to change the trust.”

Hunter stopped in his tracks, shocked. “What?”

His father paused beneath the streetlamp. “After your mother left. He knew he couldn’t bear to live there anymore, so he asked me to give it to Miles. To ensure the family legacy.”

Hunter frowned. “But you said no.”

His grandfather nodded solemnly. “Do you know why we built the trust that way?”

Hunter let out a shallow breath. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like the answer.

“To create a legacy built on faith,” Grandpa said, wrapping an arm around Hunter’s shoulder. “It was never about the house.”

“It was about faith,” Hunter finished, feeling a knot form in his stomach.

Trust. Hunter wasn’t sure that was something he really knew how to do. Even now, he was bracing himself for the end of him and Daisy. When it came to God…if Hunter’s own mother could walk out of his life, it wasn’t likely the Big Guy was going to stick around.

He thought back to his conversation with Miles the morning this all started.But I think if you give Him a chance to come through for you, you might be surprised.Maybe it was time he gave that a try…

His grandpa gave his shoulder a squeeze. “I’m just proud of you, is all…”

They stopped at the end of Main Street, the inn only a few buildings down, and his grandfather reached into his pocket. “There’s something else.” He pulled an old leather ring box from his pocket. The edges were worn, the clasp tarnished from years of use. He opened the box, revealing his grandmother’s old wedding ring. The diamond was modest, set in a gold band with a simple filigree pattern around it. “I noticed Daisy wasn’t wearing a ring yet.”

Hunter’s heart lodged in his throat. “Grandpa, no—” The truth clung to him, refusing to come out, so instead he just said, “I can’t take this.”

“I want to see Daisy wearing this tomorrow,” his grandfather said, pressing the box into Hunter’s hand. He gave Hunter a warm smile and a pat on the shoulder. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s late. And this old man needs some rest.”

His grandfather turned and walked away, leaving Hunter standing alone on the sidewalk, the ring box heavy in his hand.

* * *

This day had been a dream. A loud, raucous, inviting dream. And Daisy wanted more than anything to stay a part of it.

She hugged her jacket around her as she stepped onto the street, her cheeks still flushed from the warmth of the diner. The stars hung over Main Street, twinkling brightly down on the little town. It was a far cry from the bright lights of California, but Daisy felt more at home here than she ever had there.

Her footsteps echoed as she rounded the end of the coffee shop, her little slice of the town emerging in the alleyway. There, the old wooden staircase led to her second-story apartment. Since they’d slowed on renovations, Daisy had taken to decorating, despite her looming departure from the island. The wooden rail had been wrapped in leafy garland, and fake potted plants sat on the treads leading up to the door.

Her mom would have been proud.

Daisy paused on the steps, the guilt aching through her chest. She pulled out her phone and found her mom’s name. Her thumb hovered over the contact for a moment, and then she sighed and scrolled to Robin’s name instead.

She’d call. Soon.

“Babe! Hi!” Robin’s voice answered after a few rings.

“Happy Thanksgiving, beautiful!” Daisy said, sinking onto the stairs. “How are things going?”

She heard Robin shuffling around, the noise around her growing loud and then fading again. “Sorry, had to step outside. My parents decided to host the cousins this year. It’s a madhouse in there.” She let out a breath. “I’m good. Very excited about my top client’s impending comeback.”

Daisy imagined a cheeky wink, and she smiled. Robin had always been good at making her feel special. Maybe that’s why they were best friends.

“How are things with lover boy?” Robin asked, her voice dropping low, as though hoping to exchange secrets.

Daisy blushed, a smile tugging at her lips as she thought about their victory kiss on the football field. Hunter was different now. Relaxed. Trusting. “It’s good.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah,” she said. “It’s just…Robin, I’m not sure what we’re doing anymore.”

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