Page 78 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove

Hunter eyed the plate of cookies on the coffee table as the comfortable silence shifted.

“You know, I’ve been watching the YouTube channel.”

Hunter blinked. “Really?”

His dad nodded. “You’ve done some quality work up there.”

“Thanks, Dad.” It meant more to Hunter than he knew. “You know, I’ve been getting requests, inquiries for custom projects, ever since that episode aired—the one with the banister.”

His dad remained quiet, so Hunter went on. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, Dad. But don’t you think it’s time to stop letting the past hold you back?”

He let out a heavy breath. “I know you want to move the business back to the island, Hunt…but it’s a big risk. I’ve spent so long trying to make up for my mistake. Trying to make sure everything is perfect so that nothing like the boardwalk ever happens again. The town’s just getting back on its feet…and what’s to say I won’t let them down? Or worse, what if something happens? I couldn’t—I can’t, Hunt.”

The air felt heavy, the years of fear and stress suddenly making his dad look decades older.

“I get it, Dad,” Hunter said, ducking his head to meet his father’s downturned gaze. “Really, I do. But I’m starting to think that maybe you and I, we spend too much time afraid. Afraid of what might happen if we loosen the reins. And maybe, just maybe if we let God take the reins, He’ll surprise us with what’s in store.”

The sound of Christmas music drifted down the hall, the great Christmas cookie battle apparently over, and Hunter heard footsteps coming to end the conversation. He reached out and clasped a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Think on it, okay?”

His dad lifted his gaze again, his eyes red. “I’ll think on it.”

Just then, Waylen strode into the room, popping a Red Hot into his mouth.

“All right, Dad. What’s next?” Hunter asked, hopping to his feet, shaking away the heaviness.

Crumbs spilled across his dad’s sweater as he looked around and said, “Why don’t you head down to the basement and grab the tree?”

Hunter nodded and started for the stairs.

A buzz filled the space as Hunter flicked on the florescent lights, which dangled over a maze of boxes and old furniture. On one side of the room, his dad’s small workstation sat forgotten, unused for years. Hunter let his eyes glaze over it, searching for the holiday decor.

His dad was a funny guy. He didn’t maintain his yard. He didn’t give a thought to curb appeal. But give him a blow-up Santa for the roof, and he was all over it. Hunter spotted the large container markedChristmas Treein his dad’s messy scrawl, and he made his way toward it.

As he bent to pick it up, the small box in his front pocket slipped out, tumbling across the floor.

The ring.

Hunter paused what he was doing and reached for it, his chest squeezing as he lifted the box and opened it.

His stomach sank.

What was he going to do? He’d just given his dad a whole speech about trusting God, and here he was, scheming to get his way. He couldn’t continue lying to everyone. Eventually, the truth would come out.

Unless…

The diamond caught the light, glittered.

His conversation with Miles all those weeks ago rang in his head.

Ask her. What’s the worst that could happen?

He didn’t think this was exactly what Miles had meant, but the sentiment was the same. Maybe they had a shot at making this work. If anyone was willing to put in the effort, it was Daisy Decker.

What if he asked her to…to what, marry him?

He shifted the ring, and the light in the diamond dimmed.Come on, Hunt. Be real. It’s just a matter of time until things start to go wrong. And then what? You’re back where you started, picking up the pieces.

He snapped the box shut and shoved it back into his pocket.

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