Page 64 of Summer Escape
"Is he handling it differently because it's a personal project?" I asked.
"I would think he'd have more accomplished by now. The entire scene feels chaotic to me."
"You prefer order. That makes sense, given your history in the military."
"Is that why?" Marshall sighed. "Shep's always been disorganized."
"It sounded like he knew that was a challenge for him, and that's why he asked for Kinsley's help."
"Hopefully, she'll make the difference for him. I'd love to see that old house brought back to life. It holds so many memories."
"It was gorgeous." The homes were large and surrounded with fences and wrought iron gates. "Everything inside told the history of your family."
"It's a special place. I'm glad I could show it to you guys."
"If Shep is smart about the renovation, it will be a place you can enjoy for many more generations." It was sturdy enough to survive any category of hurricane that could come ashore.
"I hope you're right. I'd hate to see it sit there and collect dust. It's a home that's meant to host parties and family events."
That reminded me of the beach cottage we were sharing. It seemed destined to create memories for anyone who inhabited it. Would I be okay if Grandma sold it one day to someone else?
Chapter Seventeen
Marshall
The last few weeks of summer were slipping away. I savored every minute I spent with Hayden and Saylor. Soon, I'd be living alone in this beach house. As much as I loved the space, it would eventually hold only memories of the time I shared with them. I had a feeling it would be hard to stay after everyone left.
But this thing with Saylor was only supposed to be a fling. She needed an escape from her life, and I thought I could handle a relationship with an end date. But I was the one who broke the rules and fell for her.
Hayden was busy with her friends and the final preparations for the senior center's garden party. It was meant as an end-of-summer party coupled with a showcase of their new additions to the grounds: the gazebo, the butterfly garden, and the nature trail.
After the party, Hayden would return to her mother's, and Saylor would move back to Jacksonville.
Ivy hadn't found the perfect house for me yet, and I still needed to smooth things over with Hudson.
Tonight, Hayden was at her friend's house, and Elena had invited Saylor to go out with her, Ivy, and Hazel."
I texted Hudson and asked if he'd be up for company. I wasn’t sure he was going to answer, but eventually, he'd said yes.
I didn't expect he'd invite me for dinner or even offer me a drink. So I didn't bring anything with me. I'd hurt Hudson, and he had a right to feel however he did.
I just hoped he'd find it in his heart to forgive me someday. I didn't want working in the family business to be awkward. If Hudson couldn't get over my return, I'd have to consider another plan.
I knocked on the door at seven and waited for the sound of his heavy footsteps as he approached. He opened the door. "Come in."
He didn't look happy to see me.
I stepped inside. "Thanks for having me over."
He raised a brow because he hadn't invited me. Hudson led the way onto his back deck, handing me a beer. I set it aside, not ready to relax quite yet.
We sat in separate chairs. The sound of the waves didn't soothe me like it usually did. Instead, I felt anxious about his reaction to what I had to say.
"I'm sorry that I left the way I did. I wasn't happy about graduating and moving back home like you were, and I didn't know how to talk to you about it."
"I expected that you'd be by my side."
"I wasn't ready to take over the business. You needed me, and I let you down."
