Page 50 of Whispers at Seaside
“Not this time. Just Hagen, if that’s okay? We’re doing a daddy-child outing. We do it every few weeks. It gives the girls a break, and we get time with our kids. Win-win.”
“Sounds good. I’ll ask Mira, but count me and Hagen in.”
“Will do. What’s going on with you? How was Nantucket?”
“We had a great time, but I need a favor. Remember what I told you Mira said about Dad’s store?”
“Yeah.” Pete reached down and petted Joey, who was whimpering for attention.
Matt knelt beside her and let her lick his entire face.
“You’re such a pushover,” Pete teased.
“Look who’s talking.” Matt told him about his and Mira’s plan for the co-op. “I need everyone to pitch in and watch the store while we’re gone. I’ll talk to Grayson, Hunter, and Sky. Can you help for a day or two?”
“What are you thinking? A week? Ten days?”
“A week on the outside, I think.” Matt rose to his feet as Jenna came out of the cottage with Bea, and Joey ran to greet them.
“Unca Matt!” Bea toddled over in a pretty blue sundress.
“Hi, beautiful.” He lifted her into his arms, kissing her pudgy cheeks.
Pete smiled. “She loves having you around, you know.”
“Yeah. I love being around.” Matt met Pete’s serious gaze. “What do you say? Think you can help out while we’re gone?”
“Where are you going?” Jenna asked as she came to his side wearing a similar dress to Bea’s and matching flip-flops.
Pete explained what was going on.
“They’ll do it. Don’t you worry, because if they can’t, the girls and I will.” Jenna waggled her brows. “Things are looking serious, huh?” She went up on her toes and pulled Matt’s shirt, tugging him down so she could speak in his ear. “If you break her heart, Pete will kill you.”
Matt glanced at Pete, who shrugged and said, “She’s probably right. She’s been a saving grace for Dad. He treats her like another daughter.”
He gave Bea one last kiss, then handed her to Pete. “She’s a saving grace for me, too.”
After talking with Pete, Matt called Grayson at Grunter’s, who put him on speakerphone so Hunter could take part in the conversation.
“Hey, bro,” Hunter said. “I hear you and Mira have become inseparable. It took you long enough.”
Matt laughed, because he’d been telling himself it was about time, too.
“We’re happy for you,” Grayson said.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” He explained what was going on with the co-op and asked if they’d be willing to help out.
“Sure. Parker and I are back until the wedding, so I can definitely make the time,” Grayson answered.
“I’m in,” Hunter offered. “But let me get this straight. You took a sabbatical to write, and instead you’re spending weekends on Nantucket screwing your brains out, and—”
Hunter’s voice faded, and Matt heard a scuffle but couldn’t make out what they were saying. He grinned, knowing Grayson was giving Hunter a hard time for his crass remark.
“Come on, Gray!” Hunter hollered. Then there was more scuffling.
“Tell him,” Grayson said sternly. Then they both laughed.
“The idiot sucker punched me,” Hunter snapped.
