Page 16 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
As she settled into the quiet of the night, her thoughts drifted to Liam, only a few feet away. He was everything anyone could want in a partner. Liam was kind, caring, considerate, and protective while not being overbearingly so. As Dawn closed her eyes, Liam’s handsome face drifted into her dreams, leaving her wondering how his ex-wife could have let someone like him go. Dawn knew if she was married to him, she’d never want to leave him.
The night stretched on with the soft sound of the waves as a lullaby. In the living room, Liam eventually found sleep after tossing and turning. His mind filled with the events of the day, Sally’s upcoming wedding, the thefts, and Dawn as the night stretched uneventfully into the early morning.
CHAPTER 4
The soft light of dawn had just begun to filter through the sheer curtains of Harper’s hotel room when she and Lila, already in their vibrant beach gear, conspired in whispers. The plan was simple yet filled with the quiet thrill of teenage schemes: arrange a surprise breakfast for Liam and Dawn, slip a note suggesting their early morning escapade, and escape to the Beach Hut for their own day of adventure.
Lila picked up the room phone, her fingers hesitating just a moment before dialing room service. Harper watched her friend, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The air was charged with a mix of salt breeze from the ajar balcony door and the excitement of their plot.
“Good morning, this is room 205. We’d like to order breakfast for two to be set up on the balcony, please,” Lila’s voice was a controlled whisper, belying the racing of her heart.
Harper jotted down their orders on the hotel notepad: fresh orange juice, two plates of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, a basket of assorted pastries, fresh fruit, and, of course, coffee—black for Liam and cream and sugar for Dawn. She wanted everything to be perfect, to create a moment that would spark something magical between Dawn and Liam.
Once the order was confirmed, Lila hung up and turned to Harper, her eyes gleaming with success. “Okay, it’s set. They said it’ll be up in about thirty minutes.”
“That gives us just enough time to get out of here,” Harper said, grabbing the notepad from the desk. She scribbled quickly:Gone surfing and having breakfast at the Beach Hut. Tiger is with Aunt Betty for the day. Enjoy the breakfast! – H & L
“My Aunt Betty will be out front to take Tiger for the day,” Lila told her, bending down on the floor and patting the cat. “She’s going to take good care of you.”
Tiger purred gratefully, trying to move, but the bandages restricted his movement. They placed the note where it couldn’t be missed, folded on the kitchenette counter. A spot Dawn was sure to check in her morning routine. The girls hooked their beach bags, already packed with towels, sunscreen, and waterbottles, over their shoulders. Lila cradled Tiger in his bed, and they were ready to go.
Creeping out of the suite, Harper felt the thrill of their plan in motion, like the first drop of a roller coaster. They moved swiftly down the hallway, their flip-flops silent on the plush carpet. As they reached the elevator, Harper pressed the call button and glanced at Lila, both suppressing giggles.
The elevator dinged softly, the doors sliding open to an empty carriage. As they stepped inside, Harper felt a buzz of excitement. The morning was crisp, the island was waking up, and they were setting the stage for something wonderful.
As the elevator doors opened to the lobby, the cool morning air greeted them, a promise of the adventures the day held. They walked out of the hotel, the sky brightening with hues of pink and orange, their spirits as light as the breeze.
Leaving behind the unfolding day for Dawn and Liam, Harper, and Lila set off toward the Beach Hut, their excited chatter about their day of adventure ahead mingling with the sounds of the waking island. Step one of their matchmaking plan was in action!
Liam awoke to the faint murmur of the sea and the gentle caress of the morning sun filtering through the sheer drapes. Hestretched lazily, his muscles relishing the freedom after a night on the sofa bed. Standing, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, pulled on his shirt, and made his way to the kitchenette to start the coffee—a morning ritual that anchored his day.
As he passed Harper’s room, his steps faltered. The door was wide open, an unusual sight given the girls’ penchant for privacy during their late-night chats. A glance inside confirmed his fears: the room was empty, with no sign of Harper or Lila. A jolt of panic shot through him, his fatherly instincts kicking into overdrive. Where could they have gone so early? Due to the recent events in the hotel, Liam’s mind raced with possibilities, none of them comforting.
With a rush of urgency, Liam hurried back to the living room, his eyes scanning for any clue of their whereabouts. That’s when he noticed a folded note on the kitchenette counter. His hands slightly trembling, he picked it up and unfolded it. The message was in a bubbly handwriting:
Gone surfing and having breakfast at the Beach Hut. Tiger is with Aunt Betty for the day. Enjoy the breakfast! – H & L
A wave of relief washed over him, cooling the initial flare of panic. Surfing, of course. He let out a chuckle, the tension draining from his shoulders. Lila loved to go surfing in the early morning with her friends, so it was no wonder she’d want to introduce Harper to it.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the suite door. Confused but calmed by the knowledge of the girl’s whereabouts, Liam walked over and opened it to find a hotel staff member pushing a cart laden with breakfast. The aroma of fresh coffee and pastries filled the air, a pleasant assault on the senses that brought a smile to his face.
“Oh, good morning, Mr. Gains,” the young waiter greeted him with a nod. “I didn’t know you were here.” He glanced at the cart. “You ordered breakfast for two?”
“I did?” Liam frowned and glanced at the note still in his hands.Ah, Lila and Harper must’ve ordered this.“Thank you.” He stepped aside to allow the staff member through.
His eyebrows rose as the waiter walked through the living room, opened the balcony doors, and started to arrange the meal on the table outside. Before Liam could say anything, his attention was caught by Dawn emerging from her bedroom, rubbing her eyes, clearly just waking up from the noise. Her hair was tousled in a way that Liam found endearingly natural.
“Good morning,” he greeted her, watching a sleepy smile spread across her face.
“Morning,” Dawn replied, her voice soft and husky from sleep. “What’s all this?” She gestured towards the balcony.
“It seems the girls ordered us breakfast before heading out to surf,” Liam explained, handing her the note.
Dawn took it, reading the message with a rising smile. “That was thoughtful of them,” she said, suppressing a yawn as she handed the note back to him. “Seems they’re setting us up for a nice day.”
Liam nodded, his eyes following Dawn as she moved to the balcony to admire the setup. The table was beautifully arranged with vibrant dishes of food, fresh juices, and a steaming pot of coffee that promised a much-needed caffeine fix.
“They’ve thought of everything,” Dawn commented, taking a seat at the table.
