Page 76 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“Me too,” Harper said, going in for a group hug. “I’m so happy I met you and Sam.” She smiled. “I’m so glad I came to Plum Island to visit Aunt Dawn.”
“Well, as it happens,” Betty said, an arm around each of the fifteen-year-old teens, “we’re very glad you did, too.” They started to walk back to the cottage. “Now, let’s go discuss this picnic.”
The trio discussed the details a little longer, planning the menu and the setup.
“Why don’t the two of you go find the perfect spot on the cove, and I’ll start getting the food ready,” Betty suggested. “Sam should be back with Tiger soon. I hope the vet thinks there have been improvements to his legs.”
“I hope so,” Lila said, her eyes widening with worry. “Poor Tiger struggles to get around.”
“But not for want of trying,” Harper pointed out and sighed. “I’ve missed him today since Sam took him to the vet for Aunt Dawn.”
“I have too,” Lila agreed with Harper. “I hope that Tiger will be able to walk properly and won’t need aid to help him.”
“Well, we’ll have to wait and see,” Betty told them. “Now run along, and we’ll wait for Sam to get back to you with news on Tiger.”
Harper and Lila slipped on their flip-flops as they ran out the door. Betty stopped them, reminding them to take their hats. They grabbed their beach hats, yelling, “Bye, Aunt Betty,” as they pulled the door closed behind them to go hunt for the perfect romantic plot for their picnic.
Dawn was exhausted as she climbed out of the hot shower after having washed the salty spray from her body. She walked through to her room, still adjusting to her new suite. It was just as spacious and luxurious as her other one. This one didn’t have the old charm or wrap-around balcony her other room did. Dawn was also now on the opposite side of the hotel, so she couldn’t see the Beach Hut or watch people surf—she wanted her old room back.
She pulled her gown on and plodded barefoot out onto the balcony that led off her room. The view was still breathtaking, and now she had a view of the jetty where Alex’s new yacht and the fake Black Ocean II were moored. Now that she saw them side by side, you could see the differences. The first one was that the fake one wasn’t nearly as big as Alex’s was, nor was it as sleek.
“Hey there, big sister.” Wade’s voice caught her attention, and she turned to see him turn toward her from leaning on his balcony. “I thought you were going to get some sleep?”
“I am going to, in a bit. I just wanted to get some fresh air first.” Dawn noticed the dressing that ran down the side of his face. “I see you got all patched up?”
“Yeah.” Wade nodded. “Had to sit and listen to Doctor Westmorland tell me how irresponsible I was to go after you and then get into a fight with my head wound.” He sighed. “Thanks to your boyfriend Liam, I had to let the doctor do nearly a complete examination of me to ensure there were no broken bones, and then Scott told the doctor the only thing broken about me was my ego.”
“I bet Scott thought that was funny.” Dawn frowned.
“He did,” Wade said with a nod. “He and Liam have become overnight besties as Liam walked around the clinic with our big brother on video chat, barking orders from miles away.”
“Scott’s just worried about us,” Dawn pointed out. “I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to speak to Harper since you arrived here?”
“I did,” Wade told her. “I called her the minute I arrived here.” He leaned over the balcony once again. “Do you think Liam will give us our dog back? I miss Hicks.”
“I do, too,” Dawn confessed and sighed. “How’s Ritz doing?”
“I’ve put some more trees for her to climb and added a few of her favorite vegetables,” Wade told Dawn. “She’s as happy as an iguana could be, and I think she’s over the trauma from the other night and being flung about.”
“I’m glad you’ve been there for Ritz,” Dawn told him and gave him a small smile. “I’m glad you’re here, little brother.”
“Even though it’s been a rather stormy time,” Wade said, “I’m glad to be here too and to get to spend time with you again. Even if it is saving you after being kidnapped and stranded in the middle of the Atlantic.”
“We weren’t in the middle of the Atlantic,” Dawn pointed out. “Although it sure felt like we were, I’m sure we weren’t even close to it.” Dawn saw Wade wince and rub his temple on the side without the dressing. “Do you have a headache?”
“Just a bit,” Wade said, shaking it off. “I think I’m going to lie down for a bit.”
“Me too,” Dawn said. “I’m right next door if you need anything.”
“Thanks, sis,” Wade said before giving her a wave and then disappearing into his suite.
Dawn stood staring at the door Wade had disappeared into. They had a lot to sort out, as there were years of anger, misunderstanding, and regret to unpack. But, like Wade said, it had been a rough start. Dawn hoped the next week, they’d spend more time together and try to get to a point where they could put it behind them. She stifled a yawn before turning and walking back into her room. Dawn looked at her open balcony door, and while she loved sleeping with the cool breeze blowing in the salty sea air, she was nervous about leaving it open. Dawn pulled it closed and locked it. She then went around the suite, ensuring every window and door to the outside was locked, bolted, and security chained.
Dawn was now officially paranoid about safety. As she crawled onto her bed, preparing to sleep, her mind flashed back to the previous night. It had started out so perfect on her date with Liam, Harper, and Lila at the ice rink. Only to walk back into the hotel and step into a scene that felt like one of the movie scripts she’d written… Her eyes sprang open to the view of the white roof above her. Dawn’s mind was whirling.
“Why didn’t I see this before?” Dawn was off the bed and hurrying to get dressed in a flash.
After pulling her hair back, she went to the closet and pulled her journal from the safe. Dawn climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged; she went through her journal to the pages marked,The Ghosts of Eve. The book Dawn had been writing was based on most of her life and an adventure one evening that leads Eve, the main female character, to her true love, Jack.
