Page 7 of Lost Love Cove
Alisha nodded. “Of course, I’ll add it to the list.” She watched him for a few seconds. “Do you need anything else while I’m there?”
He gave a small smile, the kind reserved for her. She had carried more than anyone should have to, yet she never faltered. He worried she gave too much of herself to work and to Cody, never saving any for herself.
“No,” Mat answered. “I think that’s all.”
“Great,” Alisha said. “Then, as soon as Cody and Maggie are back from the cove, I’ll ask Carrie if Maggie can join us, and we’ll be on our way.”
Before Matt could reply, the sudden burst of barking cut through the air, and he turned in time to see Muttley and Luna dashing across the grass toward the house, followed by Cody and Maggie’s laughter as they chased after them. Matt’s hammernearly slipped from his fingers as his gaze caught the sight of Carrie.
She walked behind them. Sunlight brushing her face, her hair loose in the breeze. She laughed at the commotion in front of her, her expression softened in a way he hadn’t yet seen. For a moment, the sound of her laughter carried across the space between them, warm and easy, and his chest tightened unexpectedly. Then her eyes lifted, meeting his across the yard. Her laughter faded, replaced with a steady, watchful look that sent his heartbeat into an uneven rhythm.
At the gate, Alisha smiled brightly. “Hello,” she greeted, her voice warm as she waved them toward the house.
Cody rushed forward, wrapping his arms around his mother’s waist, his words spilling in excitement about the morning picnic. Maggie stood close, Luna pressed against her side, both bubbling with the same energy.
Alisha listened, nodding with amusement, then crouched to their level. “Would you like to come with us to the market?” she asked Maggie.
Maggie looked up at Carrie as she stopped near them, her young face alight with hope.
Carrie studied her granddaughter for only a second before nodding. “If you would like to go, you should.”
“Yes, please!” Maggie bounced on her toes, her braid swinging.
“Go get a sweater and dust the sand off your feet first,” Carrie told her.
With a squeal, Maggie and Cody bolted toward Lori’s house, the dogs thundering after them.
Carrie turned to Alisha. “Thank you. It means a lot to her to have a friend here this summer.”
Alisha’s smile was genuine. “And to Cody, too. He’s been happier these past few days than I’ve seen him in a long time.”
Carrie nodded, her expression softening. She adjusted her tote on her shoulder, ready to head back, then paused. Her voice lowered slightly, her brow furrowed, and her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Have you noticed anyone loitering around the cove recently?”
The question caught Matt’s attention immediately. He set the plank aside, frowning as he wondered where that question had come from, or rather why Carrie was asking it.
Alisha shook her head. “No. It’s safe here. Nothing unusual.”
Matt glanced at Carrie, sensing something she wasn’t saying. Her eyes flickered, her mouth tightened just slightly. He opened his mouth to ask, but the children’s voices rang out again as they returned, carrying the clamor of excitement with them.
The moment slipped away, but it made Matt feel a little uneasy for some reason.
Carrie gave Maggie a quick hug, then stepped back as the flurry of departure overtook the yard. Alisha ushered Cody and Maggie toward the truck, Muttley bounding after them with eager energy.
“Not this time, boy,” Matt said firmly, catching the great dog by the collar as he tried to scramble inside. Muttley barked once in protest, his tail wagging furiously, before slumping back with reluctant acceptance.
Carrie called for Luna, who bounded at her side as she turned to go. “Thank you again,” she told Alisha with sincerity. Then to Maggie: “Be good.”
The truck engine rumbled to life, and with a wave, Alisha pulled out of the drive. Carrie headed back toward Lori’s porch, Luna trotting beside her, her dress fluttering against her legs as she moved away.
Matt stood, one hand on Muttley’s collar, watching her. A flicker of disappointment edged into his chest as she disappeared behind the hedges. He shook it off, telling himself it was nothing.
The truck’s sound faded down the lane, the quiet of the cove settling once more. Matt’s head turned back toward Lori’s house and he stood staring at it before his stomach rumbled, reminding him that he’d skipped breakfast. Matt quickly finished what he was doing, and as he was wiping his hands, ready to go make something to eat, the sound of a bike’s bell tinged, and he saw Paula Day. She was riding her pink bike with its matching basket perched on the front. Paula was a local on the island in her early fifties, still very pretty, with a quick smile and always chatty. She owned a vintage shop on the beachfront, which she ran from a cottage at the front of her house. It was very popular with both the locals and tourists who visited the small island.
Matt drew in a breath; he didn’t think he was up to chatty Paula today, who was also the island gossip. All the residents would say that if you wanted to know anything that was going on on the island, Paula would know.
“Hello, Matt,” Paula waved, pulling up in front of his gate and fishing a cake tin from her bicycle basket. “I brought some of Cody’s favorite choc-chip cookies.”
Matt walked toward the gate with Muttley following at his heels, barking excitedly when he saw Paula, who always brought him treats.
