Page 38 of Saltwater Sweets
The next morning, Sam awakened feeling better than she had in years. Her mom was happy, Chuck wasn’t screwing her over, and she and Cole had mended things after all their lies and suspicions. She was grateful everyone had forgiven her for the wallet incident.
She glanced at Cole’s room as she walked past for her morning beach yoga. She was half hoping he might be down there meditating, but then she remembered that he had the Hugh situation to deal with.
Gina had planned to get to the bank the minute it was open, so after yoga, Sam changed and hurried over to the motel to check in on the situation.
Gina, Jules, Ellie, Hugh, and Cole were all in the storage room.
“This does look like it could help your case, Hugh.” Ellie handed a stack of papers, which Sam assumed were the papers that had been in the safety deposit box, to Cole.
Cole glanced over them, nodding. “And make a case for prosecution of Mark Richards. Okay. I’m going to contact the office for further instructions.” He whipped out his phone and went into the other room to make the call.
“Now you need to come through with your promise to Gina.” Ellie stood in front of Hugh, her hands on her hips.
Gina shoved the laptop at him. “I’ve written my bank wire-transfer number on this sticky note. Don’t be a jerk.”
“Don’t worry. I make good on my promises.” Hugh managed to look offended as he started typing into the computer.
Cole came back into the room. “Gary says to hold him here, and they’re going to send a car.”
“Can do,” Ellie said.
“There. It’s transferred.” Hugh turned the computer toward Gina, who bent over and scrolled around.
Gina straightened. “It’s good. Thanks.”
It was getting crowded in the storage room, so Sam decided to make her exit. “I’m glad things worked out. I’ll see you all later.”
To her surprise, Cole followed her out.
“So all’s well that ends well,” Cole said.
“I guess so. With our parents and with Gina.”
Cole glanced back at the motel. “Yeah. I’m glad I could help with that. I wasn’t exactly keeping it from anyone that I worked for the FBI, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. There have been a lot of misunderstandings, but I hope we can be friends now.” She looked over at him.
“More than that. Looks like we’ll be family.”
The words warmed Sam’s heart.
“What are you going to do now? Are you getting ready to go home?” Cole asked.
Sam sighed. “That’s a good question. I don’t want to go back to my stressful job. Being here in Shell Cove has made me take stock of my priorities.”
They stopped at the end of the lot and looked out over the ocean. “I know what you mean. I was at a crossroads in my job, and now that I’ve been here, I’m wondering if it isn’t time for a change. My dad isn’t getting any younger, and spending time with him this week has made me realize how little time I’ve spent with him the last few years because of my job.”
“You mean you’re think about staying here?” The idea that Cole might stay in town too lifted her spirits.
Cole shrugged. “Maybe. I did hear they had an opening on the force.”
“It’s a great place to live.”
Cole glanced at her. “It seems that way, but you wouldn’t give up your career to come back here, would you?”
“I could move my practice here. I’d probably have fewer clients, but that’s what I need. Mom has always been worried that I’m the only one she has to pass Saltwater Sweets down to. Maybe it’s time I stepped up to continue the family legacy.”
Cole looked at her, his lips quirking up at the edges. “Soon, she might have a new son to leave it to, though. Me.”
