10. Samantha
10
SAMANTHA
The sun streams into the room and I hear the shower shut off. Then, Jake walks into the bedroom, his hair slightly damp from the shower. Wearing that crooked grin, all my good intentions fly out the window like a fledging.
He’s sexy as hell and he leans over me with a towel wrapped around his waist. I brush a strand of hair from his forehead, and his eyes gaze into mine. He smiles as he pulls me into him and indulges me with a deep kiss.
He chuckles when I pull him back into bed. He tumbles over me and lazily drapes his arm across my waist. I remain still, savoring the quiet intimacy of him being next to me. It’s a rare kind of peace. It’s not like me to be content without moving.
“Morning,” he says his husky voice dripping with sex appeal.
“Morning,” I whisper back, glancing at the clock. “We should get up before Ellie decides to start a kitchen experiment. There is Birthday Bake pancake mix in the pantry, and she knows how to mix it!”
Jake groans as he rubs his hand over his face. “Knowing her, she’s probably halfway through an entire box of marshmallow cereal.”
With that in mind, I aggressively throw the blanket aside and jump out of bed. “Don’t joke about that. She’d do it.” My eyes are wide as I realize the sexy mom has turned into a Mother Hen in under five seconds.
He laughs at my face filled with horror. “The sweet Ellie you know is entirely different on sugar,” I add.
“You’re scared of her sugar tantrums?” he teases.
“You would be too if you knew what you were up against. Imagine your worst nightmare and magnify it by 100. She hates to hear the word “No” when she’s in that state. Besides, we’re going to the beach, let’s not ruin the outing before we leave the house.”
“Fine,” he growls. “You know her best,” he says as he playfully slaps me on the ass as he crawls out of the bed.
We both dress as quickly as we can without tripping over each other. The room never struck me as small before. I eye him as he throws on a plain T-shirt and sweats that somehow manages to make him look like he belongs in a fitness ad. I toss on an old cropped top, with a hoodie and leggings, barely bothering to smooth down my bed hair.
When we make it downstairs. Ellie doesn’t disappoint. She is perched on a stool at the counter, her back to us, a suspiciously large bowl of brightly colored, sugar-coated cereal in front of her. The box sits tipped over on its side, spilling a trail of rainbow pieces across the counter. She’s mid-scoop when she realizes we’ve caught her.
Her eyes go wide, and she freezes, the spoon is poised halfway to her mouth. “Uh… good morning?” she sheepishly grins.
“Ellie.” Jake’s tone is firm but laced with amusement as he crosses his arms over his chest. “What do you think you’re doing?”
She sets the spoon down carefully like she’s trying to defuse a bomb. “Having breakfast?”
Jake raises an eyebrow. “That’s not breakfast. That’s dessert pretending to be breakfast.”
“But I was hungry,” she protests, looking between the two of us for backup.
I lean against the archway with my arms crossed, trying to hide my smile. “We were coming down to make bacon and eggs. You could’ve waited.”
“Bacon?” Ellie perks up instantly, her sugary betrayal momentarily forgotten. “We’re having bacon?” She gives me her innocent face and I have to admit it is adorable. Leave it to the little rugrat to feign innocence when she’s caught red-handed. She knows cereal is only allowed on special occasions.
Jake nods in agreement and moves deeper into the kitchen before grabbing the offensive cereal box and closing it. “Yep. But first, we’re putting this away. Go grab the eggs and help us.” He returns the cereal to the pantry and grabs the Birthday cake pancake mix.
Ellie hops off the high-top chair with surprising enthusiasm for someone who just got caught breaking house rules. She darts to the fridge, pulls out the carton of eggs, and hands them to me with an eager grin. “I can crack them, right? I’m really good at it now.”
“Sure,” I say, setting the carton on the counter and grabbing a mixing bowl. “But remember, no shells in the bowl.”
Ellie nods solemnly, her serious expression making me bite back a laugh. She’s always so determined when she’s helping in the kitchen, even if her “help” usually means doubling my cleanup time.
Jake, meanwhile heats a skillet for the bacon. The sizzle of the first few strips hitting the pan fills the air, and the delicious smell immediately takes over. He works with a practiced ease, flipping the bacon with precision and glancing over his shoulder at us every so often.
“Are you two handling those eggs, or am I gonna have to step in and save breakfast?” he teases Ellie as he flicks a sexy daddy look to me as I walk over to fix the coffee pot.
“We’re fine,” I reply, rolling my eyes as Ellie carefully cracks an egg against the rim of the bowl. “Unlike some people, we don’t need to flip pancakes single-handedly to prove our worth.”
Jake smirks. “Big talk from someone who almost burned a dishtowel on the stove yesterday.”
“That was one time,” I say, pointing a whisk at him. “And I was distracted.”
“By me,” he says, grinning shamelessly. I roll my eyes at him but secretly I’m loving every second of his attention.
Ellie looks between us, wrinkling her nose. “You guys are so weird.”
We laugh. I marvel at how Jake loves to tease us and Ellie giggles at about anything when he’s around. It warms my heart.
Ellie cracked the eggs perfectly and I let her pour the pancake mix in. I pull confetti sprinkles left over from Christmas from the cupboard. It will add color to the pancakes when they are finished.
I make a side of scrambled eggs and by the time the bacon is done, the Birthday pancakes are stacked and Ellie adds the sprinkles before I set them on the table. Jake carries over the plate of bacon, and we all sit down together. The sunlight pouring through the kitchen window casts everything in a warm, golden glow and it’s the same warmth that I’m feeling in my heart.
“This is amazing,” Ellie says, her eyes wide as she reaches for a piece of bacon.
Jake wags a finger at her. “Not so fast. What do we say before we eat?”
Ellie sighs dramatically, but she humors him. “Thank you for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome,” Jake says, his grin softening into something more genuine as he looks at both of us. “Dig in.”
We eat together, the kind of breakfast that’s simple but perfect—crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, and pancakes Ellie insists on overdosing with syrup.
She chatters the entire time, telling us about her plans for the day, her friends at school, and how she wants to learn to cook “like a pro” so she can open a restaurant when she grows up.
“You’re already halfway there,” Jake says, ruffling her hair. “Just remember to invite me to the grand opening.”
Ellie beams. “You’ll be my official taste tester!”
“And what about me?” I ask, pretending to be offended.
Ellie tilts her head, considering. “You can be the manager.”
“Manager?” I laugh. “What, I don’t get to cook or bake anything?”
“Nope,” she says with a cheeky grin. “You’re not as good as Jake.”
Jake laughs, and I shake my head, pretending to be exasperated. But inside, I’m enjoying every minute of the banter. The two of them act like they’ve known each other forever, and it solidifies Jake as a member of our family.
After breakfast, Jake and Ellie clear the table while I begin to rinse the dishes. The sound of their voices fills the kitchen—Ellie teasing Jake about his “terrible” singing as he hums a tune, and he’s pretending to be offended, then he threatens to withhold her bacon privileges tomorrow .
As I watch them, a smile tugs at my lips. This is what I’ve always wanted for Ellie—for us. A home filled with laughter, warmth, and love. And I’m oddly comfortable. Jake fits in our home, our lives and he’s made himself a fixture in our lives in record-breaking time.
After the cleanup is done, Jake returns to his room at the inn to dress for the beach and he mentions he’ll run into town to pick up supplies for the day.
By the time I pick up the house, make beds, and dress for the beach, I hear a horn honk. I look out my bedroom window and Jake is standing over a cooler in the bed of his truck. It looks like he found my cooler and beach supplies in the shed. I’m impressed he’s taken it upon himself to prepare for our outing. I’m excited he’s a self-starter who doesn’t need to be micromanaged.
“You ladies ready for the beach or what? Daylight is burning,” he hollers. I hear the porch door slam as Ellie runs out. Jake scoops her into his arms giving her a bear hug.
“I’m ready, Jake!”
“Sam!”
“Coming,” I yell out the window. “Give me a minute!”
I apply sunscreen and throw a knitted sundress over my bikini-clad body. I feel naked and self-conscious.
I join them by the truck. “Do you have drinks, water?”
“Yes,” he drawls out the “Y”.
“Food, umbrella?”
“Yes, yes,” he grins as he gives me a side-eye that is challenging me to discover what he might have forgotten.
“What are we forgetting?” I ask.
“This isn’t my first rodeo, Sam.” He opens the passenger door and Ellie climbs in.
My face is blank and I’m speechless trying to come up with something he forgot, and he chuckles. “Right.”
I can’t change being a perfectionist overnight.
“I got it covered. You wanted help,” he raises his hands at his side. “I’m helping.”
I nod in defeat. I relinquish control and decide to enjoy the day as a spectator.
We climb into the truck and head to the coast.
An hour later, we rumble down the sandy road, the salty breeze wafting through the open windows, tangling Ellie’s curls as she bounces in the back seat. Her excitement is contagious, though I try to keep my expression neutral. Jake glances at me from the driver’s seat, his tanned arm resting casually on the wheel, the other draped over the open window. His grin is lazy and knowing, as if he can sense that beneath my carefully composed exterior, I’m fighting back the thrill of something new.
“It’s been a while, huh?” he says, his voice low enough not to interrupt Ellie’s chatter about finding seashells and chasing seagulls.
“Yeah,” I admit, my gaze fixed on the slivers of blue ocean that peek between the tall grass and palmetto trees. “A long time.”
The South Carolina coast comes into full view as we crest a small dune, and the sight takes my breath away. The waves crash against the shoreline in a steady rhythm, their white crests catch the light of the midday sun. The sand stretches out like a golden blanket, dotted with tufts of sea grass swaying gently in the breeze. It’s the kind of beauty you can’t ignore, no matter how hard you try.
Ellie squeals, pressing her face to the window. “We’re here! We’re here!”
Jake parks the truck near a cluster of dunes, the tires crunching to a stop. Ellie is out of the truck in seconds, kicking off her shoes and running toward the water, her laughter carried on the wind. I step out more slowly, the warm sand immediately sinking beneath my flip-flops. The sun is high and full, its rays kissing my skin as I adjust the strap of my woven sun hat. The ocean breeze dances across my legs, sending a little shiver up my spine. Is it the wind or the presence of Jake?
Jake pulls a cooler and a bag of supplies from the truck bed, his movements easy and fluid. My eyes flick to him without thinking, drawn to the way his board shorts ride low on his hips, the way his sun-kissed skin glows in the light. His chest and abs are chiseled, and as he turns to face me, catching me mid-stare, I quickly look away, pretending to fuss with the strap of my sundress.
“You okay over there?” His voice carries a teasing note, but there’s something deeper behind it—something warm and reassuring.
“Fine,” I say quickly, picking up the folded beach blanket to busy my hands. “Just… taking it all in.”
Jake smirks but doesn’t push, his focus shifting to Ellie as she comes running back, her feet splashing through the wet sand.
“Aunt Sam! Jake! Come on!” she calls, waving us toward the water. “It’s cold, but it feels so good!”
Jake chuckles, tossing the cooler over one shoulder and the bag over the other. “You go ahead. I’ll set this up.”
I hesitate a second with my gaze lingering on the water. Memories tug at me, bittersweet and vivid—the smell of clams steaming over an open fire, my sister’s laughter as we buried each other in the sand, the way the ocean seemed endless when I was Ellie’s age. My chest tightens, but I force myself to move, to walk toward the shore and meet Ellie’s outstretched hand.
The first rush of the ocean waves against my toes sends a gasp of surprise through me. The water is cold but exhilarating, and Ellie’s giggle is infectious as she splashes me with a spray of saltwater.
“Ellie!” I cry as the cold spray hits me but secretly, I’m laughing despite myself. “You’re going to get me all wet!”
“That’s the point!” she says, she flashes a wide and mischievous grin at me.
Jake joins us and I admire the way his long strides cut through the sand as easily as if he were walking on pavement. He wades into the water beside me, the cold surf swirling around his ankles. His presence is steady and grounding, and when a particularly large wave sends water splashing up my legs, he lets out a low chuckle.
“Cold?” he asks, his voice laced with amusement.
“A little,” I admit, shivering slightly but unable to stop smiling even though my nipples are peaks that press through my clothes.
Jake tilts his head, his eyes warm and playful. “I know how to warm you up,” he teases. My glance shuts him down. “Come on. Let’s walk,” he says.
He offers his hand, but I hesitate. When Ellie’s excited voice booms, “I’m coming too,” she says. At this point, I figure it’s okay for me to put my hand in Jake’s.
The three of us walk along the shoreline, the wet sand cool and soft beneath our feet. The sky is Easter egg blue and it’s a gorgeous day. It isn’t long before Ellie races ahead, darting in and out of the waves, her laughter echoes hug the shoreline. Jake and I follow at a slower pace, the wind tugging at my hat as we talk quietly.
“Did you come here a lot as a kid?” he asks, his voice gentle.
“All the time,” I say, my gaze fixed on the horizon. “My parents loved the beach. My mom used to pack these big picnic baskets, and my dad would make a fire just like you did. My sister and I would dig for clams while the adults cooked. It was… perfect.”
Jake studies me with a soft expression in his eyes. “You miss them.”
It’s not a question, and I can’t answer right away. Instead, I watch Ellie crouch down to examine a cluster of shells, her hair wild in the breeze. “I do,” I admit finally. “Sometimes it feels like coming back here is trying to relive something I’ll never get back.”
Jake stops walking, turning to face me fully. His hand brushes mine, a small gesture, but enough to anchor me. “You’re not reliving anything, Sam. You’re making something new. Something just as good, just different.”
His words hit me in a way I didn’t expect, and the sting of tears pricking at my eyes made me look away. But then Ellie calls out, holding up a shell she’s found, the ache in my chest lightens just a little.
“Look at this one!” she says, running toward us. “It’s shiny!”
Jake crouches to examine it, his grin easy. “Looks like you found a treasure.”
Ellie beams, and I can’t help but smile as my heart fills with a warmth I didn’t know I needed.
By late afternoon, we’re sitting on the blanket, Jake gets the campfire going. The smell of smoke and salt fills the air as he places corn on the cob in the coals. When they’ve been cooking, he puts a pot of clams over the flames. The shells clattering softly against each other as the water sloshes. Ellie sits cross-legged nearby, her fingers busy weaving a crown of sea grass she insists will make me “queen of the beach.”
“Aunt Sam, you’re gonna look so pretty,” she says, her tongue poking out in concentration. “Jake, don’t you think she looks like a queen?”
Jake glances up from tending the fire, his eyes meeting mine. “Definitely.”
I roll my eyes, but there’s no hiding the flush that creeps into my cheeks. “You’re both ridiculous,” I mutter, though my smile betrays me.
Once the corn is on the fire, Jake grabs a frisbee from the bag. “Who’s up for a game?”
Ellie is on her feet in an instant. “Me! And Aunt Sam, you have to play too!”
The three of us run up and down the beach, the frisbee flying between us. Ellie’s giggles are constant, and Jake’s competitive streak makes an appearance, though he lets her win more often than not. Jake cooks the clams and serves us dinner and it turns out the sea air has made us all ravenous.
Dinner is simple but perfect. We sit on the blanket, plates balanced on our laps as we eat clams dripping with butter and sweet, smoky corn on the cob. The fire crackles softly, and the ocean hums its eternal song in the background.
The sun begins to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, we’re all breathless, happy, and satiated.
“This is the best day ever,” Ellie declares, her mouth full of corn.
Jake chuckles, his arm resting casually on the blanket behind me. “We’ll have to do it again sometime soon.”
“And we need to get our rest tonight, Peanut,” I say to Ellie. “We have the BBQ Bash tomorrow. We have a busy weekend ,” I remind her.
“Yeah! Are you coming, Jake?” She sends him an inquisitive look but her angelic face makes her impossible to resist. I nod my approval to Jake.
“Sure.” He’s wearing his megawatt smile and my ovaries explode .
The memories of my parents and my sister are still there, but they don’t hurt as much now. Instead, they blend with the present, with Ellie’s laughter and Jake’s steady presence, creating something new and beautiful.
As the last rays of sunlight fade into twilight, the three of us huddle together on the blanket. Ellie leans against my side, as we watch the sun dip into the ocean like a bowl of cherry Jell-O. Ellie’s head is heavy with sleep and is resting in my lap. Jake’s arm brushes mine, protective, warm, and solid. I love him taking charge, cooking dinner, and being such an attentive companion. The fire burns low, its embers glowing softly in the dark, as does my heart.
“I’m glad we came,” I say quietly, the words surprising even me.
Jake looks at me, his expression unreadable in the fading light. “Me too.”
We sit in silence, the three of us lost in our thoughts. It’s as if my sister sent Jake to us and that we’re all meant to be here creating new.