Chapter 18
SUMMER
“Mrs. Dover . . .” I take a quick breath to temper the panic in my voice and keep the words from rushing out of my mouth.
Each cold drop of condensation rolling off the bottom of the glass of lemonade is a shock to the system when it lands on my bare leg.
I shift to have it drip over the grass. “I understand the hassle. It’s a hurdle I’m ready to overcome.
As I’ve said, you won’t have to do anything other than reconsider selling it out from under me. ”
Taking a slow sip of her lemonade, she rests an arm on the fence.
Her eyes haven’t left the field or Bessie grazing on the hill in the distance, giving me the distinct impression she’s not looking at me on purpose.
It’s disconcerting to plead a case to someone who shows no interest. This is going south so fast that it causes my heart to sink.
I came here feeling ready to take on the world, strong in my intentions and purpose after rehearsing what I needed to say.
Now, my confidence is slipping away just like this opportunity is. Again.
Standing next to a bucket of carrots, she says, “It isn’t out from under you, Summer.” Shielded under a large sun hat, she finally journeys her gaze my way. “I never promised you the property.”
“You promised me a chance.”
“This is your chance.” Her tone has never been firm with me until now, but it’s the chill that I find unsettling.
She’s known me my whole life, but she’s choosing to side with strangers.
The sting burns as the realization sets in.
I may not win this battle. She says, “I’m giving you a chance right now.
I haven’t signed any paperwork yet. Give it your best shot. ”
“I can’t just throw out numbers. I wanted to put together a presentation. I’ve worked on it, but with the summer tenant and dealing with the water situation, I’ve been distracted.”
Angling toward me, she props her boot up on the bottom rail, paying no mind that it’s stretching the hem of her dress to the limits. “I heard you were walking around downtown yesterday with someone on your arm. Would that be my guest?”
My immediate response is that I should be insulted she’s insinuating I would mess around with her guests. She’s not wrong, but I don’t need it to thrown in my face. It’s the image of me hanging on Daniel’s arm like I’m a . . . a puck bunny that gets me. “I wasn’t on anyone’s arm.”
“I’ll take that as a yes to my question.
” There’s no smile or friendliness when she looks me in the eyes.
“Your hospitality ends when you hand the guests their key. I thought that was self-explanatory.” She digs the heel of her boot back into the dirt again.
“I also expected a refund request from the guest since they have no water. Tell me . . .” She leans closer. “How are they making do over there?”
I could lie, but if she’s already heard about us being in town yesterday, the rumor might have gotten around about the arrangements Daniel and I made for him and Roman.
Though I’m not sure how. My sisters would never spread gossip about each other and Dolly .
. . Oh Dolly, I rub my temple, remembering how she ran errands yesterday.
She’d never tell one of our secrets, but we didn’t tell her not to say anything about them staying with us either.
No point in fibbing if the truth might already be out there. “They’re using our bathrooms.”
“That’s awfully courteous of you. And the sleeping arrangements?”
There is no way in Hades I’m sharing intimate details about Daniel and me.
The act itself isn’t as illicit as it would sound when saying it out loud.
Even last night, we could have amped things up another level, but we didn’t.
It was nice and romantic to be held in his arms without feeling the pressure to go further.
I don’t know how he’s so patient with me.
It’s so different from any other relationship I’ve been in, which seemed to be more about them getting sex than learning who I am.
Daniel is the opposite. Our souls are growing closer as our bodies do.
It’s a slower pace and just my speed. “We’re getting off track, Mrs. Dover—”
Her laughter interrupts my train of thought.
“Summer Season, I didn’t take you for a wild child like your grandma.
” Dolly would flip if she heard Mrs. Dover call her that.
I might have to tell her if this deal goes sour.
“Listen, you lure that man in and hook ’em on a line.
Not many come through this town, so when the gettin’s good, you better get you some.
” She starts for the farmhouse, continuing like I’m right beside her.
“Wouldn’t you rather settle down than mess with a house that most likely needs to be torn down? ”
I hurry to catch up, not wanting to miss a word. “No. I wouldn’t rather that. I would rather we continue the traditions of this town and secure my family’s place in it.”
She stops on the second step leading to the front porch and turns, steadying herself with a hand on the railing.
“A word of warning. Nothing lasts forever. I didn’t expect to be spending my golden years alone with a cow for company.
” Her gaze drifts back to the pasture, and she laughs.
“Bessie’s a good listener.” When her eyes return to mine, she says, “Change happens whether we like it or not. You might not be able to save your family and the town. It might be one or the other.”
“I’m going to try.”
“I like your moxie, dear.” She starts up the steps and lands on the porch. “It comes down to money and contingencies.”
“Contingencies?” It hadn’t occurred to me to look beyond the purchase price. Of course other things are in play. Those will make it more appealing for her to accept or whittle down an offer from the bid. Most likely mine, so what can I add that would give me an edge?
“The current offer comes with no contingencies or inspection needed. I wouldn’t have to fix the pipes. It would sell for above anything I could dream of asking around here and as-is.”
I can’t wrap my head around the fact that I would have to pay more than the offer and still invest money into getting it fixed. I feel ill, knowing that’s not possible.
Mrs. Dover returns to the bottom of the steps and takes hold of my upper arm.
“They’re not coming out until after the Fourth of July.
Give it some thought and let me know what you come up with.
I realize it might be out of your ability to afford, but for me, that’s money I can’t turn down, especially when I’m looking at a mountain of issues to fix to keep it going. ”
“I’ll think about it.” I’d been putting off mentally digging into the details of what I’ll be committing to both financially and personally with Daniel.
I don’t want to owe him or anyone money.
But how will that shape what feels like a relationship in the making?
I like him. Will that be what it ultimately comes down to? Daniel’s money or Daniel?
I don’t like the way this is turning, but it seems unavoidable. A hard decision must be made. I just hope I have time to dig through the details of his offer and my heart before having to decide. “Thank you, Mrs. Dover.”
She starts back up the steps and stands on the porch, an obvious hint that it’s time for me to go. “You take care, Summer.”
I get in my car and start the engine just as a wave of harsh reality washes through me. Owning the Cove Cottage might not be possible. That sparks a streak of stubbornness, a desire to prove her wrong. I’m not ready to give up this dream.
Startled by a knock on the door, I jump back to see Mrs. Dover standing there. I roll down the window. “Mrs. Dover, what is it?”
“July thirty-first. That’s the date they’re coming with the contract.” She taps the hood. “I’m rooting for you.”
Although I can’t say I feel she truly is, I reply, “Thanks.”
When she walks away, I start driving home.
A deal is already in the works, but something made her want to share more details. Maybe she is rooting for me.
With more than a month to decide whether to jump into this bidding war and make an offer, I can breathe easier knowing I have some time.
Is this a good investment for my inheritance and Daniel’s money? It’s not. I’ve said as much. There’s no paying back a loan. Does my pretending to be his girlfriend really justify the money?
My gut knows this is wrong. My head can’t rationalize spending that kind of money when it comes to owing Daniel. But my stinkin’ heart keeps me fighting.
When I pull onto the driveway, I don’t see Daniel’s car. My heart picks up, sending it straight into panic mode. What if he’s gone? For good?
Him.
Roman.
The offer he made.
Would he leave without a word?
I don’t think so, but I hold my breath until I see his black sports car parked in the no-parking zone and can breathe again.
They don’t notice when I pull in or park the car. They’re busy having fun in the water—splashing and chasing each other. I’m sitting here wondering when my life started depending on Daniel Sutton.
I don’t know what spell he’s put me under, but there’s an instinct to fight it either way, which is so unlike me. He’s so unlike me.
I’m all about rules. He’s all about breaking them.
He has more money than I could dream of having. I’m relying on the last of my inheritance and a bonus his stay would give me to pay my bills.
I like order. I’m certain he’s into a bit of chaos. That might just be to rattle me in teasing, though.
He oozes sex appeal and has those abs. I have no comparison.
Those differences shrink at this moment. Seeing him play with Roman, remembering how he speaks to him at his level and never down to him, and watching him be the dad he never had tells me the real man he is.
I haven’t seen the side that needs to soften.
I’ve not experienced the part of him that only lives for his sport.
He’s treated me with nothing less than respect, even taking it slow like our relationship matters to him more than a casual hook-up.
And he’s taken to my family like they’re his own, and they’ve brought him and Roman into the fold without an ounce of hesitation.
Adding all of this up is getting me closer to the cliff of falling for him. My toes are already hanging over. My heart isn’t far behind.
Daniel sees me, standing in water that reaches his knees, wet from swimming, and looking like an Adonis coming from the ocean. He waves.
I wave back, feeling seen, not just literally but emotionally. I’m not one of the Season Sisters, the orphan of a tragedy, the one holding the family together. I’m Summer, and he accepts me as I am. Rules and all.
Prince Charming showed up. I deserve this. I deserve him.
Meandering my way over, he keeps his eyes on me the entire time. Sometimes they dip lower and linger, but he smiles when I get close. “Hey, you,” he says, coming out of the water to greet me with a kiss.
Nothing’s cooled between us after the Roman love talk at the docks. He got it. We’re friends who have feelings that could turn into more. An eight-year-old doesn’t need more information before Daniel and I figure it out.
He asks, “How’d it go?”
“I think I need all the options laid out and crystal clear. Can we go over the details?”