Page 51 of Echoes at Driftwood Cottage

Daniel’s eyes widened. “That’s not a bad idea. I wonder if I could talk her into moving here.”

“I don’t see why not. It’s bound to be a little warmer than Northern California. Could your sisters help persuade her? Or maybe your mother? What about your dad?”

“My mother is not exactly Mamie’s favorite person right now. Family dynamics being what they are. As for Dad, he doesn’t live anywhere near Coyote Wells. He moved to Portland, Oregon about five years ago.”

“You never mentioned that your parents were divorced?”

Daniel shook his head and made a face, twisting up his mouth. “It’s one of those modern relationships that get very complicated.”

“Uncomplicate it for me.”

“My parents don’t live together anymore, not for some time.”

“But they won’t get divorced?”

“It’s crazy, I know. I believe he met someone in Portland, which is why my mother stubbornly refuses to give him a divorce. Hence, the current state of dynamics between Mamie and my mother could best be described as tense. My sisters are taking my mother’s side in all this against Dad. I’m doing everything I can to keep from getting dragged into it all.”

“But your mother is the one who cheated with her brother-in-law—your Uncle Bobby—your dad’s brother, correct?”

“I told you it was complicated.”

“Well, it sounds like your grandmother needs to get out of that situation. It can’t be good for her blood pressure.”

“My grandmother will probably outlive us all. She still acts like she’s fifty.”

“How far is Coyote Wells from here?”

“A seven-hour trip by car. But it’s a beautiful ride up the coast.”

“Yikes. Fourteen hours round trip. What would it take to lure your grandmother here?”

“I’m not sure. Other than a couple of eligible seventy-five-year-old bachelors?”

Rowan hooted with laughter. “I definitely need to meet this woman.”

“She’s a force all on her own. I’d need to find her a place to live. She’s fiercely independent.” He polished off his pizza and leaned over, tilted her mouth up to his, then tenderly kissed her lips. “I wish we didn’t have to spend our evening making ice cream.”

“Oh, I don’t know. It sounds like fun.”

“You say that now. Wait until you’ve spent the next four hours listening to that machine.”

“What about making waffle cones?”

“A few tonight, the rest tomorrow morning. Did you get your sofa delivered?”

“Yep. And it’s worth every penny. I picked up paint samples, but Matty at Ferguson’s Hardware suggested I contact the guys at Tradewinds for an estimate. I think I might do that, especially if you need me to help out here while Kiki’s on vacation.”

“I thought you wanted to do the painting yourself.”

“I did. But the walls need a professional touch, certainly the two doors. What would take me weeks would probably take them days to accomplish a better result. I don’t want the house to look like crap.”

“Then call Tradewinds. You can’t go wrong with any of those guys. They got this place ready in record time.”

“That’s two firsthand recommendations, more than I would get in San Diego.”

When the machines beeped it signaled the cycles had finished. Daniel got to his feet. “Time to switch to more flavors. I’ll let you pick the next two batches.”

“Really? I’m surprised you have to ask.”

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