Page 13 of Somewhere You Belong

I nod, thinkingback to the letter that started this entire adventure. And that’s putting it optimistically—because right now, I feel like I’m living in a nightmare. What I hoped would be a quick, easy trip down to Carrington Cove and back in a weekend after learning of a random inheritance, has now turned into property ownership and a multitude of decisions to make.

Spinning around to take it all in, I decide I should probably get the full scope of what I’m working with. “Can I see the rest of it?”

“Of course.” Timothy leads me up the staircase to three bedrooms—a master that has a balcony with a beautiful view of the ocean and two small bedrooms that would be perfect for an office or kid’s room. The master bedroom is smaller than the one in my penthouse back in D.C., but it’s also more welcoming.

The house is definitely not big enough for a large family, though, as Timothy pointed out, but it is enough for someone like me—unattached and kid free.

“So, what do you think?”

I shake my head, still perplexed by all of this. “I honestly don’t know what to think, Timothy. This is the last thing I expected. My life is back in D.C.”

“This could be a nice vacation home, somewhere to retreat to in the summer when you want to get out of the city,” he suggests.

“With all due respect, Timothy, this is the first trip I’ve taken out of D.C. in eight years. I’m not exactly the vacationing type.”

He tsks. “That’s no good, Willow. You have to take a break from life every once in a while. Soak up the sun, bask in the breeze, visit somewhere you’ve never been,” he says fondly, waving his arm around.

“Some place like Carrington Cove?” I ask sarcastically.

He nods, his smile growing. “Exactly. There’s a reason people visit our town, travel far and wide for thiskind of peace.”

I scoff. “Does anyone ever truly find peace in their lives, Timothy?”

The way he narrows his eyes at me makes me think he can see right through me. “I think it’s perfectly attainable, Willow. And perhaps you can find some while you’re here.” He moves toward the front door, turning his back to me. “I left the key on the counter for you.”

“So that’s it?” I call after him, desperation filling my voice.

He’s just going to leave me here?

“The house is yours now. I did my part. Mr. Sheppard told me what his last wishes were, so I made them happen. I’m glad you’re here, though, and I’m honored I could be a part of this story. But my role is done.”

And I guess that’s all I’m getting out of him.My eyes veer around the space. “And what if I want to sell it?”

“Pam over at Cove Real Estate can help you.” He gives a mock salute and walks out the door. I’m normally comfortable being alone, but standing in this empty, strange house with all my unanswered questions magnifies the solitude somehow.

Standing in place, I survey the house once more, looking directly out the front windows toward the sandy shore just a few feet away.

I have no idea what to do with this.

A house? What in God’s name was this man thinking? And if he had a family, why wouldn’t he leave it to them?

Guilt overwhelms me, making each breath I fight to take burn my lungs.

This can’t be happening.

How is this part of my past popping up right now?

Within seconds, I find myself numbly walking out of the house, pausing at the top of the staircase that leads down to the beach desperate for oxygen to fill my lungs as emotions barrel into me all at once.

As the salty ocean air whips against my face, I struggle to decide what I’m going to do.

I feel helpless, drowning in emotions and memories, flashes of a life I could have had if not for this man and his connection to my parents.

Reaching up, I yank on the neckline of my dress that feels like it’s suffocating me the longer I stand here in view of the house that just flipped my world upside down.

I must be a sight for sore eyes, ever the professional businesswoman, standing on the porch of a beach house looking as if the world is ending.

I stick out like a sore thumb, an outsider if there ever was one.

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