Page 158 of Renewal After Dark

“I know, right? I’m working with Kendall James to go after him for child support.”

“Good for you.”

“He’s not too happy with me.”

“Whatever. He helped make the baby. He can help pay the expenses.”

“That’s how I feel, too. Anyway… Sorry to get sidetracked. Let’s get back to debits and credits.”

“Talking about our new guys is way more fun.”

“It sure is.”

They got back to work, but McKenzie left a while later feeling as if she’d made another new friend in Piper. Next, she was off to meet with Sydney Harris, who ran an interior design business on the island and had heard about her from Jenny Martinez. News of her business was traveling fast, and each day brought new clients and interesting challenges.

She yawned as she drove to Sydney’s, thankful to have only one more meeting before she could head home to feed Jax and put him down for a nap. Maybe she’d take one, too.

Sydney and her husband, Luke, lived on an oceanfront parcel with stunning views.

McKenzie couldn’t imagine what it would be like to look out at such a beautiful view every day.

“It still dazzles me, too.”

McKenzie turned to find Sydney standing at the door with a baby in her arms. Both mom and daughter had strawberry-blonde hair. “It’s stunning.”

“You ought to see the sunsets. I’m Syd, by the way. And this is Lily.”

“McKenzie and Jax.”

“Pleasure to meet you both.”

“You, too.”

“Come in.” Sydney stepped aside to welcome McKenzie and Jax into her home.

“This is lovely.”

“Thank you. My first island decorating project. I say this to everyone, but can you believe there were walls where those windows are?”

“That must’ve been a crying shame.”

“It was, but I fixed that and many other things around here.”

She gestured for McKenzie to have a seat on the sofa. “Does Jax want to play with Lily?”

“He’d love to, although he’s not very good at playing with other kids quite yet.”

“That’ll come. He’ll be surrounded by a million kids here.”

“Which is just another thing to love about Gansett.”

“It’s the best place ever to live and work, especially now that McKenzie has come to town, bringing her accounting know-how. It’s all everyone is talking about.”

McKenzie laughed. “I believe it, based on the way my phone is ringing nonstop.”

While their little ones played on a blanket full of toys on the floor, Sydney explained how her business worked, showed her some of the jobs she’d completed, covered how she sourced and procured items for clients and went over the balance sheet.

“Are you sure you need me? Your books are already in great shape.”

---