Page 81 of When Ellie Falls in Love

“You’re too much like your mama.” Isla kissed her shoulder. “You can read me too damn well.”

Ellie had been told that countless times before, but she still loved hearing it. After a beat, Isla finally continued.

“I think the best thing for you and Sadie is to keep an open mind. You two are young, and long distance can be hard.”

“Says the woman who married Mama like a week after meeting her.”

“Because Iknewlong distance can be hard,” Isla said with a chuckle. Ellie followed her gaze, which led to Vera, Eden, and Mason playing in the ocean with their dogs. Vera must have felt their gaze because she smiled and waved up at them. “And besides, look at her. I wasn’t going to let that one go.”

Ellie snuggled closer into Isla, resting her head against Isla’s. “You picked a good one.”

“I did, didn’t I?” they giggled as Isla hugged Ellie tighter. “But, as I was saying, you and Sadie are young, and she’s your first girlfriend. And she might not be your last. But don’t focus on that right now. You don’t have to have everything figured out, no matter how much I know you want to.”

“I don’t want to think about breaking up with Sadie right now.”

“And I’m not saying you have to.”

“I know.”

“I just want you to enjoy turning eighteen and having your first girlfriend and getting ready for this new adventure in your life. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Lord knows I didn’t have my life together when I was eighteen.”

Although Ellie knew the story of her parents’ lives before they met, Ellie always felt there were parts of Isla’s past she didn’t want to talk about. Not that Ellie could blame her. She never met Blake’s dad but he was an absolute dick. Ellie knew that much.

“So, what you’re saying is, I need to be prepared because summer dreams can be ripped at the seams.”

Isla busted out laughing, throwing her head back at Ellie’sGreasereference. “Yes. Exactly. God, you’re so my kid.”

“And there’s no way you could ever deny it.”

“I’d never want to, kiddo.”

As their conversation shifted to plans for the next week, Ellie felt herself relax. And by the time Vera, Mason, and Eden came walking up the beach toward them, Ellie knew things were going to be okay. Yes, she’d have to eventually have a probably hard conversation with Sadie. But she could put that off.

At least for now.

“Everything okay?” Vera playfully patted Ellie’s bare foot, but she was looking to Isla for confirmation things were okay.

“Yeah,” Isla focused her gaze on Mason. “Your wife and sister-in-law were giving her a hard time about Sadie.”

“Those bitches.” Mason dramatically put her hands on her hips. “Don’t they know onlyI’mallowed to do that?”

Mason winked at Ellie, letting her know she was teasing.

“I’ll go have a talk with my wife about this.”

“Oh,” Eden chuckled, “is that what we’re calling it now?”

Once Mason and Eden had headed up the path toward the house with the dogs, Vera knelt down beside the chair. She crossed her arms as she leaned onto it, causing it to creak again. Isla and Ellie laughed.

“We’re going to break it,” Ellie said again as she started to stand but Isla kept her arms around her waist.

“We’ll get a new one,” Vera waved her off, pushing her sunglasses into their hair. “You okay, Care Bear?”

“Yeah, Mom talked me down off a ledge.”

“Aww, baby girl.” Vera tucked Ellie’s hair behind her ear before cradling her chin in her palm. “We’re always here, Ellie. Always.”

“I know, Mama. I love you.” This time, Isla let Ellie stand as Vera did the same. They hugged, and Ellie savored the feeling of being in her mama’s arms. She never felt safer than when her parents were holding her.

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