Page 31 of Meet Me at the Grand

So why did the idea of letting Dani down twist Liam’s gut like it did?

Cody approached and placed a steadying hand on Liam’s shoulder. “Then trust that what you’ve done will be enough. That things will work out just the way they’re supposed to.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

“It’s about time this town came back to life, and I’m happy to be on the sidelines watching it happen.”

“On the sidelines? What do you mean?” Liam pointed to Cody’s tool belt and gave him a little friendly shove. “From where I’m sitting, you’re fixing up the place one broken radiator at a time.”

“Ha. Not quite yet. I bled the pipes, but I think part of the problem may be that it’s tilted. I’m going to snatch a piece of wood from my workshop. Be right back.”

“No worries. I’ve got some emails to go through anyway.”

At Cody’s exit, Liam sat back on the bed and dove into his extremely full inbox, which he’d neglected since arriving on Jonathon Island.

But he couldn’t focus on anything on the screen. His vision swam, and frowning, he closed the lid again and re-approached the plans on the table.

Just one more look wouldn’t hurt.

Because whether for Dad, for Seb, for Jonathan Island, or for Dani herself, Liam would make these plans the best he could with any hours he had left.

He’d given his word, after all.

ChapterSix

Just one more hour and she’d know if all the faith she’d put in Liam was good—or not.

But she hadn’t been able to sit around her apartment, or the Tourism Bureau, alone another minute.

Holding her goodies in one hand, Dani knocked on Mia’s front door with the other. Squeals of laughter rang out from inside, and stomping feet carried closer and closer until the door flew open and four-year-old Finn peered up at Dani. “Hi, Dani! Mom’s-letting-us-watch-Paw-Patrol-isn’t-that-fun-Chase-is-my-favorite.”

“Is that so?” Laughing, Dani ruffled Finn’s blond curls and stepped inside the warmth of the tiny bungalow on Lilac Lane that Mia and Troy had purchased when Mia had been pregnant with Finn. “Are you supposed to be answering the door though?”

The TV blared from its spot over the fireplace.

“Not to strangers. But you aren’t a stranger.”

“Dan-Dan!” Sweet Maggie toddled over from the couch wearing nothing but a diaper and a pink T-shirt stained with applesauce. She gripped a doll in one hand.

“Hi, sweet girl.” Closing the door behind her, Dani squatted and set the box of donuts she’d picked up from Jill on the living room floor. “Come here.” She opened her arms for a hug, and Maggie came willingly, smelling of graham crackers and milk.

Despite the chaos of Mia’s home—of little children in general—that hug went a long way to calming her anxiety.

“Where’s your mama, huh?”

At that moment, Mia came through the arch that led to the dining room. “What’s going on out here?” Her hair was tugged up in a messy bun, and she wore sweats and an oversized Hart Fishing Company T-shirt that had probably been Troy’s. Her hand flew to her chest when she saw Dani. “Dani? Hey! What are you doing here?” Her cousin came forward for a hug, and Dani stood to receive it.

ThePaw Patroltheme music came back on, and the kids rushed back to the couch.

“Sorry to just drop in.” Dani bent to pick up the box of donuts. “But I come bearing sugary gifts.”

“Just what my kids need.” Mia rolled her eyes but snatched the box from Dani’s hands and waved her toward the dining room, which led to the kitchen. “If their behavior is atrocious after their inevitable sugar crash, I’m bringing them back to hang out with you all day.”

“Ooo, sorry, I’ve got a big meeting today.”

“The hotel one?”

“So the whole island knows about it, huh?”

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