Page 39 of Meet Me at the Grand

“That was a very loud exhale.” Aunt Elise flipped off the stovetop burner and moved the skillet of taco meat to another before covering it with a lid. Then she turned and slipped into the seat beside Dani. “I’m sorry the meeting didn’t go your way.”

“What happened, exactly? You said Liam was working hard on the plans.” Using a cutting board and lettuce knife, Mia started in on the lettuce, cutting willy nilly, unlike Evie’s perfectly proportioned tomato slices.

Dani reached for another chip and dipped it in the guac. “Liam’s proposed plans for the hotel weren’t exactly what I’d pictured.” She bit into the chip, the crunch filling the sudden silence of the kitchen. “And by that, I mean he proposed something completely new and modern—it was nothing like what the Grand ought to be. The man somehow managed to remove every ounce of historic charm and replace it with cold sterility.”

Mia groaned. “How frustrating.”

“I agree.” Aunt Elise tucked her hair behind her ear. “But your uncle seems to think a hotel like that would make the island a lot more money.”

“He said that?”

“Mmm hmm. But I told him that some things are worth more than money.”

“Yeah, but money’s nice to have,” Evie said, finishing with the tomatoes and scraping them into a bowl, which she positioned between the olives and shredded cheese. “Still, I get why you’re upset, Dani. Some people just don’t understand the draw of history that makes the island special.”

“I tried telling Liam.” Dani sat back and tugged her hair up into a ponytail, fastening it with a hairband that had been on her wrist. “He just didn’t get it, I guess.”

“It’s too bad that young man didn’t get to see the island at the height of its popularity,” Aunt Elise said, her expression dreamy and far off. “All the charm of it, with the summer storefronts open, the walking tours, the smell of fudge as you walked down Main Street. Some things just need to be experienced.”

They all smiled, remembering.

“It’s charming even in the spring though.” Mia set down her knife. “So many lovely and romantic spots. Troy used to take me to…” She trailed off, frowned, cleared her throat. “Anyway. The point is, even now, a shell of what it was, Jonathon Island is still the most enchanting place in the world. A big fancy hotel would ruin that.”

“It would, wouldn’t it? And my brothers and sisters would never come back to run a hotel like that.” Oops. Had she said that out loud?

“Is that your goal?” Evie sounded surprised. “I thought you merely wanted to revitalize the economy.”

“I do. But…”

“That’s a pretty tall order, dear.” Aunt Elise patted Dani’s knee.

“I know that. I do. But if anything would get them back here, it’s a rebuilt hotel. James would be the first one to return. You know he always dreamed of running the hotel someday.”

“All things are possible with God. But there’s a lot of hurt here for your siblings. Do you think it’s realistic to place all of your hopes in them returning?”

“I just want us to be a family again.”

“You can be a family even if you aren’t all in one place.” Aunt Elise dropped her voice. “But even being five miles from someone doesn’t mean anything unless people are willing to forgive.”

As if sensing their need to be alone, Evie and Mia finished up their tasks and headed out the back door to check on their dad and the kids.

“You’re talking about Mom, aren’t you?”

Another squeeze to her knee. “You say you want family back, but you aren’t willing to try with the one member of your immediate family whoisclose by andwantsto be here.”

“If that’s true, then where is she?”

“You know where. The same place she’s been. Waiting.”

Dani sighed and opened her mouth to respond, but her phone vibrated on the counter in front of her. She frowned when she saw Liam’s name pop up on the screen. “What doeshewant?”

“To talk, I imagine.” There was amusement in Aunt Elise’s tone.

“About what? I told him the project was done.”

“Guess you won’t know unless you answer.” Standing, Aunt Elise headed for the back door too. “Hey, all! About time to eat!”

Dani should just ignore the call but then she’d spend all evening wondering. Ugh. Fine. “Hello? Liam?” She headed for the front porch.

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