Page 42 of Tempting the Heart

I’d often wondered why I felt compelled to do so. It would be so much easier if I’d just left the island and never reached out again.

The funny thing was that I was the one reaching out. I’d be surprised if I would have heard from my parents much had Paul or I not been the ones to stay in contact.

As I stared at Cynthia Evans, I felt a cold chill at the revelation.

Why was I inserting myself in a world where I wasn’t wanted?

“Well, I’m just here getting some last-minute travel things. Did Mae tell you?”

I nodded, remembering Mae told me last night that her parents mentioned retiring. She seemed surprised and nervous about the idea, which made me chuckle.

“We’re heading to Europe, and when we return, we’ll be officially retired.” She squeezed her shoulders up and grinned.

“Mae seemed extremely surprised.”

Cynthia nodded. “I think all the kids were shocked. We’d never really mentioned it before, but you know…” She let out a sigh. “We’re not getting any younger, and we’re at that age where we’ve had some surprise illnesses within the family, and our dear friend just lost her husband.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s life, but it made my husband and me wonder what we were waiting for. Our children are basically running the place, anyway.”

My phone buzzed, and I saw a text pop up from Mae.

“Oh, it’s Mae. Maybe she’s adding to the grocery list.”

Cynthia looked surprised. “You’re buying her groceries?”

I laughed. “It’s complicated.”

“Isn’t it always with our little Mayflower?”

I grinned and nodded. “She’s cooking me dinner after I offered to take her out as a thank-you for helping out at my parents’ house.”

Her mom laughed. “Sounds about right. She’s so motherly. Honestly, out of all my girls, I don’t know how Mae isn’t running around after six children, pulling shots at the coffee shop, and growing prize-winning dahlias. The girl is a phenomenon.” She shrugged. “But life had other plans for her. I had no idea you were going over there.”

“I probably wasn’t supposed to run into her mom at the store, so…”

She winked at me. “Ah, gotcha. Your secret is safe with me. So, are you married, attached?”

“Single as they come,” I said, rocking back on my heels, trying to hide a smile.

“Mae is, too.”

I nodded. “So I’ve heard.”

“Well, I'd better get going, or my husband will send the troops out after me, namely Dottie. Did Mae tell you she’ll be dog-sitting for us while we’re gone?”

I shook my head. “Nope. She didn’t mention it.”

“Well, like I said, she’s a good caretaker.” Mrs. Evans gave me a quick hug. “Hopefully, I’ll see you around when we return.”

“I doubt it. I’m planning on heading out this weekend.”

Her mom’s head tilted slightly as she looked at me. “Oh, that’s a shame.”

“It is.”

“Well, still… hope to see you around.”

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