Page 6 of Summer Love

"Did anything ever happen between you two?" Grams wanted a story, one she could relay to her friends at the senior center.

"He doesn't even remember me."

Grams winced. "I'm sure he will soon enough. You're beautiful, smart, and kind."

"Thanks, Grams. But you have to say that. You're related to me." I always teased her about her praise, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Grams swiped a hand in the air. "You know it's true. Any man would be lucky to be with you."

"You're too sweet." So far, I hadn't found a man who was interested in me long-term. Most of them went for the lawyers or the doctors, not the journalist in a dying career. I'd lost track of the number of men who'd told me I should go back to school to earn a more lucrative degree.

I enjoyed hearing other people's stories and bringing them to life with my words. I wanted to make a difference, publish something that could help someone. But this piece was pure fluff. My grandmother and her friends would get a kick out of it, but it probably wouldn't do anything for my career.

I'd do it so I could stay here with Grams.

"Will you take me for a walk on the beach?" Grams stood, making her way to the back porch, which had seen better days. I was worried that the decking would give out one day when I wasn't here.

"Of course." I kicked off my shoes on the porch, opening the screen door for her to walk through.

We walked the narrow path through the mangroves until it opened up to the beach. I breathed in the salty air, knowing I'd never get tired of the smell. I enjoyed the cold weather and snow in Boston, but I'd always be an island girl at heart.

We walked along the shoreline, keeping our eyes peeled for the perfect seashell. Mornings were better than evenings for the best finds, but this was something we'd done when I was a little girl.

"Are you going out with your friends tonight?" Grams said as we paused to study a cluster of shells.

"I think so." They wanted to know how my meeting with Hudson went. The brothers were a bit of a mystery, even if they'd lived here their whole lives.

"You should go out and have fun. Not spend all your time with your grandmother."

I gave her a look. "Grams. I moved home to spend time with you."

"Phooey. I don't need a babysitter." She paused to check out a cluster of shells the tide had left on the sand.

I looked out over the water. "I always planned to come home. I love the island. The beach."

"It's in your blood."

"I think so." Living in Boston felt like playing at another life. One that was infinitely more polished and regimented. Here, my days were defined by walks on the beach, seashell finds, and reconnecting with my friends from childhood. It was good to come home.

My parents had moved after I graduated, so it was just Grams on the island now. None of us liked her living by herself, especially if there was a hurricane evacuation warning. Who would help her?

Grams looked up at the setting sun and the colors reflecting in the waves. "I could never live anywhere else." Then she sighed. "I want you to have the cottage after I'm gone."

"Grams, don't talk like that. You're going to live forever." I wished I could will that belief into reality.

Grams met my gaze. "No one lives forever. You have to live every day to the fullest."

I smiled. "That's what I intend to do now that I'm home."

"I know you think this most eligible bachelor story isn't something that would be good for your career, but I have a good feeling about it."

"Grams, no matchmaking. I don't want any gossip going around the island either. This is purely a work assignment."

"You never know when the right young man is going to come along."

I snorted. "Hudson Kingston doesn't even remember who I am. We went to school together since kindergarten. I clearly haven't made an impression on him."

Grams looped her arm through mine as we continued our stroll. "I have a feeling he won't be able to ignore you."

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