Page 26 of A Brambleberry Summer

Maybe that was why those relationships had withered and died without progressing to the next level, because she had never completely trusted them to know.

She certainly wasn’t about to spill her life story to Wyatt, as much as she enjoyed the company of him and his son.

The walk back to the house passed quickly, mostly because Logan dominated the conversation. He pointed out a kite he liked, told her about riding a bike along the hard-packed sand near the water, went into a long story about the time he and his dad took a charter out to see whales up near Astoria.

“Sorry about Logan,” Wyatt said in a low voice when the boy was distracted by something he saw on the sand and ran ahead with Hank to investigate. “He’s in a chatty mood tonight. Some days I wish I could find a pause button for a minute.”

She smiled. “I do not mind. I love listening to him. Your son is terrific.”

“Agreed,” he said gruffly. “He’s the best seven-year-old I know, even if he does tend to show off a little in front of pretty women.”

Rosa felt flustered and didn’t know how to answer that. Fortunately, they had reached the beach gate at Brambleberry House.

She punched in the code and the door swung open. As they walked through the back garden, she suddenly saw a strange car in the driveway, a small late-model bright red SUV she didn’t recognize.

Rosa tensed, worrying instantly for Jen. She was reaching for her phone to check in with the woman when two females hurried around the side of the house. She recognized them instantly—Carrie and Bella—and shoved her phone back into her pocket.

She smiled and waved, happy at the unexpected visit even as she could feel the usual mix of joy and tension settle over her.

“Hi!” Bella called out to all of them, waving vigorously.

“Hi, Bella,” Logan shouted, then beamed toward Rosa. “That’s my cousin, Bella, and her mom.”

“It is good to see them,” Rosa said.

As they moved toward each other, she thought she saw Carrie look between her and Wyatt with a surprised sort of look, as if she wouldn’t have expected to see them walking up from the beach together.

“There you are! We rang both your doorbells but nobody answered.”

“We bumped into each other while we were grabbing dinner and walked back together,” Rosa said quickly, so that his sister didn’t get the wrong idea about the two of them.

“We got tacos at the food truck.”

“Oh, I love that place,” Bella gushed. “My friends and I like to stop there after school. I love their churros.”

“Me, too,” Logan declared, as if the cinnamon and sugar still dusting his clothes wasn’t enough of a giveaway.

Rosa had to smile. She thought she saw Carrie give her a speculative sort of look but couldn’t be certain.

“I came by to show off my new wheels,” her friend said. “What do you think?”

“Let’s take a look,” Wyatt said.

They moved toward the driveway and the small red SUV.

“Nice,” Wyatt said, walking around the vehicle to check it out.

“I like your new car,” Logan said. “It’s pretty.”

“Thank you, dear.” Carrie beamed at him.

“And guess what?” Bella’s voice vibrated with excitement. “We’re keeping Mom’s old car and when I start learning how to drive, I get to practice in that one.”

Driving. Bella would be driving in only a few more years. How was it possible that she had grown so much?

“There’s plenty of time for that,” Wyatt said, looking alarmed.

“Not really. In less than two years, I’ll be old enough to get my learner’s permit. I’ll be driving around town before you know it.”

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