Page 24 of A Beach House Beginning

The instant she recognized Wes standing outside her car with a large umbrella, her instinctive panic eased.

She opened her door just a crack. Even in the small space, rain poured in.

“Do you need help? I saw you pull in from upstairs. When you didn’t go into the house, I was worried something might be wrong.”

“Yes, something’s wrong. We’re in the middle of a hurricane, in case you didn’t notice.”

He chuckled, a deep, pleasing sound that drifted to her even over the tumult of the storm.

“This is not a storm. I’ve been in actual hurricanes when I was in the Army stationed in Florida. This is only a little squall.”

“It’s still enough to soak my groceries. I don’t feel like eating soggy bread for a week. I was waiting for it to let up a little.”

“Makes sense. You could do that, if you want to. Or I brought you out an extra umbrella. You can run up to the porch with it and I’ll grab your groceries.”

“Thank you. I usually keep a few in my car, but Addie and I both used one last time we had a big rain and I think I left them inside the apartment.”

“Open the back of your car and head inside. I’ll grab as many groceries as I can.”

“I can grab a few bags, too.”

Why had she picked today to do the big grocery shopping, her monthly trip when she stocked up on the necessities they used most?

Oh yes. She remembered. Because as much as she adored her daughter, shopping with Addie usually took twice as long. Her daughter liked to look at every book on the racks, every possible cookie at the bakery and each little item in the tempting little toy section.

She scooped as many bags as she could carry in one hand while juggling the umbrella in the other and hurried up to the porch, where she quickly entered the security code on the front door.

Wes was close behind her. He didn’t bother with the umbrella, she noted. He simply sprinted inside so the reusable shopping bags filled with groceries didn’t have much time at all to become drenched.

“Is that everything? I can go back out.”

He held up both hands, where she saw he had at least three shopping bags in each. “This is everything. One question. Are you planning for the apocalypse?”

She shook her head. “I’m on a teacher’s salary and only get paid once a month. When I grocery shop, I try to buy in bulk and freeze food to make it last.”

She supposed she hadn’t ever really lost the fear that she would never have enough to provide for her daughter, which she knew was a lingering worry from her insecure childhood.

“Thank you for bringing it in and helping me keep everything dry. I can take it up the stairs from here.”

He gave her a look that showed he clearly took offense at her suggestion. “I’ve got it. I haven’t had a chance to go on my run today, since I had to take Brielle shopping for a friend’s birthday present, so I’ll count this as my workout for the day.”

He hefted the bags high, which made her smile. The gloomy day suddenly felt much brighter. “Brielle must be at Carly Lewis’s birthday party, too.”

“Apparently it’s the social event of the weekend.”

“Of the whole month, according to Addie. She was thrilled to be invited to an older girl’s party.”

“I can imagine.” He made it up the stairs without a sign that carrying the heavy bags was any exertion at all.

“So Brielle’s mom has left the country?” she asked as she opened her apartment door for him.

“Yep. I’m flying solo. It’s a little daunting to know I’m alone right now in the parent department. Lacey is now two thousand miles away. If I had a problem, I know I could always reach out to her, but it’s more than a little intimidating to realize I’m on my own.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“I hope so. The prospect of two weeks of being on my own with Brie gives me even more respect for single parents like you, who do this alone all the time.”

She smiled as she started putting groceries away. “I’m lucky. Addie is easy.”

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