Page 2 of A Beach House Beginning

“We’ll do it. We can have Rosa join us. I’ll set up a text string and we can work out details.”

“Thank you for telling me about Aaron.”

“I know you had been worrying about his possible release next year,” the other woman said, her voice gentle. “I hope that knowing he can’t ever bother you again goes a little way toward taking a weight off your heart.”

“It does. I can’t even tell you how much.”

They spoke for a few more moments before ending the call with promises to make plans later in the summer.

Jenna set her phone on the table slowly, released a heavy sigh and then covered her face with her hands.

Dead.

She didn’t quite know how to react.

Since the arrest and conviction eighteen months ago of the man who had tormented her for years, she had been bracing herself for the moment when he might be released, when she might have to pick up her daughter again and flee.

She had hated the idea of it.

Brambleberry House, this beautiful rambling beach house on the dramatic coastline of northern Oregon, had become a haven for them. She had finally begun to rebuild her life here, to feel safe again and...happy.

Lurking at the edge of her consciousness, though, like the dark, far-off blur of an impending storm, was the grim realization that someday she might have to leave everything once more and start again somewhere else.

Now she didn’t have to.

She wiped away tears she hadn’t even realized were coursing down her cheeks.

He was gone. They were free.

“What’s wrong, Mom?”

She turned to find her daughter in the doorway, wearing shorts, a ruffled T-shirt and a frown.

Jenna gave a laugh and reached for Addie, pulling her into a tight hug.

“Nothing’s wrong. Everything is terrific. Really terrific.”

Her perceptive child wasn’t fooled. She eased away, narrowing her gaze. “What’s going on?”

Jenna didn’t want to talk about Aaron Barker. She didn’t want Addie to have to think about the man who had threatened them both, who had completely upended their lives simply because he couldn’t have what he wanted.

“Nothing.” She gave a reassuring smile. “I’m just happy, that’s all. It’s a beautiful day, school will be out next week and summer is right around the corner. Now hurry and finish your breakfast so we can get to school. I could use your help carrying the cupcakes for my class.”

Addie still didn’t look convinced. Sometimes she seemed far too wise for her eight years on the earth. Apparently she decided not to push the matter.

“Can I have one of the cupcakes? You said I could when we were frosting them last night.”

The cupcakes were a treat for her class, a reward for everyone meeting their reading goals for the year.

Jenna pointed to the counter, at a covered container near the microwave. “I’ve got two there for us. I was going to save them for dessert later tonight after dinner, but I suddenly feel like celebrating. Let’s have a cupcake.”

Addie’s eyes widened with shock and then delight. She reached for the container and pulled out one of the chocolate cupcakes, biting into it quickly as if afraid Jenna would change her mind.

“You still have to eat your egg bites and your cantaloupe,” Jenna warned.

“I don’t care. Cupcakes for breakfast is the best idea ever.”

She couldn’t disagree, Jenna thought as she finished hers, as well as her own healthier breakfast. Still, the call was at the forefront of her thoughts as she hurried through the rest of her preparations for the school day.

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