Page 54 of A Beach House Beginning

“He was innocent,” she muttered. “He was cleared of all wrongdoing. That’s what bugs me. It doesn’t seem fair for people like Donna to treat him like some kind of criminal when he didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I wouldn’t listen to anything she has to say. That woman is perpetually unhappy. She finds fault in everyone.”

“It just bothers me. Wes is a wonderful father and a really good man.”

Carol shrugged. “Here’s the thing about Donna. If you don’t fit the mold of what she considers acceptable, nothing else matters. You’ll never measure up to her expectations. Some of us figured out a long time ago that it’s not worth even trying.”

Jenna knew Carol was right. What bothered her most about the encounter was that Jenna had been exactly like Donna. She had judged Wes as scary and intimidating when he first moved into Brambleberry House.

She cringed when she remembered that day he had jumped her car, when she had reacted to him out of fear and nerves.

Since then she had learned he was a kind man who made delicious pizza for his daughter, who loved his sister, who savored the smell of basil leaves and the Brambleberry House gardens after a rain.

And who kissed her until she forgot all the reasons why they weren’t right for each other.

The girls were chattering with excitement when she picked them up after their last day of camp.

“That was the most funever,” Brielle said as she slid into the back seat, her cheeks a little sunburned and her bucket hat hanging down her back.

“Yeah. It was so fun,” Addie agreed. “I’m sad it’s over. I wish we could go to science camp all summer long!”

“Wouldn’t that be fun?” Jenna said. “But then you would miss soccer camp and art camp.”

“I guess.”

“How’s your hand, Mrs. Haynes?” Brielle asked as Jenna turned her vehicle toward Brambleberry House. “Did you have to get a hundred stitches?”

“Not a hundred, no. Only five.”

“Do you have to wear a cast?” Addie asked, peering around the seat to see.

“Only a bandage.” She held up her right hand for the girls.

“I’ve never had stitches,” Brielle said. “Does it hurt when the needle goes into your skin? I always thought it would be so weird.”

“No. They give you a shot first that numbs your skin. You’re right. It is a weird feeling. You can tell when they’re tugging the stitches. But it wasn’t bad.”

“I’m really sorry you were hurt, Mom,” Addie said. “Me and Brie can take care of Theo if you want. We can even take him out late tonight so you don’t have to do it.”

Her daughter’s thoughtfulness touched her. “Thank you. I might need your help a little more than usual for the next few days.”

“Maybe we can cook dinner tonight,” Brielle suggested. “I know how to make nachos.”

“Actually, your dad thought you might like to go on a picnic at the beach tonight for dinner, since it was your last day at camp today. Plus you’ll be going back home tomorrow.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Addie said, her voice disappointed.

“I totally forgot my mom and Ron were coming home tomorrow.” Brielle seemed disappointed at the prospect of leaving Brambleberry House.

“It’s not like you won’t come back and will never see us again. You stay with your dad like every weekend,” Addie reminded her.

Brielle’s features brightened. “Oh yeah. We can totally hang out when I come stay with him.”

For the remainder of the short drive, the girls chattered about their favorite part of science camp and what they planned to do the next week when they didn’t have camp. When they pulled up to the house, the first thing Jenna saw was Wes’s motorcycle. His daughter spied it as well.

“Dad’s home from work already. Yay! Can we leave now for the picnic?”

“I’m afraid I will need some time to take care of Theo, change out of my work clothes and gather a few things,” Jenna said, trying to ignore the little buzz of anticipation she felt at knowing she would be spending the evening with Wes and his daughter. “I’m sure your dad could use a little time as well.”

---