Page 103 of Waves of Hope

“No problem,” said Savannah. “Emma and I are about shopped out in this warm weather. We’ll go again another day. This afternoon, I’m staying right on the beach under an umbrella and with a book.”

“What did you get?” Charlotte asked Emma. She was a pretty girl who seemed content to spend time with her mother.

Emma glanced at her mother and turned back to Charlotte with a happy grin. “A bikini that Mom thought was too daring, a sundress, and a cool pair of sandals.”

Savannah shook her head. “I sometimes forget my daughter is growing up.”

“It’s nice you can shop together,” said Charlotte. That had never worked well for her with her mother. Her mother wasn’t one to make compromises.

“It’s a way to have time together without the men,” said Savannah.

“Very sweet,” said Charlotte. “We women have to stick together.”

“Oh, yes,” said Savannah, smiling at the waitress who approached them.

After they each had placed their orders, Savannah said, “I understand you might set up your own PR consulting company here in Florida one day.”

Surprised, Charlotte realized Shane must have told her that. “I’m thinking of it. For sure, I don’t want to go back to New York. A lot depends on how the summer goes. Then my cousins and I will have to decide what happens after that.”

“You’re such an interesting trio,” Savannah said. “Austin has mentioned each of you. He seems at loose ends, but I’m sure he’ll figure out what he’s doing next. He’s a talented young man.”

“And a great guy,” said Charlotte. “He helped us with an upgrade to our wi-fi network at the Inn. Even paid for some of the new computer programs he installed.”

“I like all you kids working together to make it a productive summer. The Sanderling Cove is such a special place,” said Savannah.

“Dad said he’s going to rent a boat so Brent and I can do some things on the water,” said Emma.

“There’s a boat the cove families own together. Maybe you can use that,” said Charlotte.

“We’ll go with something smaller,” said Savannah pleasantly.

Curious about her, Charlotte said, “What do you do with your time outside of all the mom things?”

Savannah laughed. “Now that Brent is driving, my schedule is a little easier. But I still have carpool duties and swim meets to go to for Emma and sports for Brent. But I’m a teaching assistant to a kindergarten teacher three mornings a week. I have a degree in early education. It’s important to get children off to a good start in every facet of their young lives. I love that age.”

“Have you met Skye?” Charlotte asked.

“No, but Liz told me about her. She’s staying with her grandmother while her father is away for a couple of weeks.”

“You’ll love her. She’s adorable,” said Charlotte.

“Are you interested in becoming a mother someday?” Savannah asked.

Charlotte couldn’t prevent a blush from creeping up her cheeks at the thought of Shane and her making a baby. “When the time is right, I’d love to start a family with at least two children. Shane and I discussed it briefly, and he knows I had a lonely childhood.”

“Henry’s quite a bit older than I, but we both agreed to it. I’m happy we did.”

“I understand Shane spent time divided between your household and Diana’s but spent summers at the cove with Granny Liz.”

“Yes, before Henry and I were married. After that, summers were pretty evenly divided between Granny Liz and us because Diana had him during the school year.”

Emma left to go to the ladies’ room.

“Diana is such a difficult person,” said Charlotte.

Savannah gave her a steady look. “You’ve no idea. That woman has caused so much pain. Henry has told me how toxic he and Diana were together. He told me she’s like a chameleon, changing from tender and caring to ugly and angry within seconds. He never saw that until after they were married, and they had Shane. She’s not a maternal person. That’s for sure.”

“Shane is talking with a therapist again. I encouraged him to do so.”

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