Page 7 of Waves of Hope

“You got it. Now get on over there.”

Livy gave him a salute and pulled away.

She laughed when she drove behind the house and saw Gran standing there with her cousins,wearing a yellow T-shirt that read “I Can’t Adult Today,” navy shorts, and those flip-flops with the shiny pink bow that Livy coveted. Beside her, Charlie and Brooke were grinning and waving. The years melted away. Charlie, tall and thin, was as elegant as usual with her auburn hair tied back in a pony tail behind her classic features. Next to her and of medium height, Brooke looked the same as always with her brown, shoulder-length hair pinned back at her ears with clips and a wide smile that lit her hazel eyes in a pleasant face.

Laughing as her cousins pounced on her with hugs, Livy fought her way out of the car to Gran. After receiving a warm embrace from her, they all did a group hug. It felt so darn good.

“Let’s get you settled in your room,” said Gran. “Oh, here’s Austin Ensley. Hi! Your grandmother told me you were spending some time here. You remember Charlie, Brooke, and Livy, don’t you?”

Livy forced a smile, but for a moment, she felt frozen in time. When she was seventeen, she’d had a huge crush on Austin, but he’d had eyes only for Charlotte. She studied the man who’d replaced the boy and liked what she saw. Sandy-colored hair crowned his head. Blue eyesshone with interest and matched the smile on his face.

“I remember,” he said. “But it was a long time ago. I’m sure a lot of things have changed for everyone since then.”

“How long are you in town for?” Brooke asked.

“Not sure. My work was in Seattle, but I didn’t like living there and figured it would be best to take a break before deciding on what to do going forward.”

“You still the nerdy computer geek?” Charlotte said.

Austin laughed. “Guess you could say so. I had my own company and just sold it to one of the big guys. I’m trying to decide what to do next.”

“If you need someone in marketing, I might be able to help. I just quit my job in New York and have no intention of moving back there.”

His gaze rested on Charlotte, and Livy felt seventeen all over again.

“How about helping us with Livy’s luggage?” Gran said.

“Sure.” He reached into the open storage area of Livy’s Honda SUV and lifted the canvas bag holding some kitchen items Livy would never be without—knives and other kitchen utensils she used daily.

“It’s some of my baking and cooking equipment. Like you, I just sold my bakery to a competitor and am now considering my options.”

He grinned at her. “I remember those cookies you used to bake. They were the best.”

“Livy has her degree in Food Service Management and a certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts from the Culinary Institute of Virginia,” bragged Gran, sending a flush of heat to Livy’s cheeks.

“A real pro then,” said Austin. “Nice.” He turned to Brooke. “And what about you? What do you do?”

Brooke looked down at the ground and then faced him. “I work in an accounting office. Pretty dull, huh?”

Austin shrugged. “Numbers are important.”

“Well, then,” said Gran beaming at them. “Let’s get Livy settled. Everyone, grab something, and let’s take it inside.”

Livy made sure everything was out of the car and then followed the others up the stairs to her room.

At the threshold, she caught her breath. The pale pink walls were just as she’d last seen them. A new bedspread covered with images of seashells lay atop the king-sized bed. But the posters of different chefs remained mounted on the wall.

“I’ve kept things nice for you,” said Gran, putting an arm around Livy.

“Thanks,” Livy said softly, fighting tears. She could always count on Gran to be there for her. No judgment.

Austin left them with a promise to catch up later.

Charlotte turned to Livy. “Hurry and get settled, and then we can meet on the beach. I’m making margaritas to celebrate our being together.”

Livy chuckled. Charlotte was full of fun. She was a little bit like Gran that way, no doubt because her mother was such an intense negative personality. It was a subtle form of rebellion for both of them. Livy was convinced Gran wore her T-shirts because Charlotte’s mother detested them. On Gran, they’d become a perfect way for others to appreciate her sense of humor.

“Have fun, but remember, tonight we’re eating dinner together here at eight o’clock. John is cooking up something special.”

“Oh, I hope it’s one of his grandmother’s recipes,” said Livy. “They’re so delicious.” As much as she loved baking, she was appreciative of all well-prepared food.

“Veal Piccata?” asked Charlotte.

Gran laughed. “I have no idea what he’s doing, but let it be a surprise. That will please him.”

“See you down at the beach, Livy. Let’s go, Brooke,” said Charlotte.

Livy waved them off and began the task of putting her things away and settling in. When she unpacked her bikini from last year, she sighed. Stress had added a pound or two to her body. She knew she wasn’t fat, but she was no model-sized woman either.Enough.She was tired of the old “worrying about her figure” attitude.

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