Page 62 of Summer Refresh

“You don’t think I know that you’re looking for Kent.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because I was talking to his brother Liam this morning, and he mentioned this new job of Kent’s was coming between the two of you.”

“No, it’s not. I mean there’s nothing between us.”

“Uh-huh.” Melinda nodded, but the look in her eyes said she didn’t believe her.

Sara sighed. In between receiving their ice teas and then their chef salads, she told Melinda about what had gone on between her and Kent. She had hoped that talking about it would make her feel better, but it only made her feel worse.

“I don’t know why any of this is bothering me. It’s not like we were a couple or anything.” Sara played with the wrapper from the straw.

Softly Melinda said, “It’s because you love him.”

“I do not.” She said it with more emphasis than she’d intended. When Melinda once more arched a brow, Sara stopped and thought about it. She’d been denying her feelings for him for so long she didn’t realize when she’d fallen for him.

Just then the server brought their checks. They each paid cash, and the server departed.

“You should tell him,” Melinda said as though she could read Sara’s thoughts.

“Even if I did love him, and I’m not saying that I do, he’s moving to Connecticut to start a new job. It’s too late.”

“It’s never too late.”

“I don’t want to come between him and this opportunity. He would eventually resent me for holding him back.”

Melinda checked the time on her phone. “I need to be going. But I want to leave you with this last thought. Why can’t you move to Connecticut too? Don’t they have inns there?”

Melinda got to her feet and walked away. She certainly knew how to leave the bombshells until the end of the conversation. Sara hadn’t thought of leaving Bluestar. It would take some thinking to see if she was up for something this major.

Bluestar had always been her home. This was where her family was. She halted her thoughts. What family? Her parents were gone. Her sister had moved halfway around the world and wasn’t moving back. Not even Oreo was with her. Maybe her ties to Bluestar weren’t as strong as she wanted to believe.

Chapter Twenty-One

Itwastimetotalk to his parents.

Saturday afternoon, Kent went to their place. He knew his mother wouldn’t take the news of him moving very well, but with time she’d adjust to the idea. He hoped.

He let himself in the front door, which was always unlocked. The front of the house was quiet, but there were voices coming from the kitchen, and there was laughter. His mother was happy?

He moved to the kitchen doorway and spotted his aunt Carol. He hadn’t seen her since last summer. She lived in Ohio. She was his mother’s sister and his favorite aunt. His aunt liked to say that she was a change of life baby—meaning she was a surprise that came along much later in his grandparents’ lives. He chose not to give that idea too much thought.

Just then his aunt glanced up and noticed him standing there. “Kent.”

She rushed over and gave him a hug. He glanced over his aunt’s shoulder to see his mother still smiling.

His aunt pulled back and smiled up at him. “I think you’re taller than the last time I saw you.”

“I don’t think so.” He was way past that age.

“Oh. I guess this means I’m shrinking.” She let out a laugh.

He loved that his aunt could make light-hearted jokes and laugh at herself. She never seemed to take life too seriously—except for when her husband died. Kent had never witnessed his aunt so distraught.

“And what brings you to Bluestar?” He couldn’t remember his mother mentioning that his aunt was coming for a visit.

“I’ve made a decision. I’m moving here.” Aunt Carol smiled brightly.

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