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I wouldn’t mind filling the vacancy.

I pull in a deep breath. “Just need to get ready.”

“Meet you in the foyer in five?” he asks. I detect enthusiasm in his voice.

Is he excited about our trip together? I am. I’m willing to admit it. “Sure.”

I reach out my hand and help him to his feet. My hand in his evokes an intense response. It’s not the first time I’ve held a man’s hand. Or even Slade’s hand. But you wouldn’t know it by the tingling in my spine. How did I think myself in love without experiencing these feelings?

Are these rebound emotions? I hate the word rebound. I’m never using it again. Emotions are emotions, whether or not my heart was recently broken.

“If you don’t mind, I need to bring my mother a few groceries as well.”

He brings his mother groceries. Sigh. He probably walks old ladies across the street too. “I don’t mind.”

“Perfect. It’s a plan.” His smile broadens with approval.

We walk toward Sheridan House, our bodies occasionally bumping into each other. Neither one of us takes a step away so it won’t happen again. I’ve never felt so out of control of my life, yet it’s not worrying me.

Which is exactly what’s worrying me.

I notice Joss sitting on the patio, watching our every move. I wave to her and she waves back. She even smiles her bright smile.

For the first time, her smile feels fake.

chapter twelve

WHILE SLADE ISbusy buying groceries for the bed-and-breakfast, I load my cart with jeans, sweats, t-shirts, hoodies, warm beanies, sneakers, socks, cotton pajama sets, and sensible underwear with not an inch of lace on them.

I stare at my choices, realizing they could be labeled Misery Clothes. Am I a homeless person or on vacation? Certainly can’t tell by my selections. They’re perfect for taking long lonely walks on a cold beach.

I figured I’d be spending all my honeymoon days lazing on the beach in a bathing suit. That was the plan. My suitcase can testify to that fact. Blu wanted to eat our meals poolside or order room service.

Blu’s living his dream. Without me.

Jerk.

What am I doing? I want to look cute for Slade. I grab a flowery sundress, strappy sandals, several pairs of shorts, khaki pants, and a few blouses. I’m now prepared for sunny or cold beach days.

When I purchase my clothing, I arrange to wear the khaki pants and blush blouse out of the store, along with my strappy sandals. I take a few minutes in the ladies’ room to touch up my makeup and brush out my long hair.

Now I’m ready to see Slade.

When we meet up at his car, he stills when he sees me. This time, unlike the first time we met, his expression is far from revulsion. “You look beautiful, Marin.”

The exact reaction I was hoping for. Except now I feel so obvious, like he knows I was trying to look good for him. “Thanks. I had to look decent to meet your mom.”Quick thinking, Marin.

If he’s bothered by my statement, he doesn’t show it. He continues to load the coolers in the back of his Subaru. Then we set off for his mom’s house.

“Where does your mom live?” I ask. There’s a pit in my stomach and it’s filled with nerves that resemble slithering snakes.Indiana Joneswould be trembling, and so am I. Meeting his mother is a big deal.

“Not far from here. When she retired from running Sheridan House, she bought herself a condo where she doesn’t have to worry about many maintenance issues. She didn’t want to stay at Sheridan House. She knew she’d just find things to do all the time. Last time I checked, that’s not the definition of retirement.”

I like listening to Slade speak of his mother. There’s a softness to his voice. You can tell he has a great deal of love for her. “So, Sheridan House is a family-owned business? You mentioned your parents bought the home originally.”

“Yep. I grew up there. I’ve never left, except during my college years. When Mom retired, I took it over. I did a lot of renovations and added five bedrooms to match the original style of the home. Dex wasn’t really interested. Not his thing. He’s a computer genius.”

“Where’s your father?” I’m genuinely interested.

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