Page 45 of Sunsets at the Beach House

“It was,” she said.

“Does it have to end?”

She tipped her head. “What do you mean?”

“Stay for dinner. What do you say?”

“I don’t know if I should. We have a lot of driving ahead of us tomorrow.”

“I could do that with my eyes closed.”

She pursed her lips. “I’d prefer you not.”

“I’ll be very glad when you’re only a few houses away.”

“I will be, too. Not just because I’ll be close to you, but because it’ll mean all of that work is behind me.”

“I know you’re not looking forward to it, but I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as you think.”

She doubted that. Moving was not something anyone enjoyed, her especially. But for her, it also meant stirring up old memories. There was no way to avoid them. And she’d had a lot of pain in her life. You didn’t bury two good men without leaving a permanent hole in your own heart. “It’ll be nice to have my car back.”

“I bet. Is there a lot at your house you want to bring with you?”

“Not too much. I don’t have any place to put it even if I did.” She’d decided to wait on the storage unit, since Claire hadn’t been sure, either. Maybe she should have just rented one. She still could, she supposed.

He turned so he could lean forward a bit. “Have you thought any more about getting a storage unit? I know it’s an added expense but once your house in Landry is empty, you can get it on the market.”

She nodded. “I know. I’ve been thinking about that. Claire and I talked about. It’s silly not to just go ahead and do it.” She sighed. “I suppose I should look into that and just get it done.”

“It’s the end of a chapter, though, isn’t it? Not to be punny.”

She smiled at his joke. “It really is. There are a lot of memories in that house. Mostly good. Some that caused me a little pain. I’m thrilled about moving here, I really am. But there’s a part of me that will be sad to say goodbye.”

“I can understand that. But memories don’t have to be attached to things or places, you know. They live in here.” He tapped the side of his head.

“You’re right. I need to remind myself of that.” She chuckled. “I’ve never thought of myself as the sentimental type, but I suppose age changes you.”

“Nothing wrong with being sentimental. So long as you don’t let it drag you away from the present. Life here is going to be great.”

“I know. It already is.” So much of that had to do with him.

“Oh, I completely forgot. My sister, Dinah, is coming into town. She’ll get here sometime Friday morning and stay through the weekend. I won’t be able to write then because she’ll want to go to the beach and out to lunch. You know, all the touristy things. I’d love for you to meet her. I was hoping we could do lunch on Friday. What do you think?”

“I’d love that. But are you still coming to the wedding with me on Saturday?”

“Of course. I told her I already had a commitment that evening. She’ll be fine home alone by herself.”

“All right. Do you think she’ll like me?” Margo said the words half-jokingly, but the look on Conrad’s face caught her short.

“I don’t know, to be honest. She’s pretty protective and a lot opinionated. She’s one of those people who are an acquired taste, if you know what I mean.”

Margo nodded. “I see. And you don’t think she’ll like me because…?”

“Because she knows we’re involved.” He sighed. “In fact, that’s the reason I think she’s coming. I casually mentioned you because I was telling her about writing the book and the next thing you know, she’s planning a visit.”

Margo lifted her chin. “I’m not worried. If she doesn’t like me, she doesn’t like me. I can only be who I am. And as long as you like me, I’ll manage.”

He grinned. “And I like you very much.”

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