Page 6 of Island Homecoming

He pulled into the driveway and took a critical look at the exterior. Made a mental note to get some of the trees trimmed in the next couple of weeks. Hurricanes and tropical storms were part of life here. And although the island didn’t get severe storms too often, there was no sense testing fate.

“Going into Charleston when you need a hookup.”

“Need a hookup?” She groaned. “Gross. Please, stop. And don’t say anything to Mom and Dad,” she snapped as he parked the car behind their dad’s perfectly restored truck. Once Nico Billings had signed over the landscaping business to Nash, he’d thrown himself into a new hobby. Apparently, their mom, Roxy, had insisted that busywork of some sort was required in his retirement or she’d toss him out on his ear. Or so the legend went.

Nash adored his parents, and marveled at their enduring mutual affection and commitment to their lifelong partnership. The example Roxy and Nico had set for Nash and his sister had been a true gift.

And possibly a curse.

Because Nash had been raised within the security of their love, he’d taken the strength and power of their enduring relationship for granted. Once he’d been old enough to realize just how lucky he and Nina were, he didn’t want to settle for anything less. No games or drama for Nash. He wanted the real deal. Someone he could talk to and rely on. Someone to laugh with through life’s highs and lows. He’d been prepared to do the work, because he’d seen his parents make the effort year by year, in good times and bad.

He’d even counted himself blessed to have met the woman worthy of his best effort. Right up to the moment when she’d broken his heart.

Crushed it, really.

Jessica Keller, of the Kellers who lived two blocks over, had beenthe one. He’d known early on that they were meant for more than high school romance. He’d been disappointed when she’d chosen an out-of-state college, but he’d been happy for her success, believing the time apart would make them stronger.

He’d been a fool.

And disappointment was the least of it when she’d suddenly shown a desperation to leave the island behind. To “escape”—her word—the town where he was rooted. The town where he’d been planning a future with her. Then it had all gone straight to hell, no chance of recovery, when she’d accused him of robbery. He’d been floored that she believed he was capable of criminal activity.

The whole sordid incident had forced him to grow up, to drop the rose-colored glasses and see people for who they really were. Starting with his best friend who’d tried to pin the robbery on him and with Jess’s heartbreaking doubts about his character.

He couldn’t look back at that hellish summer without grief twisting him in knots. So he looked forward. Every damn day he looked forward. Today included.

His parents were unique in their devotion. The high standard they exemplified was an impossible mission. One Nash no longer believed was possible.

It was probably good that Jess had moved away. Left him behind. Whatever. He’d used the time to recover from the emotional upheaval and focus on carrying the legacy of Billings Landscaping forward as a pillar of the small island community.

So what if he was still single? That wasn’t the worst thing. He had the respect and love of his parents and his sister. He had dates when he wanted to go out. And he owned that he had a problem when he compared those pretty and pleasant women to Jess.

“Nash?” Nina’s wary voice brought him out of the unwelcome spiral. “Are you plotting against me or lost in thought?”

He wasn’t that mean. “Lost in thought,” he assured her. With a nod, she reached for the door handle, but he stopped her. “Hey.” She glanced at him. “You know if you ever need me, I’m here.”

“I know.” She blinked rapidly, clearing a sheen of extra moisture from her soft hazel eyes. “I’m good. It’s all good, I promise,” she said in a rush. “Now help me with the flowers.”

As the owner of Island Bloomers, Nina always brought fresh flowers from her shop to Sunday dinner.

Roxy had the front door open before they’d made it to the porch. “Oh, aren’t those pretty?”

“You say that every time, Mom,” Nina teased.

“Well, it’s true every time,” Roxy laughed. Stepping aside, she urged them inside. “Your dad’s out back on the grill today.”

Knowing the routine, Nash set the vase he carried on the kitchen counter near the sink where Nina would top off the water level, then he headed straight out to chat with his dad.

“Smells good out here,” he said. “What’s on the menu?”

“Flank steak with the famous Roxy marinade, shrimp and veggie kabobs, and roasted corn.”

“Your next hobby should be in the kitchen,” Nash said.

Nico let out his deep, rolling barrel laugh. “Enter your mother’s realm? Not a chance.” Turning, he studied the yard. “She wants a fire pit.”

“Seriously?” But Nash could see it already, mentally sketching out a stone path accented with groundcover, lilies, and flowering shrubs that would elevate the yard for his parents who loved to entertain. “We can do that. I want to trim the trees up first.”

“Of course you do. And you won’t let me help.”

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