Page 98 of The Cottage on Blueberry Bay

“I was hoping to talk to you about something,” Kyle said.

“What’s that?” Quinn could tell this was serious, and he waited for bad news. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing at all, actually,” Kyle said. He started pacing the kitchen floor. “I just started thinking, and I talked to Brianna and Meredith about next year. Did you know that Meredith’s son went to UNH? Anyways, I think I will try to go to a local college next year.”

Quinn couldn’t believe it. “Really?”

All Kyle had to do was talk to Brianna and Meredith and he changed his mind? After months of fighting, that’s all it took?

“You sure I could play football, too?” Kyle asked.

“Of course,” Quinn said. He kept his grin for his son, but the dark truth hit him. He would have to work for Bruce. “You can go wherever you want.”

CHAPTER34

“I’m going to have dinner with Quinn before the meeting tonight,” Meredith said to Remy and Greg, who sat on the back porch planning out the art auction. She and Greg were scheduling vendors and were in the middle of creating a list of caterers.

“There’s a meeting tonight?” Remy had clearly forgotten. “Oh, right. Do you think I need to go?”

Remy was so caught up in what she and Greg were doing she didn’t seem to notice that Meredith didn’t invite her like usual. And Meredith didn’t want to bring attention to the fact she and Quinn were going out to dinner alone. What if things go badly? What if he doesn’t think it’s a date? Is it even a date?

Meredith started freaking herself out.

Remy’s attention went back to Greg and Jacob’s abundant art collection. Remy clearly liked having her longtime college friend and spending time together. And Meredith enjoyed seeing Remy so happy. Ever since her call with Joe she had been quieter than usual.

“You don’t have to go to the meeting. I can go on my own,” Meredith said. She had wanted the conservation land to be a surprise, but it was as good a time as any to tell her. “I decided to take your advice.”

“What advice?” Remy wrinkled her forehead.

“About the land,” Meredith said.

Remy smiled. “Really? You’re going to keep the cottage?”

Meredith nodded. “I am.” And she laughed at the idea. She would stay at the cottage. “At least through autumn.”

When winter came, she wasn’t sure. “But if the house sells in Andover, then I’ll probably stay here until I figure things out.”

Remy held up her glass at the news. “Congratulations! That’s great, Meredith.”

Greg nodded with Remy. “You’ve got a charming place here.”

“I think you’re going to be really happy here,” Remy said.

Meredith looked around the cozy cottage. She imagined waking up to the orange glow of the sunrise reflecting off the waters of the Atlantic into her bedroom windows. She pictured herself walking along the beaches and greeting her neighbors. She could smell the sweetness of the blueberry treats she would learn to bake. She heard the crackle of a fire in the woodstove and the lull of the waves calming her to sleep at night.

“I think I will too,” she said.

Remy and Greg moved inside as the afternoon sun cooled and Meredith got ready for dinner. With her sun-kissed cheeks, she didn’t have to wear much make-up. She wore her favorite sundress and wore her hair down.

She met Quinn outside when she saw him cutting across the yard. Knots twisted in her stomach as he came closer.

She waved when he looked up at her, and he waved back, but the smile he wore earlier had vanished.

“Hey, Meredith,” he said, his eyes just making contact, but something felt different. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she said, noticing the small bouquet in his hands. “They’re beautiful.”

He smiled, but it quickly faded, and she felt a different energy radiating out from him.

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