Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“I think the conversation is turning in a direction I don’t wish to be a part of.” Mom stood. “Keegan, shall we head on up to the room and finish packing?”
My father looked lovingly at his plate, which had a few bites left. “But…I’m not finished.”
With a look as sweet as can be, my mother replied, “You’re finished.”
She turned and started to walk out of the dining room while my father stood, threw his napkin on his plate, and glared at my brother.
“Hey, it’s not my fault!” Braxton exclaimed.
Dad slowly shook his head, then turned and stormed out. Brody chuckled next to me. “I think your dad really wants to retire. He’s seemed to enjoy himself this weekend, being away from the restaurant.”
I nodded, then sighed. Turning to Braxton and Palmer, I said, “I really think Mom and Dad should consider retiring earlier. Dad seems so…tired.”
“They both do,” Palmer added, worry etched on her face.
Braxton nodded. “I agree. I tried talking to them about it a couple of days ago, and I think they do want to retire. But they’re not sure what they’ll do with all that free time.”
“Well,” Harlee started, “they do have two married daughters now. Maybe grandkids are in the works.”
I felt my cheeks heat, and Brody reached for my hand and squeezed it.
Palmer saw the interaction and gasped. “Are you pregnant?” she practically shouted.
“Annnnnd now that will be in Thursday’s paper,” Braxton said dryly.
Brody laughed while I shook my head. “No, Palmer, I am not pregnant.”
She and Harlee both sighed in disappointment.
A younger gentleman came up to the table and asked, “Mr. Braxton Bradley?”
Braxton looked at him. “That’s me.”
“An urgent message was left for you at the front desk.”
Taking the note from the man, Braxton frowned.
“You don’t think anything happened to the boats, do you?” Thomas asked.
Thomas and Braxton had been friends since high school. A few years back, Thomas had joined Braxton in running his fishing charter company. Braxton was so well known for his fishing expertise that his charters had grown in popularity much faster than he’d expected.
“I hope not,” Braxton said as he opened the note and read it. Then his eyes jerked up to meet Brody’s. “I need to talk to you—in private.”
Brody seemed confused, but quickly stood and followed my brother, who had already gotten up and walked away.
“Okay, was that weird or what?” Palmer asked as she looked back at me. “You don’t think anything happened to Addie or Gannon, do you?”
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. “I…I hope not.”
“Let’s not jump to any conclusions.” Harlee gave me a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Looking in the direction where my brother and husband had walked off, I got up.
“Where are you going?” Palmer asked.
“To find out what’s happening.”
It didn’t take me long to find Brody and Braxton in a corner, talking quietly. They both looked angry—and worried.
“What’s going on?” I asked as I walked up to them.
They exchanged a look, then Brody nodded to Braxton.
“Chip left early this morning to head back to Seaside,” Brax said, “and as he was driving into town, he saw smoke.”
My heart started to pound. “What was it?” I pressed my hand to my throat, feeling like I was going to get sick. “Please say it wasn’t the restaurant!”
Braxton shook his head. “No, it wasn’t the restaurant, Sutton.”
“Then what was it?” I asked in a panic. Brody reached for my hand and squeezed it. “Coastal Chic?”
“It was Brody’s beach house…or, I guess, it’s both of yours now.”
My legs felt weak, and I took a few steps back. “Oh my God, what happened?”
“I don’t know. Chip said the fire department was there, and that they’d tried to call Brody, his parents, and Gannon but couldn’t reach any of them.”
“Our phones are all up in the rooms because Gannon and Addie asked us to keep it a phone-free event,” I said. “They wanted us to be present in the moment. I doubt anyone has their phones on them right now. Gannon and Addie might be on the plane already.”
“Do they know how it started?” I asked.
Braxton shook his head. “I don’t think they know yet.”
“We need to find my parents and head back home,” Brody said.
All I could do was shake my head.
“You two go pack,” Brax said, “and I’ll let everyone else know while I try to find your parents.”
“Thanks, Brax.” Brody’s voice sounded void of all emotions. His face, though, showed the sorrow he was clearly feeling. The memories that were in that house for Brody and his entire family… I couldn’t even imagine the loss.
I jumped when Brody took my hand in his. “Come on, let’s go get packed,” he said.
“Arson?” I asked, sitting on the sofa and covering my mouth with my hand. I felt like I was about to throw up.