Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“I can’t imagine the cost to fix a house that old up,” Emmett said.
“Your hands would be tied as to what you could do,” Kiel said. “The preservation society probably has strict rules on what you can and cannot change.”
“Like this one,” Ciara read off the listing for one of the homes for sale via her phone. The cost was well over a million and the inside needed to be torn up and replaced.
“I don’t even know how something like that is even up to housing codes,” Kiel said as he looked at his sister’s phone over her shoulder.
“Those homes are what people call a money pit,” Emmett said.
“Well, I want one,” Leona said.
“Maybe one day, dear,” Emmett said. Everyone in the back laughed. Kiel knew his father would do what he could to make it happen for his mom.
When they arrived back at their rental, Kiel set off for the beach. He intended to find Eloise and talk to her longer than five minutes. And if he found her and she was packing up . . . well he’d figure that out when the time came. As he left, he laughed and told his family not to wait up. He didn't want his mom worrying or pacing the floor at one in the morning, wondering where her son was. Truth be told, he'd probably be back by ten, if not sooner.
Kiel’s first stop was the beach. Instead of walking through the parking lot to get to the boardwalk, he hopped over the concrete barrier meant to keep the water on one side and the cars on the other and jumped into the sand. He kicked his shoes off and sighed when his bare feet touched the warm sand. Kiel loved the smell of sand after the sun had baked it all day. He made his way to the wooden steps and climbed them, opting to keep his shoes off for the moment. At the railing, he stood there and looked out, taking in the remaining beach goers. He couldn’t blame them for staying as long as they could. The warm evening air made for a perfect night.
And it would be perfect if he found Eloise.
He walked the promenade and passed each shop, thinking he should definitely shop there for his mom and sisters’ birthdays. They were at the end of the summer, but taking a piece of Seaport back home with them would be a wonderful way to remember their trip.
In one window, he saw a necklace and a matching pair of earrings shaped like waves he thought his mom would like. If he had to guess, it was sterling silver. It didn’t stand out though and was something he could easily get at any store or offline. He wanted their gifts, especially for his mom, to be something unique and tied to their vacation.
Then he thought of Eloise and wondered if she did family portraits and if not, maybe she could recommend someone. His mother would love an updated family picture. The five of them could wear matching outfits or something. Whatever his mom wanted.
Every store he passed brought him closer to the spot where he first saw Eloise. His heart rate picked up with the anticipation of seeing her again. Tonight, he would talk to her for longer than five minutes. He would ask her to dinner or to go for a walk. Anything to spend more time with her.
At the last store, he paused and inhaled. “You got this.” It was the pep talk he needed. He turned the corner and froze.
She wasn’t there.
As defeated as he should’ve been, he knew it was a long shot. Yet, he was still determined to find her, and had at least one other place he knew to visit. Kiel left the beach and walked up the road, past the street where the family rental was and kept walking until he was in the area he explored with his sisters the day prior. They had a good time with their scoot coupes, and it was something they’d have to do again before the end of the summer. Before crossing the street, he looked down the cobblestone road and saw people lining up to go into the various restaurants. His stomach growled, and he set his hand over the top of it. If his plan worked, he’d be having dinner with Eloise shortly.
When he crossed the last street, he immediately felt like the vibe was different. There were more people his age, and fewer families. It was like someone flipped a switch and it was time for the twenty somethings to come out and have a good time. As much as he wanted to check out the outside bar, he wanted to find Eloise more.
Kiel hustled along the sidewalk, weaving in and out of the people walking on the sidewalk. He turned the corner and spotted Eloise right away. He sighed. It was a long, drawn-out exhale of relief. She sat there—on her stool with an easel and a canvas in front of her—facing the ocean. After taking two steps forward, he paused and looked to the left. Ida’s Frozen Lemonade stand—it was a converted van turned into a stand—didn’t have a line. Kiel rushed over.