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Ethan.
Now they’d have to tell the story to him and hope they were wrong, or there was a reasonable explanation for Liam’s odd behavior.
But something told Abby the odds wouldn’t be in their favor.
Either way, she owed Connor an apology for getting angry at him for jumping to conclusions. Even though she wasn’t responsible for the vandalism, Connor wasn’t that far off the mark. If he hadn’t had to rush off, they could have figured it out together. But she’d gotten angry, and he had to get to the job site.
Would he understand, or would their relationship be ruined just when they’d found their way back to each other?
Chapter Twelve
Abby drummed her fingers on the steering wheel of her vintage Orange-Crush-colored Jeep Wrangler. After texting and calling Connor multiple times throughout the afternoon with no response, she’d packed a picnic dinner and taken a chance he’d be at his apartment.
No luck there, either. The inside of Maguire Brothers Renovations was also dark, so Jenna and Jason must have left for the day. It was almost seven. Maybe Connor had gone to Emma’s for dinner.
She sent her friend a text and received a response that Connor wasn’t there.
That morning, Connor had said something about breaking ground today on the property for the museum. Could he still be there?
Only one way to find out.
Abby put the Jeep into drive and headed toward the lighthouse. The parking lot was blockaded off, probably because of the construction. A dumpster, port-a-john, and several large construction vehicles stood parked in an area gated off with plastic fencing.
She was about to drive away when she caught sight of a dark gray truck parked by the dunes past the lighthouse entrance.
Connor’s truck.
After pulling up her car behind his, she grabbed the picnic basket and went in search of him. She found him on the water, paddling out on his board way past where the waves broke.
He straddled the board with his back to her and watched the horizon. His wide shoulders exuded strength and skill. With a sudden turn, he rolled onto his stomach and paddled toward shore, popping up with an effortless grace she’d never attain, even with all the lessons he’d given her when they were kids. As he rode the wave in, she studied his tall frame, the confident stance and perfect balance on the board. His shaggy hair framed his face in a wild tangle.
God, she loved him.
She’d spent the past decade going to school, working, doing whatever she could to forget about her past on Pelican Bay, and her love for the boy who left her.
Moving back had been a decision she’d made for herself. Not because of obligation, but because she wasn’t happy in Texas or working for the large cosmetics firm. She’d wanted a different life…on her terms. And she’d missed her family.
Her decision to make the move permanently happened the moment she opened her car door and smelled the salt air. She knew she’d come home and was there to stay.
Now she was preparing to launch a new career…her own business. If only she could figure out how to keep the guy this time.
Having walked close to the water, she spread out the blanket she’d brought near a backpack she recognized as Connor’s. After kicking off her sandals, she continued to watch Connor surf, knowing she’d never tire of the view.
Of the beach.
Of the man.
Finally, Connor walked out of the ocean, the board under his arm. He stopped a few feet from her and set the board down in the sand.
She eyed him warily. “Good waves?”
He grabbed a beach towel out of his bag and dried off his hair and face. “Not bad.”
“I texted and called you a few times today.”
“My cell wasn’t fully charged and died halfway through the morning.”
Was he really going to pull that with her?
