Page 47 of Hideaway Reunion

My dear Roni,

I received your message. Again, my apologies for staying away. I should’ve reached out again a long time ago. I thought leaving would make the grief easier on all of us. You girls didn’t deserve to watch me limping along without your mom. I was an awkward shell of myself and you all had your own sorrow to manage.

Traveling and taking myself to new places helped somewhat, but the isolation has only made me a coward with the three of you.

We’ll deal with that later. All four of us.

Roni, you asked about the original survey and right of ways. I do have those documents. Your mother and I kept them in my private safe deposit box in Columbia, alongside other historical records and artifacts we collected through the years. I’ve called the bank to make sure you have access if needed. I also had the original documents scanned and certified several years ago. Those digital files are attached to this email, due to the urgency of the situation. Notice the red ribbon and the stamps that also establish our cove as a private beach “in perpetuity”.

No modern survey or county amendment can override this document, unless both owners agree in writing and records are adjusted accordingly. It is ironclad under state preservation laws. It will trump any kind of fraud that developer tries to manufacture.

I am so proud of you and your sisters. I don’t expect forgiveness from any of you, but I will always help you protect our home and honor the memories we made as a family.

Love, Dad

Brayden inched closer to Roni. He could only guess at the emotions rioting through her. One more thing piled on top of everything else going on. She didn’t react right away, just stared at her phone. He glanced over and saw her sisters waiting for her to get caught up.

“He did it,” Roni whispered. She spun toward him. “We need to get to Columbia. To the bank.” Her eyes darted to the clock on the wall and back again. “It’s only a couple of hours away and not yet noon. We have time to get this done today and be back in time for the class.”

He should’ve known she’d shove the emotion aside in favor of action. She’d always been that way and he’d chalked it up to practical tendencies. Now, having witnessed her emotional collapse, he had to wonder if letting go all by herself was normal too.

“We can handle the event tonight,” Natalie volunteered. Brayden caught the hard look she aimed at Celeste. “Right?”

“Of course we can. That’s not the point.”

Roni shook her head. “Thanks, but all three of us need to be here tonight. A unified presence. You know Holly will be back to document the whole thing.”

“True.” Celeste looked miserable. Almost weary.

“I’m good with being here,” Brayden said. “My shag skills are definitely out of practice.” As he’d hoped, Roni’s cheeks went pink. “You’ll be my partner, right?”

“Mm-hm.”

Natalie beamed at the two of them as if she’d single-handedly orchestrated their entire relationship. “I’m so happy for you.” She bounced on her toes. “Trent will be here. We’ll all participate and host. It’s what we do best.”

Did Celeste have a significant other right now? Brayden didn’t think so. “The Guardian Agency is the official Hideaway guest right now.” He pulled out his phone. “I’ll tell Jess the plan and maybe we can get some other regional folks involved. An impromptu training exercise.”

“For dancing?” Natalie laughed.

“For observation, crowd control, there’s all kinds of ways to write it up,” Brayden replied. “Ask Trent, he’ll fill you in.”

“Guess we have a plan.” Celeste muttered. “And yay for Dad coming through.”

Roni twitched, but she didn’t leave his side. “I am sorry for breaking my word. But this house is ours. It’s our family, past and present, as well as an amazing business enterprise we share. Asking, trying, felt like a logical step.” She rubbed a fist against her chest. “Because leaving it undone felt wrong. If I hadn’t asked him, and Indigo Reef somehow got beach access, I’d always be wondering what-if.”

“Stop.” Celeste held up a hand. “Stop, please. You’re forgiven,” Celeste said.

He expected the sisters to hug it out, but no one moved.

“Okay.” Roni swallowed. “Thanks.” Her gaze dropped back to her phone. “I’ll forward this to Gamble and Swann so they can circulate it as needed.”

“I’ve already done that.” Celeste’s quiet admission was met with stunned silence. “You’re not the only one who’s been thinking outside the box,” she added somewhat defensively.

Brayden had slipped his arm around her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. “We should change clothes and hit the road.”

It was as chilly a parting as he’d ever seen among the sisters. And that worried him. For Roni’s sake. She was too willing to accept the rejection. Although Natalie came in for a hug, Roni was unusually reserved. Celeste mumbled something about going over to the site to help, taking only her phone.

Brayden didn’t bring it up until they were crossing the bridge into Charleston. “They’ll come around,” he assured her.