Page 12 of Plotting Summer

I’m too overwhelmed to process any part of what she just said, including her unintended criticism or her mention about my Tristan-inspired character.

“Thanks for not finishing your comment, Deedee.” Heath grins, then gestures behind him at the bookshelf. “And Tala has all of Sunny Palmer’s books. She’s weirdly protective of them, but I’m sure she’d let you borrow the Crush … whatever one Deedee said.”

“No, I’ve read it,” I say, rallying myself.

“You have?” Grandma asks, clearly wanting me to share my opinion.

“Yeah. It’s decent.”

Grandma tsks. “Don’t let the ladies at Seaside Oasis hear you say that. We’ve got some diehard Sunny Palmer fans over there.”

“Including Tala.” Heath’s smile makes it apparent he actually adores this about his wife. “Her obsession is borderline unhealthy.”

“It really is crazy Sunny Palmer’s gotten so big,” I say, attempting to play it cool. And because I’m right there with him on not understanding the appeal. Don’t get me wrong, I love my stories, but it shocks me that others love them too. Especially as much as they seem to. “Is Walker coming tonight?” I turn to Heath, feeling the need for a subject change.

“He’s golfing,” Heath says. “But last I heard, he might stop by.”

Why am I not surprised my brother will choose golf over his family? I get that as a professional, it’s his career, but I’m pretty sure he can take off one afternoon. Though with Jane here, maybe it's best if he doesn’t come. The two of them have already run into each other several times in the week he’s been back on Sunset Harbor, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. He’s an experienced flirt, and I’d hate for Jane to get the wrong idea about his intentions. Especially when he’ll be off the island with the first opportunity that presents itself. He's never been a fan of Sunset Harbor.

Grandma hums softly. “If only your mom and Stan were here, we’d finally have the whole family together again.” Her gaze locks on me. “But I’m overjoyed you’ve come home, my dear.” She rubs my arm with a meaningful look, but before I can feel too bad about my prolonged absence from the island, she steps past me. “Now, where are my great-grandbabies?”

Heath follows Grandma into the kitchen and opens the back door. “Grandmama’s here,” he calls.

“Shhh.” Tala descends the stairs, pinning Heath with a look. “I just got Lucas to sleep.”

“Sorry,” he whispers in time for Jack and Serenity to come charging through the door toward Grandma’s open arms like stampeding, shrieking bulls.

When a wail echoes from upstairs, Tala points at Heath. “Congratulations, you’re on baby duty.”

“Oh, I’ll do it,” Grandma says, hugging Serenity and Jack to her and kissing them atop their heads. “Do either of you want to help me get your brother back to sleep?”

Jack shakes his head and darts away, but Serenity takes hold of Grandma’s hand, and the two of them make their way upstairs. My gaze lingers on Grandma, noticing her careful, slow movements.

“He’s still in our room,” Tala calls, pulling my attention back to her. She smiles up at her husband. “You’re lucky you brought reinforcements. Don’t expect to get off so easy next time.”

His gaze shifts to me, his hands lifting at his sides. “Do you see this welcome? No, I’m so happy you’re home, honey. Thanks for bringing Grandma. How was your day?”

Tala wraps her arms around Heath and kisses him in a way that has me diverting my eyes.

“Much better.” Heath is now grinning ear to ear.

“That’s enough, you two,” I say, fighting my own smile.

Heath chuckles. “Says the girl who hopes to be a romance author someday.”

“And yet somehow that doesn’t translate into me watching my sister and brother-in-law make out.”

I don’t like the twinkle that enters Heath’s eyes. “If you think that was us making out …” He grabs Tala’s smiling face between his hands, but before he can prove his point, I take hold of his arm.

“Okay, okay,” I say, pulling him away from my sister. “You and Tala can do that after I leave tonight. Right now, I need help with my boxes.”

With a large box in arm, Heath turns sideways to fit out the back door. I follow him, boosting my own box upward with my knee. It’s a good thing I emptied half the contents of this one to another box, because I'm even struggling with my half-load.

“Maybe we should make a few trips,” Heath says over his shoulder. “I’d hate to sink the boat.”

He might be kidding, but he has a point. Springing a hole in Grandpa’s sturdy old fishing boat isn’t likely, but under the weight of several boxes of books, it’s also not out of the realm of possibilities. To think of losing any of my grandparents’ treasured collection is spine-chilling, but to lose the entirety of it to a sinking vessel would be a travesty of greatest proportions. Especially when this book collection is one of the main things I have to remember Grandpa by.

“That’s not a terrible idea,” I call after him, shaking the thought away. “Do you have time though?”