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Cody put his hand on Summer’s thigh. “You in?”
Summer put her hand over his. “Absolutely.”
They spread out on the beach, each of them working on their castle. Alex teamed up with Cody.
Summer had to admit, Cody took the game seriously and had the water-to-sand ratio down. Before she knew it, he had built a four-tower castle with a moat.
Natalie had obviously learned from her idol. Her castle resembled Cody’s, though Natalie had added some details to hers. Using a stick, she drew a stone pattern into the walls and used seashells to decorate the roofs.
Summer kept hers basic, taking more pleasure in watching Cody and Alex create theirs. She loved seeing Cody with his nephew. He obviously adored the boy. He’d be a good father one day, one who’d stick around for his kids and make sure they knew every day that they were loved.
He was the kind of man she wanted in her life.
Just as she had that thought and a smile spread across her face, she caught Natalie’s eye. Her sister didn’t look too happy about the way Summer was looking at Cody.
Summer couldn’t help it. The attraction was too strong. The need inside her to finally be with someone who saw her for who she was, was too great to ignore.
She tried to appease Natalie in some way. “I think you made the prettiest castle.”
“Ours is the biggest,” Alex announced.
“It sure is,” Cody agreed. “But Aunt Summer is right. Natalie has the magic touch. Nice job, Nat.”
Natalie’s cheeks pinked. Her smile brightened her whole face. “Thank you. I learned from the best.”
“The student surpassed the teacher.” Cody checked his watch. “It’s time for lunch.”
Summer hadn’t realized how long they’d been at it.
Alex groaned. “Just a little while longer.”
Cody shook his head. “Your mom said you’re going to Brian’s this afternoon. You need to eat and get your tennis racket.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “I hate tennis.”
Cody started picking up the shovels and different-shaped pails. “Your mom and her friend like to play. Do it for her.”
“Okay.” Alex said it like he was suffering the worst fate.
Summer grabbed the towel she’d been sitting on and folded it.
Natalie picked up her pail and shovel and pocketed one of the larger shells she’d found.
They all headed back toward the cliff stairs, Alex in the lead, followed by Natalie, then Summer and Cody.
He put his hand to her back as they made the steep climb.
She glanced up at him. “That was a lot of fun.”
He smiled down at her. “Always is. We should take a walk on the beach later tonight.”
“I’d like that.”
He slid his hand up her back to her shoulder. “Then it’s a date.”
She smiled, but noticed the frown Natalie shot down to her.
They made it to the path at the top and started back toward the house, making their way across the expansive lawn toward the pool.
