Hide Away by the Sea, page 15
Before I could mention it, he pulled out the drawer to his right and grabbed a folded piece of white paper. There was a sadness on his face when he handed it to me.
“This is the last one she wrote. It was written right before you and your grandmother were supposed to leave on your trip.”
My stomach clenched and I forced myself to hold back the swarm of tears I knew wanted to fall. Taking in a deep calming breath, I took the note from him and opened it up. I was no longer holding back the tears when I read my grandmother’s words.
Jensen,
Welcome home! I had to make your brownies a little early this time since I’ll be gone on vacation when you get back. Hopefully, they’ll still be good. If not, I’ll make you more when Everleigh and I get home. Maybe it’ll give you both a chance to talk? Eleven years of silence is just about ridiculous. I’m just sad you and Everleigh both inherited my stubbornness. Through hell or high water, I’m going to get you two in the same room again.
Love always,
Rachel
Closing my eyes, I held the note to my chest. “I can only imagine what she would’ve done to get us talking again.”
I turned to Jensen and he wiped away my tears with his thumbs. “Knowing her, she would’ve locked us in a room together and thrown away the key.”
That made me laugh. “I wouldn’t put it past her.” I handed him back the letter and he tucked it safely away in the drawer. “Speaking of keys, letters, and locks,” I said, moving into the living room with my glass of wine.
I sat on the brown leather couch and Jensen watched me curiously. “What are you talking about?” he asked, coming to sit next to me.
I drank the rest of my wine and set my glass on the coffee table. “Hide Away by the Sea has many secrets within its walls,” I stated plainly.
Jensen’s eyes widened. “How so?”
“Well,” I began, remembering how it hurt when my toe clipped the edge of the floorboard in my grandmother’s room. “I found a box of old love letters from a man who wasn’t my grandfather; they were dated a little while before she met him.”
Jensen’s mouth dropped. “Interesting. Do you know who that guy is?”
I shook my head. “All of his letters are marked with just the letter T. And that’s not all,” I said, moving closer to him. “There are secret compartments in the armoire in my grandmother’s bedroom. I found her perfume recipes in one of the hidden drawers and a locket in the other. I think the necklace was from T. All that was engraved inside were the words ‘yours always’. He signed off all his letters with those words.”
Jensen shook his head and smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Looks like we have a mystery on our hands. Do you think there’s more in the house?”
I shrugged, rubbing my forehead in frustration. “No clue. I’ve been through every closet and drawer in the place. I even asked Georgia if she knew anything since she was close to my grandmother, but she had nothing to offer.”
A gust of air escaped Jensen’s lips as he ran a hand over his hair. “I don’t know where else you could look for clues other than your house. At this point, it seems like a dead end.”
I nodded slowly, sinking back into the couch with a sigh. “Sadly, we’ll probably never know who her secret love was.”
It was a secret my grandmother took to the grave, and the thought made me ache with sadness. She must have cared for T deeply if she had kept his letters safe for all these years.
Jensen and I talked until the digital timer on the oven dinged. The intense aroma of garlic, oregano, and freshly grated cheese greeted us as we opened the oven. We carried our steaming plates outside to the patio, where we sat at a round glass table covered in a red checkered tablecloth. The chilled night air was surprisingly refreshing after the heat of the day, and while we ate, the crickets serenaded us.
Jensen gave me ideas on places to look in my grandmother’s house for more clues. It was kind of a stretch to think she would hide something with the canned goods in the pantry, but there was no telling. This was my grandmother we were talking about. Anything was possible with her.
Once we had finished dinner, I helped Jensen clean up the kitchen. When I looked over at the microwave clock, I noticed it was nine o’clock.
“Uh-oh, it’s getting close to my bedtime. I should probably go,” I joked, placing my wine glass in the dishwasher.
Jensen chuckled and placed the last dirty plate inside. “You’re not staying for dessert?” he said, turning to face me.
There was a desire-filled longing in his eyes that made my heart flutter. I didn’t want to leave. Yesterday, I told him there wouldn’t be a repeat of that Christmas night all those years ago, but who was I kidding? I wanted that connection with him, to feel his touch and allow myself to get close to someone. And it wasn’t just anyone I wanted to be close to . . . it was him. It had always been him.
“What do you have for dessert?” I asked, my voice breathless.
Jensen stepped closer and his gaze seemed to search my face as he spoke. “Actually,” he said, the warmth in his grayish-blue eyes growing brighter as he closed the distance between us. “I didn’t make anything. I was just hoping you’d stay.”
His lips were mere inches away now, and my chest felt heavy with anticipation. “For how long? An hour? Two?” I wondered nervously, not daring to look away from the mesmerizing depths of his gaze.
He shook his head, a subtle smirk appearing on his lips as his breath brushed against my skin. “I was thinking all night.”
My heart pounded in my chest and so many emotions swirled within me. Were we ready to take that step so soon? Jensen brought his hands up to my face, caressing both cheeks tenderly until our noses were nearly touching.
“Please, Everleigh,” he pleaded softly, brushing his lips against mine in a gentle kiss. “I want you, and I know you want me, too. Haven’t we waited long enough?”
I felt my resolve weaken as I placed my hands over his, our fingers locking together like two pieces of a puzzle. Yes, we had waited long enough—there was no doubt about that in my mind.
“Yes,” I answered quietly. “We have.”
With that, he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring every corner of my mouth as his hands roamed over my body, igniting a fire within me that I hadn’t felt since our first night together all those years ago. I moaned softly as he swept me up in his arms and carried me to the bedroom, never once breaking the kiss.
As he laid me down on the bed, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. He leaned over me, his lips brushing against my ear.
“Are you sure this is what you want? There’s no going back.”
“I don’t want to go back,” I whispered. “All I want is you.”
21
EVERLEIGH
The thunderous sound of rain pelting against the roof jolted me awake from a dream so vivid I thought it was real. I didn’t realize I had been crying until I felt the wetness on my pillow. It was the first time I’d dreamed of my grandmother since she passed. We were on the beach in Aruba, and she was dressed in the skimpy red bikini she had bought to embarrass me. Not a moment went by where there was silence between us. There was so much I had to tell her, and she was right there with me, happy and so full of life. We floated on rafts in the ocean and drank strawberry daiquiris adorned with little umbrellas. I wanted to believe it was her visiting me; that was how real it felt.
I sat up and noticed Jensen’s side of the bed was cold. Luckily, I could hear him moving around the kitchen. I got out of bed and dressed quickly. When I reached for my phone on the nightstand, there was a text from Nyla.
Nyla: Good morning! I hope you had a great time with Hottie McHotpants. Not to rush you or anything, but I found something you’re going to want to see.
My heart flip-flopped in my chest with excitement. Did she find something else my grandmother had hidden in the house?
Grinning to myself, I fired off a quick reply.
Me: Be there shortly!
Since I didn’t have any toiletries other than a small floss container in my purse, I hurried into Jensen’s bathroom and ran my fingers through my hair to get out all the knots. It still looked like a rat’s nest when I finished.
Jensen was in the kitchen making breakfast, his was shirtless, and had on a pair of gray sweatpants that hung low on his hips. He glanced at me over his shoulder and smiled.
“The bacon is done, and I’m almost finished with the eggs.”
There were two empty plates on the kitchen table and in the center of the table was a plate filled with bacon and another stacked high with pancakes. He even had two glasses of orange juice already poured.
I stared at it all in awe, my mouth gaping. “This is perfect.”
Jensen smirked and turned back to the stove. “I know it’s early, but I figured you’d want to get back home to spend some time with Nyla.”
He walked over to the table with the pan of scrambled eggs and spooned some into our plates. I sat down and grabbed a few pieces of bacon and two pancakes, soaking the pancakes in syrup.
Jensen chuckled and shook his head when he noticed my drenched plate. “Do you want some pancakes to go with your syrup?”
Rolling my eyes, I smiled and dug into my food. “What can I say? I love it. It’s been a long time since I’ve had pancakes. Usually, I grab a protein bar and eat it on my way to work.”
Jensen’s smile faded. “Breakfast was always your favorite meal.”
“I know,” I replied sadly. “It’s been nice being back here and finding joy in the things I used to love.”
And still love, I wanted to say, but I kept that to myself.
“What are yours and Nyla’s plans for the day?” he asked, stuffing a bite of eggs into his mouth. I didn’t want to leave so early, but I was dying to see what she had found.
“I’m not sure, but she texted me and said she found something at the house. I assume it’s another hidden gem my grandmother had stashed somewhere.”
Jensen chuckled. “Rachel was a sneaky woman. This doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
“Me either,” I agreed. “Honestly, I find it fascinating. It’s like a treasure hunt, only there’s mystery with a bit of intrigue involved.”
His smile widened and he gave me a flirtatious wink. “Maybe tonight you can tell me all about what you found?”
Electric excitement surged through my body at his invitation, and I cocked my head to the side with a smirk.
“Is that your way of saying you want to see me again?”
“Maybe,” he replied, brightening even further. “Is that okay?”
My heart swelled and I smiled softly back at him. “Yes. I’m sure we can figure out something to do.”
After we finished breakfast, I grabbed my purse and Jensen walked me to my car. He took both of my hands and stepped closer, his breath tickling my skin. I could smell the sweet scent of maple syrup on his lips.
I looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. “What are you going to do today?”
The corners of his mouth tugged up in a slow, teasing smile. “I was thinking of seeing Seth and Trisha at the hospital. There’s something I want to talk to him about.”
My brow furrowed as I tried to decipher the twinkle in his eye. “And what would that be?” I asked.
He chuckled softly and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips. “I might tell you later,” he whispered against them before pulling away. “Right now, your friend is waiting for you. I’ll see you later.”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded and opened my car door. As I drove down the street, my heart beat faster and my foot grew heavier on the gas pedal. I was ready to see what Nyla had found.
When I pulled into the driveway and raced up the stairs to the back deck, Nyla was sitting in my grandmother’s red rocking chair, her auburn hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, and she was wearing a bathing suit underneath a white lacy cover-up.
She jumped up and grinned excitedly. “Good. You’re here,” she said, hurrying to the door. She opened it and waved for me to come with her. I shut the door behind me and followed her down the hall to the library.
“I don’t know how or why, but I got curious and wanted to look at your grandmother’s books.”
Nyla and I stepped into the library, and my eyes darted to a book sitting on the desk—a beach romance novel titled One Day by Ellen Thomas. Its cover boasted bright colors with a couple standing on the shoreline. I set my purse down on the desk and Nyla gestured for me to open the book. Tucked between the pages was an old photo—slightly faded with bent edges. The quality wasn’t perfect, but there was no mistaking the young blonde-haired woman in the picture. She beamed joyfully, her cheeks flushed, and soft laughter danced in her eyes. Beside her, a man with dark hair had his arm around her shoulders, and they were sitting on a bench surrounded by bushes and flowers with a canopy of Spanish moss above them. Unfortunately, the guy’s face was blurry; I couldn’t make out who he was.
Nyla glanced at me questioningly. “Is that your grandfather?”
I shook my head sadly, feeling a pang of grief for my granddad. “No, he had dirty blond hair. This has to be T.”
Nyla reached for the photo, and I let her take it. “Do you think we should look through all of the books? If she hid a picture in one, there are hundreds of others she could’ve done the same with.”
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly, raking my gaze along the shelves. “Yes,” I answered. “Let’s do it today.”
I hadn’t thought to look through them all, but it was probably for the best. I was determined to find everything I could. The picture wasn’t enough to identify who T was. Maybe he was still alive? If I could identify him, then I could find him. He was the only one with the answers to my grandmother’s mysterious past.
Nyla started on one end of the bookshelves and I went to the other, grabbing one book at a time and flipping through it. I’d only gotten through three novels when my phone beeped with an incoming text. I went back to the desk and rummaged through my purse until I found it.
Jensen: Think you can meet me on the pier tonight at 7?
Nyla glanced over at me and smiled, clearly knowing it was Jensen. “Do you mind if I meet Jensen tonight?” I asked her.
Nyla snorted and continued to look through the books. “I already told you, I don’t plan on being up your ass. I wish you knew how relaxing it was just to listen to the waves today.” When she turned to me, there was nothing but a genuine look on her face. “Seriously, Everleigh. If you and Jensen can see each other every day, then do it. It’s clear you two had an amazing night from all the glowing you’re doing right now,” she said, waving a hand at my body. “You better believe if I found someone like him, I wouldn’t be letting go.” She pointed at my phone. “Now text him back. One day, though, I’d love to hang out with him.”
I nodded. “You got it.”
Grinning, I texted him back.
Me: I’ll be there.
22
JENSEN
As soon as Everleigh left, I stripped off my clothes and jumped into the shower. The hot water soothed me, and I lingered until it ran cold. Then, I dried off and pulled on a pair of shorts and an old T-shirt before heading to the hospital.
When I arrived, Trisha was asleep in the bed and Seth was slumped down in a chair beside her. Little Amelia was being monitored in the nursery so Trisha could rest. Once Seth found the energy to get up, we went down to the elevators and outside the building into the brisk air. His usually spiky hair lay flat against his head, and he stifled some yawns.
“It won’t take long,” I promised him with a smile. “I know you’re exhausted.”
We crossed a grassy courtyard with benches surrounding a bubbling fountain. Seth tiredly took a seat and gestured for me to join him, but I didn’t want to sit.
He grinned up at me. “Now, what do you want to talk about?”
After last night with Everleigh, I felt a new rush of emotions within me. At first, I had wanted to take things slow, but each passing day reminded me just how much time we had wasted already. She needed to know everything, that I was all in, no matter what it cost me.
Taking a deep breath, I looked into Seth’s eyes and sighed. “I want to tell Everleigh how I feel—no more hiding or holding back anything. But what if it scares her away?”
Seth waved away my doubts with a chuckle. “You’re past all of that now, buddy. Just say what you mean and get it out there. You’re not getting any younger; you need to make your move.”
“Thanks,” I laughed. “Great way to make me feel ancient.”
Seth chuckled. “We’re thirty-four, man. I’m right there with you. Most people we graduated with have been married for years with two or more kids already.”
That was the truth. We both got started a little later in life, me more than anyone. It was hard to take that next step when the woman you wanted to be with lived almost a thousand miles away.
Smiling, I held out my hand to help Seth up. “Thanks for the advice. Everleigh’s meeting me on the pier tonight. I’ll tell her everything there.”
Seth grasped my hand and groaned when I lifted him up. “You and Everleigh will make it work.”
“Even with her living in Boston?” I replied.
Seth sighed as we started back toward the hospital entrance. “It won’t be easy, but I have faith in you two.”
“Thanks,” I said, walking with him inside.
I made sure he made it back up to the room without falling asleep somewhere. Once he was safely tucked back in his chair beside Trisha’s bed, I closed the door and stopped by the nursery to see Amelia. I’d always wanted a family of my own; it was a future I feared would never happen for me—until now.
