“If I’d known you wanted to move out of June’s place, I would have just offered it to you,” he says. “Hell, you can have it, Sarah.”
“No.” I shake my head and look at him squarely now. “Absolutely not. If you’ll rent it to me, I’ll pay for it. I can afford it. But I can’t come without Petunia.”
“The cat?”
I nod solemnly. “I’m all she has, and I won’t desert her.”
“I’m fine with the cat.”
Hope spreads through me. “Would it be okay if I used your beach access to walk down to the sand sometimes?”
“Whenever you’d like.”
I can walk to work from here, I have beach access, and the adorable little house is furnished.
But will I have to see Tanner all the time? And if I do, will it continue to be uncomfortable?
“What’s your hesitation?”
He always could read me.
“I don’t want to make things weird or hard. If I live here, and if we run into each other all the time, I don’t want to make it uncomfortable for you.”
He lifts an eyebrow.
“Or for me.”
“It’s never my intention to make you uncomfortable. If it makes you feel any better, I can tell you that I rarely ever run into my tenants. I go to work early each morning, and I pretty much keep to myself, but I’m nearby if you need anything. Sarah, we see each other as often as we do because we share the same friends. Huckleberry Bay is a small town, and I refuse to give up my friends, or turn the other way whenever I see you. There are no hard feelings here.”
I nod and lick my lips, then look around the space once more.
I want it. I knew it when I saw the listing online last night.
This is where I’m supposed to be.
“I’d love to live here.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets and smiles, nodding. “Good. You can move in right away. Do you need help with your things?”
“No, I don’t have much. Mostly just some clothes and the cat. I lost everything else in the fire.”
“Wolfe’s rebuilding.”
“I know. But it’ll take a while. And as much as I love June, and I’m so incredibly grateful to her and Annabelle, I really need my own place, you know?”
“I get it.” He pulls his hand out of his pocket and holds up a key. “Looks like this is yours, then. The rent covers all the utilities, and it’s due by the fifth of the month.”
“I can do that.” I reach out and take the key, brushing his fingers with mine in the process.
His hand returns to his pocket.
“I can bring the money for first and last month’s rent and the deposit later today.”
“Whenever,” he says with a shrug. “I’m in no hurry, and I know where you live. Welcome home, Sarah.”
He winks, and then he walks out. Several seconds later, Grace returns with a happy smile. “I’m so glad this worked out for you! I think you’ll love it here. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll have to take you back to Annabelle’s because I have another showing in just a bit.”
“Of course.” I turn back to take it all in. The small but efficient kitchen, the living space with a loveseat, chair, and TV, and that incredible view of the water.
I’m going to move in today.
“You’re doing what?” June demands with her hands on her hips. I had Grace drop me off at the lighthouse where June’s working on the inn, and to my delight, Luna was with June, so I could tell the story once.
“She’s moving into her own place,” Luna says and pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t have to move,” June insists.
“Honey, I do have to move.” I wince but stand firm. “I love you and your grandmother, more than you’ll ever know, and I’m so grateful that you let me stay with you when I didn’t have anywhere else to go. But it’s tough living outside of town without a vehicle, and I just want my own quiet space.”
“I get it,” June says with a sigh. “I just love having you there because you were gone for so long, you know?”
“I’m only moving into town, not to another country.” I wrap my arms around her and hug her close. “Thank you for loving me so much, and for taking such good care of me. But, I’ve got this, Juniper Rose. I promise.”
“Now I’m getting sloppy.” June brushes at a tear on her cheek. “Okay, you’re evicted. Go move in with Tanner and fall in love again.”
“Whoa. That’s not at all what’s going to happen.”
“I mean, it could happen,” Luna points out, but I shake my head emphatically.
“No. That ship sailed long ago, and now he’s a friend, as well as my landlord. That’s it. Just wait until you see it, you guys.”
“When are you moving in?” Luna asks.
“Today.”
June blows out a breath. “Come on. Let’s go get your stuff and your mangy cat, then get you moved.”
“I’m coming, too. I can’t wait to see it,” Luna says.
“I love you guys. And Petunia is not mangy. Anymore.”
June 8, 2003
* * *
Dear Diary,
I got a job! I start at Gordy’s on Friday. Now that school’s out for the summer, and I’m sixteen, I can have a summer job. I’m so excited. Having my own money will be so nice. I can take care of myself and Scott, and we won’t have to depend on Mom and Dad so much. They don’t do much for us anyway, and I’m sick of having to mooch off our friends for food.
I know they say that it’s not a big deal, but it’s still embarrassing. I’ll buy groceries for Scott and me, and I’ll hide them.
I don’t get to wait tables yet because I don’t have enough experience, but it’ll be okay to clear them and help wherever they need me. Gordy said that some of the servers will share some of their tips with me, and that would be cool.
Tanner Hilleman asked me out on a date, so basically, this is the best week that’s ever happened. We’re going to the movies Friday night. I don’t know what to wear, so I’ll have to ask the girls to help me.
A job, a cute boy, and SUMMER. Yeehaw!
TTYL,
Sarah
Chapter Two
Tanner
“Right?”
I blink and try to focus on the young woman speaking to me about a seascape painting hanging on the wall of my gallery. She’s been droning on and on, and I drowned her out with thoughts of Sarah.
“I’m sorry, would you mind repeating that?”
“I was just saying, the colors in this are so vibrant. It looks like there’s about to be a thunderstorm over the water here, and it makes me want to curl up with a blanket and a book.” She laughs and tosses her dark hair over one shoulder. “Which means I probably shouldn’t buy it for my office because I’d never get anything done. It is tempting, though.”
I nod thoughtfully. “I see what you mean. This artist is from up in Astoria, and we feature many pieces from him here in the gallery. Take your time to think it over, and let me know if you need anything.”