Page 16 of The Beachside Rental

In and of itself, it wouldn’t have been so bad, but his ex had done it when his final book in the series had released—when the hero was killed—when his readers were outraged.People he’d never met before were accosting him and throwing trash at his house.

At one point, it got so bad he’d sold the house and moved.It had been a nightmare.For a time, he’d lived out of boxes, moving from place to place, staying until he was found out and then moving on again.

Now a year later, the final book had been out for a while.Readers weren’t as worked up—at least that was what he liked to think.He just wanted to go back to having a quiet life where he wrote stories to share with the world.And maybe this time he wouldn’t kill the beloved hero off at the end.

The thing was that he’d always known the hero would get killed off.It was the price one paid for living on the edge—for putting himself out there to defend the weaker species—to bring justice to the world.He had been true to his character.The hero had made the ultimate sacrifice and saved the world.To Simon, there was no greater hero.

But with this new series, he didn’t know exactly where the book was headed, much less where the series would eventually end.It wasn’t clear in his mind like it was for the first series.

His gaze moved to his keyboard writer, which had gone to sleep.There was no point in restarting it.His concentration was lost.Perhaps he’d go for a walk along the beach in the last rays of the sun.

Chapter Six

Ithadbeenafun evening.

Jenna had enjoyed hanging out with her sisters: Darby, and Myra.And then there had been her friends Lisa Porter and Carly Sorenson.

She was glad she’d started the book club.They read one book a month and met afterward to discuss said book, but in actuality, they spent most of the evening catching up on each other’s lives.

This evening’s main topic of conversation had been about Jenna’s new neighbor.Everyone had questions about Simon, but she had no answers.She knew next to nothing about him.Everyone encouraged her to get to know him, and honestly, the idea did appeal to her—but purely from a next-door-neighbor point-of-view.

With it being a work night for most everyone, except her, her guests departed by eight thirty.After a quick clean-up, Jenna felt restless.

Perhaps a walk on the beach would help clear her mind.With that thought in mind, she headed out the back door, down the steps, and out onto the beach.The next thing she knew, there was a large dog running toward her.It was hard to make out what breed it was in the long shadows of evening.

But as the dog drew closer, she noticed the wagging tail.And then she was able to make out that it was her furry friend from the other day.

When the dog reached her, his nose pressed to the back of her hand.“Well, hello to you too.”

She knelt down to fuss over him.The dog ate up the attention.He was so sweet it made her consider getting a dog of her own.Maybe one of these days...

“Gus!Get over here,” a male voice called out.

Gus?So, that was his name.It was a cute name.

“Gus!”

The dog’s head turned in the direction of the shadowy figure headed in their direction.Oh no.Somebody is in trouble.The dog didn’t make any movements to go to that person.

Just in case the dog got any ideas about running from its owner again, she hooked her fingers around his collar as she continued to pet him with her other hand.

“Gus, you need to stop running off.”

She knew that male voice.As she was crouched there next to the dog, she turned her head in the direction of the man who came to a stop next to them.Her chin tilted upward until at last she saw the handsome face of her new neighbor.

“Wait,” she said.“He’s your dog?”

Simon nodded.“This is Gus.He isn’t normally a runner.However, he has a mind of his own and a stubborn streak.I take it you two previously met?”

When Gus didn’t make any motion to leave, she released her hold on his collar and straightened.“We actually met the other day right here on this beach.He’s very sweet.But aren’t you afraid of losing him?”

“I was when I first got him from the animal shelter.He was forever running away.I could only figure he was searching for the people who raised him.The same people who dumped him at the shelter.But as time went by, he settled into his new home with me, and now he wanders away less.I think he also has a curious mind, and he likes to explore.He always comes home.”Simon’s gaze moved to Gus.He ran a hand over his head.“Don’t you, boy?”

The dog leaned into his touch.It was obvious the affection went both directions.

“I was just out for a stroll,” she said.

“So are we.”