Page 1 of Hideaway Reunion

CHAPTER 1

The salt air of Brookwell Island usually possessed a clean, therapeutic quality. Today, and far too frequently lately, it carried the grime of diesel exhaust and impending disaster.

Veronica Hargrave ignored the construction next door, keeping her touch light yet firm as she guided her newest short-term physical therapy client, Abigail Devaney, through a series of shoulder extensions. Due to clear skies and a gorgeous view, they were outside on the expansive deck of the Hargrave Hideaway. What had once been the family vacation home was now under the care of Veronica and her sisters, operating as an exclusive full-house rental property.

The Hideaway boasted the only private beach on the island. That singular feature had been the primary reason their parents had bought the place when Roni and her sisters were kids. Grade school. The years had flown by, and they’d filled the house with so many fond memories. Although it hadn’t been an easy decision to turn the place they loved so much into a rental, they’d made the right choice.

Of course, at the rates they could charge now, their guests expected—and deserved—unblemished coastal serenity. The construction noise next door did not fit that definition.

Abigail’s family had chosen the Hideaway specifically because of Veronica’s reputation as a physical therapist. They’d searched extensively to find the location that could deliver both post-op rehab for her along with a relaxing vacation for the rest of them.

Roni considered it a high honor, despite the added pressure. After reviewing Abigail’s progress prior to the trip, she’d eagerly accepted the extra business.

“Keep your spine long, Abigail, and breathe in that ocean air,” Veronica instructed in the calm voice she’d perfected through the years. “Deep and even inhale and exhale. Let the shoulder blade slide down your back. There you go.”

Abigail, visiting from Atlanta, struck her as the quintessential Southern matriarch. Elegant and accomplished with a spine of steel behind her gracious smile. Recovering from a rotator cuff repair, Abigail smiled as her gaze tracked across the ocean view. “I swear, Veronica, your hands have magic in them. Between your therapy and this view, I feel ten years younger. I’m so glad we found the Hideaway and you. It’s the best balance we could’ve hoped for.”

Before Veronica could offer a warm reply, a deafening screech of grinding metal shattered the morning peace.

The vibration rattled through the pine planks of the deck. A second heavy diesel engine roared to life just beyond the property line, coughing up a thick cloud of dark, oily smoke that drifted lazily over the maritime forest between the properties.

Abigail winced, her good hand flying to her ear. “Good heavens! Is there an earthquake?”

Veronica’s jaw locked, a hot flash of anger sparking in her chest. What she wouldn’t give for a pinpoint quake that would swallow up the pushy developers next door.

Keeping her expression carefully neutral, she managed to keep a litany of curses inside. That was her lane—neutral—her role as the middle sister. It had been true long before Celeste, the oldest, began drumming cool, polite professionalism into them at the start of their venture.

Roni forced her mouth into a reassuring smile. “Just the new neighbors. Doing more clearing, I guess.”

Clearing was a polite word for the systematic, high-decibel harassment the Indigo Reef development group had been leveling at the Hargrave sisters in recent weeks.

“Clearing?” Abigail’s perfectly arched eyebrows shot up. “It sounds like they’re demolishing a battleship.” Her shoulders tightened—exactly the opposite of the goal. “I know it’s not your fault, but my youngest granddaughter was awake before six. The backup beepers were too much for her. My son-in-law is grumping about, threatening to pack up and leave early.”

The words landed like a physical blow. Roni nudged the woman into a chair and started a gentle massage. The construction, along with news about a body washing ashore a few weeks ago, had already cut into their booking schedule, leaving gaps they’d never had before. She couldn’t allow bad reviews—valid reasons aside—to compound the problem.

The developers weren’t even being subtle. After the sisters declined the first lowball offer, the construction disruptions had escalated. Indigo Reef was determined to gain the Hideaway property and their private beach access.

“I’m so sorry, Abigail,” Veronica said, massaging away the unwelcome tension. “This isn’t the experience we’re after. Let’s head inside where it’s quieter.”

Ushering Abigail into the cool, air-conditioned sanctuary of the kitchen and through to the front room, Veronica made a painful executive decision. She couldn’t let Indigo Reef ruin Abigail’s progress or the family vacation. “Why don’t you take a breather?” She nodded to the woman’s water bottle. “Sip some water while I make a call. We’ll make sure this nonsense doesn’t wreck the rest of your vacation.”

“How?”

Roni held up a finger as the person on the other end of the line picked up. Her hope spiked when she recognized Josh’s voice, one of the assistant managers at the Inn. “Hey, this is Veronica Hargrave. Do you have any availability today through the end of next week?”

“Construction again?” Josh asked.

“Yes.” At his request, she gave the group details.

“Sorry, Veronica. I can’t accommodate the whole group that long.”

“Okay, thanks.” She mentally moved on to the next best option.

“Wait one second,” Josh said. “Monroe’s had a cancellation. Check with them.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. A wedding party called off at the last minute,” he murmured. “You have the number?”