Page 43 of Hideaway Reunion

“Thank you,” Roni said to Bobby, Cav, and Brian. “It means a lot to have your help.”

“Happy to tell the truth.” Bobby started the engine and everyone headed down to complete the beach cleanup.

“You okay?” Brayden asked, hanging back with Roni.

She nodded, turning to him for a hug. “Thank you for recording all of that too.”

“Naturally. I won’t let anyone hurt you or this place.” His phone rang from his pocket and with one arm still around her, he grinned. “This might be more good news.”

“Hey, Connor. You’re on speaker with Veronica.”

CHAPTER 14

Roni was close enough to feel the anticipation ripple through Brayden. Hope soared. Could this be the answer they needed? If the agency research team had found something definitive to put an end to this mess, maybe she’d never have to confess to her sisters about talking to their dad.

Or admit that he hadn’t replied. At all.

Every hour that went by without a word broke her heart and had her second-guessing all her efforts to stay in contact with him. Could he really be that broken? She understood how much he loved and adored his late wife, their mother. The pain must be excruciating. Like losing a limb.

And the cancer that dragged her down by inches hadn’t been kind to any of them.

Yet, here they were, alive and vibrant. Looking ahead. Natalie had fallen in love with Trent and they were planning a wedding. Celeste had turned into some quiet business badass. Yes, they were grieving, but they were also doing their best to keep moving forward. That’s what their mom had wanted for each of them. Not just in theory. Those had been among her last words to Veronica. “Go thrive. Live your life and chase your dreams. Catch those dreams.”

She was certain similar messages had been given to her sisters. They’d even discussed turning the beach house into a B&B with her. She’d not just given her blessing, but her full support. When their father had left almost immediately after the memorial, Roni assumed it had been part of his wife’s last words to him.

Until he stayed away. Extending his travels for another week. An extra month. Heading to a new destination without a word. Basically severing all ties with the three of them.

Her mother would never have wanted that for the family that had once been nearly inseparable. That’s why Roni persisted in keeping him in the loop. Why she’d worked her butt off to find an inch of common ground that prompted a response from him.

He was their dad. A good man. They needed him to be that active, involved, awesome dad again. Preferably, right now.

Brayden tugged on her hand, leading her into the house, through the kitchen and into the suite. There, he grabbed his tablet as she realized Connor was sending him some new information.

“Did you open the file?” Connor’s voice practically sizzled with excitement.

“Almost.” Brayden dropped her hand to deal with the tablet, swiping to his email service. “Okay. I see the email. The attachment is downloading now.”

Roni watched with him, recognizing the first photo as an overhead of the island. She caught his eye, silently asking what was going on, but he just shrugged. “What am I looking at?”

“That first page is a broad overview of the current coastline,” Connor explained. “Our geological research team just finished running the historical satellite overlays and you will not believe what the data showed.”

Brayden was swiping through the images, back and forth so quickly that Roni got queasy and had to look away. She sat down on the edge of the bed, much happier to listen at this point.

But even that overwhelmed her and she found herself flopping back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling fan. The self-assessment was easy and obvious: too much stress and stimulation. With tears leaking from her eyes, she slowed her breathing. Tried to take an emotional inventory without judging herself.

Helping the construction workers through the storm last night would’ve been a lot on its own. Sleeping with her best friend was a huge adjustment, all by itself. The increasing pressure on their business. Waiting for her dad’s reply, knowing her sisters would be mad all over again. A lot.

Any single one of those things carried enough weight to create a spiral, raise questions, and demand energy and attention. Adding them all up? Well, it was no wonder she was weepy. She’d give herself ten deep breaths and then get up and get on with it.

The mattress sagged as Brayden stretched out beside her. “Hey.” He scooted closer, leaning over until his face blocked the ceiling fan view. He dried her tears. “Talk to me.”

“What about your call?”

“It can wait.” His fingers were a whisper along the shell of her ear. “Talk to me.”

“You know it all.” She choked back a sob, curled away from him, and promptly lost the battle with her tears. “It’s… It’s everything.”

“I’ve got you.” He pulled her into his arms, tucking her head under his chin and stroking her back as all of the pent-up emotion poured out of her. “I’m here.”