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After wandering through a few of the commercial streets and shops she’d missed the other day, Shelley took a walk through the residential neighborhoods. She stopped to talk to a woman who was tending to her garden and struck up a conversation with a group of teenagers heading down to the beach, who told her all about how cool the upcoming fireworks display would be.
Shelley didn’t know how anyone could feel like Rockwell Island wasn’t the best place on earth.
When she first set out to explore this morning, she’d wanted to see if what she was falling in love with had more to do with a certain tall, dark, and super sexy man—or the island itself. Taryn had always been great at playing devil’s advocate, and when Shelley had called her this morning after having breakfast with Quinn, her cousin had suggested that she be sure of her motivations before she rented the cottage.
Now Shelley felt completely certain about what was truly drawing her to Rockwell Island: how warm and welcoming everyone was, along with the stunning location. Quinn was a nice bonus, but he’d been clear about going back to Maryland, and Shelley still wanted to be on the island.
She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk as it finally hit her in a big way. I’m moving to Rockwell Island! She couldn’t stop smiling about her big life-changing decision.
And now that she’d made her decision, one hundred percent, she needed to know the name of the bakery where Quinn had bought the delicious croissants they’d had that morning, so that she could talk to the owner about possibly providing baked goods for the café when she moved there.
Realizing she was around the corner from Sierra’s restaurant, she headed inside to see if she was there. Shelley spotted Sierra talking to two guys at the bar. They turned as she approached and she recognized them as Quinn’s father and one of his brothers, although she couldn’t remember which one.
“Hey, Shelley.” Sierra pointed to a stool next to her father. “Have a seat. Quinn swept you away the other day before you had a chance to meet my father, Griffin, and my oldest brother, Trent. This is Shelley Walters, Quinn’s friend.”
“Hi.” Shelley couldn’t get over how attractive Quinn’s entire family was, like they’d walked out of a Beautiful Human factory.
Griffin shook her hand, his smile warm and welcoming. “Hello, Shelley. So nice to meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too.”
Trent’s handshake was strong and just as warm. “Great to meet you, Shelley. Sierra was just telling us that you’re thinking about bringing your coffee business to the island.”
“I might have gotten a little excited about the idea,” Sierra said with a grin. “I didn’t say you were definitely doing it, though, just thinking about it.”
“Actually,” Shelley said, “I’m really excited about it, too. In fact, I wanted to ask if you might know where Quinn bought me the most delicious chocolate croissants. I’d like to talk to them about possibly providing baked goods for my café here on the island.”
“Wait... Does this mean you’re really doing it?” Sierra’s eyes widened.
“Yes!” Shelley knew she must be beaming, but she couldn’t help it. She was overjoyed with her decision, and Sierra’s excitement made it that much better. “I am.”
“Wow, you have guts. But, of course, I totally get why you’ve fallen in love with this place. I left the island for college, and I couldn’t wait to get back here full-time. I honestly can’t imagine ever living anywhere else.” Sierra touched her father’s hand. “Right, Dad?”
“You are my island girl.” Griffin smiled at his daughter, then turned his attention back to Shelley. “My wife, Abby, mentioned that she’d met you and that she thought you’d looked familiar. Is your given name Rochelle, by any chance?”
Shelley felt her smile fade and her stomach lurch. She didn’t use the name Rochelle except around her parents, who flatly refused to call her Shelley. Just hearing the name made her skin feel like it fit too tightly.
“Yes, it is,” she admitted hesitantly.
She didn’t want to be judged by her family’s wealth—in a good way or a bad way. As an adult, Shelley had made her life what she wanted it to be. She didn’t want to defend it, and she certainly didn’t want to discuss her parents’ diamond business.
Griffin glanced at Trent and Sierra. “Your mother has quite a memory.” He turned back to Shelley. “Abby knew your aunt who lived in Eastham. I’m afraid I don’t recall her name…”
“Marla. Aunt Marla.” She felt the tension ease from her shoulders and hoped that if the Rockwells were going to judge her at all, they’d do it by her aunt and not her parents.
“Yes, that was it. Abby knew her years ago, and she said she remembered you visiting one summer when she and Marla were taking part in a charity auction together. She said it took her a few hours to put your face and name together with the feisty young girl she remembered.”
