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“I see.”
“Bryson—I’m sorry, what was your last name again?”
“James,” he said, wondering how many times he’d have to introduce himself for Hadley to remember.
“I’m sorry.I’m truly horrible with names.Cheryl Dummit, Bryson James.Bryson, my mother.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
The woman’s cold smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“Mom, would you like some coffee?”Hadley asked.
“No, thank you.I just wanted to check on you.I was surprised when I woke up to see your text that you’d returned to town but didn’t stop back by the house.”
“I know.I should’ve texted earlier, but I had to stop and pick up some things and then get settled here.I was tired, but I texted you before I went to bed.”
Bryson listened, intently aware of Cheryl’s gaze sizing him up and finding him sorely lacking.“Ladies, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.Thanks for the coffee,” he said to Hadley.
“Take it with you.You can return the cup later.”
He lifted the mug with a grateful nod and managed a smile.“Nice to meet you, Mrs.Dummit.Hadley.Enjoy your day, ladies.”
Bryson left the porch and was almost to the hedges between the homes when he heard Cheryl speak.
“Hadley, what on earth is going on?Who was that man?”
Hadley ledthe way into the house, every creak of the aged floor reminding her that Nan’s house was strong and resilient like she’d stated in the letter.
The boards were worn from years of use and the grit of sand but lovely in their aged patina.So much so, when her mother tried to get Nan to update them several years ago, Hadley had sided with Nan that there was something special about them just like they were.
Maybe she needed to take a few notes from the floorboards, because through hurricanes and king tides, they might have changed, but they’d weathered the storms and turned out even more beautiful because of it.Even the slightly warped, squeaky ones.
“Hadley?”
Hadley blinked and forced herself to focus.Especially since her mother’s tone made it clear she wasn’t giving up.What were they talking about?Oh, yeah.“He’s working next door.”
“And you just invited himin?”
Hadley faced the cabinets in the kitchen and rolled her eyes, because she knew her mother couldn’t see her.“I didn’t invite him in, he sat on the porch.”
“I don’t like it, and I’m quite sure Kyle wouldn’t like it either.You shouldn’t be entertaining men, much less men like that, especially when you’re here alone.”
A huff left her, and Hadley turned, her hands gripping the countertop on either side of her hips.“I wasn’tentertaininghim.”
“He’ll get the wrong idea, Hadley.They think all well-to-do women are lonely and bored and looking for a side piece.It’s a game to them.”
Taken aback, Hadley stared.“Wow,” she said, unable to believe she’d just heard her mother use that expression.
Her mother huffed and shot Hadley a quelling glare.
“You know I’m right.You need to be careful.What if someone said something to Kyle?”
Hadley forced herself to stay calm.Kylecouldn’t care less since he was too busy chasing someone half his age.“Can we please change the subject?”
“Just remember what I said.”
“Okay, Mom, point taken.”
