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The mention of Viv’s name was enough to coax Kit’s attention back to the creek and make her hands wring with anxious excitement. Afternoon sunlight danced over the creek’s waters, but there was still no sign of Beau’s hybrid bay boat with Viv in tow.
It’d been almost eight months since she and Beau had last seen Viv. For the past seven years, Viv had remained in Highlands, visiting frequently, but preferring her independence away from Hope Creek. With each return visit, Viv had looked more and more healthy, vibrant, and energetic. The cool, clean air of the mountains suited Viv, and her happiness was enough to appease Kit and Royal . . . though they both found themselves longing for her presence again.
And today’s visit was extra special.
“Here you go, ladies.” Cal’s deep voice sounded from the other end of the dock before he walked over to Ashley and Daisy, his hands full of small stones. “What do you say we give these a try? There’s enough here for you both to have plenty of practice by the time Dad gets back with Aunt Viv.”
Kit glanced at Cal and smiled. At twenty-two, he had grown into a mature, confident man and had recently graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in marine biology. He was eager to begin his work on Hope Creek, seeking to protect local wildlife. Today the whole family was celebrating his hard work and well-deserved accomplishment by having a friendly, old-fashioned Sutton and Teague oyster roast-off, which would be supplied with the most recent summer crop from the thriving Pearl Tide Oyster Company.
“Thank you, Cal,” Kit said. “It doesn’t take long for them to get riled up.”
Daisy scowled. “Ain’t nobody getting riled up.”
Cal laughed. “I think someone’s been spending too much time with Royal.”
“Whatcha mean?” Royal called as he strode across the backyard. He joined Cal on the dock and grinned. “Ain’t no such thing as spending too much time with me, is there, cutie?”
Daisy squealed. “Nope. Help me do the skips, Papa.”
Laughing, Royal squatted down beside Daisy and demonstrated how to skip a stone across the soft ripples of the creek. “See your sister yet?” Royal asked over his shoulder.
Kit faced the creek again and narrowed her eyes on the mouth of the river in the distance. “No, not yet. But they should be here any minute now.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “Viv said she’d be here by six, and it’s almost that now.”
“Don’t worry,” Cal said. “Dad’ll be here soon enough. I’m going to go help Pop set up the pots.”
“You ain’t gonna join me this go-round, Cal?” Royal asked, his lips twitching. “I’m telling you that good old-fashioned sheet metal and burlap sack steams them oysters up better than any pot and strainer Nate could stir up.”
Cal laughed. “I’ll think about it. You might just change my mind one of these days.”
Kit shook her head, grinning. The partnership between the Teagues’ and the Suttons’ businesses was strong, but the familial bond that had formed—especially after Ashley’s and Daisy’s birth—was even stronger.
“Oh, there they are!” Kit waved her arms in excitement as she glimpsed Beau’s hybrid bay boat enter the mouth of Hope Creek and head toward the Teagues’ dock. The sun, hovering low on the horizon, silhouetted Beau’s strong frame at the helm, and Kit could just make out two other figures in the boat. “Dad, is Viv bringing a guest?”
Royal’s hands stilled on his knees, he glanced at the creek, and his eyes narrowed on the approaching boat. “Not that I know of. At least, she didn’t mention it.”
“Well, from the looks of it, I think we’re going to have an extra person at dinner.”
Royal shrugged. “No worries. She can share the guest room with Viv. Or if she doesn’t mind sleeping on one of the smaller beds, she can use yours and Viv’s old room.”
Kit bit her lip, stifling a smile. “I don’t think Viv brought a friend, Dad.” She eyed the figures more closely as the boat drew nearer, the muscular shape of a man, who was embracing Viv as she pointed out various sites along the creek, coming into view. “Nope. I think she might’ve brought a boyfriend.”
Royal frowned. “She never mentioned a boyfriend.”
Kit held up a hand. “Now, Dad. Viv’s over forty—you’ve got no say in this. So please remember your manners and give the guy the benefit of the doubt, okay?”
Royal grumbled but agreed to comply, then turned back to Daisy and offered her another stone-skipping lesson.
It was funny, really, the way Royal continued to think of her and Viv as little girls, but having two daughters of her own, she could very well see Beau behaving the same way with Ashley and Daisy.
The low hum of an engine approached, and Beau waved from the helm.
Kit waved back, then walked over to meet him as he docked the boat and cut the engine. “I missed you.”
He grinned, his handsome features tan from hours on the water. “That fast?”
She laughed and blew a kiss to him. “Always.”
And it was true. Every day her love for Beau grew stronger, and she could feel it was the same for him.
