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It’s not the middle of July, she corrected herself. She wouldn’t have told him no either. Eloise had been crushing on Aaron Sherman since she was sixteen years old, and to have her love story finally come true thirty years later had been the absolute best thing to happen to her.
It wasn’t the middle of July, no. It only felt like Eloise existed one inch from the surface of the sun because of all the eyes on her. Grace cuddled into her side, and Eloise easily put her arm around the girl.
“I’m pleased to be here today,” Greg said in his super-political, happy-as-a-clam voice. Eloise had talked to him when he didn’t use that voice, and she much preferred it. He was so fake in front of all the cameras, the people, and the spotlight.
Aaron stood at his side, completely rigid. He’d said he wouldn’t have to speak. He’d told Eloise she wouldn’t have to come up to the mic at all. She was counting on him to be correct, and his father slung his arm around Aaron’s shoulders.
“I’m proud to be the one to announce that the City Council of Five Island Cove, and the Police Department, run by my fine son, Aaron Sherman, will be partnering to create the Cleaner, Safer Beach Initiative. Many of you have made your voices heard, and we realize our beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. We need to keep them clean and safe, no matter how many people come to the cove.”
The crowd started to cheer, and Eloise politely brought her hands together. What she knew was that this Cleaner, Safer Beach Initiative had cost Aaron many hours of work. He’d had to hire a dozen more officers, and there simply wasn’t enough manpower to go around.
The applause died out, and Greg leaned into the mic again. “Our website is being updated as we speak, and we’ll point you there—or to the FICPD—for more information.” He lifted one hand into the air and waved.
Aaron did the same, and when he turned and faced Eloise, she hardly recognized him. She was used to the stern father, who doted on his daughters but also guarded and protected them fiercely. He did the same for her, and Eloise loved being within the circle of his care.
The smile melted from his face, and he rolled his eyes. Eloise grinned and grinned, because that was the man she’d fallen in love with. He practically marched back to her side, slid his hand along her waist, and pulled her close to him.
She leaned into him and put her cheek against his chest. She couldn’t stand there for long, however, because the sun was directly overhead, and this stage had no tent over it. Thankfully, she’d spent an hour in the bathroom getting ready that morning, frantically texting with her evening manager, Rhonda, and griping at Grace to find her shoes so she and the girls could look pretty for five minutes.
They got herded off the stage by a few of the mayor’s bodyguards, and Eloise’s shoulders went down as the tension left her body.
“I have to get back to the station,” Aaron said. “What are you girls going to do?”
Grace looked at Eloise, as did Billie. They both wore such hope on their faces. The problem was, they both wanted to do completely opposite things. Billie was practically an albino, and she didn’t like spending all day in the sun. She wanted to make caramel popcorn, red-white-and-blue drinks, and put on their favorite movies until it was time to go to Robin’s for the barbecue and fireworks.
Aaron had promised he’d be there for that, and Eloise could admit that a quiet afternoon in the air conditioning sounded amazing.
Grace wanted to go to the beach, of course. The girl was a real beach baby, and she could spend all day and all evening on the sand, building castles, running in and out of the surf, and only eating when Eloise reminded her to do so.
“Eloise,” Grace whined, and Aaron looked from her to his daughter.
“Bills,” he said. “You wanna come to the station with me?”
Billie certainly didn’t, but she didn’t deny him instantly. She too looked around the group, seemingly lost.
“We’re going to go home and change,” Eloise said. She took Grace’s hand in hers. “We’ll talk about it on the way.”
Billie didn’t look happy about that, but Eloise leaned in and kissed Aaron. “Robin’s, seven o’clock.” She met his eye, something stern in hers. “Should we wait for you at home before we go over? Or will you meet us?’
“I’ll be home by four,” he said.
Eloise cocked her head. She didn’t believe that for a second. She wanted to, but Aaron was very busy, holiday or not. “Okay,” she said anyway, and then she nodded the girls away from the stage and their dad.
“Eloise,” Grace whined again.
“She’s begged twice,” Billie said. “I’ve said nothing. She shouldn’t be rewarded for that.”
“I’m going to text my friends,” Eloise said, not addressing either girl’s statement. “If I can find someone to take Grace to the beach with them, she can go.” She met Grace’s eyes. “Sorry, baby. I’m not up for the beach today.”
Grace’s face fell, and Eloise squeezed her hand. “I’ll find you someone to go with, okay?”
“Jean?” Grace asked.
“Maybe.” Eloise didn’t know Jean’s plans for the day. She might be having something at the lighthouse, as Kristen and Joel often did. She had her Seafaring Girls and her sewing students she attended to.
Jamie, who was close to Grace’s age, was a bit too old for Grace to hang out with alone. She’d gotten into some issues with boys a month or so ago, and Eloise didn’t need another daughter dealing with hormones and the opposite sex.
Parker was Grace’s age, but he’d gone to New Jersey for the summer. The twins were too old, and Ginny had to work at the ice cream shop, Eloise knew. Alice hadn’t been feeling well lately, and she’d said she was going to stay home and putz around the house until the barbecue.
