Page 79

“Henrietta’s business insurance should cover most of the damage, if not all. I’m sure they’ll send out an assessor and work up a claim.”

Sadie ran a hand down her thigh, not wanting to share Gran’s previous issue with her insurance. “Yeah, the thing is, the insurance adjuster met with Gran yesterday. I don’t know how much they’re willing to pay out, but it’s safe to say the building can’t be sold right now. It’s such a mess with puddles of water everywhere. Even with windows open, the place reeks. We have no choice but to take it off the market since there’s no one available to do the work right now.”

“I’m sorry. Let me grab a few people and we’ll come over and help with the cleanup.”

Sadie shook her head. “No, not until we know it’s safe. I can’t risk anyone getting sick or hurt.”

Besides, Sadie had no doubt that Dani would be one of the first people to show up. Because that’s what Dani did—she showed up to help, no matter how full her own plate was. And Sadie wasn’t ready to talk to her yet.

They ended their call, and Sadie returned her attention to Hunter. “Sorry about that. What would you recommend?”

“Talk to Henrietta’s insurance agent and see what they’re willing to do. I know the figures I gave seemed a little high, but they were a rough estimate. The insurance company may want to use one of their own contractors, and you can go from there.” He pointed to the top of the sheet. “My contact info’s right there if they want to get in touch with me.”

Go from there…

Tired, so very tired of water, Sadie needed a break. After Hunter disappeared out the back door and up the stairs to his apartment over the bakery, which now lacked water, she grabbed her phone and headed back to the cottage.

With each step down the sidewalk, questions swirled around in her head as she tried to come up with different scenarios for everything to work out. By the time she reached Gran’s front porch, she had more questions than answers, and her nerves were frayed.

She stepped inside Gran’s living room and breathed in the familiar fragrance of vanilla and sugar wafting through the air.

Sadie kicked off her shoes by the front door and started for her room and the bliss of a hot shower, but the sound of metal sliding into the oven redirected her to the kitchen.

She found Gran plopping balls of dough onto a baking sheet with smooth, practiced adeptness. Behind her, a light breeze cascaded through the open window and ruffled the leaves of Gran’s African violet sunning itself on the sill.

Gran looked up and smiled, her blue eyes full of peace and vibrancy. “Sadie, good morning. I thought you were still sleeping.”

Shaking her head, Sadie pulled out a chair and sat. She stared at the woman who was one of the most important people in herlife, and the stress of the events from the past couple of days crashed over her.

The ache of Asher’s betrayal, the damage at the bakery, and the fear of the unknown bore a hole so deeply in her chest that she pressed a hand over her rib cage to hold in the pain.

Her eyes burned with tears that fought to be released. She swallowed several times, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the dam from breaking.

One by one, tears slipped over her lids and slid down her cheeks. She buried her face in her hands as a sob broke from her chest.

“Love, what’s going on?” Gran moved in front of her and pressed a hand against the back of Sadie’s head and drew her against her waist. Her fingers moved through Sadie’s hair in the same comforting gesture she’d known as a child.

Sadie shook her head. “I failed, Gran.”

Wood scraped against wood as Gran pulled out a chair and sat in front of her. “What do you mean, failed? Failed at what?”

Dragging the back of her hand across her face, Sadie sniffed and looked at the woman who’d always been there for her. “I failed you. The bakery. My life.”

Gran reached for a napkin off the holder on the table and pressed it into Sadie’s hands. “I’m sorry you feel that way. Tell me what’s going on.”

Sadie wiped her face and proceeded to tell her about her plan to get the bakery fixed up so it would bring in a higher price. “With the way Asher and Dani betrayed me, I want nothing more than to leave the island, but I barely have enough money for a ticket to Hawaii. Everything’s falling apart, and I don’t know how to fix it.”

Another sob rose in her chest as she mopped her eyes, but it wasn’t enough to stop the steady stream exposing her broken heart.

Gran scooted closer and drew Sadie into her arms. “Oh, love, you’re carrying many burdens that don’t belong to you. It’s not your job to fix any of it. I never should have saddled you with my financial woes. I blame it on those pesky painkillers that lowered my defenses. You are not responsible for the consequences of my actions—mine and Grandpa Hank’s. He was a brilliant baker but a frustrating businessman. And I’m sorry for asking you to keep things from your parents.”

“They’d want to help you.”

“Yes, I know. When I broke my hip, I listened to a couple of friends who vented about their kids wanting to shuttle them off to the old folks’ home.” Gran waved a hand around her kitchen. “I’m not ready to leave this house or the island. I like my freedom. I do need to make some changes so I can stay. I’ve already called your dad and told him we need to make some decisions as a family, but I made it clear no one is booting me off my island.”

Sadie smiled through her tears at the conviction and spunk in Gran’s words. “I don’t think anyone wants to see you leave either.”

Gran cupped Sadie’s face in her soft hands. “I appreciate that more than you will ever know. The Quinns’ insurance covered the tree damage, and my insurance company will cover the other storm damages to the cottage.”