Page 13 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

While a front desk clerk checked them in, a woman entering through the courtyard doors drew Grant’s attention.

Tall and blond-haired, she strode across the lobby, her cream linen dress flowing around her toned calves.

Something about her bearing and confidence was familiar. She seemed to belong here.

The desk clerk held out their key cards. “You’re in rooms 320 and 322, adjoining suites on the third floor.”

“Thank you.” Grant pocketed the key cards, still watching the woman as she approached the reception desk.

“Ms. Whitaker,” the desk clerk said, handing her a pink message slip.

Whitaker . Grant’s pulse quickened as the name summoned memories. He touched the old photo still in his pocket.

Could it be her?

But before he could get a better look, the woman hurried away and disappeared behind a door.

His mother didn’t seem to notice. Did she remember?

“Someone will bring your luggage up shortly,” the desk clerk said.

“Ask them to take special care with the canvas tote bag,” Grant said, concerned it could be misplaced. “It contains someone—or something—very important to us.”

“Jock always hated getting lost,” Kitty said with a smile.

The desk clerk immediately understood. “We look after all our guests.”

Grant nodded in appreciation. His father’s ashes were traveling in a custom urn tucked inside Jock’s monogrammed canvas bag he often took sailing. It had seemed fitting to them. His Dad had been adamant about not being put in the ground. He’d always loved sailing with the wind.

“One more thing,” Grant added. “We’re looking for some family members who are already here.”

“Are they expecting you?”

“We thought we’d surprise them.” Grant gave his sister’s name. “Can you give us their room number?”

The clerk looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, but we can’t give out that information due to privacy reasons. I can take a message, or you can call them on their personal phone.”

“That’s alright. We’ll do that.”

Once assured their bags would be safely transported to the room, Kitty said, “We should find your sister. Shall I call her?”

Grant grinned as he thought how surprised they’d all be. “Let’s look around first. It’s lunchtime. Maybe we should start at the cafe and the beach.”

He’d spoken to his kids this morning before leaving for the airport, and it didn’t seem like they had any plans today. He suspected they’d be somewhere on site, and he knew they were always hungry.

They walked through the wide hallway leading to the cafe, which opened onto the beach.

“One moment, please.” Kitty paused and reached into her bag for the sun hat she’d packed. “I must protect my skin these days. So should you.”

“Doctor’s orders, I know.” His mother’s dermatologist had removed a few suspicious spots from her face last year, but fortunately, they weren’t of grave concern. Still, he understood her need for protection.

Once she’d secured her hat, they stepped outside onto the sunny patio.

“There they are.” Grant broke into a broad grin and touched his mother’s arm, nodding toward a table.

Two boys sat hunched over enormous burgers and a shared plate of fries. The older one was clearly in charge, while the younger one with shaggy sun-bleached hair bounced in his chair.

Grant’s heart filled with love. He crossed the space in long strides until he stood beside their table, barely able to contain himself.

Both boys looked up, and their faces transformed with joy. “Dad!” they shouted in unison, scrambling from their chairs and throwing their arms around him.

Grant laughed and swept them into a fierce hug, bursting with emotion. His sons smelled of sweet sunshine and sea water.

Grinning, Grant said, “Hey, boys. Your grandmother and I thought we’d surprise you.”

Teddy launched himself at his grandmother with equal enthusiasm.

“Look how tall you’ve become,” Kitty marveled, holding both boys at arm’s length. “I swear you’ve grown in the last week. Must be all the hamburgers and fries.”

Before they could sit down, Whitley stopped to introduce them to the chef. While Kitty and Chef Gianna discussed the new menu, Grant sat down and pulled Teddy onto his lap.

“Where’s your Aunt Jen?”

“Getting a massage,” Teddy replied.

“She tells us to order whatever we want for lunch as long as we have the room card,” Mason added.

Teddy turned a wide-eyed look to his brother. “We can’t forget that.”

Grant wondered what that was about, but he didn’t care. He’d take care of their bill with his sister.

He’d missed all of this. The easy chatter, the way Teddy leaned into him, and Mason’s natural leadership—all the small details about his boys that made up the daily routine of being their father.

If only their mother could see them now.

He smiled to himself. He liked to think maybe Nicole could.

Movement in his peripheral vision made him glance to the entry, where the woman he’d seen reappeared. As quickly as she spotted her, she moved on.

His curiosity kicked in. Could it be her?

He remembered the Whitaker family was full of boys, so there had to be quite a few with that name on the island. She was probably one of the brothers’ wives, he decided, tempering his thoughts.

When his mother joined them at the table, Grant stood to pull out her chair, just as his father always had.

Once Kitty sat down, he turned his attention back to his sons. “Tell me everything. How’s the island? Has your aunt arranged any lessons for you?” He’d asked her to, but Jen could be forgetful. She was in new-marriage bliss.

Mason spoke between bites of his fries. “We have surfing lessons after lunch.”

Teddy bounced in his chair. “We’ve been riding bikes on the beach and playing frisbee with Deb’s dog. We got ice cream, too.”

“Your father used to do all that as well,” Kitty said, smiling. “I’m glad you’re making friends.”

Grant relaxed, letting their voices wash over him. For the first time in months, the tight knot in his chest began to loosen. Here, with his boys on the island his family loved, his perspective was already shifting.

This was just the beginning for him. He needed to get out among people and start doing the things he used to love. Even though the boys kept him busy, being on his own felt lonely.

Grant tousled Teddy’s hair. “Who’s up for sailing in a few days?”

Mason grinned and nodded while Teddy wiggled with excitement.

“Looks like that’s settled,” Kitty said, laughing. “We also have another important excursion on a yacht planned. I’ll tell you all about it later.”