Page 18 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove (Jonathon Island #5)

“Hey,” she said, answering the video call.

Robin’s face appeared on the screen, her short blonde hair framing her eyes. “I don’t know about you, but I think I might be in love with your fake fiancé.”

“Ha, you and every other woman in the Midwest, apparently,” Daisy said, aiming for playful and missing the mark somewhere around…jealous? Oh, that couldn’t be right. She’d put out the flame for Hunter years ago. Right after he stole her heart and then ghosted her…

Robin cut into her thoughts. “Listen, there’s something I want to run by you.”

Daisy frowned, her curiosity piqued. “Okay?”

“Do you think you could get Mr. Tall, Dark, and Serious to let you renovate that sunroom?”

Daisy’s mind flashed to the way he’d closed that door. The way he’d reacted when he’d found her there that first day. “I don’t know…Why?”

“Because we’re going to submit the house for the HOME New Year’s Virtual Parade of Houses,” Robin said excitedly.

“They’ve got a big contest going, with voting by fans.

The winner gets featured in the January issue, as well as a large sum of money toward renovations, which I think could be a big step up for us. ”

Daisy perked up. “That would be huge!” She was already nearing the end of her savings and was not looking forward to the idea of taking out a line of credit. Winning that contest could be exactly what they needed to be back on top.

“I know!” Robin grinned into the screen. Behind her, the LA skyline was growing dark, tones of gold and red fading into blue. It was a beautiful sunset.

Daisy had missed those sunsets.

Her gaze drifted out the window, toward the stars reflecting off the lake. There was something to be said for starry nights too.

“Okay, so, we’ll have to submit photos by December tenth. The contest will run through that whole month, so don’t break off your engagement until you’ve at least finished the foyer and stairs…And if you can get that sunroom done, I really think it will set us apart.”

“Noted,” she said, giving her friend a don’t push it look. Except that’s exactly what she wanted to do. Daisy hung up the call and immediately pulled out her notebook, sketching the sunroom from memory.

* * *

There had to be a way out. Hunter’s fingers threaded through his hair as he leaned over the Barrett Family Living Trust documents, going through them again.

His eyes strained as he read the same line again, the letters seeming to blur the longer he looked at them.

He pressed his thumb to his lips, wetting it slightly before turning the page.

“…the oldest generation acting as trustees…” He leaned back, stretching his back as he closed his eyes in thought.

From what he’d learned, a trustee might be able to go through a legal process to change a trust. But seeing as his dad had made it abundantly clear they’d be selling the house if Hunter and Daisy’s wedding fell through, there wasn’t much chance that his dad would be willing to change the trust. It seemed his dad, like everyone else, had given in to the idea that the house wasn’t worth saving.

Fat load of help having the oldest gen—realization dawned on him and Hunter shot up, flipping through the pages again.

“It’s not Dad,” he muttered, smacking himself in the forehead. “It’s Grandpa.”

Hunter didn’t have to think much for a plan to formulate inside his head.

In a few short weeks, Hunter’s grandfather would arrive for his annual Thanksgiving visit.

Hunter just had to get him alone, tell him how much he wanted to preserve the house, to continue the tradition of passing it down, but he couldn’t do that if some rich yuppies bought it and made it a summer home.

The house was meant to be filled and loved.

It was part of the family, and he wouldn’t abandon it.

It was worth the effort to save.

His grandpa would understand.

Hunter’s phone pinged, a text from Daisy, no doubt wondering when he’d get back to the house. They had plans to start in on the foyer. He tapped his screen and the clock showed 5:00 p.m.

Perfect timing.

He reached for his jacket and headed for the door.

The carpeted hall was quiet as he made his way to the lobby. As he passed by the open door of his father’s office, his dad lifted his head. “Heading out already?”

Hunter gave his father a stern look. “It’s closing time, Dad. I’m leaving, and so should you.”

His dad simply grinned, waving away his son’s prescription. “Tell Daisy I said to drag you over sometime, I’d love to see more of her.”

Hunter gave a two-finger salute. “Will do.”

No sooner had he bid his father goodbye than he heard a set of worried footsteps catching up to him in the lobby.

“Hunter! Wait up!”

He turned to see Dawn hurrying toward him with a stack of papers in her hand. Despite his rush to leave, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. There was always something comforting about Dawn’s presence. This place would have been sunk a long time ago without her.

“Are you—are you leaving?” she asked, slightly out of breath.

Hunter’s good mood faded as he glanced at the papers piled up in her arms. He knew what was coming.

Dawn continued, her tone hinting at her concern.

“I’m sorry to catch you as you’re heading out the door, but you’ve been a little hard to catch these last few weeks.

The Morton project is three days behind again, the Clark renovation hasn’t even started, and the Wilkinson project was scheduled for an inspection but… ”

But he’d missed the appointment. The one he’d called in special favors to get back on the schedule.

Hunter ran a hand through his hair, guilt washing over him.

He knew exactly what had caused them to fall so far behind, and she was waiting for him now, probably wearing another ridiculous pair of colored coveralls.

“I know it’s not your job to stay late, but…” Dawn said, her voice trailing off.

He sucked in a heavy breath and let it out. “But I’ve stayed late every night for the last four years, and now our company is built on that assumption.”

Dawn’s lips pressed into an apologetic line.

“I’m sorry, Dawn,” he said, genuinely sorry. “I never should have let it get this bad. I’ll get on top of these first thing tomorrow, I promise.”

But tonight…

* * *

Hunter stepped into the house, still feeling a pep in his step despite the nagging feeling that he shouldn’t be here with her tonight. Not when there was so much work to be done at the office.

His boot creaked on the old flooring. The air carried the comforting smell of sawdust and fresh paint. He glanced around, looking for Daisy’s vibrant presence, but the house was quiet.

“Daisy?” he called out, his voice echoing through the empty rooms. No answer.

Hunter sighed and leaned against the doorjamb, looking out at the newly finished porch.

It was amazing how much had changed in just a few weeks.

When this had all started, he’d wanted nothing to do with the renovations.

The idea of Daisy, of all people, making changes to his family home had set his teeth on edge.

But now…Hunter shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips.

Now he actually found himself looking forward to their evenings together.

To trying to guess what color overalls she’d be wearing.

To the way she tried to pull him into every video, despite his firm protests.

To the way she saw the house and what it could be. Not what it was.

His eyes wandered to the still largely untouched foyer. It wouldn’t take long for her to leave her mark there. Already, she was planning to completely remove the banister and replace it with something unique and eye-catching. And he was certain it would be the perfect addition to the home.

Not that he’d tell her that. She’d get a big head, and it would be all over.

Hunter chuckled.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out. Must be Daisy, probably running late. He answered without looking at the screen. “Yeah?”

“Hunter?” a woman’s voice asked.

Hunter’s spine stiffened. “Mom.”

“Hi, Hunt,” she said, her quiet voice ringing in his ears. “How are you?”

Hunter’s lips parted but no words came out. His lungs were suddenly dry and sticky. The house creaked restlessly, as though awaking to her voice, even after all these years.

It had been years since he’d spoken to his mother. And even longer since he’d seen her.

Hunter cleared his throat. “I’m good.”

He couldn’t see her, but he could imagine the sad smile tugging at her lips. “I’m glad to hear it…” Another awkward pause filled the air. “Well…I know you’re busy. I just wanted to call and ask if you got my invitation.”

The wedding invitation.

Hunter grimaced, ran a hand over the back of his neck. “I got it.”

He couldn’t help the ice in his voice.

And apparently, she couldn’t help the hurt in hers. “Oh, okay…I really hope you can make it. I’d really like you to be there.”

Hunter closed his eyes. “Um, I don’t know, Mom. Work is really busy. It’s a long drive…” A long drive to watch the mother who abandoned him marry a man he’d never met. Yeah…hard pass.

Another achingly long pause and then, “You’re busy. I understand.”

Hunter swallowed the ache in his throat. Aww, Mom. “We’ll—We’ll see. I’ll try. I can’t make any promises.”

“Okay,” she said, her voice damp. “You know, you’re always welcome?—”

“Listen, I gotta go, Mom. I’m working on this project…”

“Yes. Of course. I’m sorry to bother you.” Hunter winced against the apology. “I hope to see you soon.”

“Yeah.” Love you . It was on the tip of his tongue. “Take care, Mom.”

“Love you, Hunt.”

The call ended and the house went quiet.