Page 3 of Searching for Sunshine (Crestbrook Cove #1)

STELLA

“ H i, I’m calling to speak to Miss Stella Hale,” the voice through my car’s speakerphone says as I attempt to merge through the crowded Smith’s Valley High parking lot on the way home from work. Today was my last day at school, and I’m pretty sure it’s been the longest day of my life.

“Speaking,” I grumble, ignoring the honks from the teacher behind me as we all fight to get out of the narrow parking lot.

“Great. I was beginning to think we wouldn’t ever be able to get a hold of you. We’ve been trying to contact you for the last week.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I noticed a few missed calls this week, but I’ve been so busy with school, it completely slipped my mind. And I figured if it was super important you’d leave a voicemail or something,” I say, not sure why I feel the need to defend myself. “Anyway, who am I speaking with?”

“My apologies, Miss Hale. I didn’t mean for us to get off on the wrong foot. I’m Mr. Marshall, and I’m the executor of your grandmother’s will here in Crestbrook Cove,” the man says, and I pause from where I was reaching to grab my energy drink from the cupholder.

“Wait? Are you talking about my Memaw?” I ask, feeling the familiar swell of grief rise inside of me at the reminder of the fact that my grandmother’s gone.

“Well, the legal name of the deceased is Betty Hale, but I presume she was one and the same. And as for the estate, I have strict instructions from your grandmother to discuss this in person. Would it be possible for you to drive down to meet with me early next week?” the voice on the other end of the line asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Um, what? Drive to Crestbrook? Next week? Listen, sir, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful but I have a lot going on here, so if you’re calling me down there to tell me she left me her collection of smutty monster romances or something, I’m really grateful, but can you just mail them to me or something? ”

“I assure you, Miss Hale, while I can’t discuss the specifics over the phone, it will be well worth your time to make the trip, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit time-sensitive,” Mr. Marshall says, and I note a hint of frustration in his voice.

After thinking for a second and realizing I don’t have much of a choice, I finally say, “Okay, Mr. Marshall. I’ll be there on Monday afternoon.”

“I’ll see you then, Miss Hale. You know where the old law office is here in Crestbrook, I presume?”

“Yeah, I do. I’ll be there around three.

Thanks again,” I tell him as I end the call, fighting the urge to bury my head in my hands.

I’d planned to start the job search on Monday since the realization that I have no clue what my life’s going to look like in just a few months is causing me major anxiety, but obviously, that’ll have to wait a little longer.

I try to imagine what on earth could be so important in Crestbrook Cove that I have to drive down in person, but my Memaw always had a flair for the dramatic.

I’m not expecting much, but since I’m obviously not going to get answers over the phone, I may as well make the trip now before summer really starts.

I’m almost back to the apartment, still lost in my thoughts when my phone pings.

Avery: HAPPY SUMMER! Now that we’re both officially unemployed, how should we celebrate?

Stella: Not sure that’s really something to celebrate, but I’ll drink to surviving the school year. Want to do takeout and seltzers by the pool?

Avery: I’m in. Be home in an hour or two.

Stella: Perfect. I’m going for a run and then we can order.

Avery: Sounds good. See you in a bit.

I spent the morning taking my classroom apart and loading the boxes in my car to go into storage until I can decide what’s next for me.

I’m exhausted, and despite wanting to keep up with my training schedule, I know there’s no way I’m making it more than a few miles today.

As soon as I step into the apartment, Duke runs at me and I sit on the floor to pet him.

“Hey, buddy. Did you have a good day?” I ask, and he licks my face in confirmation. “Good, my sweet boy. Let me go change clothes and we’ll go for a quick walk before my run.”

My lab’s tail wags wildly, and he rolls on his back for me to rub his tummy.

Smiling, I love on him for a few moments before standing.

After changing, we make a few short laps around the apartment complex before I take him back inside.

Despite being a pretty active pup, he’s never enjoyed running with me, so I lace up my shoes and leave him snoozing on the couch as I head out for my run.

My pace is slower than usual, but I still feel my anxiety lessen slightly the longer I go.

After I hit my third mile, I slow to a walk and head back to my apartment.

“Hey, how was your run?” Avery asks as soon as I walk in the door. She’s curled up on the couch with Duke at her feet, and I can’t help but smile at the sight.

“It was good. I didn’t go too far today, but I needed to clear my head. It’s been a weird day, huh?”

“Tell me about it. I guess I should have expected it, but I didn’t think I’d feel so sentimental leaving Smith’s Valley High this afternoon,” Avery confesses, running her fingers through her long blonde hair before tossing it into a bun on the top of her head.

I nod in agreement before walking across the apartment to the kitchen. “Yeah, I’m not gonna lie, some of the goodbyes were a little brutal. But I guess it makes sense. We have spent the last three years there.”

“Yeah, you’re right. But enough of that. I’m manifesting a fun, new adventure for us this year.”

I laugh at that as I lean across the island to grab a glass to fix myself some water. “I’m in. I mean, honestly, I wouldn’t mind a little more excitement. I’ve realized over the last few weeks that I feel a little stuck. I honestly don’t remember the last time I did something fun and spontaneous.”

“Same. But all of that’s going to change this summer, I can feel it,” Avery says seriously.

“Well, considering the fact that we’re both about to be job searching and potentially moving, you’re probably right.” I laugh, taking a long sip of my water.

“Right, but isn’t that all the more reason to see this whole summer as an adventure? Just promise me we’ll say yes to whatever comes our way.”

“Fine, I promise to say yes to things as long as it’s reasonable,” I agree, rolling my eyes.

“Nope, that’s not good enough for me. You have to say yes to everything. No takebacks,” my best friend insists, and I resist the urge to laugh at the serious expression on her face.

Avery’s always been my most fearless friend, and she’s always looking for an excuse to bring me out of my comfort zone.

It’s not that my life’s particularly boring, but I’m happy with a quiet night in—preferably with a nineties romcom and a glass of wine.

Avery, on the other hand, lives for dancing at the bar and taking shots of tequila.

But somehow, our personalities manage to balance each other out, and I know better than to argue when she’s so set on something.

“Okay, okay,” I tell her, holding up my hands in a sign of surrender. “I promise. I’ll say yes to whatever comes our way this summer. But if we end up in jail or in debt because of it, I’m never letting you hear the end of it.”

Avery laughs at me. “I can live with that. Now, are you still on for drinks and takeout tonight?”

“Yeah, let’s do it. Let me get changed and I’ll meet you by the pool in a few minutes. Order us whatever you’re feeling,” I tell her, leaving her to cuddle with my dog while I throw on a swimsuit and cover up.

After I’m changed, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror and pause to throw my long brown hair into a high ponytail. I pat Duke’s head as he settles into his favorite spot on the couch and I check to make sure my tote bag has everything I need before heading down to meet Avery.

The small pool at our apartment is full of a mix of college students, singles, and young families all celebrating the start of summer, but after a moment of searching, I spot my best friend in the corner sitting on a lounge chair and make my way over.

“Looks like everybody else had the same idea we did, huh?” I tease, throwing my bag down and collapsing into the lounger beside her.

“You’re telling me. I thought I was gonna have to fist fight the girls from the apartment across from us. They tried to steal your chair, but don’t worry, I fought them off.” Avery rolls her eyes before reaching down and handing me a black cherry seltzer from the cooler between us.

“I’m glad you took care of that for us. Anyway, here’s to a summer of new beginnings.” I hold up my seltzer and she taps her drink against mine.

“I’ll drink to that,” Avery teases, as we both take a long sip of our drink. After a moment I settle back into my seat and close my eyes as she asks me, “So, have you called your Uncle Allen about job options yet?”

“No, I need to do that this weekend I guess,” I tell her, resisting the urge to sigh.

My uncle is the principal at Springside High School, which is a small town about an hour and a half away, and I’ve considered calling him to see if he knows of any teaching opportunities in his area.

I’m sure he’ll do everything he can to help us, but I’m not thrilled about the idea of moving to a town that small.

I’ve gotten used to living in Smith’s Valley, and even though it’s not a huge city, the college in the center of town ensures there’s always something fun to do.

Plus, I’m certain the dating pool in a town that small is nonexistent, which isn’t exactly what this single girl is looking for.

But I know if it comes down to it, Uncle Allen can probably help us find somewhere to work, and Avery and I could make the best of it for at least a year.

“Maybe we’ll find something next week. I’ve got to go back to my classroom at Smith’s Valley High on Monday to finish packing my room, but after that, we can start working on applications,” Avery suggests.

“Yeah, that sounds good. I forgot to tell you, I have to go to Crestbrook Cove on Monday anyway,” I tell her, taking a sip of my drink.

“What the hell, Stels? There’s no way you’re having a beach day without me,” Avery yells, pulling her sunglasses down her nose to look at me in disbelief.

“No, no. I promise it’s not anything fun. I’ve got to go meet with a lawyer. He called me today and said he had something urgent to discuss about my grandmother’s will.”

“Oh my god! Stella!” Avery shrieks loud enough that the people around the pool all turn to look at her. She shrugs at them before turning back to me and asking, “What the hell? Why are you just telling me this? What do you think it’s all about?”

“Honestly, I have no idea. I’m sure it’s probably nothing.”

“Oh my goodness, what if she left you millions? We could finally take that trip to Europe we’ve been talking about.”

“Aves, I love you, but Memaw didn’t even have thousands—at least not as far as I know. She and my Pops spent pretty much everything they had on the hotel there in Crestbrook,” I explain before adding, “so don’t start booking any plane tickets or anything like that.”

Memaw and Pops met when they were both working at the High Tide Hideaway, and according to both of them, it was love at first sight.

She was a housekeeper and he was a concierge the summer they met, but they both fell in love with the hotel as they spent time together.

They worked their way up, and when the previous owner retired, they offered to sell it to them.

But after Pops died several years ago, Memaw struggled to keep the place running by herself.

The last time I talked to her, she was debating selling to a land developer from out of town who wanted to level the hotel and build a mansion on the beach.

It was everything she and my pops had worked their whole lives to avoid, but with the cost of everything going up, she felt like she had no choice.

“Well, it’s gotta be something big if he’s making you drive all the way to Florida just to hear what he has to say.”

“Aves, you’re acting like it’s an all-day trip. You and I both know it’s two hours max. And plus, he said he was just following my grandmother’s wishes. In case you forgot, she was known for being just a tad bit dramatic.” I laugh.

“Yeah, I’ll say. I’ll never forget the first year we taught together and she showed up at the school in full Elizabethan attire because you told her you were teaching Romeo and Juliet, ” Avery teases, and I smile at the memory.

“But do you need me to try to move things around to go with you? I don’t want you to be by yourself if it’s something sentimental. ”

“No, I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’ll probably be back before dinner, and then we can start to think about what we want to do next year,” I offer, sipping my drink and flinching when one of the college boys jumps into the water beside our lounger and splashes us with water before turning back to wink at us.

“If you wanted attention that damn bad, you could’ve just asked, loser,” Avery calls, rolling her eyes while she wipes the water from her glasses and turns back to look at me.

“Okay fine, but you’ll have to keep me updated while you’re gone.

And I still say if you want me to move things around to go with you, I totally will. ”

“No, I promise it’s okay, but I appreciate it. I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ll go down and take care of this, and then our summer of adventure can begin. So, what do we want to order for dinner?”