What she really meant was that she needed a getaway car if things got overwhelming. Nana used to lovingly call her “my little hermit crab” because, for all her talk about making it big in the world, Mandi always needed downtime. She had the soul of a hermit, Nana would say. Sometimes she’d find her solace by reading upstairs in her nook and sometimes it was a sandy spot, hidden by tall grasses, overlooking the sound side of Turtleback. Her mind flipped back to the lighthouse and the time Gray whisked her up the spiral stairs to the top and they sat for hours watching the sunset. He had been quiet enough for her to find peace, yet comforting, with his hand wrapped around hers and his special scent enveloping her. It had been the day after she had finished her online degree and her dad had not shown up to the “graduation” dinner Nana had made for her and a few friends. His only reaction to Mandi’s telling him she’d finished her bachelor’s was, “Good for you. Now figure out what to do with it.” He had always dismissed her so easily, especially when she accomplished something that had not stemmed from his advice.
“Nonsense,” he said, running his hand along an old, chipped bowl that was the color of the wet sand along the surf.
The piece of pottery had been passed down for generations. It had belonged to Nana’s great-grandmother, who in turn had claimed it had made its way to her from a line of ancestors in the Algonquin tribe. Something about the way John Rivers touched it sent a streak of cold down Mandi’s neck...as if Nana herself was protesting. No doubt that bowl was worth a lot, assuming it really was antique, but it needed to continue its journey through generations of family. Mandi’s father wouldn’t see the value in that. He glanced over at Mandi. He did look tired. She knew he loved them both. It was just that his love seemed so misguided at times.
“I really want you to come with me, Mandi. You drove all yesterday. Besides, didn’t you used to hound me about the environment? Car fumes and fuel, etcetera...? Come on. Grab your purse or we’ll be late.”
He put his hand on her shoulder to ease her toward the door. She was too tired to fight him on this, as much as she wanted to.
“Fine. After you.”
She followed him out, pausing only to close up behind her. A breeze tousled her hair over her eyes as she waited for him to unlock the car doors with his fob. She pushed the hair out of her face and stilled. There was Gray on his motorcycle, helmet turned so that he was undoubtedly staring right at her from the crossroad near the house. He turned away, revved his engine and disappeared down the road.
“Are you getting in?” her father asked, glancing back toward the road. He made no effort to mask his irritation. Mandi tipped her chin up and gave a quick shrug, as if the sight of Gray or the sound of his Triumph engine failed to stir anything in her.
“Yeah, sorry. The wind was blowing my hair and I was just thinking of getting a scarf, but never mind. Let’s go before it’s too late.”
Go before it’s too late.
That’s what she needed to do. She’d stay for the funeral and then get out of town as fast as she could. Being this close to Gray was dangerous. She couldn’t risk everything she’d worked so hard for—her independence, career...and finally getting over him. Being near Gray would only reawaken old feelings. Emotions had a way of confusing a person. She needed to stay on track. Grayson’s life rested in Turtleback...and she simply didn’t belong here anymore.
FACES HAD A way of blurring at a funeral reception, especially at the rate Gray was moving through the crowd to exchange kind words about Nana Rivers. Everyone was there, from Darla, who ran the bakery, to Carlos Ryker, the town sheriff. Even the florist, who’d supplied the arrangements at all corners of the room, had lingered when her job was done. Nana would have preferred for the money to be donated to animal rescue foundations, rather than spent on expensive flowers. The baby’s breath, however, she would have loved. It was the only flower she ever had in her home because she said it was the only one that didn’t make her sneeze. Gray was going to need some fresh air soon himself. Between flowers and perfume, his eyes were beginning to itch. Animal dander never bothered him, but pollen and artificial scents he could do without.
He gave Nana’s friend from the library his condolences and spent seconds too long trying to pry himself away from two young women he recognized as teachers at the local high school. He hated crowds, and the idea that anyone could have the nerve to flirt at a time like this nauseated him. The only saving grace of having so many townsfolk present was that it kept things civil when he shook hands with John to briefly pay his respects. He wasn’t here for the man who’d almost become his father-in-law. He was here for Nana...and Mandi. Regardless of what had happened between them, he knew she was suffering right now. He knew firsthand how close she’d been to her grandmother.
He’d come so close to stopping by Nana’s cottage earlier. If John hadn’t been there, he would have already spoken to Mandi. Something told him that there wasn’t anything random about her father getting there first. He wouldn’t be surprised if John stuck by his daughter’s side until she was back in New York, far enough away from Gray...the guy John had insisted was too old for her and not polished enough, as if six years’ difference mattered when two people were meant for each other. It wasn’t only about age, though. John was an elitist. A man of position, whether he held one or not. He would always look down his nose at Gray. Even now, Gray wasn’t wearing a tie, a fact that was emphasized when he shook hands with John and the man smoothed his own. Gray hated ties. Nana knew it and wouldn’t have wanted him wearing one on her account. She encouraged people to be themselves around her. But for John, he was too casual and too much of a bachelor. He didn’t have what it took to be a family man or good enough husband for Mandi. And boy, did John hate Gray’s love of motorcycles. There was just too much speed and freedom in a motorcycle ride for him to handle or wrap his head around. Motorcycles weren’t stable enough...a direct reflection of Gray’s character, apparently.
He scanned the foyer of the funeral home, but there was no sign of Mandi. Clearly, she hadn’t lost her touch. He slipped through the group and stepped outside the massive oak doors that led out onto a raised decking with steps down to a walkway and the parking lot.
There she stood leaning over the railing at one end. She looked amazing. Even more beautiful than the selfie Nana had taken of the two of them during her last trip to New York about eight months ago. It was the photo Nana used on her cell phone lock screen, and he couldn’t help but look at it the few times Nana had asked him to hold her phone for her.
Mandi’s hair had gotten darker and longer but it still held loose waves, like the ones he used to run his fingers through. The wind kicked up, causing her skirt to hug the curve of her hip. She brushed the hair off her face and wrapped her arms around her waist as she watched clouds building up for a typical afternoon rain. Man, the sight of her made him long for the family they’d once talked about...like the one he’d witnessed on the beach that morning. He’d never wanted one with anyone else. He’d never wanted forever with anyone else. Only her.
He tucked his fingers into the pockets of his black jeans and walked over, bracing himself with each step. This wasn’t about opening up an old can of worms. This was about getting the closure they both needed and making peace. Nana would have wanted that and it was the least he could do in the little time he had before Mandi left again. Chances were, without Nana to coax her into a rare visit, Mandi wouldn’t have any reason to come back here again. Especially given the way she felt about her father and him. He hesitated when she tensed, clearly sensing his presence, then he stepped closer and leaned against the railing next to her.
“I
