So it wasn’t at all a coincidence that they found themselves on the same beach. Emma was instantly horrified.
Her mother had orchestrated the whole thing. She been dropping hints for days about how fun it would be to take a hike to Hidden Beach and how much Olive would enjoy it.
Had she been giving the same advice to Bryce?
No doubt Rosie thought throwing Emma together with her second-in-command might spark a romance, which in turn might compel Emma to stick around in Wood Briar longer.
She did not need her mother interfering in her love life. She was screwing it up just fine on her own.
Her gaze met his and she could see he had come to the same conclusion. How mortifying. She could do nothing about it now but she fully intended to have a long talk with Rosie when they went home.
She forced a sunny smile. “It’s beautiful here today,” she said.
“We’re looking for mermaids,” Olive informed him.
“Are you?”
“Have you seen any?”
“Not yet. Maybe Pearl scared them all away.”
“Are mermaids afraid of dogs?” Olive asked.
“I’m not sure,” he answered in a serious tone. “I’ve never had the chance to ask one.”
She giggled. “I got a new sandcastle bucket and shovel. Want to see it?”
“Um. Sure.”
The bucket was dangling from Emma’s backpack with a carabiner. She obediently swung her bag to the sand and pulled off the pink bucket and its matching purple shovel.
Olive showed it to Bryce, who gave it due appreciation.“Looks like a good one,” he said. “You can make a great sandcastle with that.”
“Grandma Sylvia says if we build a sandcastle, maybe the fairies will come visit.”
“Fairies and mermaids. I had no idea Hidden Beach was so exciting.”
“You build houses like Grandma Rosie. Can you help me build a sandcastle for the fairies?”
Emma frowned. “I’m sure Bryce and Pearl have plans today. I’ll help you build a sandcastle.”
“But you’re not a builder like Grandma Rosie and Bryce. It has to be a good one or the fairies won’t like it.”
“They are pretty picky, I’ve heard,” Bryce agreed. “I bet with that bucket you and your mom can build a great one. But I’m happy to help.”
Emma wanted to tell him he didn’t need to do that but Olive looked so thrilled, she didn’t have the heart to be the cranky mom here.
Bryce led them to a spot near the water’s edge, where the sand was damp and perfect for building.
“All right, builders,” he said, kneeling down. “Let’s start with a strong foundation.”
He showed Olive how to pack wet sand tightly into the bucket, then flip it over to create the first tower. Emma watched, impressed by his patience as he guided Olive’s small hands. Pearl sniffed around the sand excitedly while Dottie nestled onto the beach blanket Emma spread near their structure and observed the proceedings for a few moments before she fell asleep.
As the three of them worked together, Emma found herself fully engaged, shaping windows and turrets while Bryce focused on the main structure.
After they had been building for a while, a girl about Olive’s age approached, her eyes wide with curiosity.
“Can I help?” she asked shyly.