And that’s where we came in. I was an investor because I was confident it would be a good business that was desperatelyneeded. Everyone deserved the chance to enjoy a cruise. At least that’s how we were going to market it.
I hadn’t immediately thought of Surfside when we were first considering the idea. But after a great deal of research, Surfside was the best option. And I knew Surfside could benefit from the tourism and money the business would bring in. Tourists ate, drank, and bought souvenirs. That was all money in the wallets of the locals.
“It’s a beautiful place,” I said.
“It really is.” Judd nodded.“And the women. Top notch.”
Cody grinned. “Colt thinks so, too.”
“Got a special lady in the area?” Judd asked.
Colt shook his head. “Nah, just some summer flings.”
I knew in my gut it was more than that. People didn’t spend years thinking about a girl if she was just a fling. If anything, she was the most serious relationship I’d ever had.
Judd didn’t push it. I was so going to kick Cody’s ass for bringing Summer up. It was payback for putting the car in neutral. Brothers were awesome.
“Tell me about the plans,” I said.
“Demo starts on the interior first,” Judd said, dragging his finger along the floor plan. “We’re taking it down to the studs. We’re going to completely redo the exterior as well. We’ll probably have to redo the electrical and plumbing. This place is old.”
“What’s the timeline on permits?” I asked.
“Applications are in. Typically with these things, I can make a call. Not here. Things are a little different. I might need to be a little more… assertive.”
I couldn’t explain what it was exactly, but his comment didn’t sit right with me. It felt wrong.
I dismissed the thought. Judd had been doing business for a long time. It wasn’t unheard of for guys like him to have connections. We all did.
But Surfside was different. I felt oddly protective of the place that held a lot of good memories. Or maybe it was the woman that called Surfside home that had me second-guessing what Judd had planned.
CHAPTER 7
SUMMER
Ismoothed the bright turquoise cloth across the patio table. I always smiled when we brought it out. It was Mom’s. She was all about bright colors. We had several tablecloths, including an orange one that I swore could blind you if it caught the sunlight just right. Mom said family meals were celebrations and should look like a party. I wasn’t sure about that, but it was our tradition. Every Sunday, we brought out the festive tableware.
“I went with the pink,” Becca said, bringing out plates, napkins, and matching cups.
“River will be thrilled,” I said with a laugh.
“She gets her love for bright colors from Mom,” Becca said. “She turns clashing into a sport.”
“Just like Mom.”
I looked down at the beach. River and Ocean were flying their kites and laughing like the little hooligans they were. Ocean’s was a shark. River’s kite was an enormous rainbow. Another sign of her vibrant personality. They ran in opposite directions along the hard wet sand, kite strings taut, faces tipped up as they taunted each other.
“That’s the look,” Becca said.
I glanced at her and saw she was watching them too with a soft smile on her face. My sister was strong. I loved her for being my big sister, but I loved her even more for being the amazing mother that she was. Those kids had no idea how lucky they were.
“What look?” I asked.
“The one you get when you watch them.” She nudged my arm. “Like you made them yourself.”
“I basically did,” I said. “I was in the delivery room for both of them.”
Which was true. Their father couldn’t be bothered. I felt so fortunate I was there for their very first breaths. I was their aunt, but I also felt like a second mother.