Honestly, he was tired of thinking about the whole subject. If this dark history and mysterious falling out would be the reason he and Kate couldn’t pursue a relationship, he’d be furious and disappointed.
Let it be distance. Let it be time. Let it not be God’s plan.
But please, please,pleasedon’t let this thing—whatever it could be—get stomped out by his own mother.
He glanced up into the rearview mirror to look at Kate, curious if he could read her expression and see if she was thinking the same thing. But all he saw was the light in brown eyes that he’d missed so much.
After a second of eye contact in the mirror, she slid her glasses down her nose and winked at him, making him feel…like he was the third teenager in this vehicle.
“Goodness, we had so many adventures and memories here,” Jo Ellen said as they passed a few large hotels. “It’s quite eerie being back. Bittersweet, in a way.”
“It was the best,” he agreed, glancing over his shoulder to check on the kids next to Kate. “I think summer in Destin when you’re teenagers should be mandatory. You guys up for it?”
“What?” Matt sat straight up. “Can we, Mom?”
Emma gave him a look like he was crazy. “You can. I just got a job at the Ithaca Yacht Club this summer and I’m not giving that up for anything.”
Eli’s heart dropped a little, her news dashing his hopes that Kate might spend the summer here. “What are you doing at the Yacht Club, Emma?” he asked.
“Right now, just working the boat rentals, but I’m certified as a lifeguard and hope to get slotted into one of those jobs.”
“Lots of lifeguards in Destin,” he said. “Plus beaches and bonfires and now we have a boat with the house. Thanks to Tessa, who somehow managed to persuade a client to pay her with a cabin cruiser.”
“Of course she did,” Matt said on a laugh.
“I can’t wait to see Aunt Tessa!” Emma gave a clap. “She’s so much fun.”
“She’s busy,” Kate said.
“And she’s going to put you in a gown and parade you up and down the boardwalk,” Eli added, making the last turn. “Which you will be able to see in less than a mile.”
The excitement level rose as they cruised Gulf Shore Drive and the kids—and Jo Ellen—oohandahhed over the beautiful beachfront homes.
“Holy cow,” Matt crooned. “Who gets to live like this?”
“You, at least this weekend,” Eli said, stealing another glance at Kate. “And maybe this summer if your mom brings you back.”
She narrowed her eyes playfully, but something told him she wasn’t opposed to the idea. Buoyed by that thought, he turned into the driveway.
“Welcome to—” His voice caught in his throat when he saw the empty spot that had been home to Jonah’s van for the last six or seven weeks.
Heneverdrove it. It was basically parked there permanently and…where did he go?
“The Summer House,” Kate finished for him, staring at the same empty spot, with the same look of surprise.
“This is so cool!” Matt practically threw the door open the second Eli stopped, and before he knew it, they were piling out onto the driveway.
Where was Jonah? If he had to go somewhere, wouldn’t he have taken Eli’s truck, which was sitting right there? Maybe Tessa needed him to run an urgent errand, and he couldn’t find Eli’s keys, although he left them on the entry table where everyone left keys in case cars had to be moved.
Maybe he decided to take a drive to escape the chaos of the event planning, and he wanted his van.
Maybe—
Kate stepped up next to him, a question in her eyes.
“Will you take them up and do the introductions?” Eli asked. “I’ll bring the bags in, but I need to call him.”
“Of course.” She swooped into action, letting Eli step away and pull his phone out.
