"I really liked the condo," Hayden said.
"I know you did. But this will be my home and yours when you're here. I don't want to feel like I'm living in a hotel, even if it has a ton of amenities. We can always drive to tennis courts. And I'd much prefer a private pool."
"When does school start for you?" Saylor asked Hayden, reminding me of her leaving.
"The week before Labor Day."
That was coming up soon. I wasn't ready to let her go. I'd need to talk to her mother about visitation during the school year. I wasn't looking forward to living without her again. This summer had been nice, but it was coming to an end.
Hayden looked out the window. "I'll be around to help with the center's party."
"Do you need to go school shopping? You need supplies or a book bag or anything?" I asked her, feeling good that I could offer that to her.
"Mom wants to take me."
It would take some time for her and her mother to get used to me being here. "If you need anything, let me know."
At home, Hayden shut herself in her room, and I sat outside on the pool deck, wondering if I was doing the right thing in working for my family and living on the island.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" Saylor asked, sitting next to me.
"I'm wondering if I'm making the right decision. Should I move to Naples to be closer to Hayden?"
"I think you should wait and see how it is once she's back in school."
"That's not a bad idea." And it gave Ivy more time to find a house.
I sighed. "Everything's going to change soon, and I'm not ready for it."
Saylor leaned back on the cushion. "Can we just freeze time and live like this forever?"
"I'm all for that." This time with Hayden and Saylor was precious. I wasn't sure we'd ever get to live like this together again.
Next summer, Saylor would be living her life in Jacksonville, and Hayden might not want to visit the island.
Freezing time sounded like the perfect solution.
Chapter Sixteen
Saylor
Today, we were going to Shepard's to see the progress on the renovation of his house. I gathered it was important for Marshall to show Hayden their history since it was his grandmother's home.
We pulled through the gated driveway and parked next to Shep's Kingston Construction truck. Shep met us at the door with a sheepish expression. "It's a bit of a mess."
There was no work being done in the formal living room or dining room, but a wall had been removed in the kitchen, and a row of cabinets was gone.
"You're living in a construction zone," Marshall said as he walked around the space.
Shep shrugged. "It's just me living here. I don't mind the mess."
Shep pulled out his phone. "The gates buzzing again. It's probably Kinsley. I asked her to come over to see the place. I need her advice on design elements, and this was the only time she was available."
A few seconds later, there was a knock on the door, and Shep went to answer it.
"I didn't realize Kinsley was coming over too," Marshall said as I wandered around the kitchen, taking in the dated countertops and scuffed floors.
Shep came into the room with Kinsley and a little girl trailing her. "Marsh, this is Kinsley and her little girl, Maya. Kins works in the front office."
