She stopped beside him. “The island still is.”
“I’ll have to look into it more. See if I can find any records that prove she lived here. Or prove she didn’t live here. But at least it’s a start.”
They continued walking and reached the B&B, its wide porch welcoming them back. Without discussing it, they both headed for the porch swing. She settled in, feeling the familiar creak of the chains as Brent sat beside her.
“What was your mother like?” she asked, genuinely curious.
A soft smile curved his lips. “From what I can remember—and it’s not much—she was vibrant. Always laughing, always ready for an adventure. But there was a sadness to her sometimes. Though maybe I’m remembering that from when she was ill. Like I said, my memories of her are few and kind of jumbled.”
“It might be nice to figure out where she grew up. Learn some more about her. Maybe it would make you feel more connected to her.” She grinned at him. “And we all know how you love to research.”
He laughed. “I do. And I think it might help to find out more about her if I can.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, the rhythmic creaking of the porch swing accompanying their thoughts. She glanced over and studied his profile, noticing the set of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes as he gazed out at the horizon.
“What if you do find out she lived here?” she asked softly. “What would that mean for you?”
He turned to look at her, his brown eyes meeting hers. “I’m not sure. But I think I’d be glad. Glad to have a connection to this place. A connection… anywhere.”
She nodded, understanding. She felt the same way about Magnolia Key, about the roots her family had put down here. It was comforting and grounding.
“We’ll figure it out,” she said, surprising herself with the termwe, but it felt right.
He smiled a warm, genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat. “Thank you,” he said simply.
That heart-skipping thing and the way she felt when she spent time with him confused her. Of course, everything confused her these days.
They sat and moved slowly, back and forth on the swing, until finally, she turned to him, daring to ask the question that had been on her mind all day. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Anything.” He turned to look at her.
“You were going to kiss me, weren’t you? Last night before Gran interrupted.”
He grinned. “I was. Did you want me to?”
She turned and looked out at the bay for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “I… I honestly don’t know. I’m not sure now is a good time for a relationship. I’m so confused about so much in my life. My identity is wrapped up in being a teacher and now the thought of going back just… leaves me feeling empty.” She looked up into his eyes and took a deep breath. “Can we just be friends? Is that okay with you? Besides, we’re both leaving soon. It seems fruitless to start something that can’t go anywhere.”
He locked his gaze with hers, a sadness hovering about his features. “I understand how you feel. I know you have things to sort out. But I won’t say I’m not disappointed. I felt… something. I thought you might too.”
She looked down at her hands, breaking their contact. “I just don’t know how I feel about anything right now. My life. Anything. It’s not the right time to start something, I don’t think.”
“If that’s what you need, I’ll back off. We can stay friends. Research partners. That’s fine.” His voice almost sounded like he was telling the truth.
She glanced up, relieved to find that his look said he understood. That he was fine with her decision. She let out a long breath and smiled at him. “Good, I’m glad that’s settled.”
Brent stood. “I think I’m going to go for a walk on the beach. Been inside a lot doing all this research.”
She rose. “And I should go in and see if I can help Gran. That’s why I came here this summer, after all.” To help Gran and sort things out. Only… things just kept getting more and more complicated. At least he was supportive of her decision. They should just be friends.
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Brent turned and headed down the stairs.
She leaned against the porch railing, staring out at the bay. The ferry was barely visible in the distance, bringing another load of people to the island just like it had brought her at the beginning of the summer.
This summer had not been like she’d imagined it would be. But the slower pace and helping Gran was such a welcomed change from teaching. Maybe by the end of the summer, she’d be ready to head back to her job, recharged and ready to go.
Maybe.
And now that she’d talked things out with Brent, that was settled too.
