“Yeah, that will most certainly bring themcloser,“ Harper agreed as enthusiastically as Lila.
“Then it’s settled,” Aunt Betty declared with a nod. “I’ll take you girls ice skating this afternoon, but oh dear,” she feigned a sudden realization, “I just remembered I have an appointment I can’t miss. Maybe Liam and Dawn could take you instead?”
The girls grinned, their plan falling perfectly into place. “That would be amazing, Aunt Betty,” Lila said, playing along.
“Excellent,” Aunt Betty agreed. “I’ll make the arrangements and give them a call later after they’ve had some rest.”
With their plot in motion, Harper and Lila finished their breakfast, their hearts light with the excitement of both their secret matchmaking and the promise of more days under Aunt Betty’s caring watch.
“Aunt Betty, we’re going to go to the cove after breakfast,” Lila told her.
“Okay,” Betty said with a nod. “You know the rules.”
“Yes, Aunt Betty,” Lila and Harper chorused, finishing their breakfast and helping to clear the table before getting ready to go down to the cove.
Liam stood on the balcony of his bedroom in his house, which offered a sweeping view of the beach extending toward the hotel. The gentle sound of waves breaking on the shore was a soothing contrast to the whirlwind of events that had engulfed his life recently. After ensuring that Dawn and Wade were settled in their new accommodations at the hotel, he had retreated to the solace of his own space to gather his thoughts.
Liam checked his watch, noting the relentless march of time, and decided it was best to catch some sleep while he could. He had set aside a lot for reflection, but practical needs beckoned. With another meeting scheduled with the detectives at the hotel in a few hours, rest was not just a luxury but a necessity.
Stepping back from the balcony, he left the glass door slightly ajar, allowing the rhythmic sound of the waves to permeate his room. The salty breeze was comforting, a natural lullaby. He set his alarm for four hours—11 AM would come soon enough. With that, he climbed into bed, the sheets cool against his skin.
As he lay there, his mind wandered back to Dawn and her brother, Wade. There was a tension there, a history that was palpable even in their brief interactions. Dawn’s words, tinged with a mix of concern and mistrust, had clearly struck a nerve with Wade, his momentary flash of pain swiftly masked by a well-practiced facade. Liam sighed, pulling a pillow over his head in a feeble attempt to block out the cascade of thoughts. He reminded himself not to get too entangled in Dawn’s family dynamics unless explicitly invited. Yet, the nagging feeling persisted that there was more to their story, layers that neither Dawn nor Wade seemed ready to peel back.
Being close to his sister, he knew the importance of family, and it always bothered Liam when he saw that amount of tension between siblings. Just as he was about to push these thoughts aside, the memory of Dawn’s impromptu kiss surfaced, unbidden. His fingers brushed his lips reflexively. He knew it was likely a spur-of-the-moment act driven by adrenaline. Yet, he couldn’t ignore the noticeable shift in their dynamics since that moment. It had affected him more than he expected, a confession he only dared make to himself in these quiet hours.
Shaking his head as if to dispel the thought, Liam tried to settle into sleep. He told himself not to read too much into it, to maintain the boundaries he had always guarded so carefully. But as sleep finally claimed him, it was Dawn’s laughter, the sparkle in her eyes, and the warmth of her presence that filled his dreams, leading him softly into the realm of sleep where the complicated threads of reality couldn’t quite reach.
The persistent ringing of his phone dragged Liam out of his peaceful slumber into the harsh light of day. Groaning, he reached blindly for the device, his fingers grazing the illuminated screen before he finally grasped it, bringing it to his ear without bothering to check who was calling.
“Hello?” His voice was thick with sleep, muffled slightly by the pillow still half covering his face.
“Liam, dear, did I wake you?” Aunt Betty’s voice was chirpy and slightly surprised. “I’m sorry, love, but I thought you’d be awake by now, as it’s nearly one in the afternoon!”
At her words, Liam jolted awake, suddenly aware of the sunlight streaming through the half-open balcony door. He swung his legs out of bed, phone pressed against his ear as he stood up in a rush. “Hi, Aunt Betty, I—yes, you did wake me. But thank goodness you did. I should’ve been up two hours ago.” He frowned, looking at his alarm and wondering why it hadn’t gone off. “What’s up?”
“Then I don’t feel bad for waking you.” Betty laughed. “I was wondering if you and Dawn would take the girls ice skating this evening?” She sighed dramatically. “I had planned to, but I just remembered about the committee meeting for the food club for the surfing competition. As you know, that’s coming around soon, and we’ve already put off the meeting too many times.”
Liam pinched the bridge of his nose, the remnants of sleep rapidly disappearing as he processed her request. “With everything going on, I’m not sure I’ll have the time, Aunt Betty,” he replied, though his tone left room for negotiation, which his aunt was quick to seize.
“Oh, Liam, it would mean so much to the girls. And Dawn could probably use a nice evening out after everything she’s been through as well,” Betty cajoled, her voice taking on that familiar, persuasive lilt that Liam found almost impossible to resist and he knew, after many failed attempts, that he’d lose.
He sighed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth despite his reluctance. “Alright, Aunt Betty, we’ll take them. Itsounds like it could be fun. But I’d have to clear it with Dawn first.”
“Marvelous!” Betty exclaimed, relieved. “Thank you, dear. I’ll let the girls know. They’ll be thrilled!”
After hanging up with his aunt, Liam quickly called Mary, the hotel manager, to catch up on the situation at the hotel.
“Hey there, sleeping beauty,” Mary teased.
“Funny,” Liam said as he pulled clothes from his closet. “Why didn’t you call me? I had that meeting with the detectives from Newbury Port.”
“Not to worry,” Mary told him. “I knew you needed the rest, and I told Inga to switch off your alarm and wake you at two and rescheduled the appointment with the detectives for three.”
Liam suddenly remembered it was housekeeping day, and Inga, his housekeeper, must’ve switched off his alarm. His stomach growled, reminding him he’d not eaten since the pizza the previous evening. Hopefully Inga would have something ready for him. His mouth instantly watered as he thought of the protein pancakes and homemade syrup she usually made for him and Lila.
The relief in his voice was evident when Mary informed him that she had rescheduled the detectives. “As always, Mary, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Then you’re going to be doubly pleased to know I’ve also managed to rehouse most of the guests from the old wing to the new wing,” Mary informed him. “Well, with some help.” Before her voice turned smug. “Bet you’re glad I pushed for that new wing now.”
