I sent them a text, asking. Penny replied first.
I’m meeting the contractor at the cabin site in like five minutes, we’re just touching base on a few things, but I can swing the bathing suits by before I head up the hill.
Thanks. That would be great. - Sam
I’ll gather mine up and swing them by too. I’m off today and planned on swinging by to see how Dottie was doing anyway. If she has plans to do something this morning, I’m assuming she’s feeling better?
I glanced at Gran before tapping out a reply.
Somewhat. Yeah - Sam.
Good. I’m glad. I’ll see you in a few.
Thank you, ladies! - Sam
I shifted my intention to Karen. “Penny is swinging by real quick to drop off her selection before meeting with someone about building her and Rafe’s cabin. And Tris said she’s going to gather up her suits and bring them all by as well. Looks like we’re just trying them on here.”
“I’m fine with that,” Karen insisted before shifting her attention to Gran. “Is there anything else we should be doing for this mystery morning you have planned? Maybe packing some snacks or filling bottles of water?”
“There should be some water bottles in that cabinet over there you can fill up. There are zucchini muffins in the freezer we can take with us too. And, grab the rest of that big bowl of fruit in the fridge,” Gran insisted.
“Are you not hungry?” I asked her, noticing that she’d only picked at her breakfast.
“Not right now. Maybe later,” she said.
I stood and helped Karen gather the things Gran had mentioned. A knock sounded at the door a few minutes later, and I ignored the way my heart skipped a beat out of fear it would be Damon again and headed to answer it figuring it was either Penny or Tris.
Penny stood on the porch when I opened the door. There was a broad smile on her face. “Hey, so here are two of my three bathing suits. I’m saving one because if you guys are just going to the pool or something, I wouldn’t mind tagging along. I’m not much for swimming in public pools, but I could use the mental break of having some girl time and soaking up the sun.”
“I have no clue what Gran has up her sleeve, but you’re more than welcome to come,” I insisted. “Thanks for letting us borrow these. I can’t believe I forgot my bathing suit.”
“You have a lot on your mind. I get it.” She touched my arm and flashed me a small smile.
Her smile didn’t come from a place of sympathy. It came from a place of understanding. I remembered Gran mentioning once that Penny’s mother had recently passed away, and that was the reason she’d moved to Gem Creek Campground.
A scuffle sounded from behind me. I spun to see Karen was helping Gran from her chair.
“I’m fine. I don’t need help, but thank you,” Gran insisted, waving Karen’s hands away. “I got a little dizzy, is all.”
“Are you okay?” I asked, immediately worried.
“I stood up too fast. I’m fine,” Gran snapped, clearly hating that everyone was staring at her with concern.
Karen locked eyes with me from across the cabin. I knew from the look on her face that whatever I’d missed it had been more than simple dizziness from standing too fast.
“My old knees don’t work like they used to,” Gran insisted as she made her way out of the kitchen and toward the hall.
“Where are you going?” I asked, wondering if I should follow her.
“To put my bathing suit on. And no, I don’t need any help.”
Penny chuckled. “Have I ever told you how much I adore your grandmother? She’s one hardheaded, stubborn woman and I love it!”
“She’s definitely stubborn.” I laughed.
Penny glanced at her watch. “Crap. I should get going. The contractor should already be there, waiting for me.”
“So, you’re building a cabin here?” Karen asked, making her way to stand beside me.
Penny’s eyes lit up with excitement. “We are. Rafe’s dad used to take him and his brothers camping on a hill that overlooks the campground. Rafe always wanted to build a cabin there so he could watch the sunsets—they’re amazing up there—so that’s what we’re doing,” she said. “I can’t wait for it to be finished.”
I remembered that place. Nash had taken me there once or twice, but it had always been Rafe’s favorite spot.
“Sounds nice,” Karen said, before shifting her attention to me. “Honestly, I’m not sure why you left this place. I mean, Denton is great, but it doesn’t hold a candle to this.”
Movement from behind Penny caught my attention. Nash had already showered and was making his rounds on his golf cart.
“I’m starting to wonder why I left, too,” I muttered, my eyes never wavering from Nash.
“I bet you are,” Penny said, following my line of sight. “I’ll be back. Let me go meet with the contractor real quick.” She jogged down the porch steps, waving at us from over her shoulder.
“I’ll let Gran know you’re coming with us to whatever water fun shenanigans she’s got planned,” I said, reluctantly pulling my eyes away from Nash. “Do you think Tris will want to come too? We can make it a true girls’ day.”
Penny nodded as she climbed into her golf cart. “I’m sure she would. And that sounds awesome.”
Ten minutes after Penny left, Tris showed up with two grocery bags full of bathing suits.
“No judgment, please. I don’t know how I ended up with so many bathing suits. I swear, I didn’t have this many before I moved here,” Tris insisted as she dumped them on the coffee table in the living room. “Now that I’m seeing them all in one place, I think I have a problem.”
“No judgment here.” Karen tossed her hands up in mock surrender. “I think it’s healthy for everyone to have at least one obsession. Mine is sunglasses. I’ve lost count of how many pairs I actually have.”
I nodded
