“I’ll go check in there and get things cleaned up.”
He and Robin headed to the kitchen. He propped open the door from the dining room to the kitchen and told Barney to sit there. The dog sat in the middle of the opening and didn’t take his eyes off them as they looked around the kitchen.
He checked on the generator, and thankfully it had come on automatically and the fridge was running, so no loss of food. Hopefully, the electric would come back on soon, though sometimes it took days after a storm for it to be restored.
He cleaned up the water on the floor and looked around. Everything seemed fine. Lillian and Gary came into the kitchen with Zoe and Mason following behind.
“Robin, there you are. You’re okay?” Zoe rushed up to them. “I have Sunny up in my room. She’s sleeping on my pillow last I checked.”
“Thank you for taking care of her.” Robin smiled.
“Looks like we were really lucky. We’ll have lots of clean up on the property. Lots of branches and palm fronds down. The sand has covered the walkway to the beach. Lost a palm tree, too.” Lillian bustled further into the kitchen. “But now. How about we scrounge up some food for everyone?”
“Let me make it,” he offered.
“I’ll go grab a table. We can eat out on the deck. We might even have a pretty sunset now that the storm has passed,” Gary said.
“Let me help you,” Mason offered, and he and Gary headed out.
“You two go do whatever. I’ll get some food made. Will have to be sandwiches, but at least we’ll eat.” He shooed Lillian and Robin away.
He went and took off two of the hurricane shutters and light poured into the kitchen. Much better. He looked around the kitchen with a critical eye. He loved this space. His space. Okay, technically it was Lillian’s kitchen, but it felt like his. Felt like home. And he was glad to be back in it. Alone. Working in it. He couldn’t wait for the inn to open, fill with people, and for life to get back to normal.
He strode over to the fridge and pulled out food, ready to make a feast. Was everyone as starved as he was?
Chapter 19
Zoe looked around at her friends sitting at the table, enjoying the feast Jay had made. She looked down at her plate, piled with food. Couldn’t help it. Between the stress and the storm and every other excuse she could think of, she was famished and she’d freely admit it to anyone.
Mason sat next to her, smiling at her occasionally in the midst of the friendly banter about the table. Lillian made plans for the cleanup and they all offered to help her tomorrow. Robin sat with Sunny on her lap, petting the purring kitten who seemed oblivious she’d survived a hurricane. Barney lazed on the deck, keeping an eye on them, while Lucky slept under the table.
Mason squeezed her hand under the table, and she laced her fingers through his. She could almost believe that this was real life. That she lived back here on the island. That Mason was part of her life here. That…
… that things weren’t going to dissolve into nothingness when she headed back home and Mason headed to Seattle.
She pushed the thoughts away and concentrated on what Jay was saying as he stood. “Robin and I should go. Got to beat the curfew. We’ll head back to my house.”
Robin looked at Jay with a questioning glance.
“You’ll stay with me while the electricity is out?” Jay said it more as a question than a statement. “Won’t you?”
“That’s probably a good idea. Even if the town will gossip.” Robin nodded slowly.
“Pshaw. Since when do we let a little town gossip stop us from anything? Smart idea to stay with Jay for a bit while things settle down,” Lillian said. “You two head out and get back home before sunset. We’ll clear this all up.”
“We’ll be back first thing in the morning.” Jay took Robin’s hand as she stood with Sunny tucked in her arms. They walked down the steps of the deck and disappeared around the corner.
A small smile played across the corners of Lillian’s lips as she watched them leave. “About time they realized they love each other.”
Zoe stared after where they’d disappeared. They really were a great couple. So in sync and it was obvious to everyone how in love they were. A tad bit of jealousy swept through her. She’d never had that with anyone. That complete connection.
“You okay?” Mason interrupted her thoughts. “You look deep in thought.”
“I’m… I’m fine.” But was she?
She and Mason stayed with Lillian and Gary on the deck, watching the sunset. Soft colors painted the sky in delicate shades of yellow and pink, mocking the violent skies of earlier today.
They all finally rose and carried the dishes back inside. “Gary and I have the dishes tonight. And Jay’s comment about Robin staying with him got me thinking. I think you two should move into the Grand Suite. It’s two bedrooms. I’d feel better if Zoe wasn’t in her room alone with no electricity. Does that work for you two?”
“I… uh…” She turned to look at Mason.
“I think that’s a great idea. We’ll collect our things and move.” Mason turned to her. “If that’s okay with you?”
“Sure, that’s fine.” It was fine, wasn’t it? They could have a nice evening together. And she hadn’t exactly been thrilled about spending the night in the dark room all alone.
“Let’s go to my office and I’ll grab you the key.”
They headed to Lillian’s office and she flipped the light switch and laughed. “Oops, force of habit. I’ve got a flashlight lantern on the desk.”
