“So you condemned his plan without even knowing how or what he was going to change? Hmm, sounds like you really have a great reason to snub the guy.”
“I’m not snubbing him,” Julie said. “I saw him last night, remember?”
“Yes, but you’re hiding on this porch instead of going for your morning walk.”
She studied the world around her. “I didn’t feel like walking today.”
“Then go for a swim or a paddleboard outing. How long has it been since you paddled across Banana River and out to Friendship Beach?” Bri stood, taking her cup and her meddling with her before Julie could even answer.
The glass sliding door opened again to the sound of Houdini chattering his discontent at being left in the house. Bri gave her an over-the-shoulder move-on-with-your-life look. “I’m just saying, you could use some inspiration instead of hiding away here.”
“I’m not hiding.” Julie snipped, but the door shut before her words could reach Bri. Not that she would’ve listened anyway. Her daughter was right, though. As much as she hated to admit it, Julie hadn’t been living, not really. And she had condemned Trevor’s idea without even listening to his plan, if he even had one. The guy had been through a lot with his divorce. That was obvious, based on their conversation last night. It wasn’t her place to pry, so she hadn’t asked any questions about what happened, but she gleaned it wasn’t pretty, whatever it was. It wouldn’t have hurt her to be friendly, neighborly.
That was it. If he understood what the town was all about, he wouldn’t want to bring in strangers and big business. He’d fall in love with the way it was now and not want to change it. And if she spent more time with Trevor, Bri would see she’d moved on and return to her own life. Julie entered the house and spotted Bri at the refrigerator. “Change of plan. I’m taking that walk after all.”
There was no I told you so or it’s about time, not from Bri anyway. But when Julie spotted the big red circle on the calendar around the number fifty she paused. Avoidance wasn’t going to work for her anymore. “And this afternoon, if you’re not busy, why don’t we go through your father’s old things and donate what we don’t want.”
Bri wrapped her arms around Julie’s middle and rested her head on Julie’s shoulder. “I’d like that. Dad would love the idea of donating his tools and possessions to someone in need. There’s the shelter in Cocoa Beach… We could ride out there tomorrow and deliver the stuff if we get done tonight.”
“Thanks. I’ll be fine. Unlike what everyone thinks, I’m strong enough to handle life without your father. And as for change? I might not love it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll hide away here from it.”
Wind sauntered down the hall, stretching her arms over her head and squealing loud enough for people to hear three doors down. “Why, is our little Julie Boone finally growing up and ready to spread her wings? It only took fifty years.”
Chapter Seven
The engine purred like a lion with a head cold. Sure it sounded rough, but it was a classic and still had years left in it. And best of all, Trevor had fixed it himself.
“Can’t believe you did it, man.” Dustin came from the house, where he’d been sleeping the morning away, and eyed the contraption Trevor had rigged to test the engine with the hose and bucket. It would’ve been easier to hold things in place with some zip ties. Tomorrow he’d head to the store to get some. “Ah, should there be water coming out of it like that?”
“Yes, that’s a good thing,” Trevor shouted over the noise before he turned off the motor.
“We should celebrate.” Dustin pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Hold up, Romeo.” Trevor unhooked the hoses and pointed to the boat. “We need to get her back on board.”
“Can’t we do that later? Wind and I thought it might be fun to go to the beach. There’s some sort of special place only locals know about. It’s called Friendship Beach.”
“You do know that is only accessible via watercraft, right?”
“Watercraft?” Dustin slid his phone back in his pocket. “Like you have to get to it by boat?”
“Or paddleboard, kayak, or swim.”
“Swim? In the ocean?” Dustin shook his head and must’ve decided manual labor was the lesser of the two evils rather than facing his irrational fear of the ocean and sharks.
Trevor grabbed one side of the blanket while Dustin grabbed the other, and they slid the motor back to the ropes and pullies he’d rigged to get the engine out. His cut looked a little irritated but better than yesterday, so he’d go in and clean and disinfect it once they had the engine back in the catamaran.
It took longer to maneuver it back into the engine bay than it had to remove it, but they managed the job after a few curses and a few more cuts and bruises. “I must be a really good friend to stick around and help with this. You should appreciate me more.”
“Don’t lie. You’re here for the sun and women.” Trevor managed to reconnect everything and then decided he should get cleaned up and attend to the cut, which had turned red, on his hand.
“Speaking of women, before I hop on a concall, I’m going to text Wind and see what’s going on today. Maybe we can find some trouble somewhere.”
“I’ll get cleaned up and make some brunch. I’m starved.” Trevor stripped off his dirty shirt and wiped his face
