The sliding door opened. “I’m proud of you. I thought I was going to have to come out here to keep her from suckering you back into her world, but you held your own.”
“I think I’m immune to her manipulation now.” He chuckled.
“How did you know she’d believe you about not being able to have kids?” Dustin asked. “I mean, she could’ve called you on it to string you along until she came up with another plan.”
“Maybe, but I saw it in her eyes. The desperation to make things work with me. I knew then that she was only manipulating me long enough to figure out a new angle or she already had one. It doesn’t matter. All I know is that I need to tell Julie the truth.”
“Go. Don’t waste time with me.” Dustin shooed him off.
Trevor ran all the way to the shop, but it was locked. He pounded on the door, but no one answered. He abandoned the shop and went to the house where Kat, Trace, and Bri stood like Roman warriors in a human shield line.
“You’re not welcome here.”
“You don’t understand. The baby isn’t mine. I can’t have children,” Trevor blurted.
They looked to one another and then to him. “Doesn’t matter. If she ever wants to speak to you again, she’ll let you know. Until then, I’d advise you to leave before we do something that we might all regret.” Trace stepped forward and tossed his dinghy keys with the red float keychain at him.
“I don’t want to leave things like this.” He knew it was now or never if he wanted a chance to ever speak to her again. “I’m in love with her.”
Despite his declaration, Trace pointed to the front walk. “Leave, or we’ll call the police for trespassing and harassment. Trust me, they’ll believe us. We know the sheriff. Do you?”
He thought about ignoring them to prove how much he cared, but when Bri cleared her throat, she said the only few words that would make him go.
“If you really do love my mother, then don’t hurt her anymore.”
He knew in that moment, he never wanted to harm Julie in any way, but he had. When he’d hesitated to tell her the truth, he effectively told her a lie, and that lie lead to great unhappiness. He’d come to tell the truth, and he’d done that. Even if she couldn’t hear him, although he was sure she could with the open windows, the girls would tell her what he’d said. It was Julie’s decision now, so he did the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life.
He walked away.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Bri entered the old storage shed Julie had turned back into her studio. It wasn’t too hot this time of year, but if she was able to make any money at her chosen profession, she’d shut down the souvenir shop and make that her studio. If she decided to remain in Summer Island. Lately, she’d had her doubts, but where would she go? This had always been her home.
“Mom, I know you’re busy creating, but you’ve barely been out for fresh air in three days.” Bri approached with coffee in hand and a tentative smile.
“I’m fine. Actually, I’m close to being done. It’s just missing something.” Julie wiped her hands on her towel and tossed it onto the old sink in the corner.
“Really, can I see it?” Bri asked, stepping closer, but Julie cut her off.
“No, not yet.” She took the warm mug and sipped the magical elixir that always promised a pick-me-up.
“You should get ready. The grand finale is in an hour.” Bri scanned the studio as if analyzing every container or color or brush.
“Right, sure thing. I’ll come up and shower now. It’ll be weird having all the girls leave, but I’m happy for them. When’s your flight?”
“Don’t have one booked yet.” Bri headed up the path to the house. “Told you, I don’t know if I’m going back or not.”
Julie hurried to stay with Bri, who obviously wanted to usher Julie into Operation Birthday Finale. “You are, because I’m fine.”
“Are you? Because Trevor isn’t.” Bri blocked the back door to the house. “Mom, would it hurt to go talk to him? You saw the news. The baby wasn’t Trevor’s. He never meant to lie to you.”
“I know that.” She studied the floating swirls of milk in the dark pool of coffee. “That’s not why.”
“What is it, then? Why won’t you speak with him?” Bri grabbed the doorknob but didn’t turn it. “I’m not trying to put you two back together. I just don’t want to see you unhappy.”
“I’m not, or I won’t be. Listen, you did what you came here to do. I’m no longer in a widow’s funk. I’m living again. I’m creating, so you can move on with your life.”
“Is it because he didn’t tell you the truth and you found out from that awful newscast?”
“No. It’s because he took her to the beach.” She hid behind the rim of her mug and sipped on the brew to hide from the world, but it didn’t last and she had to come back up for air and to face Bri’s sorrowful gaze.
She bowed her head and opened the door. “I know, Mom.”
Wind swooped by and grabbed Julie by the arm. “Come on. Time to get you dolled up.”
“It’s a beach party,” Julie protested, but she knew better than to argue and never had the chance before Wind shoved her into the chair and was wielding a hot curling iron. “You know, my hair will be flat in ten minutes outside. What’s the point?”
“The point is that today is your special day and I want you to always remember it. Good or bad.”
Julie held up her hand to block the approaching iron. “What’s that supposed to mean? Tell me you didn’t invite Trevor to the party.”
“No, of course not.” Wind returned to work, and they were left
