Because I’d have to actually write to do that.“Writing’s been hard since Grandpa died,” she said, staring into her chowder bowl, feeling her spirits drain. One inspired idea about a moose didn’t automatically mean she was cured of her grief-induced writer’s block. “I write upbeat children’s books full of magic and adventure. I guess lately I’ve stopped believing in magic. And the only adventure I was up for before the very long road trip to Alaska was a Netflix binge day under the covers. Graham was quite the fan of ordering in and snuggling in bed all day.”
“Can’t imagine your grandpa would want you to stop believing in magic.”
“I know he wouldn’t.” She parted her lips to say more, but instead helped herself to a spoonful of chowder. She was having an easier time talking about her grandpa without breaking down into a sobbing mess, but she was nearing her limit. “We have time for anything else on the list after we get an autograph?”
Cody opened the list he’d confiscated from her, browsing it as he finished his lunch. “We’ll have to wait for tomorrow to grab halibut tacos at Warren’s. He only makes them on Tuesdays during the off season.”
“What about that Bear Glacier kayaking?”
“Waiting for a call back from a buddy.” Cody emptied his soup bowl and followed the last spoonful with a healthy gulp of water. “That one’s a little more involved.”
“Because you packed all your kayaks away for the winter?” she guessed.
“Ialwayshave a couple kayaks handy at my parents’ place. They bought me my own shed for my birthday one year.”
“Wow, that was generous.”
Cody slipped his card out of his wallet and set it on the edge of the table. “I was taking up an entire garage stall, which considering I’m gone most of the winter, was getting on their nerves.” He pulled out a vibrating phone, glanced at the screen, and dropped it back in his pocket. “We need more than a couple of kayaks to complete number nine. Weather’s looking good for Wednesday if Liam’s available to fly out there.”
“Fly?” Jenna felt the bottom of her stomach drop out.
“It’s a two-day hike otherwise.”
Jenna, you can fly on a plane this one time.
Cody collected his returned card. Jenna tried to pay for breakfast earlier, but he’d made it very clear he didn’t want her grandpa to haunt him. It was a hard habit to break, allowing someone else to pay for things and not tense up at what might be expected in return. She’d spent a lifetime feeling sheowedWhitney for all the sacrifices she’d made for Jenna. She didn’t want to feel that way ever again—for anyone.
When she said as much to Cody, he shook his head. “Are you sure this is yoursisteryou’re talking about?”
“Only one I’ve got,” Jenna muttered. “Let me grab Graham. I want to take him out before the rain picks back up.”
In the room, Jenna closed the door and sank against it. “Hey there, Graham Cracker.” As she slid to the floor, she gathered him in a hug on her lap. He was the world’s best snuggler. “You been napping, buddy?”
He answered with a cute half yawn, half moan noise, followed by an eager butt wiggle.
Because she needed a few minutes before she returned to Cody, Jenna decided to check her phone—a decision she instantly regretted. If she thought Whitney’s texts were out of control this morning, it was nothing compared to the influx she’d gotten since she left the lodge. “Thirty-two texts, Whitney?” she groaned. Apparently, giving her sister a heads-up about her lack of cell signal today was code forbombard me with texts.
The last text was the one that made guilt twist in her stomach.
Whitney:Remember who took you in rent-free while you went to that fancy illustration school. For TWO years. You owe me.
It would be so much easier to cut ties with her overbearing sister if Whitney simply forgot Jenna existed. But no. Her poison of choice was the constant reminder that Jenna wouldn’t have the publishing success she did today without her sister allowing her to move into her basement while she immersed herself in learning from illustrating masters and creating entire worlds in books.
Reluctantly, Jenna scrolled through the texts. Ninety percent of them were about the wedding and all the tasks that Whitney had put on her plate without asking. It was bad enough that her sister was marrying a real jerk and couldn’t see past his good looks and fat bank account to realize it. Quite another to be strong-armed into planning so much of it.
“Graham, you like Alaska, right?” she asked the dog, rubbing both his ears the way he liked. “I like Alaska. We should just stay here.” He tilted his head at her, making her feel that if he could raise an eyebrow, he’d be doing it right now. “No, it has nothing to do with that handsome—”
A rap at her door made her eyes double in size. How loud had she been talking out loud to her dog? “Jenna, you in there?” The sound of Cody’s voice made her heart race in ways it never had on any date.Especially the ones Whitney set up.
“Coming.” She hopped to her feet, clipped Graham’s leash to his collar, and opened the door.
Instantly, her traitorous dog leaned against both of Cody’s legs, demanding pets as he melted into his new bestie. “Guess your family and your adoring fan club of single women aren’t the only ones who are going to miss you while you’re hanging out on the beach.” Jenna locked the door behind her and led them to the back door.
“I don’t have a fan club,” Cody said nonchalantly. “I’m just a stunt double.”
“Oh, please.” Jenna rolled her eyes with exaggeration to get her point across. “If I had a dollar for every woman who practically swooned in your presence, I’d be staying here for free.” She let Graham sniff and explore to his heart’s content until he ran in a bunch of circles and pickedthespot.
“Tell me more about this sister of yours,” Cody asked innocently.
