Jenna glanced at Cody, more curious than she wanted to admit about his reaction. She couldn’t recall Grandpa mentioning a stuntman who lived in Alaska. Yet she felt a connection to Cody she couldn’t explain. One that might only existbecauseof her grandpa. Didn’t matter that she didn’t know him or that she’d caught him trespassing only an hour earlier. She wanted him to stay, too. None of it made sense.
“I’m not here to inconvenience anyone,” Jenna said after a chatter erupted about Cody’s departure date. “Cody’s already graciously agreed to help me with my grandpa’s list before he leaves.” She left out the part about the cabin being tied to the completion of that list. She should’ve known Grandpa would attach strings to her inheritance. She could hear his voice in her head sayingIt’s for your own good, Jenna.
“Nonsense,” Beth said, discreetly slipping Graham a strip of bacon under the table. Jenna knew because she felt the excited swish of her dog’s tail against her leg. “I remember your grandpa. He was a kind, generous man. We’re happy to have you for breakfast—or any other meal you want—while you’re in town.”
The conversation thankfully fell away from Jenna’s life and transitioned to theirs. She pretended not to eavesdrop, but she was silently fascinated with the Evans family. How many times had she dreamed of being part of a large, loving family with siblings who might bicker and tease, but showed no doubt that they loved each other? Andbothparents in the picture, still happily married.
“There’s still time to escape,” Cody said, his voice low. He was teasing, but he was also giving her an out if she wanted one.
Jenna stroked Graham’s neck as she contemplated her options. Now that the dog had been sated with bacon—and there was none left to beg for anyway—he rested his head in her lap. He was a ball of energy, but he tired after a burst and took long naps. Snoozes that were great for Jenna’s creativity. She’d written and illustrated dozens of children’s books with Graham Cracker curled up at her feet.
Until Grandpa Eddie died.
“I don’t have anything better to do,” Jenna finally said. Maybe spending the day with the Evans family would inspire the new children’s book series her agent and editor were both not-so-patiently requesting. They’d been understanding all summer while she mourned, but time was against her now. And Jenna didn’t even have a loose idea to pitch, much less a sample to send.
“I want it on the record that I gave you an opportunity to escape,” Cody said over the rim of his cup of orange juice.
Jenna watched as Laurel and Beth cleared the table, both refusing her offer to help. Melly fussed as Haylee wiped her mouth with a wet cloth like a pro. The men were huddled in conversation about a baseball game. Marc had yet to smileoncethis entire breakfast, even with both Jerry and Chase talking excitedly about some big play.
“I like your family.”
Cody lifted a corner of his mouth in a lopsided smile that made a butterfly or two flutter in her stomach. “It’s not just spending the day with the Evans clan. It’s hard work.”
Realizing that she had yet to ask what type of business they were packing up for the winter, she wondered what she agreed to. But Jenna wasn’t one to go back on her word. She agreed to help, and help she would. “What is this business anyway?”
“Evans Kayaking Adventures and Rentals.”
Jenna laughed so suddenly she nearly spit water at Cody. “How did I not guess that?”
“I do have a car, for the record. But I wanted to take a kayak out once more before they were all cleaned and packed up.”
“For the next three years?”
Cody shook his head. “It’ll open next season, like it always does. I just won’t be home to manage it in person.”
“Because you’ll be where?”
“Maui,” Haylee answered for him. “Don’t feel sorry for him. We don’t.”
Jenna decided she was too curious to act as though she didn’t care. “What’s in Maui?”
“There’s a new—”
“C’mon, you two,” Marc said, wearing the same frown from earlier. She’d thought Cody was exaggerating, but now she wasn’t so sure. He did seem permanently brooding. Some women might find that whole persona attractive. She much preferred a man who wasn’t afraid to smile. “Sooner we get started, the sooner we’re done.”
“Jenna,” Haylee said as she scooped Melly into her arms. “I hope you don’t regret offering to help. I really like you. It’d be a shame if we scared you off.”
ChapterThree
Cody
Cody hammered in the last nail on the two-by-four across the shed door, earning a round of cheering from his family and Jenna. Graham and Zeus, Laurel and Chase’s dog, both let out a series of barks when he finished, caught up in everyone else’s excitement. The long day of cleaning kayaks, checking gear, taking inventory, and packing everything away for winter was finally over.
“And that’s a wrap,” Marc announced, his lighthearted tone betraying his brooding expression. “Can we go home now?”
“I need a picture first,” Mom hollered, grabbing Marc by the arm. “It’s tradition.”
Cody stood with his back to the nailed-up shed doors as his siblings and dad gathered in around him. “Jenna, you too,” he called when she slipped off to the sidelines.
