Trinity sighed but smiled. “I know, Aunt Charlie. We won’t go without an adult after what happened with Maddy’s father.” She stood up and looked at Holly. “Gran, can I go meet Maddy in the kitchen?”
“Sure,” Holly said, grateful for the chance to speak with Charlie alone about everything weighing on her mind.
Trinity kissed both her grandmother’s and great-aunt’s cheeks, then was gone in a flash of pre-teen energy, the door closing softly behind her.
The moment they were alone, Charlie wasted no time. “Has Simon contacted you since his appearance here two nights ago?”
“No,” Holly said, grateful for that at least. Two days without Simon’s interference felt like a small mercy.
“Don’t speak to him,” Charlie said firmly, her lawyer voice emerging. “If he messages or phones, let me know right away. Just tell him you’ll call him back when you have me present.”
“I will,” Holly promised. She meant it. She did not want to deal with Simon alone. She didn’t trust herself not to say something she would regret, not to let him manipulate her the way he always had.
Charlie’s expression softened slightly, and she leaned back in her chair. “Now, how was your first date with Jack the other night?”
Holly felt her eyes fill with emotion before she could stop them. The worry and disappointment she had been carrying for two days rose up in her throat.
Charlie immediately went back on high alert. “Holly?”
“Not great,” Holly replied quietly, her voice thick with disappointment and confusion.
“What happened?”
Holly set down her coffee cup, her hands trembling slightly. “What was supposed to be an exciting evening turned into a strained one. I felt like I was on a blind date. It was awkward, and we were both preoccupied with Simon and Terry’s thing.”
“Oh, Holly,” Charlie’s voice filled with outrage. “How dare Simon ruin our holiday like this?”
“With what’s going on with the inn,” Holly pointed out, trying to be fair even though fairness was the last thing she felt like extending to Simon, “someone was going to ruin it. I just didn’t think the doom and gloom would come from my side.”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I hope you told Jack that you knew nothing about Simon and Terry’s dealings? Or did you know?”
Holly felt shock flash through her, followed immediately by hurt. “Of course not. I would never have come here if I’d known Simon or Terry were in any way involved with this place.”
Charlie nodded immediately. “I believe you.” She said it firmly, then her expression shifted to sympathy. “But I’m guessing Jack isn’t as convinced as I am?”
“Good guess,” Holly replied bitterly. “Things are winding so tightly between us and notin a good way.”
“That Simon...” Charlie actually growled with frustration, a sound so uncharacteristic of her polished sister that Holly almost smiled. “Don’t worry, big sister. I’ll get to the bottom of all this and keep that man and your ex-best friend away.”
“Thank you,” Holly said with a sad smile. “But even if you manage to find out who’s behind this and we somehow work a miracle to save the inn...” She swallowed hard, her heart heavy in her chest. “I think a wedge has already been driven between Jack and me. I’m not sure if we can remove it.”
Charlie shook her head firmly. “I don’t believe that for one minute. I’m convinced you and Jack are meant for each other. Why else would fate have drawn you here at the exact time when he needed you most?”
“Fate has a sick sense of humor, then,” Holly told her, her voice breaking slightly. “Because it handed me paradise with a chance at happiness again, only to dangle it in front of me before slapping Simon’s betrayal in both mine and Jack’s faces.”
“Jack is a reasonable man,” Charlie pointed out gently. “Just be open and honest with him. Keep that line of communication open between you, and you’ll see. The two of you will weather this storm.”
“More like a tsunami,” Holly muttered darkly.
Before Charlie could respond, Trinity and Maddy suddenly appeared in the doorway, ready for their beach adventure. Duke was probably already waiting by the door, his tail wagging with anticipation.
Charlie stood up, giving Holly’s hand a reassuring squeeze before leaving to fulfill her beach escort duty.
Holly finished her coffee slowly, trying to gather herself and prepare for the day ahead with Jack. The morning felt like it was already slipping away from her, and she had not even started the renovation work yet.
She sorted out the breakfast dishes and brought them to the kitchen, grateful for the mindless tasks that helped settle her nerves. As she was heading toward the first-floor renovation area, she ran into Gabe coming down the hallway.
“Have you seen Trinity?” he asked.
