Isabel smiled as Kathleen told her what else their friends had been doing. After they’d finished catching up, she ended the call and picked up the invitation. The late afternoon sun caught the edge of her engagement ring, sending a small rainbow dancing across the paper. “Okay, James,” she whispered. “Let’s see what kind of adventure Sapphire Bay has in store for me this time.”
Somewhere in the distance, a wind chime her husband had hung years ago tinkled softly in the breeze. She took it as a sign of approval.
It was time for a new chapter, and Sapphire Bay was calling Isabel home.
CHAPTER 2
“Grandpa, why do I need to know about the different parts of a plant? I want to be a lawyer like you, and lawyers don’t need to know this stuff.”
Frank glanced up from the science textbook to find Tommy, his grandson, giving him his best negotiating face—the one that looked remarkably like his own in old courtroom photos. “Because,” he said, tapping the diagram of a leaf cell, “the best lawyers understand a little about everything. You never know when plant biology might be crucial to a case.”
“Did you ever defend a plant?”
The question startled a laugh out of him, earning a stern look from Mrs. Chen behind the library’s circulation desk. “Sorry,” he mouthed, then turned back to Tommy. “No plant clients, but I once had a case involving timber rights that required understanding forest growth patterns.”
Tommy sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
Frank’s gaze sharpened. “Do you want to tell me what’s really bothering you about this homework?”
Tommy slumped in his chair. “Jason said only nerds get excited about science.”
“Ah.” Frank closed the textbook. “And what do you think about that?”
“I think...” He fiddled with his pencil. “I think Jason’s dad lets him play video games instead of doing homework.”
“Probably true. But you know what else is true?” Frank waited until Tommy met his eyes. “The more you know about the world we live in, the more you’ll enjoy it. And the more you enjoy it, the happier you’ll be. It’s like the life cycle of happiness.”
A small smile tugged at Tommy’s mouth. “Is that why you like science as much as I do?”
Frank looked into Tommy’s blue eyes and wished being happy was that easy. “I like science because it helps me understand the world. Now, would you like to take a break? Mrs. Chen just left some fresh cookies in the reading room.”
As if summoned by the mention of baked goods, Mrs. Chen appeared beside their table. “I wondered if you’d seen the cookies, Frank.”
He smiled. “Apart from helping Tommy with his homework, it’s the highlight of each Wednesday afternoon. Especially if they’re your famous chocolate and pecan cookies.”
Mrs. Chen returned his smile. “It’s your lucky day. I was talking to Mabel at the general store this morning. Have you heard about the bookstore?”
Frank shook his head. Mrs. Henderson’s bookstore was one of the reasons he’d come back to Sapphire Bay when he needed a fresh start.
“What did Mabel say about it?” he asked Mrs. Chen.
“Margaret’s selling. She’s looking at living in one of the assisted living communities in Florida.” Mrs. Chen sighed. “It’s a shame she’s leaving. The store’s been a landmark since before I moved here thirty years ago.”
“Has she listed it yet?”
“Not officially, but Mabel said she’s taking offers. I’m worried that a developer will turn it into another tourist trap. We already lost the candle store to a souvenir shop last year.”
Tommy closed his textbook. “If the bookstore closes, where will I get my Rick Riordan books?”
“We’ll figure something out, buddy.” Frank ruffled Tommy’s hair, his mind already spinning through possibilities. He had the money to buy it himself, but his contract work paid well. And knowing how many hours a week he worked now, he couldn’t do both.
His phone buzzed. He looked at the caller display and saw a Seattle area code. He quickly declined the call, but moments later, a text appeared:
Time’s running out. The trial date’s getting closer. We need to talk. – Marcus.
Frank deleted the text, just like all the others. Marcus had worked with him at the same company in Seattle. They believed they were righting the wrongs in the corporate world—until Frank discovered what their firm was really hiding. Then he had to choose between his conscience and his career—and his life had changed forever.
“Grandpa? Can we get cookies now?”
