“Her parents moved to Colorado. They wanted to spend more time with their grandkids, and Hallie agreed to stay on for at least six months to help with the transition,” she said carefully.
Still, her mom looked at her in confusion.
She studied her mother closely, but she could see no clear trap on the imminent horizon. “I told you that Mason and Claire had their twins last year.”
“You did not. I would have sent the kids baby blankets.” Her mom’s confidence made her second-guess herself, and she thought back over the last year, when the twins were born. She’d just discovered Grant’s infidelity, and though she’d returned to Florida after catching him, she’d gone directly to the tennis courts and hadn’t left for what felt like days.
Things had changed, and tennis was the only thing she had to hold on to, gripping it more tightly than ever before.
“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling guilt wash through her. She was finally coming up for air, and it didn’t feel good to see the people she’d left behind.
She used to tell her mom these things. They’d eat dinner together most nights of the week unless she was away on tour, and they’d trade thrillers back and forth and discuss whether they’d guessed the ending before finishing the book.
The Thatchers and the Kings had never become friends outside of Hallie and Sydney’s love for one another, but that was mostly by virtue of Hallie’s parents’ constant work at the inn. On the weekends,they’d deposit Sydney at The Stone’s Throw, and in retrospect, she assumed the Thatchers were grateful to have someone to keep their precocious daughter occupied. Even if they tended to pay for it later.
“They’re only a year old. I’m sure they still use blankets,” Sydney said, joking to lessen the tightness that had taken up residence in her chest.
Now it was her mom’s turn to roll her eyes. “That’s not the point, and you know it.”
“Well, I’ll get their address from Hallie and make sure that you can send them alongas soon as possible.” This was good; they were navigating into safer territory on multiple fronts, giving Sydney time to polish off her banana and place the peel on the counter.
Her mom immediately scooped it up and threw it into the trash can at the end of the island. “So, what’s happening with the inn? Seems like a big change for Hallie. Is she doing okay?”
Sydney rolled her shoulders, like she was readying herself for battle. Still, it was sweet that her mom was so concerned about Hallie. She’d had similar thoughts herself.
“The sale went through earlier this month. Luckily it’s not a chain or something. Hallie seems happy to stay on for a while before figuring out what she wants to do next.”
“That girl has always been so go with the flow. A teacher’s dream, except for the?—”
“Inability to sit still?” Sydney supplied with a laugh.
“Do you remember when you’d hit tennis balls on their court and she’d just run back and forth for hours picking them all up for you?” Her mom had a fondness in her voice that brought back so many good childhood memories.
“I haven’t thought about that in years.” Sydney watched as her mom turned back around to stir the pot of… “So, what are youactuallymaking?”
She could see her mom’s ears lifting, knowing that she was smiling. “It’s a gumbo, but no alligator. I promise.”
“I know New England has some dangerous animals, but none that will crawl out of the water and try to drag you back in.”
Sydney wasn’t exactly outdoorsy, but she knew enough to stay safe from bears on any hiking paths she’d found herself on. Alligators were a whole other story. She should have never read their Wikipedia article. They got points for their positive ecological impact, but other than that, no, thank you.
She made a mental note to text Reese about her opinions on alligators later, and a smile formed as she wondered what her response would be. Her fingers itched with the desire to pull her cell phone out, but she resisted the urge.
They’d texted sporadically over the past few days, with Sydney sending a few photos from her day-to-day life. A shot of the outside of the house in Florida. Her favorite orange tree in the backyard, which wouldn’t bear fruit until later in the season. One of her lounging by their pool, which was maybe meant to make Reese miss her. Sydney’s legs were on display in the photo, her toes dipping into the pristine blue water.
She hadn’t expected how, even surrounded by a gorgeous view, she was still thinking about Stoneport, with its rocky shores and lush foliage, less muggy than the heat that permeated her neighborhood now.
“We may need to take a trip back to Stoneport soon,” her mom mused, still stirring. “I’m curious about the changes the new owner has made to the inn. Have you met them?”
Sydney had never been a good liar, especially with her mom. Her skin prickled; that feeling like she was being led into a trap was back in full force.
But she also hadn’t planned for her parents coming back for an impromptu visit.
“So… small world,” she said, her breath catching in her throat. “Reese Devereux, Grant’s older sister, bought the property.” There. She’d said it, and the world hadn’t fallen down around her. She was making too much out of nothing, and hopefully they could leave it there.
Her mom turned around. She clocked Sydney with obvious interest, mingled with a hint of disapproval that made Sydney’s breathing pick up.
“And were you two… friendly, when you and Grant were together? That must be a strange situation for you,” her mom hedged.
