She could use these last few weeks of school to bone up on romance novels. Then once school ended, she could drive to sunny South Carolina and start writing that novel.
Another jetliner screeched by, and she sent it a withering look. Her roommate had promised she wouldn’t hear them after a while. She was a liar. Plus she’d failed to disclose the aforementioned construction. A least Julie was quiet—when she was even home. She toiled toward her master’s degree by day and worked nights at a fancy steak house that kept her out late.
“Good dog, Finn! Mommy will be so happy.” Caroline led the tangle of dogs back toward Sadie, then they headed toward the street. “So what do you think?”
“I think if by some crazy chance your mom would let me crash at her beach house for free all summer, I’d be nuts to turn it down.”
Caroline beamed. “Great then! You’re going.”
“Um, you might want to run this plan by your mom first.”
Caroline held up her phone in a fistful of leashes. “Already done. She’s sending you the information now.”
Sadie’s phone buzzed and she checked the screen, skimming the note from Mrs. Miller as realization settled in. “She really said yes.”
Caroline transferred all the leashes to one hand and gave Sadie a sideways hug. “You, my friend, are headed to Tucker Island, where you’re going to write a fabulous romance novel—and I can’t wait to read it.”
Two
Ameet-cuteis a charming encounter between two characters that leads to the development of a romantic relationship.
—Romance Writing 101
Every ounce of Sadie’s travel fatigue fled at first sight of her summer digs. She pulled into the driveway on the right side of the blue beach cottage. The two-story home perched cheerfully on a mound of sandy soil, its white shutters and trim a lovely contrast to the periwinkle siding. There were two small stoops, two front doors, both crisp white and devoid of windows.
“We’re here, Rio. Oh boy, are we here.”
She shut off the ignition and stepped out, drawing in a lungful of salt-laden air. A sultry breeze lifted the few wisps of hair that had escaped her ponytail on the twelve-hour drive. Two seagulls soared overhead, crying out their welcome.
“Thank you, birdies.” She glanced back at the house, unable to keep her smile from spreading. “Yes, I think this will do.”
She leashed her Maltipoo and set her on the ground. The caramel-colored dog tugged on the leash, nose down, eager to explore her new playground. After she pottied, Sadie said, “Let’s go see the house. Wanna go see the house? Yes, we do.”
Leaving her things for later, Sadie unlocked the front door using the keypad. Once inside she shut the door and let Rio off the leash. The hot air that washed over her didn’t even put a dent in her mood. The pictures of the place hadn’t done it justice. The open floor plan led to a wall of windows at the back side of the house where a sliding door welcomed visitors onto the deck. Evening light flooded the immaculate space. Splashes of pastel blue complemented the muted tones of gray and white. The décor was simple, the furnishings lush.
“Wow, are we lucky or what?” After sharing a miniscule apartment for an outrageous sum, this place felt as big as a palace.
Rio was busy scampering around, sliding across the floor in her excitement to see it all, experience it all right now.
“Do you like it? Isn’t it so beautiful?”
Sadie walked across the wooden plank floor, running her fingers across the butter-soft sofa as she went, then kicked on the air-conditioning. The unit clicked on, then began to hum quietly. The cottage still smelled of new construction—Mrs.Miller had had it completely renovated when she’d bought it last year.
Rio yapped at a floor sculpture of a pelican.
“Be nice to our new friend. She won’t hurt you.”
Leaving the dog to her explorations, Sadie continued hertour upstairs where the lavish master bedroom exceeded all her expectations. She threw herself onto the king-size bed and stared up at the ceiling fan. “God, You are so, so good.” While the fan whirled in slow circles, she made a snow angel on the puffy duvet, then hopped up to investigate the master bath.
The focal point of the room was a floor-to-ceiling-tiled shower featuring multiple showerheads, including a giant rain showerhead. In the corner a clawfoot tub stood, a fluffy white towel draped over its side.
She flashed the tub a wink. “See you later, big guy.”
She exited the master and peeked into the tastefully appointed guest room, then headed back downstairs. It was so quiet here—no jets soaring overhead, no cars honking outside her window, no toddlers screaming through the wall, no jackhammers clanging. Just the quiet sounds of the surf. In other words, perfect for writing. Thoughts of starting the dreaded project tightened her neck muscles.
Rio approached, tiny tongue lolling, brown eyes sparkling. “We just won’t think about that right now, will we?” She dug her phone from her pocket and called Caroline, who answered with, “Have you started writing yet?”
“I just got here. This place is beautiful.” Sadie spun in a circle, arm flung out, head flung back.
